Method of operating a fuel heating system

A method of operating a fuel heating system, the fuel heating system including an exhaust flow circuit configured to heat a fuel flow circuit having at least one inlet damper, at least one outlet damper, and at least one recirculation damper, the method comprising:

• performing pre-ignition diagnostic checks on a plurality of components of the fuel heating system;
• purging the fuel heating system of an accumulation of unburned hydrocarbons;
• operating the fuel heating system in a normal operating condition;
• operating the fuel heating system in a cool down condition;
• operating the fuel heating system in a shutdown condition, wherein, during the shutdown condition, the at least one outlet damper and the at least one recirculation damper are each opened to a position that allows an equal amount of the exhaust air to flow through the at least one outlet damper and at least one recirculation damper;
• and
• monitoring the fuel heating system, wherein the fuel heating system initiates at least one protective mode upon detection of an abnormal operating characteristic,
• wherein the at least one inlet damper controls an amount of exhaust air that enters the exhaust flow circuit via a supply path, the at least one outlet damper controls an amount of exhaust air that exits the exhaust flow circuit via an outlet path, and the at least one recirculation damper controls an amount of exhaust air that is recirculated in the exhaust flow circuit from the outlet path to the supply path via a recirculation path.