A B757 captain reported experiencing burning smell on departure along with a 'left recirc inoperativ...

Narrative:

During climbout; at approximately FL240; the purser called and reported a burning smell near the galley. After a brief discussion about the location the purser said she would check further in the galley area. Within a few minutes she called again and said the smell was getting much worse and in her opinion it was electrical. While she was relaying this information the 'left recirc inoperative' light came on. We decided it was prudent to return to departure airport and told ATC of our desire. As we began turning around we began to detect the burning smell and donned our oxygen masks. We advised the purser; dispatch and the passengers that we would be going back. We asked ATC for the equipment to be standing by and declared an emergency. The descent and landing were normal and the smell began to dissipate as the overboard exhaust valve status message indicated it was open. After landing; emergency crews reported no smoke or heat from their infrared equipment. We taxied to the gate with the 'no cooling' horn on in the nosewheel well.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A B757 Captain reported experiencing burning smell on departure along with a 'LEFT RECIRC INOP' warning message. They declared an emergency and returned to land at the departure airport.

Narrative: During climbout; at approximately FL240; the Purser called and reported a burning smell near the galley. After a brief discussion about the location the Purser said she would check further in the galley area. Within a few minutes she called again and said the smell was getting much worse and in her opinion it was electrical. While she was relaying this information the 'LEFT RECIRC INOP' light came on. We decided it was prudent to return to departure airport and told ATC of our desire. As we began turning around we began to detect the burning smell and donned our oxygen masks. We advised the Purser; Dispatch and the passengers that we would be going back. We asked ATC for the equipment to be standing by and declared an emergency. The descent and landing were normal and the smell began to dissipate as the overboard exhaust valve status message indicated it was open. After landing; emergency crews reported no smoke or heat from their infrared equipment. We taxied to the gate with the 'no cooling' horn on in the nosewheel well.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	849078
Time
Date	200908
Local Time Of Day	0001-0600
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.ARTCC
State Reference	US
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B757-200
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Climb
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Air Conditioning Distribution System
Person 1
Function	Pilot Not Flying
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 200 Flight Crew Total 16000 Flight Crew Type 6455
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor

A B757 captain reported experiencing burning smell on departure along with a 'left recirc inoperative' warning message. They declared an emergency and returned to land at the departure airport.