Catalytic combustors

 

Catalytic combustor

Catalytic combustors are an important technology for wood stoves, helping to reduce emissions and improve efficiency. In this essay, we will explore what catalytic combustors are, how they work, and their benefits for wood stove users.

What are catalytic combustors?

Catalytic combustors are devices that are installed in wood stoves to help reduce emissions and improve efficiency. They are made of a honeycomb-like structure coated with a catalyst, such as platinum or palladium. When wood is burned in a wood stove with a catalytic combustor, the exhaust gases are forced through the combustor, where the catalyst helps to burn any remaining unburned particles and gases.

How do catalytic combustors work?

Catalytic combustors work by using a chemical reaction to break down the pollutants in the exhaust gases. When wood is burned in a wood stove, it produces a variety of pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds. These pollutants are harmful to human health and the environment, and can also decrease the efficiency of the wood stove.

When the exhaust gases are forced through the catalytic combustor, they come into contact with the catalyst, which helps to break down the pollutants. This process is known as catalytic oxidation, and it converts the pollutants into less harmful gases, such as carbon dioxide and water vapor. As a result, the emissions from the wood stove are reduced, and the efficiency of the stove is increased.

What are the benefits of catalytic combustors for wood stove users?

There are several benefits to using catalytic combustors in wood stoves. First and foremost, catalytic combustors help to reduce emissions, which is good for both human health and the environment. By reducing the amount of pollutants that are released into the air, catalytic combustors help to improve air quality and reduce the risk of respiratory problems.

In addition to reducing emissions, catalytic combustors can also help to improve the efficiency of wood stoves. When wood is burned in a wood stove, some of the energy is lost as heat escapes up the chimney. By using a catalytic combustor, more of the energy from the wood is converted into heat, which means that the wood stove can heat a room more effectively and efficiently.

Finally, catalytic combustors can also help to reduce the amount of creosote buildup in the chimney. Creosote is a flammable substance that can accumulate in the chimney when wood is burned in a wood stove. If too much creosote builds up, it can increase the risk of a chimney fire. By reducing the amount of unburned particles and gases that are released into the chimney, catalytic combustors can help to reduce the amount of creosote buildup.

In conclusion, catalytic combustors are an important technology for wood stoves. They help to reduce emissions, improve efficiency, and reduce the risk of chimney fires. If you are considering purchasing a wood stove, it is worth considering a model that includes a catalytic combustor. By doing so, you can help to reduce your environmental footprint and improve the health and safety of your home.

Here at WoodStove-fireplaceGlass.com and WoodStove-fireplaceParts.com we carry the Condar brand of Catalytic combustors.  Why? Because we feel that they are simply the best.  Best quality that we have seen with a great warranty program.....

REMEDIES UNDER THIS WARRANTY Manufacturer will replace a defective combustor, free of charge, for the first 90 days following the date of original purchase. After the first 90 days, replacement will be at the following discount:

  • Year 1 — 50% of original price paid
  • Year 2 — 40% of original price paid
  • Year 3 — 30% of original price paid
  • Year 4 — 20% of original price paid
  • Year 5 — 10% of original price paid
  • Year 6 — Replacement at current retail price.

Manufacturer Warranty:

Combustors are guaranteed to contain sufficient catalytic precious metals (platinum and/or palladium) formulated and properly applied to conform to requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for certified wood-burning products, and when installed in USA are warranted for structural integrity for five years or 12,000 hours burn-time, whichever comes first, when correctly installed and maintained. Failure due to incorrect use, including with fuels other than dry natural wood, is excluded.

So please contact us with any problems or questions with your combustor.  Warranty dates start with you date of purchase - so keep your receipt.

 condar in stove

A wood stove Catalytic combustor is not a filter. Instead of catching the particles, the combustor deploys chemical catalysis to break apart unburned particles. The Platinum and palladium atoms inside the honeycomb sets of the chemical reaction. The catalyst converts the smoke into water vapor, carbon dioxide, and HEAT.
Catalysis are used in other catalytic converters, such as vehicles, but wood stoves are unique in benefiting from the HEAT that the catalytic reaction produces.
The new smoke or emissions from chimney become invisible carbon dioxide and white water vapor. Chimney smoke from either having no or worn-out catalysts are dark.

What does light-off temperature mean?

The chemical catalysis will not take place at any temperature lower than light-off temperature. That's why your stove bypass diverts around the catalyst during warm-up.

For ceramic honeycomb catalytic combustors light-off occurs when your woodstove reaches around 500° Fahrenheit (260° Celsius),

For Condar steel honeycomb catalysts, light-off temperature is reached faster, at approximately 400° Fahrenheit (204° Celsius).