How a Catalyst is Designed for Wood-Burning Appliances
In order to apply operating principles to advanced wood combustion designs, an insight into combustion design is essential. The following paragraphs focus on the combustor, why it is constructed the way it is, and what is important to its effective performance.
MATERIALS
Catalytic combustors have three basic components: substrate, washcoat, and catalyst. The characteristics of the substrate, washcoat, and catalyst are carefully designed to optimize combustor performance.
Substrates
The substrate is a ceramic material that is extruded in its honeycomb form and then fired. A ceramic material is used because of its stability in harsh thermal environments. The temperature at which the substrate begins to melt is 2,570° F (1,410° C).The essential elements of any substrate material are... READ MORE
Washcoat
The washcoat is a chemical inert substance, usually a high surface area alumina. Exposure to temperature above 1600°F (870°C) affects the washcoat... READ MORE
Catalyst
A catalyst is a substance which lowers the activation energy for a given reaction, without being consumed by the reaction. To oxidize organic compounds, HEAT is the activation energy necessary to complete the reaction.
