Question

I was wondering if it would be possible to capture the smoke and other combustion products from a wood stove, so that a chimney wasn't needed. Or if the smoke could be cooled to room temperature with a heat exchanger, then be pumped out of a small pipe through the roof. Normal chimneys need to be relatively obstruction free so that a draft will carry room air into the stove, then smoke out of the chimney (generating a negative pressure in the stove essentially). But what happens if the stove was air tight and room air was pumped into the stove?

Answer 1

A smoke condenser or cooler can be used to capture the smoke and combustion products from a wood stove. It involves cooling the smoke to room temperature with a heat exchanger and then pumping it out through a small pipe on the roof. However, airtightness and introducing room air into the stove would not replace the need for a chimney as it plays a crucial role in creating the necessary draft for combustion and removing the smoke.

Step-by-step explanation:

To capture the smoke and combustion products from a wood stove, an alternative to using a chimney could be to use a system known as a 'smoke condenser' or 'smoke cooler.' This system involves cooling the smoke to room temperature with a heat exchanger and then pumping it out through a small pipe on the roof.

It is important to note that airtightness of the stove and introducing room air into the stove would not be sufficient to replace the need for a chimney, as the chimney plays a crucial role in creating the necessary draft for combustion and removing the smoke.

The smoke condenser or cooler works by transferring heat from the smoke to the surrounding air through convection in the heat exchanger. As the smoke passes through the heat exchanger, its temperature reduces, causing the gases to condense into liquid droplets. These droplets can then be collected and removed through a small pipe without emitting into the environment. This method can help reduce air pollution and increase energy efficiency.