Definitive Answer - Burning Coal With A Catalyst...

[Peter B.]

Last year in desperation, I tried to burn coal (exclusively) in my wood stove. On the whole, the effort failed miserably, but I still have a partial bag of coal left... which I figured I'd burn - a few lumps at a time - on cold nights this winter.

I've seen advisories stating that burning coal 'may' poison a catalytic combustor as used in a wood stove.

Does anyone know for certain?

I will be replacing the combustor next year in any event, but I'd like to limp it through the season without reducing its remaining effectiveness. I _can_ run the stove on bypass, if need be.

Thanks in advance for experience-based comments.

Peter B.

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[humpin iron]

coal will kill the cat

 

[KeithO]

The sulphur "obscures" the precious metal sites, thereby de-activating the catalyst. Sulphur also produces sulphates (inorganic compound) that can effectively plug the channels of the catalyst. Tat is the reason why 2007 on diesel trucks have to run on UL sulphur diesel, since the sulphates would plug the soot filter way before the desired service interval.

A partial bag of coal is not worth nearly as much as your catalyst, by any spread of the imagination.

Of course if you wanted to burn exclusively coal, you could simply remove the catalyst altogether, that would allow it to be put back in service later.

 

[Peter B.]

Thanks to both of you for your replies... especially the 'technical' one.

I'll remove the converter before I try to burn any coal.

I think the bag only cost $5., so it's not like I'd take a real hit if I didn't use it... just hate to waste anything.

Thanks Again.

Peter B.

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[humpin iron]

There is no waste.......plenty of stockings around this time of year

 

[Peter B.]

humpin iron wrote:

"There is no waste.......plenty of stockings around this time of year"

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Excellent suggestion...

The only problem is that - given my misbehavior this year - I've 'earned' all the coal myself.

Peter B.

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[Todd]

What stove are you burning? Is it the antique one in your avatar? Did you install a cat in there?

 

[Peter B.]

Todd wrote:

"What stove are you burning? Is it the antique one in your avatar? Did you install a cat in there?"

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Yeah... the story starts here:

https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/viewreply/300761/

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More details someday...

(A long day here.)

PB

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[Rockey]

There is no waste.......plenty of stockings around this time of year

It looks like my Dad has learned how to use the internet.