Ultraclean breakthrough: New device slashes heater emissions
There is always room for improvement, even for gas heaters, which can be made more eco-friendly and safer. This is achievable due to a small, inexpensive, and simple device that presents an intriguing alternative to popular heat pumps.
Gas heaters and condensing boilers are already considered clean heating solutions, yet they still emit certain amounts of pollutants. These substances adversely affect the environment, impacting soil, water, and air. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) researchers in Tennessee have discovered a method to reduce these emissions. They have demonstrated a device that is efficient and affordable, as reported by the Chemical Engineering Journal.
Ultraclean gas heater
The team from ORNL has developed a technology called AGR (acidic gas reduction), which eliminates more than 99.9% of acidic gases, including nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and methane. This AGR technology device can be installed in both industrial and domestic gas heaters and boilers, as well as in water heaters.
Tests were conducted on a standard market-available condensing boiler by installing a device with AGR for 400 hours. The results were remarkable: over 99.9% elimination of potentially harmful gases without any negative impact on the device.
This device removes 99.9 percent of potentially harmful gases
AGR technology almost completely removes harmful emissions, and as a result of this process, a neutral pH condensate is produced. This eliminates the requirement for corrosion-resistant materials, leading to reduced production costs. Scientists believe this will boost sales of high-efficiency heaters and boilers, benefiting both the environment and people.
According to the ORNL team, AGR technology is straightforward for users to manage. Heaters with this device require maintenance every three years. The used AGR component can be replaced by the user or with the help of a technician, similar to handling gas cylinders.
