Domestic Hearths Research Articles

Heating Standards and Obsolescence in Post-War Britain’s Homes for Today and Tomorrow

In 1962, a short film by Shell-Mex and BP Limited (Companies of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group and the British Petroleum Group) was prepared for the 29th Annual Conference and Exhibition of the National Society of Clean Air in Britain to encourage British households to shift from coal domestic fires to smokeless heating appliances. One year earlier, in 1961, the most influential report on space standards in Britain was published, titled <em>Homes for Today and Tomorrow </em>(also known as the <em>Parker Morris Report</em>), which advocated for flexibility in the home through larger size homes and better heating. This article focuses on the report’s emphasis on better heating as one way to fulfil the concept of the “adaptable home,” and it introduces the discussions about heating standards during the report’s making, underlining the open domestic fire as an obsolete technology. These discussions, however, were entangled with socio-cultural endeavours and consumerist aspirations for modernisation, placing the removal of an otherwise pervasive domestic element within a broader net of forces, actors, and dilemmas involved in decision-making and planning. This article, composed as a historical acquisition, oscillates from the scale of the domestic fireplace to the housing scale, raising the issue of obsolescence in housing provision, which is still salient today.

On the early development of Huastecs (Gulf of Mexico) revealed by the Earth's magnetic field recorded in domestic hearths

AbstractA detailed magnetic mineralogy and archaeomagnetic study was carried out on recently discovered domestic hearths and burned floors at the Chak Pet archaeological settlement (Tamaulipas, Mexico). The study aimed to obtain reliable absolute chronological constraints on the early development of Huastecs during the Formative period. Oriented hand samples corresponded to four domestic hearths and one burned floor. Continuous thermomagnetic curves revealed mostly irreversible behavior, while titanomagnetites, titanomaghemites, and goethites are assumed to carry the remanent magnetization. In total, 87 specimens were subjected to stepwise demagnetization of natural remanent magnetization using an alternating field procedure. Characteristic remanent magnetization directions were obtained for 29 samples of two hearths and one burned floor. No single, technically acceptable paleointensity determination was obtained. The new archaeomagnetic age intervals for Chak Pet allow locating the origin of this settlement at the Gulf of Mexico within the Middle Formative (900–600 BCE) continuing until the Late Formative period (350–100 BCE). New archaeomagnetic ages are in accordance with the diagnostic pottery analysis. Dated archaeological elements are associated with both ceramic types and different sets of burials, providing a reliable tool to calibrate their chronological and stratigraphic positions.

Wood use and forest management at the Late Bronze Age copper mining site of Prigglitz-Gasteil in the Eastern Alps – A combined anthracological, archaeological, and palynological approach

The Late Bronze Age mining site of Prigglitz-Gasteil provides a wealth of sources of information for the reconstruction of wood use, past vegetation, and forest management at a copper production facility. In this paper we have combined charcoal analyses from domestic and workshop contexts and the investigation of mining timbers found in the backfill of the opencast copper ore mine with the first results from pollen analyses from the nearby Saubachgraben mire. The complementary information from these different contexts allowed a reconstruction of the impact of settlement and mining activities on the natural mixed forest around the site, chiefly composed of beech, spruce, and fir. Forest clearing affected mainly spruce. Despite the dominance of spruce among the conifers, however, fir wood was exclusively selected for the production of mining timbers, which were used to support the opencast mine walls or for water management constructions. The gathering of firewood for domestic hearths followed the principle of least effort, leading to a secondary succession with pioneering species in the immediate surroundings of the mining settlement. The investigated wood and charcoal finds indicated an intentional and selective use of the locally available wood species. At the current state of the investigations, there is no evidence of scarcity or shortage in the wood supply.

Burning, dumping, and site use during the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic at Hohle Fels Cave, SW Germany

Dumped deposits are a valuable source of information for inferring past behaviour. They provide insights into site maintenance, social organization and settlement dynamics. Hohle Fels Cave in SW Germany offers a unique opportunity to investigate the importance of dumping and site maintenance during the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic of the Swabian Jura. In this paper, we analyse anthropogenic deposits at Hohle Fels employing micromorphology and fabric analysis in order to reconstruct their formation and understand the human behaviours behind their accumulation. Our study indicates that dumping residues from combustion features in the interior of Hohle Fels Cave has a long history extending back to Neanderthal occupation at the site during the Middle Palaeolithic. Despite some reworking via down-slope movement, most of the features demonstrate that the site’s inhabitants dumped burnt material, which was previously the fuel for domestic hearths, in specific locations within the cave. The intentionality of the action and the characteristics of the features provide important information for reconstructing the mode and spatial organization of occupations at the site. The combustion features from the Middle Palaeolithic allow us to reassess the hypothesis that Neanderthals’ use of the site was less intense and documented a lesser degree of spatial patterning than subsequent Upper Palaeolithic occupations. This research also provides insight for examining the regional variability of pyrotechnology and site maintenance during the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic.

A small deposit for plastic packaging waste could improve sorting habits in rural areas

There is an intent to increase the recycling rate of plastic waste in the European Union. Yet, the current actions have not been sufficient to achieve the recycling targets. Especially the most sparsely populated rural areas have been identified to be the most challenging area for waste management, as distances between households and recycling points are long. Consequently, more attention should be paid to the waste management methods of rural inhabitants. Previously, economic incentives have been identified as an important driver for better recycling habits. In the present study, a deposit-based recycling system for plastic packaging is introduced in a study area in rural Finland. Two deposit allocation systems were studied, where the deposits were allocated based on the returned plastic-mass or the number of specified plastic items returned. The results show that a small deposit can drive consumers to improve their sorting, and those respondents who had previously disposed plastic with mixed waste or incinerated plastic waste in domestic fireplaces improved their sorting habits. A mass-based deposit allocation system was favored over a piece-based deposit system. Implementing this practice would enhance consumer-based sorting, recycling, and refinability of plastic waste and enable rural areas to meet the recycling targets.

Lowering mortality risks in urban areas by containing atmospheric pollution

ObjectivesAlthough studies collectively examining the traffic and residential heat pollutant emissions are abundant, research investigations dedicated to Cyprus are scarce. This investigation has simulated the levels of air pollutants, namely, CO, NOx, PM2.5, and PM10 and reconciled them with actual air quality measurements in Nicosia, Cyprus, during a 9-month period at an hourly resolution. To this end, several scenarios and cases were formulated to tackle emissions and minimise human mortality risks in the city. MethodsThe GRAL dispersion model was used to project pollution levels. Nine different traffic scenarios were devised to estimate variations in concentration of PM2.5 and NOx under various policies, such as banning diesel passenger vehicles (PV), light duty vehicles (LDV), non-Euro 6 standards vehicles, stringent speed limits and a ubiquitous roll-out of electric passenger vehicles. Moreover, 4 distinct cases were analysed to year 2030 considering a fluctuation in traffic of ±20% whereas all vehicles conform to Euro 6 standards. Three additional policies examined the prohibition of diesel PV and LDV, 80% electric PV and outlawing fireplaces. Drawing on the findings of these scenarios and cases, the total cardiovascular and respiratory mortality rates at the capital of Cyprus, Nicosia, were deduced. ResultsThe most promising scenario in terms of curbing emissions was to ban non-Euro 6 vehicles and diesel PV and LDV which could contain average NOx concentration, in Nicosia, from 52.9 μg/m3 to 15.0 μg/m3. If this policy were to be implemented, it could have saved 70% of the premature deaths tied to NOx emissions. For particulate matter, banning fireplaces and abandoning non-Euro 6 vehicles could lower average concentrations from 18.3 μg/m3 to 13.1 μg/m3, saving at least 30% of the people poised to lose their lives from particulate matter risks. ConclusionTraffic and residential heat policies are not easy to implement. However, our study has demonstrated that the most effective policies for curbing NOx emissions would be to ensure that all vehicles abide with the Euro 6 standards and, concurrently, ban diesel passenger and light duty vehicles. Lastly, phasing out domestic fireplaces appears to be the most promising solution for containing particulate matter, in 2030.

Alfred Fletcher’s campaign for black smoke abatement, 1864–96: Anticipating the 1956 Clean Air Act

Many smog episodes occurred during the nineteenth century because of the steadily rising consumption of coal for industrial furnaces, commercial ovens and domestic hearths, but the few legislative efforts to abate black smoke proved ineffectual. It was only in 1956, and following the major London smog episode of 1952, that the government was finally forced into action and parliament approved the Clean Air Act. But two important elements of the 1956 legislation were key parts of an earlier campaign conducted by Alfred Fletcher between 1864 and 1896 and while he was working for the Alkali Inspectorate. The Inspectorate had expected black smoke to be added to the list of regulated noxious vapours but governments and parliament resisted. Access to Fletcher’s private diaries reveal how he remained a leading advocate for abatement of black smoke, and used his position as Chief Inspector from 1884 to conduct a multi-pronged campaign both inside and outside the Inspectorate that included promoting gas as a fuel and the technical evaluation of cleaner appliances.

Formation of Biphasic Hydroxylapatite-Beta Magnesium Tricalcium Phosphate in Heat Treated Salmonid Vertebrae

Ichthyoarchaeological evidence is uncommon at ancient hunter-gatherer sites from various regions and timeframes. This research contributes to the development of microarchaeological techniques useful for identifying fishing economies in situations where classifiable bones are unavailable. Specifically, traces of heat altered bone mineral in domestic hearths are expected to provide markers for discarded fish remains. We used a series of laboratory incineration experiments to characterize the mineralogy of burned salmonid vertebrae. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction distinguished the formation of beta magnesium tricalcium phosphate (βMgTCP) at temperatures as low as 600 °C. Bones from a sample of game mammals and birds did not form this phase at temperatures below 1,000 °C. We propose that this neoformed mineral can serve as a proxy for hunter-gatherer salmonid fishing when typical ichthyoarchaeological evidence is absent. Using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, it will be possible to rapidly and inexpensively determine the presence of βMgTCP in fragmentary burned bone remains associated with combustion features. The occurrence of βMgTCP in archaeological hearth features will offer a new means of further evaluating the temporal, geographic, and cultural scope of salmonid harvesting. We also acknowledge the value of biphasic hydroxylapatite-βMgTCP recovered from Atlantic salmon vertebrae as a bioceramic.

Domestic firing activities and fuel consumption in a Saharan oasis: Micromorphological and archaeobotanical evidence from the Garamantian site of Fewet (Central Sahara, SW Libya)

We describe a combined geoarchaeological and archaeobotanical approach applied to the study of firing activities that have been carried out at Fewet, a Garamantian compound in the Central Sahara (Libya), between the 3rd century BC and the 1st century AD. The archaeological stratigraphy of the site has been sealed by several mud-brick wall collapses, preserving an interesting sequence of living floors, whose micromorphological study is unique for the Central Sahara. This investigation together with the mineralogical analysis of sediments, confirms the field attribution of archaeological features as domestic fireplaces, and identified the living floors as areas devoted to animal penning, probably subjected to periodical firing. The investigation also highlights an exceptional concentration of gypsum pedofeatures, presumably determined by the wood type selected for fuel. The archaeobotanical study identified a good quantity of charcoal and other plant remains in the same layers. Most of the charcoal has been identified as Central Tamarix, which is the most common tree living in the oasis today. This suggests that tamarisk wood was the most exploited tree for fuel, and its combustion led to the dispersion of gypsum from the plant tissue, later recrystallized in the shape of microcrystalline nodules, lenses, and euhedral crystals.

Explaining changing patterns of wood presence across the Bronze and Iron Age at Kaman-Kalehöyük, central Anatolia

Previous anthracological research on multi-use pit fills at Kaman-Kalehoyuk in central Turkey shows a sudden and dramatic increase in pine use from the Early Iron Age onwards, accompanied by a decline in taxa richness from the Middle Bronze Age to the Late Bronze Age. This paper explores whether fuel choice was the driving factor behind this pattern of change through a comparative taxonomic analysis of wood charcoal assemblages derived from multi-use pits, domestic hearths, and room fills accumulated during the Middle Bronze Age to Late Iron Age occupation at the site. Results from the hearth assemblages parallel those from the pits, documenting a decline in taxa richness from the Middle Bronze Age to the Late Bronze Age, particularly during the Hittite Empire period, followed by a dramatic increase in pine in the Iron Age. However, the room fill composition does not match the same pattern. Results confirm that changes in taxonomic representation represented in the pit fills at Kaman-Kalehoyuk was driven by fuel wood selection, with remains from room fills reflecting different selection behaviour relating to construction activities.

Benefits of an Accurate 3D Documentation in Understanding the Status of the Bronze Age Heritage Cave “Les Fraux” (France)

An interdisciplinary team of archaeologists, surveyors, environmentalists and archaeometrists has jointly carried out the study of the Bronze Age “Les Fraux” (Saint-Martin-de-Fressengeas, Dordogne, France) since 2007. This archaeological decorated cave, registered as a French Historical Monument, forms a wide network of galleries, characterized by the exceptional richness of its archaeological remains such as ceramic and metal deposits, parietal representation and domestic fireplaces. This cave is the only protohistorical site in Europe wherein testimonies of domestic, spiritual and artistic activities are gathered. This project has been labelled by the Institute of Ecology and Environment of the French Research Council (CNRS), who wants to promote new methodologies and experimental studies in Global Ecology. Accurate 3D models of the cave constitute the common framework for the different partners. We present in this paper an overview of methods of data recording based on contact-free measurement techniques in order to acquire a full 3D-documentation of the site. Different techniques based on Terrestrial Laser Scanning, Digital Photogrammetry and Spatial Imaging have been used in order to generate geometric and photorealistic 3D models from the combination of point clouds and photogrammetric images, for both visualization and accurate documentation purposes. Various scales of acquiring and diverse resolutions have been applied according to the subject, e.g. global volume of the cave, parietal representations, and deposits. Measurements from an original method of 3D indoor magnetic field recording are combined with the 3D models in order to locate magnetic anomalies in the cave. All the surveys are conducted in compliance with the integrity of the site.

Anatomy of the endemic palms of the Near and Middle East: archaeobotanical perspectives

This study presents anatomical descriptors to identify stems and petioles of the Near and Middle East palms genera (Chamaerops, Hyphaene, Medemia, Nannorrhops, Phoenix). Since the Bronze Age, these palms are an essential plant resource for the populations of the hot deserts of these regions. Stems of Phoenix and Hyphaene are used as building materials in architectural work (beams and pillars) and in rare cases as fuel. Woody petioles and midribs of these five genera constitute a common source of fuel, as shown by the many palm fragments found in domestic hearths on archaeological sites. They are also transformed into furniture, small fishing boats or other carpentry works. However, until recently, fragments or remains were identified to the family level – usually interpreted as coming from the date palm – but no attempt had been made to distinguish: (i) the different genera; and (ii) the stem tissue from the woody parts of the leaf (petiole). This work provides positive anatomical descriptors to identify the different structures and the different genera both on carbonized and desiccated material. This study may thereby contribute to the knowledge of human practices of the past.

METHODOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN 3D SCANNING AND MODELLING OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL FRENCH HERITAGE SITE : THE BRONZE AGE PAINTED CAVE OF "LES FRAUX", DORDOGNE (FRANCE)

Abstract. For six years, an interdisciplinary team of archaeologists, surveyors, environmentalists and archaeometrists have jointly carried out the study of a Bronze Age painted cave, registrered in the French Historical Monuments. The archaeological cave of Les Fraux (Saint-Martin-de-Fressengeas, Dordogne) forms a wide network of galleries, characterized by the exceptional richness of its archaeological remains such as ceramic and metal deposits, parietal representation and about domestic fireplaces. This cave is the only protohistorical site in Europe wherein are gathered testimonies of domestic, spiritual and artistic activities. Fortunately, the cave was closed at the end of the Bronze Age, following to the collapse of its entrance. The site was re-discovered in 1989 and its study started in 2007. The study in progress takes place in a new kind of tool founded by the CNRS's Institute of Ecology and Environment. The purpose of this observatory is the promotion of new methodologies and experimental studies in Global Ecology. In that framework, 3D models of the cave constitute the common work support and the best way for scientific communication for the various studies conducted on the site by nearly forty researchers. In this specific context, a partnership among archaeologists and surveyors from INSA Strasbourg allows the team to develop, in an interdisciplinary way, new methods of data acquiring based on contact-free measurements techniques in order to acquire a full 3D-documentation. This work is conducted in compliance with the integrity of the site. Different techniques based on Terrestrial Laser Scanning, Digital Photogrammetry and Spatial Imaging System have been used in order to generate a geometric and photorealistic 3D model from the combination of point clouds and photogrammetric images, for both visualization and accurate documentation purposes. Various scales of acquiring and diverse resolutions have been applied according to the subject: global volume cave, parietal representations, deposits… The aim of this paper is to issue a statement of the different 3D technologies tested in this outstanding site and the integration of magnetic measurements in the models.

Emissions from Irish domestic fireplaces and their impact on indoor air quality when used as supplementary heating source

A field study on the impact of fireplace on the indoor air quality was carried out between 2004 and 2006, where two main contaminants, CO and particulate matters, were investigated in twenty seven randomly selected Irish houses. The results show that while the physical environment has been improved by increasing the room air and radiant temperature, indoor air quality is significantly decreased when fireplace is used as additional heating source to the central heating. The operation of fireplace increased transient concentrations of CO and airborne particle to several times higher than the normal house average level. Statistical analysis showed significant difference of the average PM10 concentration between house groups with and without using fireplace. However fireplace did not demonstrate a significant influence on average CO level from our samples. When comparisons were made between houses with various emission sources, i.e. fireplace, smoking and open fire gas cooking, and houses free of the above sources, smoking and open fire gas cookers were proved to be other major sources of particles and CO. Particularly when they exist at the same time with fireplace, significant elevation of CO and airborne particle levels is observed in analysis. Cumulative probability analysis in some houses revealed high percentage of time exceeding health guidelines which indicated the potential health risk in these houses. Mass balance equation was employed to estimate particle emission rates from fireplace, namely 0.66 mg min-1 (PM10) and 0.20 mg min-1 (PM2.5) respectively in terms of mass concentration. Emission rates on particle numbers were also estimated despite the relatively smaller sample. Gas fuel fireplaces tended to emit fewer particles both in mass and in number comparing to fireplaces using solid fuels.

The “zero‐CO” domestic fireplace: a catalytic solution to reduce pollutants

PurposeBecause domestic heating appliances have the advantage of reducing emissions of greenhouse gas, their use is greatly increased and is largely recommended by European governments. However, some recent studies revealed that residential wood stoves and inserts are the source of many chemicals in the form of gases (CO2, CO, SO2, NOx), volatile organic compounds (alkane, alkenes, benzene, etc. …) and tars (mainly constituting poly‐aromatic hydrocarbons). The most important of them in terms of the emission factor and impact on environment and human health are carbon monoxide and fine particles. The aim of this study is to test the activity of a Pd‐based catalyst on the reduction of gas and particles during wood combustion in a domestic fireplace.Design/methodology/approachA catalytic system, placed at the exit of the fireplace, was developed to reduce pollutants. Pollutant characterization of a domestic fireplace from FONDIS SA, according to two paces of functioning (nominal and low‐charge), was performed with and without the presence of the catalyst. Fine and ultrafine particle distributions were characterized using an Electrical Low Pressure Impactor.FindingsThe presence of a catalyst drastically decreases the emission factors of CO. Though performing efficiently with respect to the total suspended particles emission factor, it does not significantly affect the emission factors of aerosols. Nevertheless, in the presence of the catalyst, air supply conditions slightly modify size distributions of PM0.1 to PM10.Practical implicationsA purification assembly, having catalysts for gases and combustion fumes from solid fuel heating apparatus, was patented and fireplaces are now commercially available from FONDIS SA.Originality/valueThis work was an adaptation of the catalytic system present in the automotive Diesel exhaust engines. It was not necessary to consult previous laboratory experiments in order to perform its activity because it was directly tested at the duct fireplace.

Severe Burn Injuries Caused by Bioethanol-Design Fireplaces—An Overview on Recreational Fire Threats

Commercially available bioethanol-fueled fireplaces have become increasingly popular additions for interior home decoration in Europe and more recently in the United States. These fireplaces are advertised as smokeless, ecologically friendly, and do not require professional installation, formal gas lines, or venting. Although manufacturers and businesses promote their safety, recent presentations of injuries have alerted the authors to the relevant danger bioethanol fireplaces can pose for the incautious user. Are bioethanol fireplaces going to become the future threat in domestic burn accidents beside common barbeque burns? A Medline literature search on barbeque and domestic fireplace accidents was performed to compare and stratify the injury patterns reported and to identify a risk profile for contemporary bioethanol-fueled fireplaces. To exemplify, two representative clinical cases of severe burn accidents caused by bioethanol-fueled fireplaces, both treated in the burn unit of the authors, are being presented. Design fireplaces are being recognized as an increasing source of fuel and fire-related danger in the home. This risk may be underestimated by the uninformed customer, resulting in severe burn injuries. Because bioethanol-fueled fireplaces have become more commonplace, they may overtake barbecue-related injury as the most common domestic burn injury.

Numérisation 3D de la grotte ornée des Fraux (Saint-Martin-de-Fressengeas, Dordogne, France). Approche multiscalaire

The archaeological cave «Les Fraux» (Saint-Martin-de-Fressengeas, Dordogne) forms a great network of galleries, characterized by the exceptional richness of its archaeological Bronze age remains such as domestic fireplaces, ceramic and metal deposits, fingerings incised in the clayey-walls. The cave has been closed according to the collapse of its entrance, at the end of the Bronze Age. The study in progress takes place in a new kind of tool founded by the Institute of Ecology and Environment (INEE) : sites dedicated to the study of global ecology. In that framework, we try to develop new methods of data acquiring, according to an interdisciplinary way. A partnership among archaeologists and surveyors from INSA allow the 3D recording and modelling of the global volume cave. In the same time, we implement the high resolution acquiring of parietal representations (engravings and fingerings). The aim of this paper is focusing on the complementarity of data which are produced by the different scales of 3D recording used in the cave. Another purpose is to issue a statement of the different 3D technologies tested in "Les Fraux". Finally, we propose to start a discussion about the way we try to produce a 3D documentation accurate and adapted to the researchers needs.

Concentrations of copper, zinc and lead as indicators of hearth usage at the Roman town of Calleva Atrebatum (Silchester, Hampshire, UK)

Although prima facie evidence for non-ferrous metal-working in the form of slag, crucibles, moulds, etc is present at the Roman town of Calleva Atrebatum at Silchester Hampshire, UK it has not yet been stratigraphically associated with in situ hearths; this can make the location of metal-working difficult to determine. This in turn raises the further question of the range of function of hearths in this urban context. The present study uses a combination of archaeological and analytical methods to attempt to determine the use of several hearth and hearth-related contexts within the on-going excavation at Insula IX. Using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) we were able to distinguish between probable industrial and domestic hearths based on elemental concentrations; for example locally elevated metal concentrations, in particular of copper, show evidence for the probable working of copper alloys at Silchester. Metals were found to accumulate in the silty layers associated with hearth platforms indicating that the tiles themselves do not appear to absorb metal spatter.

Plant macrofossils from the Roman settlement of Terronha de Pinhovelo, northwest Iberia

Several samples were collected during the archaeological excavations at the proto-historic and Roman settlement of Terronha de Pinhovelo, northeast Portugal, in order to obtain plant macrofossils. The relevant archaeobotanical data gathered from the Roman structures of Sector B at the site allow a further understanding of the settlement and its community’s daily life between the 4th and 5th centuries a.d. In the charcoal analysis, the main types recovered were Pinus pinaster, Quercus pyrenaica type, Q. faginea type, Q. suber type, Arbutus unedo and Fraxinus angustifolia. The shrubs, significantly less abundant in the samples, were represented by Cistus sp., Leguminosae and Erica spp. It must be stressed that the samples were taken from well-delimited domestic hearths and the botanical remains result from specific choices of firewood in short episodes of time, and therefore not the most appropriate for palaeoecological approaches, which usually cover a longer time span. The cereals are the most frequent group of plants represented in the fruit and seed assemblages. Triticum aestivum/durum, T. compactum, T. spelta and Hordeum vulgare were the dominant crops, followed by T. dicoccum and Panicum miliaceum. The only pulse identified was Vicia faba var. minor, in quite abundant quantity although it came almost exclusively from just one hearth. Two of the compartments sampled seem to be directly connected to plant processing, but the presence together of several plant taxa in the domestic structures makes their understanding quite difficult. These palaeoeconomic data are consistent with the records already available for northwest Iberia, and are significantly representative of a regular Romanised rural community.

Efficiency of catalytic processes for the reduction of CO and VOC emissions from wood combustion in domestic fireplaces

Pollutant characterization of domestic fireplaces, according to two paces of functioning (normal and low-charge phase) was performed. Two catalysts supported on cordierite or metal were placed in the exhaust of two domestic fireplaces (old and new generation) in order to reduce gaseous pollutants. Active phase of catalysts is composed of noble metals (Pd, Pt) and cerium. Methane was the dominant compound of the released Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC, 80% b. v.). Products resulting from incomplete combustion (CO and other VOC) did not represent more than 6% of the initial carbon content in wood. Lower concentration of CO in the exhaust was obtained with the new generation fireplace as compared to the older one with mean concentrations of CO normalized for 13% oxygen b.v. equal to 0.12% and 0.3%, respectively. Emission of VOC is also drastically reduced for new generation fireplace. The presence of a catalyst induced a decrease of the CO and VOC emission factors during ignition and low-charge phases by factors ranging from 65% to 70%. The abatement of VOC for the old generation fireplace was better in the presence of metal as compared to cordierite, with efficiency values of 65% and 30%, respectively. The new fireplace was the one on which the addition of the cleanup implements had most impact. Besides the introduction of a catalyst, a heating system of the fume was set up below the catalyst. This heating system allowed a faster activation of the catalyst, particularly during ignition and low-charge phases. Best abatements were obtained with the heated metallic support with values close to 80% and 94% for VOC and CO respectively.