Evaluation of Monolith Catalyst Integration in a Wood Stove

: Physico-Chemical Characterization and Toxicological Assessment of Emissions

Abstract

Wood combustion has historically provided essential heat and remains a crucial renewable energy source today. However, residential batch combustion intrinsically emits severe pollutants, including CO, VOCs, and PM. Since primary optimization measures cannot completely eliminate these emissions, secondary post-combustion remediation is necessary.

To address this, the Université de Namur and Stûv collaborated to evaluate the integration of a passive monolithic oxidation catalyst into an 8 kW residential wood stove. The initial study demonstrated exceptional abatement, reducing CO by 87 %, PM by 66 %, and highly toxic PAHs by over 90 %. Crucially, in vitro assays on human lung cells proved this chemical reduction translates directly to a 50 % decrease in overall emission cytotoxicity.

Subsequent mechanistic investigations using advanced speciation (PTR-TOF-MS) mapped the partial oxidation of non-methanic VOCs. This revealed that the catalyst’s overall conversion efficiency is primarily limited by mass transfer (gas-phase film resistance) rather than chemical kinetics.

Finally, to overcome the inherent variability of batch combustion, a highly precise simultaneous direct-comparison methodology was developed. This novel approach confirmed the overall study’s findings, providing a robust and accurate framework for evaluating residential abatement technologies.

Date of Award	17 May 2026
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Namur
Sponsors	SPW Service public de Wallonie
Supervisor	Bao Lian Su (Supervisor), Thomas Duquesne (Co-Supervisor), Catherine Michaux (President), Damien P. Debecker (Jury) & Hervé Jeanmart (Jury)