Exeter-based stove manufacturer, Hunter Stoves, is at the centre of some interesting press speculation today. The company is openly discussing a secret prototype wood-burning stove which has been in the making for two years. In conjunction with the University of Exeter the company is developing a low/zero emissions stove with what they describe as a dual chamber system.
Environmentally friendly stoves
Those who follow the stove market will be well aware that the UK government is currently cracking down on wood-burning and multifuel stove emissions. Despite the fact that some of the press comment has been inaccurate and misleading, the industry would welcome any changes to help its environmental credentials. Recent reports have bulked wood-burning and multifuel stoves with open fireplaces with no differential between inefficient older stoves and more efficient new stoves. Is that really a fair comparison?
Has Hunter Stoves found the answer?
Michael Stoneman, the lead engineer with Hunter Stoves, believes that the collaboration with the University of Exeter will have a monumental impact on the stove industry. Discussing the way in which physics and engineering have been incorporated for the new secret design, there are high hopes it will be available in autumn 2019. We know that the design revolves around a two chamber system. Emissions from the first chamber will be transferred to the second chamber and re-burnt in a manner which will, hopefully, reduce or eliminate meaningful emissions.
It would appear that during initial testing the company stumbled upon “a novel firebox design” which has been further enhanced and improved. The fact there are three scientists working on the project suggests it is serious, there is scope to make a significant difference and hopefully we will see the results fairly soon. While the “cat is out of the bag” further details may be in short supply in the short term as the company looks to patent its new design and process.
Thermal efficiency
There has been much focus on thermal efficiency with the prototype stove recording a flue gas temperature of just 150°C against 300°C on a traditional stove. We can assume that this drop in temperature is compensated by an increase in thermal efficiency and the same, if not better, heat output. While we have seen significant progress in the wood-burning and multifuel stove market in recent times, the Hunter Stoves technology could in theory be a game changer.
Lead and the rest will follow
With just a few months to wait until Hunter Stoves expects to release its groundbreaking low/zero emission stove we know competitors will have a close eye on developments. We may well see competing announcements from other stove manufacturers who also have their own projects underway. One thing is certain; Hunter Stoves will not have the market to itself although a patented protected revolutionary new design may well cause waves amongst other stove companies.
Summary
If this design really is so revolutionary might there be the opportunity to license the technology to other stove companies? The ability to roll out the technology to an even greater number of stoves would seem to be a win-win situation. Hunter Stoves would see greater additional income, and service a market it could never fulfil on its own, while other stove manufacturers are pushed to the forefront of technology. Hunter Stoves is certainly building up the hype surrounding the launch of this new product – will it live up to expectations?