Ashes to ashes – dust to dust

Politics, environmental organisations and selected industry representatives discuss the
Role of the dust collector as part of the future of the furnace

On 28 September 2023, a select audience of experts discussed the topic of the University of Applied Sciences for Technology, Economics and Culture in Leipzig the topic of Dust separators – controversial, but with prospects. Prof Dr Ingo Hartmann, together with the newly founded association for dust dust collectors, the Clean Exhaust Association. The topic was the separator, but with a clear political slant. As Dr Johannes R. Gerstner led through the programme as moderator and expert, supported by Prof Dr Hartmann.

The event began with short keynote speeches from politics and research. research. Germany’s top air pollution officer, Dr Marcel Langner from the Federal Environment Agency (UBA), made his position clear. Only if dust separators are effective in reducing exhaust gases, will there be any legal there will be a negotiating window for the future of wood-burning stoves. for the future of wood-burning stoves. Too much dust would have been emitted for too long, at the latest by the EU’s Air Quality Directive, there will be massive pressure on the Federal Government.

Dr Axel Friedrich, air pollution control expert and consultant to the German Environmental Aid organisation DUH, agreed with this point of view in principle, but also made it clear that the separation technology is now sufficiently advanced to effectively prevent dust. From his point of view, there are hardly any arguments against a wood-burning stove, at least from the perspective of air pollution control with the desired future spread of separation technology.

Prof. Dr Ingo Hartmann, senior researcher at the German Biomass Research Centre and professor at the Leipzig University of Applied Sciences, shared this assessment in his short presentation, but also pointed out the obvious difficulties. And they are not technical. This is because dust separators are currently still small series devices that have to be produced at great expense. The price: correspondingly high. The economic basis for efficient and long-needed dust reduction would only be created if sales figures increased.

Volker Schlickum, responsible for air pollution control at the Berlin Senate Department, confirmed this assessment. He wished that dust separators were already available at socially acceptable prices. And he would see this at well under 1,000 euros. But he also pointed out the chance that a good opportunity will arise in the course of the last wave of replacements due to the BImschV by the end of 2024: Berlin is planning to publicise more clearly the possibility of retrofitting dust separators and thus make the technology more widespread. He is currently in talks with the host CEA about a pilot project, and initial information could follow soon.

After the impulses, we got down to work. And so it was straight down to business. The participants, which also included representatives from environmental organisations and ministry employees, discussed the advantages of separation technology in a first round. It became clear that hardly anyone doubted the effectiveness of the technology; it was the practical issues that concerned the participants. The installation location, for example, was discussed in detail. Some results suggest that a solution close to the outlet is ideal, while others favour a combination with a catalytic converter already in the fireplace. The lack of expertise among chimney sweeps and processors is also an issue. They are often seeing the separator for the first time and first have to familiarise themselves with the technology.

The panellists also saw limitations. Currently high prices, demands on the operation of the fireplace and possible noise emissions must be observed in practice. In addition, there is a cleaning effort, but this can be managed. Several people criticise the fact that the legislator has not yet really taken the dust extractor into account. Awareness-raising work needs to be done here.

The second part of the workshop then focussed on the question of how the further spread of dust separators can be promoted. Everyone agreed that training and information, both digital and on-site, are important. This starts with good online communication about separator technology and does not end with training for chimney sweeps and processors. The work of the newly founded association under the chairmanship of Alexander Root is also considered to be very important. The topic of funding is a controversial one. Dr Gerstner emphasised that subsidies are often a one-way street and pointed out the major problems in this regard in the biomass boiler sector. On the other hand, there is still a lack of impetus to spread the technology further.

In conclusion, the two moderators were satisfied with the discussion culture and the results. Dr Gerstner once again emphasised the importance of mutual understanding of motivations. ‘We will only find a common path if politicians understand that companies must act economically and companies also understand that politics must be measured against clean air targets.’ However, he described the results of the first event as ‘almost sensational’. The CEA plans to continue this dialogue and is also actively making itself available to other associations as a platform and discussion partner.