Cleaning a "New" CAT-surprising results

Great meeting with EPA on this topic. When it was pointed out that online sellers were selling combustors with none or different formulas of precious metals, EPA would consider this in future rule making. (Scheduled for 2027). Many years ago there was an Applicable Determination (AD138) that permitted catalyst manufacturers to send a catalytic combustor to OMNI Test labs. That combustor was used in a reference stove and if the combustor performed as well as or better than the original combustor in the reference stove certification, the proposed new combustor was deemed suitable for sale. AD138 expired in 2015's NSPS, making it 100% required that any combustor sold has to be the same combustor used in the certification of a specific wood heater. This applies to stove manufacturers & their dealers.

When AD138 expired, it opened a Pandora's box of non compliance, which EPA is intent on addressing. Manufacturers of combustors should provide only one combustor, that being the one used in the certifying a wood heater. If a manufacturer were to decrease the amount of precious metals (alter the formula) then they would be able enter that product legally into to the chain of commerce, and this is happening.

I think this topic has been challenged enough and rightfully so. We'll just let this all get sorted out and that will address this topic.

BKVP