[Stoves] Comparison of Stove test methods EPA+EU+CSA

Crispin Pemberton-Pigott crispinpigott at outlook.com
Sat Jan 21 10:42:10 CST 2017


Dear Friends

On the topic of alternative test methods, I am forwarding an overview of the stove testing methods currently available for space heating and hydronic heaters. This is a slide presented by Dr Tom Butcher who is in charge of biomass stove testing at Brookhaven National Lab in NY.

There are several physical methods used, and a greater variation in the approaches to calculation. This is by no means complete, it is what is applied in the EU and USA at the moment. The CSA B415.10 2010 is a Canadian standard written to meet EPA expectations.

Another is a developing method for testing masonry heaters, not yet complete nor accepted. It is being developed in consultation with the relevant section of the EPA. None of these test cooking, only heating.

A significant difference in the approaches taken, comparing cooking stoves and heating stoves, is that the heating stoves are assessed under conditions thought to strongly represent actual use. This refers to the fuel species, moisture content and fuel loads, the initial and final conditions, and the burn rate as a % of the nominal full power. This is strongly at odds with tests like the WBT which for comparison and rating, use a fixed cycle without reference to conditions of use. The CSI test and the forthcoming BST Method are contextual like the EPA/EU methods. Something else they have in common (generally) is the approach to the math and the starting conditions.

Something that is worth mentioning is the BeReal project in Germany found by far the greater proportion of >2000 home heating systems surveyed were over-sized and run at well below their nominal maximum heating power about 100% of the time. This means that if you want a contextual test it will have to reflect what is 'probably installed' which implies how people 'will probably run it' during the assessment and rating.

Regards
Crispin

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