Device for purifying waste gases from a fireplace

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fireplace exhaust gas cleaning devices are not compact, modular, or easily retrofittable, and they fail to meet stringent future pollutant limit values, requiring elaborate new construction or retrofitting measures.

Innovation Solution

A compact, modular device with a housing containing functional components such as an electrostatic filter unit, centrifugal separator unit, and fan unit, along with a bypass section and optional catalyst unit, heat exchanger, and ultraviolet radiation unit, designed for efficient exhaust gas cleaning and potential retrofitting into existing fireplaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If complex redesign or retrofitting measures are implemented to meet stringent pollutant limit values, then purification effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepollutant limit valuesVSAvoidcomplex redesign or retrofitting measures
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple purification functions (electrostatic filtration, catalytic conversion, UV irradiation, and particulate separation) into a single integrated device that fits within the existing fireplace structure. This merging of functions achieves comprehensive pollutant removal while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate retrofitting measures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device is designed to perform multiple purification functions simultaneously: the electrostatic filter captures fine particles, the catalyst unit treats gaseous pollutants, the UV unit disinfects, and the centrifugal separator removes heavier particulates. This multi-functionality meets stringent limit values while maintaining a compact, single-unit design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If a compact modular device is designed for easy retrofitting, then ease of installation is improved, but purification effectiveness may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeasy retrofittingVSAvoidpollutant limit values
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into distinct modular sections (electrostatic filter, catalyst unit, UV unit, centrifugal separator) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation enables easy retrofitting while ensuring each purification function is properly implemented to meet pollutant limits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The purification components are nested within a compact housing that fits within the existing fireplace structure. The electrostatic filter, catalyst unit, and UV unit are arranged in a space-efficient configuration that maintains full purification functionality while enabling easy installation in existing fireplaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Volume of moving object

If multiple functional components are integrated in a single housing, then device compactness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidfunctional components integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device utilizes vertical space and multi-level arrangement within the fireplace structure, positioning components at different heights and depths. This dimensional arrangement achieves compact integration of multiple functional components while maintaining ease of access for maintenance and reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device effectively cleans exhaust gases from fireplaces, meeting stringent pollutant limit values, and is compact and modular for easy retrofitting, ensuring operational safety and efficient energy use.

Implementation Method 1

at least one electrostatic filter unit for separating fine dust particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic separation: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

a centrifugal separator unit for expelling particles from the exhaust gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal separation: Centrifugal Separation

Implementation Method 3

a fan unit for driving a flow of the exhaust gas through the purification section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3878538B1Device for purifying waste gases from a fireplace
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 KUTZNER WEBER GMBH
  • EP3878538B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device (10) for cleaning exhaust gases from a fireplace, comprising a housing (12) which accommodates functional components of the device;an inlet section (14) designed to receive exhaust gases from the combustion chamber, an outlet section (16) designed to discharge exhaust gases from the device, a bypass section (18) designed to establish a direct connection between the inlet section (14) and the outlet section (16) and which can be closed by means of a first mechanical flap arrangement (20), and a cleaning section (22) extending between the inlet section (14) and the outlet section (16) for guiding an exhaust gas flow and provided with a plurality of functional components, wherein the functional components comprise at least an electrostatic filter unit (36) for separating fine dust particles, a centrifugal separator unit (38) for removing particles from the exhaust gas, and a blower unit (42) for driving a flow of the exhaust gas through the cleaning section (22).