[Stoves] Re Alexis Belonio article

[Crispin Pemberton-Pigott]

Dear David

Thanks for that.  It tends to confirm my suspicions that there is no 
hydrogen involved, just hot steam.

I forgot to mention yesterday that the molecules of water can absorb heat 
without increasing in temperature in a direct fashion, by which I mean 
molecules can absorb heat without having the temperature rise as much as one 
might think (absorbing the energy in agitation and bond-stretching).  But 
the problem remains in principle: what temperature does H2O have to be to 
break down?  Is that reached in a stove?

I am attracted to the idea that the emissions will be lower of there is at 
least come water in the fire, and this has been mentioned anectdotally when 
we discussed the moisture content of fuel.  Apparently emissions are lowest 
when there is about 15% moisture in the fuel.  Now, that is bound to be a 
device-specific result and must be treated with caution, but there is sound 
science behind the explanation, that being a hot, reactive molecule that 
provides a surface on which to break down PIC's.

Regards
Crispin