Combustor Inspection - Travis Industries Lopi Rockport NexGen-Hybrid Owner's Manual

Combustor Inspection

It is important to periodically monitor the operation of the catalytic combustor to ensure that it is
functioning properly and to determine when it needs to be replaced. A non-functioning combustor will
result in a loss of heating efficiency and an increase in creosote and emissions. Following is a list of items
that should be checked periodically:
•
Combustors should be visually inspected at least three times during the heating season to determine
if physical degradation has occurred (e.g., catalyst peeling, plugging, thermal cracking, mechanical
cracking, or masking (becoming coated with fly ash or soot) (see pictures at bottom of page). The
actual removal of the combustor is not recommended unless a more detailed inspection is warranted
because of decreased performance.
•
This heater is equipped with a temperature probe to monitor catalyst operation. Properly functioning
combustors typically maintain temperatures in excess of 500 °F and often reach temperatures in
excess of 1,000 °F (see page Error! Bookmark not defined. for further details).
•
You can get an indication of whether the catalyst is working by comparing the amount of smoke
leaving the chimney when the smoke is going through the combustor and catalyst light-off has been
achieved, to the amount of smoke leaving the chimney when the smoke is not routed through the
combustor (bypass mode).
Step 1 - Light stove in accordance with instructions starting on page Error! Bookmark not

defined. .
 Step 2 - With smoke routed through the catalyst, go outside and observe the emissions leaving
the chimney.
 Step 3 - Engage the bypass mechanism and again observe the emissions leaving the chimney.
Significantly more smoke will be seen when the exhaust is not routed through the combustor
(bypass mode).
Example of combustor Thermal Cracking
Example of combustor Masking
© Travis Industries
Operating Your Appliance
8/15/2023 -1593
21
Rockport NGH