Apparatus and method for accomplishing efficient burning of biomass fuel materials

Claim 1

A heating apparatus comprising: a combustion chamber having a fresh air inlet and a grate to support biomas fuel material thereon; a passageway having a first end portion originating generally near the top and a second end portion terminating generally near the bottom of the combustion chamber; the first end portion comprising two conduits with the inlet ends thereof in communication with two openings in the combustion chambr and the outlet ends thereof in communication with inputs to a het exchanger, each conduit including a catalytic converter positioned to receive hot combustion product gases produced in the combustion chamber for transformation to substantially pollutant-free residual exhaust gases that are delivered to the heat exchanger to convert for use the heat carried thereby, and the second end portion comprising an opening in communication with a flue and a flow control means in communication with the outlet of the heat exchanger to vary the quantity of substantially pollutant-free residual exhaust gases introduced into the combustion chamber and to discharge the remaining quantity thereof through the flue.