Different Approach
Our System is a two-part retrofit that is designed to operate in parallel with the boiler and existing exhaust stack infrastructure, making it a low-risk operation.
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ClearStack before we focused on powerplants took its roots as EES, LLC (See-video) Patented technology with average 28% fuel savings for homes and businesses- first started in 2009.
“ClearStack” since 2009, with two US patents in combustion systems, is now moving beyond just reducing fuel usage and emissions by 12% – 16%, will now eliminate emissions before being released into the atmosphere. ClearStack integrates its proprietary technology for the realities of properly breaking down harmful emissions. Built on years of hands-on development and protected IP, we focus on sustainability, continuous up-time, predictable economics and verifiable environmental performance to meet compliance goals.
Unlike traditional abatement systems that merely try to neutralize some gas pollutants and capture particulates, our system specifically incorporates both nano-chemistry and catalytic thermal reactions which resulted in a new advancement, which converts harmful exhaust gases into a collectable harmless liquid, so most don’t go to the atmosphere.
ClearStack is a compliance cost-avoidance solution, not merely an add-on emissions control system. This new type of emission reduction and fuel savings approach was designed specifically with a wide range of low-cost fuels like coal, coal waste, waste-to-energy and (HSFO) heavy-oil type electric power-generating facilities, thereby assuring better compliance.
Our System is a two-part retrofit that is designed to operate in parallel with the boiler and existing exhaust stack infrastructure, making it a low-risk operation. (see our Different Approach)
ClearStack works with plant leadership, owners, and investors to design specific programs and retrofits that fit site constraints, timelines, and return-on-investment targets while having real measurable carbon and other greenhouse gas reductions for carbon-credit value opportunities.
Our History
ClearStack Catalytic Technologies Corporation traces its origins to 2006, when inventor Eric T. LaVoie began developing early concepts and prototypes in his home—sparked by a simple $29 bet. Having taught himself college-level chemistry and related sciences at age 13, Eric has long approached chemical processes through an unconventional, first-principles lens.
Following a WPI combustion lab report, the work advanced into hands-on combustion trials and iterative prototype development conducted in a large garage workshop. In 2009, the team launched its first commercial product under Energy Efficiency Solutions. As markets evolved and new commercialization pathways emerged, additional entities were formed to pursue specific applications, most notably AGEN Environmental Corporation in 2018. As of January 2026, these efforts have been consolidated and continue as : ClearStack Catalytic Technologies Corporation.
Early Development and First Commercial Product
Burner Booster™ — Pressurized “Fuel-Injector” Patented Oil Burner System
The Burner Booster System was developed to reduce heating-oil consumption by improving fuel atomization and combustion completeness—shifting soot-prone combustion toward cleaner hotter burn conditions. Early deployments and demonstration sites (2008–2011) were used to validate performance prior to broader market commercialization.
Performance highlights (site-and equipment-dependent; based on 3rd party testing and customer reports)
- Manufacturer guarantee: ≥15% fuel-use reduction (or refund)
- Typical reported savings: ~22–28% reduction in oil usage
- Observed soot and emissions reductions: up to ~70% under certain conditions, including older boilers
- Reduced cleaning frequency: multi-year installations frequently reported substantially less maintenance
- Reported ROI: often under ~3 years
- Typical installation time: under ~2 hours, no boiler replacement
The technology integrated a patented “ultra-high” pressurized pumping approach, catalytic and chemical oxidation / ionization reaction technology, a proprietary heating process and supported by a modified burner design and tested to UL standards. The system produced a finer oil gaseous mist to greatly improve cleaner combustion, efficiency and reduced excessive heat from going up the stack.
Safety Listing, Scale-Up Development, and Issued Patents
Following safety testing and an ETL listing to applicable UL standards (Intertek is an OSHA-recognized Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory), the team expanded testing and developed mockups for larger-scale applications.
A key scale-up milestone occurred during work associated with the Salem Power Generation Plant (Salem, MA), where compliance and cost implications generated strong interest.
Two U.S. patents were issued and are associated with this technology pathway:
- US 8,052,418 (Burner Booster- “high efficiency oil burner”)
- US 8,672,672 (Phoenix-“oxygenated oil-burning system”)
To accelerate R&D, the team also built a dedicated 4,000sqft. combustion testing lab (approximately a $400,000 investment). Commercial scale-up later encountered headwinds as portions of the market shifted away from coal and oil rapidly toward natural gas systems.
Commercial Expansion, Heavy Oils, and Multi-Fuel Systems
Advanced Burner Solutions Corporation
A new company was formed to serve commercial and higher-volume users, like smaller power-plants: including systems operating on standard fuel oils and certain waste oils including waste crude glycerin. R&D expanded into additional fuel types and advanced burner-control concepts for multi-fuel burner designs.
Demonstration Platform and Instrumentation –To provide measurable and repeatable performance verification, the team built a mobile demonstration platform featuring two comparable burners operating simultaneously with real-time instrumentation and a viewing window to support actual viewing comparisons of new technology VS. new standard burners.
Third-Party Testing and Broader Field Results
Testing expanded to commercial boilers (approximately 6–85 GPH). Across diverse conditions—from new equipment to legacy systems—reported outcomes commonly included:
- ~22–28% average fuel savings
- Reduced soot and visibly cleaner combustion
- Improved boiler-room conditions, including odor reduction at some sites
- Improved heating performance with steam boilers with less fuel.
Results were strong enough that several early customers became owners/investors in Energy Efficiency Solutions LLC.
Heavy Oils (No. 4 / No. 6): Improved Results
Work expanded beyond No. 2 heating oil into heavier fuels. Before/after comparisons and lab efficiency/emissions testing commonly indicated ~25–32% savings at equivalent BTU heat-output demand (site-dependent).
Tri- and Quad-Fuel Modulation Concepts (waste oils with optional plus 2% Oxygen Assist)
To further improve combustion completeness and operational flexibility, the team developed multi-fuel modulation concepts capable of firing multiple fuels individually or in combination, with an optional oxygen-assist feature. This work contributed to the broader system architecture and the second patent pathway, enabling power producers to choose lower-cost fuels based on market pricing. At flame temperatures above 2,175F. total oxidation thermal destruction of “Toxins” was achieved, as to market this to the Waste-to-Energy power plants. Picture left; Modulating; Auto-Waste oils with No.2 oil keeping 0ppm of CO.
In Late 2018, an advanced unique Idea Eric had was to test fuels burning using catalyst materials and nano science chemistry that would convert emission gases to a liquid-state.
Hydrogen Direction and New Market Development
In 2018–2022, AGEN Environmental was formed combining 3 other technology companies to explore pathways combining ClearStack’s combustion technologies to improve fuel economics on existing generation assets—including older power plants and waste-to-energy facilities—while supporting lower-cost GREEN-Hydrogen production for emerging new power-plant turbine applications and transportation fuel-cell markets. Efforts included evaluation of a biomass-plant acquisition; progress was constrained by available capital.
Closed-Loop Emissions Conversion Platform (Current Focus)
In 2025–2026, following additional testing and concept development, ClearStack advanced beyond cleaner burner efficiency into a broader emissions-conversion and elimination platform by using advanced nano-chemical science intended to reduce criteria pollutants and strengthen power plant compliance performance.
Core Concept (Current R&D and Demonstrations)
- The system operates in parallel to a plant’s normal stack configuration, providing a more reliable and sustainable compliance pathway—particularly for coal-fired power plants.
- The platform integrates:
- ClearStack’s advanced multi-fuel burner systems, A nano chemical additive process A catalytic combustion enhancement element and A downstream conversion reactor intended to capture and convert stack-gas constituents into a liquid solution, including:
- CO / CO₂ / NO / NO₂ / NOx SO / SO₂ / SO₃
- Soot/particulates (PM2.5, PM10) and Fly-ash and other toxic radicals (CxHy)
- ClearStack’s advanced multi-fuel burner systems, A nano chemical additive process A catalytic combustion enhancement element and A downstream conversion reactor intended to capture and convert stack-gas constituents into a liquid solution, including:
Rather than releasing these compounds to the atmosphere, the process was designed and proven to convert and collect approximately 50–80% of targeted stack-gas and soot constituents into a water-based solution. The solution may be recycled into plant processes or collected for further characterization and potential byproduct development (e.g., liquid fertilizer).
Closed-Loop Capability (Demonstrated; Not Default Configuration)
ClearStack has also demonstrated reuse of treated flue air in a closed-loop configuration—up to 100% in certain tests. While not presented as the standard operating approach, this proof point supports potential for aggressive compliance control in constrained operating environments.
Illustrative Value Proposition (Modeled and Site-Dependent)
- Compliance support for coal-fired, waste-to-energy, heavy-oil and thermal plant facilities
- Estimated ~ 4–8% reduction in fuel input per net MWh (modeled)
- Target ROI: under ~4 years, depending on baseline emissions and compliance requirements
- Estimated operating cost: ~$1.15/MWh (current model; assumptions to be provided)
Near-Term Primary Application Focus
- Coal-fired or Coal-refuse power plants (including co-firing scenarios)
- Heavy oil–fired power plants (including HSFO operations)
- Waste-to-Energy facilities
- Other large combustion sources (e.g., steel foundries) facing emissions compliance pressure
Mobile Demonstration Trailer (In Development)
ClearStack is developing a “SEEING as Believing”, trailer-based demonstration platform to bring the new system to customer sites for instrumental, real-world verification and visual demonstration experience. Target completion: May 2026, contingent on additional funding. This will show using any combination of coal, oil and tires and plastics combusting that will result, (based on system size/model) having over 50% reduction of stack flue gases to almost zero stack flue gas emissions through its nano-chemistry and catalyst conversion technology. The goal is to present a possible ZERO emission closed loop system.