Wood Gasification: What would you like to learn?

[ben]

I'm putting together the Gasification 101 video and I was curious what everyone is interested in learning. What are your specific questions? I would like to provide a good solid base of understanding with the video so everyone can get to enjoying the fruits of gasification sooner.

[Ron Harwood]

Ben;
A couple of things that would help might be A.) some data/charts on appropriate sizing of air intakes, gas outlets, and CFM needs of different horsepower engines. That would make it a little less 'guesswork' or 'intuition' for those of us figuring out and building our first gasifier. There's of course some info available regarding the FEMA design, but if it was possible to create a generic chart, that might be a lot of help. B.) suggesting some of the actual items (trash cans, hot water heaters, air tanks, etc, etc,) that have been used, or could be utilized in construction of a gasifier which would probably be available to anybody with access to a junk yard, or old barn, or stuffed tool shed, would be interesting, would help folks get going on limited funds, and potentially help promote 'reduce-reuse-recycle'.
Being an incurable scrounge (I deplore waste, and I take great pleasure out of building something out of "nothing"), I'm building my first WFGPU right now, and (since I appreciate irony) at least 3/4 of the entire unit is being built out of 'junked' fuel oil and propane equipment! (I'll share the details and photos as soon as I figure out how to do my blog )
Ron

[ben]

Great ideas Ron.

Ron Harwood said:

Ben;
A couple of things that would help might be A.) some data/charts on appropriate sizing of air intakes, gas outlets, and CFM needs of different horsepower engines. That would make it a little less 'guesswork' or 'intuition' for those of us figuring out and building our first gasifier. There's of course some info available regarding the FEMA design, but if it was possible to create a generic chart, that might be a lot of help. B.) suggesting some of the actual items (trash cans, hot water heaters, air tanks, etc, etc,) that have been used, or could be utilized in construction of a gasifier which would probably be available to anybody with access to a junk yard, or old barn, or stuffed tool shed, would be interesting, would help folks get going on limited funds, and potentially help promote 'reduce-reuse-recycle'.
Being an incurable scrounge (I deplore waste, and I take great pleasure out of building something out of "nothing"), I'm building my first WFGPU right now, and (since I appreciate irony) at least 3/4 of the entire unit is being built out of 'junked' fuel oil and propane equipment! (I'll share the details and photos as soon as I figure out how to do my blog )
Ron

[kris]

i would like to see plans and pictures of a great low maintance gasifier posibly with a worm drive agar like a pellet stove that keeps it fed.... also i hear talk of a cyclone filter... so a discripion of all the componets of a gasifier there + and the - of diferent designs... thanks....

[Stefan]

Hi
I think it would be very interesting for people to know at which temperatures gasification start´s in different materials. And what the key factors are that enable´s this process.
Then how careful should i be when i´m in contact with these gases.
Is it possible to store these gases for later use and on which terms.
And last but not least how do i make it into useful power, real examples with measured outputs and how to make these outputs (e.g. generating electrical power). How much energy is used in form of wood to make x amount of x-voltage and x-amps and what is the best way in doing that and why.

/Stefan

[ben]

Great ideas Stefan. I will touch on a little bit of it in 101, but most of it will be covered in the 202 course. i want everyone to have a firm base of understanding before they dive in all the way. Everyone comes here with different levels of experience, so I don't want to overwhelm anyone. Gasification is so cool, but because there are so many possibilities and technical steps it can get a bit confusing.

Thanks for becoming a member.
Stefan said:

Hi
I think it would be very interesting for people to know at which temperatures gasification start´s in different materials. And what the key factors are that enable´s this process.
Then how careful should i be when i´m in contact with these gases.
Is it possible to store these gases for later use and on which terms.
And last but not least how do i make it into useful power, real examples with measured outputs and how to make these outputs (e.g. generating electrical power). How much energy is used in form of wood to make x amount of x-voltage and x-amps and what is the best way in doing that and why.

/Stefan

[frank molnar]

Hello Ben; I came across your vidios on youtube; they were 100,000 times more informative than most of the other vidios. I went to your web site and want to order your plans for "woody gasifier". I have a few questions about the "woody gasifier". I will try giving you a call. GREAT JOB on setting up a forum! I joined a biodiesel community 8 years ago and have been running all my vehicles ( cars, truck, boat and tractor on biodiesel). I am excited about bio-char and the possibility of producing methanol ( used in making biodiesel) Frank

[konu7]

I'd like a program that gives theory and practicle projects in stages. For example the first stage might envolve building a soup or pop can size gasifier that acts as a campstove and burns twigs and leaves. With this first working model a simple yet complete theroretical brakedown explaining and demonstrating the operation all in less than 2 hours. After intermediate stages the last stage would be to build an FEMA type of Wood Gasifier w/scrubber or whatever you feel is best.

[konu7]

I'd like a program that gives theory and practical projects in stages. For example the first stage might involve building a soup or pop can size gasifier that acts as a camp stove and burns twigs and leaves. With this first working model a simple yet complete theoretical breakdown explaining and demonstrating the operation all in less than 2 hours. After intermediate stages the last stage would be to build an FEMA type of Wood Gasifier w/scrubber or whatever you feel is best.

[Pierman]

Ben, Great site. The biggest question for me would be the filtration system. I bought your down load and understand how the canister filter works. Detailed info on cyclone and water filters would be helpful. Also the pros and cons of both. Keep up the good work!