Re: GAS-L: Oh!! -- that small steam power plant ---

[Reedtb2@cs.com]

Alex English writes...

<< 
 Perhaps some one could tell us how  much simpler it is to make a 
 charcoal gasifier than a wood gasifier for a spark ignition engine?   
   >>

Most of the early work on gasification (1900-1940) used charcoal for its 
convenience, and hang the cost or inefficiency.  After WWII got going all the 
countries realized that throwing away 70% of the wood energy to make the 
charcoal was destroying their forests, so they took the extra steps required 
for wood gasifiers (tar cleaning etc.)  It's all detailed in the books below 
and I have been re-reading them with new insites.  "Those who don't study 
history are doome dto repeat the mistakes of history." (Lord Acton?)

We are developing a "tarfree" gasifier at CPC and expect to throw out all the 
wet scrubbing etc. the bedeviled the WWII "Stoves".  

Yours truly,            TOM REED                CPC/BEF

    ORDER LIST - Biomass Energy Books 
            (Nicknames in Bold,  book descriptions follow)

1. A SURVEY OF BIOMASS GASIFICATION 2000:       $25

2. BIOMASS DOWNDRAFT GASIFIER ENGINE SYSTEMS HANDBOOK:  $25

3. CONTAMINANT TESTING FOR GASIFIER ENGINE SYSTEMS:     $10  

4. BIOMASS GASIFIER "TARS": THEIR NATURE, FORMATION, AND CONVERSION:    $25

5. GENGAS: THE SWEDISH CLASSIC ON WOOD FUELED VEHICLES:     $30

6. SMALL SCALE GAS PRODUCER ENGINE SYSTEMS:     $30

7. PRODUCER-GAS: ANOTHER FUEL FOR MOTOR TRANSPORT:  $10

8. FUNDAMENTAL STUDY AND SCALEUP OF THE AIR-OXYGEN STRATIFIED 
DOWNDRAFT GASIFIER:         $30  

9. EVALUATION OF GASIFICATION AND NOVEL THERMAL PROCESSES 
FOR THE TREATMENT OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE - MSW    $25

10. DENSIFIED BIOMASS:  A NEW FORM OF SOLID FUEL:   $12 

11. WOOD GAS GENERATORS FOR VEHICLES:     $4

12. CONSTRUCTION OF A SIMPLIFIED WOOD GAS GENERATOR:    $15

13. BIOMASS TO METHANOL SPECIALISTS' WORKSHOP:  $30

14. THE PEGASUS UNIT: THE LOST ART OF DRIVING WITHOUT GASOLINE:     $20

15. GASIFICATION OF RICE HULLS: THEORY AND PRAXIS:  $30

16. TREES:    $1

17. TREE CROPS FOR ENERGY CO-PRODUCTION ON FARMS:   $30  

18. FROM THE FRYER TO THE FUEL TANK: HOW TO MAKE CHEAP, 
CLEAN FUEL FROM FREE VEGETABLE OIL: $20


ORDER BLANK 
-10% if 3 or more books ordered or to booksellers               + $3 handling 
+ (US & Shipping, US and Canada $1.50 (bookrate, or request air, $3) or 
(other foreign, $8/book air)    
TOTAL ORDER                                     ___________
E-mail order to reedtb2@CS.com or Mail orders to The Biomass Energy 
Foundation Press (BEFP), 1810 Smith Rd., Golden,  CO 80401; FAX 303-278 0560; 
call 303 278 0558.  We'll send invoice with books.  Pay by postal order or 
check on US Banks, or electronic deposit to Bank No. 10 20000 76, Acct. No. 
300800 2911.  (No foreign checks - can cost $25 to clear!)  


BOOKS FROM THE BIOMASS ENERGY FOUNDATION  PRESS

PURPOSES OF THE BIOMASS ENERGY FOUNDATION PRESS:  Biomass energy and 
particularly biomass gasification is a field where publications are often 
difficult to find.  We make available information - sometimes old, sometimes 
new - on biomass at reasonable prices in attractive "lie flat" bindings. 
See our webpage at www.webpan.com/bef or write us at Reedtb2@cs.com

Biomass Energy Books - Description and Order Blank

NEW:  A SURVEY OF BIOMASS GASIFICATION 2000:  T. Reed and S. Gaur have 
surveyed the biomass gasification scene for the National Renewable Energy 
Laboratory and the Biomass Energy Foundation.  180 pages of large gasifiers 
systems, small gasifiers and gasifier research institutions with descriptions 
of the major types of gasifiers and a list of most world gasifiers.  ISBN 
1-890607-13-4       180 pp     $25    _________

NEW:  BIOMASS GASIFIER "TARS": THEIR NATURE, FORMATION, AND CONVERSION:  T. 
Milne, N. Abatzoglou, & R. J. Evans.  Tars are the Achilles Heel of 
gasification.  This thorough work explores the chemical nature of tars, their 
generation, and methods for testing and destroying them. 
ISBN 1-890607-14-2      180 pp  $25________

NEW:  EVALUATION OF GASIFICATION AND NOVEL THERMAL PROCESSES FOR THE 
TREATMENT OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE - W. Niessen et al.  1996 NREL report by 
Camp Dresser and McKee on MSW conversion processes.  ISBN 1-890607-15-0 198 
pp   $25_______

NEW:  FROM THE FRYER TO THE FUEL TANK: HOW TO MAKE CHEAP, CLEAN FUEL FROM 
FREE VEGETABLE OIL:  J. & K. Tickell, (1998) Resale from Greenteach 
Publishing Co.  Tickell has done an excellent job of collecting both theory 
and praxis on producing Biodiesel fuel from vegetable oils, particularly used 
oil.  Nice instructions for kitchen or large scale.  ISBN 0-9664616-0-6      
90 pp          $20   __________

NEW/OLD:  DENSIFIED BIOMASS:  A NEW FORM OF SOLID FUEL: Tom Reed and Becky 
Bryant, A "State of the Art evaluation of densified biomass fuels" with 
documentation of processes, energy balance, economics and applications.  
First published in 1978, & still good.  ISBN 1-890607-16-9       35 pp        
  $12 __________

******
BIOMASS DOWNDRAFT GASIFIER ENGINE SYSTEMS HANDBOOK:     T. Reed and A. Das, 
(SERI-1988) Over a million wood gasifiers were used to power cars and trucks 
during World War II. Yet, after over two decades of interest, there are only 
a few companies manufacturing gasifier systems. The authors have spent more 
than 20 years working with various gasifier systems, In this book they 
discuss ALL the factors that must be correct to have a successful "gasifier 
power system."  Our most popular book, the "new Testament" of gasification    
 ISBN 1-890607-00-2     140 pp  $25  ________

GENGAS: THE SWEDISH CLASSIC ON WOOD FUELED VEHICLES: English translation, 
(SERI-1979)  T.Reed, D. Jantzen and A. Das, with index.  This is the "Old 
Testament" of gasification, written by the people involved in successfully 
converting 90% of transportation of WW II Sweden to wood gasifiers.   
ISBN 1-890607-01-0  340 pp. $30   ________

SMALL SCALE GAS PRODUCER-ENGINE SYSTEMS: A. Kaupp and J. Goss. (Veiweg,1984) 
Updates GENGAS and contains critical engineering data indispensable for the 
serious gasifier projects.  Ali Kaupp is thorough and knowledgeable.  ISBN 
1-890607-06-1   278 pp  $30  __________

PRODUCER-GAS: ANOTHER FUEL FOR MOTOR TRANSPORT: Ed. Noel Vietmeyer (The U.S. 
National Academy of Sciences-1985)  A  seeing-is-believing primer with 
historical and modern pictures of gasifiers.  An outstanding  text for any 
introductory program. ISBN 1-890607-02-6    80 pp   $10  _________


FUNDAMENTAL STUDY AND SCALEUP OF THE AIR-OXYGEN STRATIFIED DOWNDRAFT 
GASIFIER: T. Reed, M. Graboski and B. Levie (SERI 1988). In 1980 the Solar 
Energy Research Institute initiated a program to develop an oxygen gasifier 
to make methanol from biomass.  A novel air/oxygen low tar gasifier was 
designed and studied for five years at SERI at 1 ton/d and for 4 years at 
Syn-Gas Inc. in a 25 ton/day gasifier.  This book describes the theory and 
operation of the two gasifiers in detail and also discusses the principles 
and application of gasification as learned over eight years by the 
author-gasifier team.
ISBN 1-890607-03-7      290 pp  $30  ________

CONTAMINANT TESTING FOR GASIFIER ENGINE SYSTEMS: A. Das (TIPI 1989).   Test 
that gas for tar!  Long engine life and reliable operation requires a gas 
with less than 30 mg of tar and particulates per cubic meter (30 ppm).  The 
simplified test methods described here are adapted from standard ASTM and EPA 
test procedures for sampling and analyzing char, tar and ash in the gas.  
Suitable for raw and cleaned gas.  New edition & figures, 1999.  ISBN 
1-890607-04-5     32 pp $10  _________

TREE CROPS FOR ENERGY CO-PRODUCTION ON FARMS:  Tom Milne (SERI 1980)  
Evaluation of the energy potential to grow trees for energy.  ISBN 
1-890607-05-3   260 pp  $30  _________

WOOD GAS GENERATORS FOR VEHICLES: Nils Nygards (1973). Translation of recent 
results of Swedish Agricultural Testing Institute. ISBN 1-890607-08-8    50 
pp. $4_________

CONSTRUCTION OF A SIMPLIFIED WOOD GAS GENERATOR:  H. LaFontaine (1989) - Over 
25 drawings and photographs on building a gasifier for fueling IC engines in 
a Petroleum Emergency (FEMA RR28). ISBN 1-890607-11-8    68 pp  $15________

BIOMASS TO METHANOL SPECIALISTS' WORKSHOP: Ed. T. Reed and M. Graboski, 1982. 
 Expert articles on conversion of biomass to methanol.     ISBN 1-890607-10-X 
    331 pp  $30_________

THE PEGASUS UNIT: THE LOST ART OF DRIVING WITHOUT GASOLINE:  N. Skov and M. 
Papworth, (1974).  Description and beautiful detailed drawings of various 
gasifiers and systems from World War II.   
ISBN 1-890607-09-6   80 pp  $20________

GASIFICATION OF RICE HULLS: THEORY AND PRAXIS: A. Kaupp. (Veiweg, 1984) 
Applies gasification to rice hulls, since rice hulls are potentially a major 
energy source - yet have unique problems in gasification.   ISBN 
1-890607-07-X    303 pp $30_________

TREES:  by Jean Giono, 1953. While we strongly support using biomass for 
energy, we are also very concerned about forest destruction.  This delightful 
 story says more than any sermon on the benefits and methods of 
reforestation. ISBN 1-89060712-6        8 pp    $1_________

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