Re: GAS-L: IC Engine Using Dirty Gas? was - use of ether for starting

[LINVENT@aol.com]

In a message dated 3/21/01 12:43:28 AM, VHarris001@aol.com writes:

<< 
Do you have an opinion regarding whether or not an IC engine can be modified 
to run on hot / dirty producer gas?  If producer gas were run through a 
cyclone to eliminate most ash (the easy part), can an engine be operated at 
high enough temperature that tars won't condense prior to combustion?  Will 
tars mostly combust in an IC engine combustion chamber or do they just pass 
through the system mostly uncombusted? >>
Dear Mr. Harris,
    Perhaps it is possible to build an engine to run on the rather severely 
fouling tars and oils present in producer gas if not cleaned. I am not aware 
of a commercial one available at this point however. It would have to have:
Rings that would not coat up and foul with tars which are present in the gas
bearings, piping, heat exchangers, seals, sleeves, bushings which are not 
attacked by a ammonia, or any hydroxide formed from ammonia, ammonia acetate 
or acetic acid and other acids, both organic and inorganic. 
Plugs that do not foul over time from these same compounds.
Valves which do not coat up, either with the direct tars or with tars which 
crack from heat and coat the surfaces with coked carbon deposits. 
Particulate and tar separation are virtually impossible to differentiate. 
    Any one interested in this challenge?

Tom Taylor


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