Re: flash carbonization of biomass

["Paul S. Anderson" <psanders@ilstu.edu>]

At 11:18 AM 1/7/02 -0500, Reedtb2@cs.com wrote:
> Dear Ron and Andrew:
(snip)

Note:  This refers to the primary combustion of the fuel in the IDD
"gasifier" stove.  

AND note to Ron and Tom:  Ron prefers the word "pyrolyzer"
("PIE-row-lie-zer", right?) instead of
"gasifier".  I have trouble distinguishing between the two
terms.  And the word "gasify" seems more clear to me to be
what is the end result, which is the creation of gases from biomass that
is converted into charcoal.  Comments please FOR THE LAYMAN usage
that will help get usage of whatever it is that we call it.

And below is my real question:

> Tom Reed wrote:   
> However, in order to move DOWN to the next layer  [in the
> pyrolisizer, the low flame ] needs to ignite [the next lower material]
> and if it is wet it needs additional heat to move down.  Therefore,
> the wetter the fuel the more charcoal is also burned.  With bone dry
> wood we get 25% charcoal yield;  with 30% moisture we get 5%
> charcoal yield.  But the gases for cooking burn remarkably similarly
> across this range.   
Tom,  I read this to mean that "greener or
wetter or lesser quality" fuels will yield the desired gases are
about the same, and the only loss is in the reduced yield of
charcoal.  (And some people are not interested in the charcoal
anyway if we get good heat from the pyrolysis/gasification 
process.

In other words, IF the user is stuck with using wet or higher moisture
fuel, then "no big problem" with the pyrolysis/gasification
process, assuming acceptance that less charcoal is produced.

OR:  Do NOT make a fire for the purpose of drying the damp fuel for
later burning (in a gasifier stove), because the only gain would be a
bigger pile of charcoal.

I would think that this is rather important (?).

Paul

> TOM
> REED                          
> BEF STOVEWORKS

Paul S. Anderson, Ph.D.,  Fulbright Prof. to Mozambique 8/99 - 7/00

Dept of Geography - Geology (Box 4400), Illinois State University

Normal, IL  61790-4400   Voice:  309-438-7360;  FAX:  309-438-5310

E-mail: psanders@ilstu.edu - Internet items:
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