Another Lurker pop's up!

[David Reynolds-Lacey <d.rl@virgin.net>]

Hello Stovers,

I have been lurking on the list for several months
now so it's about time to say hello to all of you.
I found the list during a search for "charcoal
retorts".

First, a little about myself. I am 58 and live in
Worcestershire, England, I retired 10 years. ago
from from my telecommunications business and have
dedicated my time since then to restoration and
conservation work. Five years ago I purchased a
much neglected and overgrown 150 acre semi natural
ancient woodland site near to my home and set
about restoring it using traditional methods. The
site has a long history in charcoal making
(especially for gunpowder production), small scale
coal mining and brick making. After spending 3
years restoring some of the infrastructure I began
coppicing work, with just 5 acres done to date. So
far I have only been able to produce firewood and
charcoal but when the coppice is in proper
rotation I intend to engage in a variety of
traditional woodland crafts.  I am now able to
employ 2 full time workers and have one student
trainee from a local agricultural college, I will
provide more training places as we progress.  It
is my aim to make my operation completely self
sustaining, both financially and energy-wise and
my current energy scheme is to produce heat and
electrical/mechanical power entirely from forest
debris using all equipment that I have built
myself. I care passionately about the environment
and having spent time in some developing
countries, especially South Africa, I would like
to think my work could also be of benefit in these
areas. My primary skills are in business
management, sales and marketing but I am a general
"all rounder" with a strong bias towards
mechanical engineering.

Whilst I haven't posted to the  list before, I
have contacted 3 list members off list. The first
was Dan Dimiduk, who as well as giving me a great
deal of help and information also put me in
contact with Ken Boak, now Ken and I are looking
at projects involving flash steam, Stirling
engines and a "stoves" related project, which is
current. I also contacted Andrew Heggie and I am
the "Lurker"  referred to in his last post. I have
been working with Andrew for a couple of months
now and have learnt a great deal from him, as well
as from from my own experiments with the "scaled
up" burner I have built, based on his design. I
have, of course, also learnt an enormous amount
from all of you who post here and now, as my
learning curve flattens, I find the going a little
easier.

I do not yet  have the experience in combustion
technology to contribute a great deal but I have
made a few observations and I am starting to form
opinions of which I will throw a couple into the
"pot"

1. Whether making charcoal or producing heat,
first dry your fuel, then dry it and then dry it
again!

2. For best and controllable heat production,
forced draft, top down burning is the method of
choice where possible unless using all but the
driest of fuels and even then I feel it has
distinct advantages over normal aspiration.

I look forward to my future time on the list and I
will no doubt meet a few more of you on my various
travels, or indeed here in England when (and if)
any of you are over here.

Kind regards to you all.


David C. Reynolds-Lacey
Areley Wood Enterprises







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