Re: Another Lurker pop's up!

["Ron Larson" <ronallarson@qwest.net>]

David:

1.    It sounds like you have found a wonderful vocation - and have found
excellent advice off-list.  I don't think we should worry about lurking or
not - but glad to hear your message (and from any others at any time)..

2.  One way to hurt your operation is to ask you too much and have too many
competitors join your approach.  On the other hand, you have given the crux
of your approach and maybe you won't mind others coming along after you.

3.  Therefore please consider this in terms of asking for more information
that might help developing countries - but in developed countries as well if
you wish.  What part of what you are exploring is NOT appropriate right away
for those areas of Africa where you have spent the most time?   As an
example -  how important is the coppicing option?  Or, charcoaling?

4.  You are obviously very interested in charcoaling.  What options have you
discovered for using the pyrolysis gases other than the drying approach of
Andrew?

5.  Are there any more operational questions for the list?

6.  Your list of conclusions was admirably short (drying and a forced-air,
top-down recommendation).  Any others in a second tier?

7.  Thanks for your message.  Good to have your expertise with us.

Ron

----- Original Message -----
From: David Reynolds-Lacey <d.rl@virgin.net>
To: <stoves@crest.org>
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2002 4:01 AM
Subject: Another Lurker pop's up!


> 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
>
>


-
Stoves List Archives and Website:
http://www.crest.org/discussion/stoves/200204/
http://crest.org/discussiongroups/resources/stoves/
>
Stoves List Moderators:
Ron Larson, ronallarson@qwest.net
Elsen L. Karstad, elk@wananchi.com www.chardust.com
>
List-Post: <mailto:stoves@crest.org>
List-Help: <mailto:stoves-help@crest.org>
List-Unsubscribe: <mailto:stoves-unsubscribe@crest.org>
List-Subscribe: <mailto:stoves-subscribe@crest.org>
>
Sponsor the Stoves List: http://www.crest.org/discuss3.html
-
Other Biomass Stoves Events and Information:
http://www.bioenergy2002.org
http://www.crest.org/articles/static/1/1010424940_7.html Bioenergy
http://www.crest.org/articles/static/1/1011975339_7.html Gasification
http://www.crest.org/articles/static/1/1011975672_7.html Carbon
>
For information about CHAMBERS STOVES
>http://www.repp.org/discussiongroups/resources/stoves/Chambers/Chambers.htm