[AT] gasifiers

[Gene Dotson]

    Wood and all biomass fuels burn in 2 stages. The first and most 
noticable is the gas burning that is driven out by the heat, this is the 
flame you like to see in the fireplace. The second stage is the ember or 
charcoal stage when the solid part of the wood is consumed.  A fuel heated 
or burned in a limited oxygen atmosphere will drive the gas from the fuel 
and when directed to a chamber with free oxygen will then be consumed with 
very little waste or smoke.

    All biomass fuels contain gas as a normal product of growth, mostly 
methane. Gas can be rendered by using heat or pressure or a combination of 
both as nature does in the production and accomulation of natural gas.

    Many have noticed that burning wood that has laid for many years in the 
woods will burn with less visible flame than fresh wood due to the loss to 
the atmosphere of the gases. The solid mass is still there and burns well in 
the ember stage. (I use ember stage as I don't know the actual term).

    I have wondered how much gas could be extracted from sawdust and a 
system to pressurize it and capture the gas?

                        Gene




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob McNitt" <nysports at frontiernet.net>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2009 8:58 AM
Subject: Re: [AT] gasifiers


Charlie's observations reminded me of something a read several months ago.
As I recall it stated something to the effect that wood acts like a storage
chamber for ignitable gasses. When it's heated to something like 400 or so
degrees, the gasses are driven out of the wood, ignite and burn.
Bob in CNY

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "CEE VILL" <cvee60 at hotmail.com>
To: "new atislist" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2009 8:26 AM
Subject: Re: [AT] gasifiers




I think I am seeing a parallel between this conversation and the operation
of my airtight wood stove.  I never before this conversation knew of
gasifiers as such, but here is the deal.

The airtight in my "TRACTOR" shop (had to get that word in) is not large,
but it has it's firebrick lined combustion chamber with glass door.  Above
that is the heat, gas gathering chamber separated by a steel plate with a
series of about 1/4" (6.35mm) holes in the plate.  This heat box is
separated from the stack by catalytic bricks through which the emissions
must pass.  When the stove is operating normally (warmed up), and I get down
and look at the steel plate, it appears there must be a burner in there
burning natural gas, although there is not.  Every 1/4 inch hole will have a
nice blue flame about 2" long burning steadily from it.  In a nutshell,
these flames are the result of gas collected from wood burning as part of
the design and function of the stove.  The chimney will have literally no
smoke emission during burning when the stove warmed up.

Having said that, I think I am seeing a well designed little gasification
plant at work where the gas is burned on sight.  Comments??

Charlie V. in frigid WNY


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