[Bioconversion] Re: [Gasification] instead of ethanol -- make natural gas??

[Jeff Davis]

Dear DD, AJH and List,



> >DD Are fireballs a new invention or a variation of an old one?  I used to
> >make pyrotechnic breaking shell stars, with a gelatin binder, by wet
> > rolling them in my hands.

I think the charcoal fireball credit would go to John Tatom.



> AJH I think the technique bears looking at because Jeff comments on the
> wish to use char that is already in a dusty form, after we here how
> these fireballs stand up in a gasifier it will be interesting to hear

I agree.


>AJH what calorific value and bulk density they manage. 

I agree.

Also, the ash content (%).


> AJH Following on from Kevin's concerns I worry that nutrient depletion
> from short rotation crops, like grasses or young coppice, will not be
> sustainable in comparison with a well managed timber stand where only
> the main stem is removed.

I have read that switchgrass will go for at least 10 years, some say a life 
time, if you take care of it. Never cut it short, below 8", when it is green. 
When brown, cut as low as you wish. If the yield is dropping one can burn a 
field and next year, it is said that it will return to it's high yield. 
Plants are plants, leave some tree stuff in the forest and leave some grass 
stuff behind in the field (fertilizer).

In the forest, I would use the main stem (log) for lumber. The slab wood could 
go into chips, and the saw dust could go into pellets. Marginal land could go 
into grasses, or the like.

I have worked in the forest. Hardhat, safety glasses, ballistic boots, safety 
gloves, heavy chains, heavy cables, tripping over brush, big skidder 
machines, heavy chainsaws, high temp., and gallons of sweat pouring out of 
every pour in my skin. Oh, I forgot the ravines and hilly ground. It's a lot 
nicer and safer to work on a nice switchgrass field!




Jeff Davis