[Gasification] Tuning an Imbert type

[andy schofield]

Dear All,

  This past week, I've been running my gasifier with a few  modifications. 
The stratified downdraft reactor unbolts from the grate-flange and the gas 
clean-up train. I set it aside and fitted an Imbert-type reactor with an 
air-tight fuel batch-bin with condensate trapping slotted liner (monerator).

  The 500 pound unit is now mounted aboard a 1975 GMC 1/2 ton cab and 
chassis. The 5.7L V-8 is fueled with both gasoline (4-barrel Rochester), and 
the gas made from cherrypits.

  The gas-train consists of a 30-gallon hopper-bottom hand augered ash-bin, 
a nominal 4" cyclone,
a 30 square foot surface water-cooled gas cooler, and a large straw-packed 
filter. Electrical auxilliaries are driven by a 4KW gasoline genset.

  Top speed so far is 40 MPH on a 1/3 mile rough dirt oval track (gasoline 
throttle shut). This breaks my own old speed record I set in 1991 with a 
four-cylinder Jeep side-valve,  also fueled (stratified downdraft) with 
pits.

  Sparkplugs tend to foul at low gasification rates, but I have a way to 
clean them. Anyone have suggestions to tune an Imbert type for less tar?

  The purpose of this setup is to tow a 3.5 ton trailer at the lowest cost 
possible. Break-even point is many miles down the road! Keep you posted.

In the "pits" wrench'n.

Andy Schofield
Great Lakes renewable fuels (and systems)

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