Safety of Wood Gas [Gasification] storing wood gas.

[Arnt Karlsen]

On Sat, 17 Jun 2006 17:28:00 +1200, Doug wrote in message 
<004c01c691ce$ce536460$0301a8c0 at pc>:

> Hi Gasification Colleagues,
> 
> While we can believe that producer gas can be detected by it's own
> distinct smell, working around that smell on a regular basis kills the
> ability to smell it.

..and if you manage to get rid of all tars, the smell goes too.  
I still have tars in the fuel hopper and tar flare piping.

> Back in about 1981-2, I was poisoned to nearly the limit driving my
> International van back and forth to work. The culprit was the vacume
> created inside the cab, which pulled escaping gas from the air cleaner
> every time I changed gear.
> 
> Don't forget, that the pressure innertia that builds in the fuel
> hopper will push gas out if the demand slows suddenly, and that is
> difficult to over come at the engine end. Trailer gasifiers will have
> just the same problem, so their isolation is no safety feature.
> 
> For the Record, I suffered the following:
> 
> 1. Bad headaches, in the front lobe, that moved to the back of the
> head at rest.
> 
> 5. Temper on a very short fuse, not good for my associate.

..I only had these 2, however it could be #4.  ;o)

..being aware of the symptoms in advance, and having the sickest weakest
tired guy do all the slave work and leaving the strong healthy guy just
mocking the slave while looking at safety, will help spot 5 early. 

..#5 or a light headache  is the first symptom I experience.
Also beware of enjoying this work, this too will mask these.

> Interested parties in Europe of my poisoning were able to observe me
> over a period of years, and questioning found that it took seven years
> for the short term blocks to clear. Now I put it down to advancing
> years:-)
> 
> Hope this helps, and do not treat this gas carelessly.


-- 
..med vennlig hilsen = with Kind Regards from Arnt... ;o)
...with a number of polar bear hunters in his ancestry...
  Scenarios always come in sets of three: 
  best case, worst case, and just in case.