[Gasification] Fluidyne Update.

Thu Sep 21 20:16:29 CDT 2006

Congratulations on these gasification successes, or soon-to-be successes. It
is wonderful to see a fellow New Zealander making a difference with the
world-wide energy problem.

Regards
Peter Wilson
Dunedin, New Zealaand

On 9/22/06, Doug Williams <Doug.Williams at orcon.net.nz> wrote:
>
> Hi Gasification Colleagues,
>
> Circumstances have reduced my ability to contribute to this forum as much
> as
> I would like to, but as 2006 marks the 30th year of Fluidyne's activity
> with
> gasifiers for engine powered electrical generation, some following
> commercial gasification, may be interested in our progress to date.
>
> As most of you know, my personal involvement is reduced to supervising
> Licensees of Fluidynes gasification technology, located in Northern
> Ireland,
> Canada, and now Australia. To have three teams working with three
> different
> sized gasifiers from 15 kWe - 2 MWe, using quite differing fuels in each
> gasifier, and operating in a wide range of environmental conditions, has
> provided new increments of knowledge no literature could provide. During
> my
> visits to these companies this year, I have tested three gas, and one dual
> fuel engine, all differing size and speeds, and once again would like to
> confirm, that the Engine Tables shown on the Fluidyne Archive
> www.fluidynenz.250x.com are accurate for the evaluation of engines fuelled
> with producer gas.
>
> ----------------------
>
> Northern Ireland.
>
> It gives me quite some pleasure to report that the Atlantic Class gasifier
> in N.Ireland has now been completed to it's final commercial design
> requirement, and engine performance is above expectations. Originally
> targeting 70 kWe output, removal of all the gas moisture resulted in an
> increase to 89 kWe. This should once, and for all time, prove that steam
> vapour does not enhance combustion in an engine fuelled with producer gas
> made from wood. This was caused by confusing the practice of adding steam
> to
> charcoal gasifiers.
>
> The staff at ITI www.innovation-tech.co.uk  are now reorganising to begin
> commercial projects, and inquiries should be made directly to them for the
> Atlantic Class gasifier. Please do not expect a quotation without first
> discussing all your projects requirements, which will include the need for
> on site training of your key staff.
>
>        -------------
>
> Canada.
>
> Providing assistance to complete the final EPA emission tests of the Mega
> Class gasifier in Winnipeg, Canada, also brought a conclusion, to this
> long
> development programme. The intent of this project was to scale up the
> ability to make large quantities of gas that had no contamination to foul
> rotating machinery. This refers to engines, turbines, fans,and
> compressors,
> all proposed  in variations to utilize producer gas. While the gasifier
> development was extremely important to achieving this outcome, it has been
> the ancillary technology development that held the ultimate key, allowing
> the gasifier to function without being compromised. The system has no
> pressure dropping filtration, or water scrubbing of the gas, so many of
> the
> problems associated with cleaning have been eliminated. Safety filters are
> used, but have no function other than to collect the odd flake that might
> shed from components.
>
> The full EPA Report will be posted on the Fluidyne Archive when all the
> waste analysis have been received. I can tell you that the particle count
> from the flue stack was 0.164 g/m3, and gas emission, CO2  12%, O2  8.4%,
> CO
> 0%, N2  79%.  I am not qualified to comment on these amounts, but my
> advise
> is that it is a clean emission, and it is nice to actually see pristine
> surfaces at the engine valving. EPA testing is planned to continue for
> projects to support regulated installation requirements of these larger
> power generating systems.
>
> I will continue to answer enquiries for the Mega Class Series of gasifier
> (300kWe-2MWE) for W2e Technologies Inc., until the production facility for
> these gasifiers opens in March 2007. The development site in Winnipeg is
> now
> being prepared for client demonstrations, which will include the 175 kWe
> Mirrlees duel fuel engine operating on 94% gas replacement of diesel fuel.
> Once the wood fuel stocks have been replenished, those waiting to visit,
> will be advised of the demonstration dates.
>
> --------------
>
> Australia.
>
> Gasification Australia, is a new company set up to provide rural people
> with
> independence from fossil fuel supplies, and is headed by John Sanderson,
> <gasifierjohn at gmail.com>      and Mark Feltrin. <mfeltrin at yahoo.com.au>
> During August 2006, I visited Melbourne to conduct the first tests on
> components for the Tasman Class gasifier (15 kWe) being specifically
> developed for tropical conditions. This also incorporated fuel testing of
> the extremely hard native timbers, plus had a reality check of the waste
> urban timber supply. Literally hundreds of tonnes of waste wood are put
> out
> for road side rubbish collection, a huge resource, and a disposal problem.
>
> Australia is hot, and gasification becomes difficult to implement when you
> try to cool the gas with air that can be 40C. This has required a move
> away
> from the previously successful design concept of Fluidyne's gas cooling
> system, and the new version is to be retested early October. Just for
> once,
> it is not a test of the gas making, which performs very well with power
> generation within 4 minutes from a cold start.  It is planned to begin
> production of the Tasman Class in early 2007. The first off the assembly
> line, have been reserved for an export order, so please allow these guys a
> chance to become organised, before requesting prices for export.
>
> -------------
>
> USA
>
> I also visited California in July, to commission one of our original
> Pacific
> Class gasifiers that was sold after being in storage for 16 years. This is
> a
> private project, and the owner wishes to remain anonymous in order to work
> on fuel chip size issues, and fuel wood forestry. This is a project that I
> will be supporting over the next few years, as there has not been the
> opportunity for anyone to bring all the increments of gasification
> together
> with some coordination of the expertise. Conducting the Training Programme
> was an interesting experience, as I watched doubt turn to what I can only
> say, was unbridled enthusiasm for the potential use of gasifiers to
> resolve
> energy, and emission issues in California, and further a field.
>
> Special invited guests were able to witness cold start to full electrical
> power generation in 5 minutes, and also a blown demonstration of the hot
> gas
> being burnt as a heat source. With peak power demands creating problems at
> the extended arms of distribution grids in California, there was some
> discussion of how stand-by gasified power generation could fill this need.
> Time will tell.
>
>   ---------------
>
> I will be posting photos on the Fluidyne Archive over the next week of
> these
> projects, and will advise you as they are installed. You will be able to
> share with us, this final push to bring back commercially developed
> gasifiers appropriate for modern power generation.
>
> Doug Williams,
> Fluidyne Gasification.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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