[Gasification] Push or pull

[William Carr]

On Jan 4, 2007, at 2:02 PM, Douglas Diaz wrote:

> I've reached the point were I have to fix
> the blower. As indicated, it can be push or pull, but when I start  
> weighing
>
> Pros & cons I get stuck. For starters, with the pull arrangement 
> ( blower
> stuck to the gas exit ) I need a special vent with the motor  
> separate from
> the fan, which makes the whole thing more complicated & expensive


As I have a pellet stove in my basement, and had to replace the  
combustion blower, I know what you're describing here.


The combustion blower comes as a unit with a motor mounted to a  
housing that's sort of snail-shaped.


Exhaust gases are drawn in via the center, accelerated by the  
centrifugal fan, then exit at the "mouth" of the snail shell.


It's easier, I would think, to buy something off the shelf.   At  
least for me, that is.


Just match the blower to the need and pick one out of the catalog.


Sadly, W.W. Grainger didn't carry the blower I needed:   the only  
electrical component (other than the logic board) for our Countryside  
I can't order from them.

I had to buy it from the manufacturer, and it was about $140 or so.

This type of blower is at least hardened against hot gases; not to  
say it wouldn't be a good idea to run the gas through a quick quench  
first to cool it down immediately.

I've thought about this issue, push or pull, as regards building a  
corn cleaner.   And the negative-pressure approach solves so many  
more problems than it creates !

While you can of course use positive pressure to start up, you have  
to worry about leaks much more.   A bad seal suddenly becomes a CO  
hazard.

Maybe you should buy a CO detector now and avoid the rush.

I got one that you can test with your TV remote (Menards).   Aim the  
remote at the detector, hit Volume Up for two seconds and then plug  
your ears !


William Carr