[Stoves] Comments about T-LUDs

[Paul S. Anderson]

Jeff,

You raise two excellent questions:

1.  Does every type of dry biomass always yield) char/charcoal?  Frank has
mentioned the testing or measuring of (what is it called?  XXX carbon, not the
organice carbon).  Does it exist in every type of dry biomass?

Of course, the processes (plural) of combustion might be able to eliminate the
char/charcoal while the pyrolysis and combustion are occurring.

This is outside of my field, but of considerable interest.  For 
example, is some
specific biomass exceptionally high in it yield of char?  Or, as Jeff asks,
could his pond scum be exceptionally low in its yield of char?  We know from
Alexis Belonio and observation of T-LUD gasification of rice husks that the
small, thin husks yield only even smaller and thinner flecks of char.  And
algae strands are certainly smaller and thinner than husks.

I think this question relates to T-LUDs and their fuels, and maybe also 
to other
combustion devices and processes.

2.  The tiny and useful Gasifier:  Yes, 1 inch (2 to 3 cm) diameter is a good
size to discuss.  I have made them as small as 2 inch (5 cm) in diameter, but
found no useful purpose at that time.  But what about as a small light or
torch?  I suspect that only T-LUD technology might have a chance at
accomplishing this.  Other types of gasification seem to be too complex and
rely on the fuel moving downward, which would be difficult with so much 
surface
area and resistance relating to the tiny diameter.

A.  In the T-LUD style, the biggest problem would be to keep air 
__continually__
moving upward through fuel.  Maybe a balloon or a bag-pipe bladder could keep
the air flowing.  But human blowing is intermittent, and everytime the flow
stopped, the gases coming out the end would likely be insufficient to sustain
the combustion flame.  And if the flame is gone, blowing again would not
reignite the flame.  But perhaps a candle flame alongside the end of the tiny
T-LUD might be keep the combustion continuing.

B.  Insulating the fuel container (which is the gas making part of the device)
is important because the lateral loss of heat from the gases would be rapid in
a cylinder of such small diameter.

C.  Length of the T-LUD is a major factor in how long the batch will yield
gases.  Therefore, the application/usage should be something that does not
require much time.

D.  Fuel:  There would be many candidates from which to choose.  And 
the cost of
the raw material and the labor to have it "just right" for the tiny 
T-LUD would
NOT be of much importance because the quantities of fuel would be so small and
the "value" of the application would be so high.  Perhaps some "oil-rich" seed
or enriched special biomass might work very well.

Jeff, you have started me (and you and others, I hope) thinking along an
additional line of T-LUD development.

Paul
-- 
Paul S. Anderson, Ph.D., Geography professor - Emeritus
Telephone:  USA-309-452-7072 (residence and office)
Internet site:  www.ilstu.edu/~psanders
For my gasifier stoves info, go to:
http://bioenergylists.org/contributors#Paul_Anderson


Quoting Jeff Davis <jeff0124 at velocity.net>:

> Dear Paul,
>
> In regards to charcoal/char produced in the T-LUD:
>
> In addition to increased air velocity and fuel moisture the fuel it self is a
> factor (I believe). For example: my pondscum fireballs left no char only ash
> (I believe). Maybe pondscum and other fuels are carbon anemic? Another
> aquatic fuel I tested some, (I call it pea-soup) smells like burning hair, so
> is that protein?
>
> Also see note below:
>
> Paul wrote,
>> Paul says:  While the principle of making the gases (smoke) can be
>> illustrated in the cigarette example, I like to think of gasifiers as being
>> useful devices that operate with controls.
>
>
> I bet a small gasifier could be made. Maybe one inch in diameter. Small
> particles for the fuel. Could be used as a candle or small torch.
>
>
> Jeff
>
>
>
> --
> Jeff Davis
> Somewhere 20 miles south of Lake Erie, USA
> http://www.velocity.net/~jeff0124
>
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