[Stoves] Energy from whole coconuts

[Peter Singfield]

Hi Paul

At 10:43 PM 9/18/2006 -0500, Paul S. Anderson wrote:
>Peter,
>
>You wrote:
>>  The fire box for my coconut gratings drier is not big enough  to 
>> burn whole coconuts -- but the one I use for boiling cane  juice down 
>> is -- and they burn very well with bagasse--  whole -- lethal liquids 
>> and all.
>
>How big is your fire box for the cane juice, and what amount of bagasse do
you
>add?  (the bagasse is required for successful burning, or just convenient?)
>

The fire box above the grate is 38 in long -- 26 inches wide -- and 18
inches tall.

The bagasse that comes from my small crusher is full length -- and is set
out to dry on racks -- then grabbed up -- hand folded -- and shoved into
the fire box.

I have sufficient chimney for good natural draft -- but during intense
periods -- also have a 12 volt blower -- from an old truck heater unit --
to real make heat.


>I ask because if your method is reasonable, then you have provided an answer
>about using the whole coconuts (as long as the needed amount of fire/heat is
>large.)
>
>I was thinking about a large gasifier, but it was becoming huge and 
>without any
>purpose.
>
>Paul
>

It helps to leave the spoiled coconuts sit in a heap for a few months.

I get the furnace hot on bagasse -- then load whole coconuts -- turn the
blower on -- plenty of fire -- plenty of heat.

The coconut shells after being grated are used to fire the drier -- 

The coconut husks are sold at very low price to the villagers -- who use
those for making "Johnny" cake in a very simple oven that sits over their
fire hearth.

Nothing goes to "waste" ---

I am considering using coconut water for a fast biodigester???

Anyone tried that yet??

Maybe mixed with some cane juice??

Peter/Belize