[Stoves] Solid Fuel Classification System (SFCS)

[frank]

Dear stovers,
If there are others that think a fuel classification system is as 
important as I do I can suggest such a system.  If we agree this system 
will work we could finish this up in a couple month and have one 
working. For the past two years I put together such a system for compost 
(never approved) and all we would need to do is change the compost 
constituents tested to fuel tests, change the calculations from compost 
to fuel calculations then set an index for fuel. This system could also 
be used for bricks and, perhaps, made to work for stoves. I visualize 
the final result for a fuel would look  like a nine digit zip code (ex. 
95076-0512). The first five numbers will  represent  the fuel and the 
last four the fuel packing.  To use it a stove would be classified  for 
a type of fuel 'zip code'  then one would look for, or formulate the 
fuel with that code for the stove.

The program I have for compost is in Excel and 7 MB. It includes  a 
couple thousand  real compost results for experimenting with.
 
What we would need to do:
1) determine the test and test procedures needed for the SFCS.
2) using the data from tests we need to make the calculations needed 
(void space, carbon density, BTU per kg etc.)  You need to tell me.
3) Set up the Primary Index box to index from low to high the values.
4) set up Secondary Index box to take the values from the primary that 
fit the intended use to further index the fuel.
So from the above we come up with the index of the fuel for a particular 
use (pellets, fire place logs, straw fuel packs etc). We have our 'zip code'

All we do is type in the test results into the program and the SFCS is 
calculated.

 From the stove classification system (if we use the same program) will 
result in a 'Map' of the range of SFCS needed.

Not sure where to go from here. The program should not be included in 
the web site because it has not been test run and I am sure there are 
lots of changes that will need be done (and it is for compost). It is 
available for those that want to see it. Perhaps Tom has a way of 
sharing it to those that want to work on it. I do not have a lot of time 
to work on it until February but if others want to start it is available.

Regards
Frank

-- 
Frank Shields
Soil Control Lab
42 Hangar way
Watsonville, CA  95076
(831) 724-5422 tel
(831) 724-3188 fax
frank at compostlab.com
www.compostlab.com