[Stoves] Solid Fuel Classification System SFCS

Fri Jan 5 15:36:45 CST 2007

Tom and stovers,

I agree we should use the species list (and impressive it is!) when it 
is appropriate because that will save a lot of time and chemistry.  And 
if we don't have a fuel listed in the file we will need to generate the 
info to add to the list, or if the fuel proves too variable, it may need 
to have a series of tests and averaged for specific locations. So we 
need to find the data or test to get the data. Testing the actual fuel 
that is to be used when possible, I think we can agree, is the best 
means to get the data.

To convert the compost classification system to solid fuel, as I 
suggest, will require a complete list of test procedures (manual) 
required for all types and uses for solid fuel. This could be titled 
"International Testing Methods for Natural Organic Solid Fuels" and an 
organization could be set up to maintain and update the procedures. Many 
of the methods can be taken from AOAC or ASTM etc. (some are already 
required) but we must agree on them because we all need to use the same 
procedures when comparing results.

We will also need to form small groups. One group is the pellet stove 
group and another the dung stove and the small fuel stovers and the fire 
wood people. Each group needs to come up with the fuel constituents that 
is important to them for their stove design. Just guessing but the 
pellet people may require 1) a size limit, 2) a length to width ratio 
limit, 3) moisture and 4) organic matter content. May 5) require passing 
a heavy metals test and 6) particle density and 7) bulk density 
requirements. Each group will have their own list. Primary Index will 
determine if the fuel is a potential for any of the above groups and, 
for the fuels that pass, the Secondary Index will further index the fuel 
for that group. This is how I see one such index system working.

If anyone wants an excel spreadsheet of the compost index program I am 
talking about - just ask. It is 7MB. I wanted to wait until February 
when I will have more free time, but it seems there is a meeting for 
indexing in Oregon later this month and I would just like to introduce 
my suggestion before that meeting.

Thanks

Frank

.

Tom Miles wrote:

>David,
>
>Greetings. Of course we need to identify the brushwoods. There are families
>of burshwoods that are pretty commonly used. 
>
>I looked up your tola (or tolla) and yareta previously. I would think that a
>dry yareta would burn something like a crown of turf or moss, or a loss fill
>of straw.
>
>The UCB WBT spreadsheet has heating values for about 80 species that someone
>spend time developing so presumably they cover most species.
>
>Tom
>
>
>
>
> 
>
>  
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: stoves-bounces at listserv.repp.org
>[mailto:stoves-bounces at listserv.repp.org] On Behalf Of CEDESOL Foundation
>lists
>Sent: Thursday, January 04, 2007 11:49 AM
>To: Discussion of biomass cooking stoves
>Subject: Re: [Stoves] Fuel classification system
>
>Tom Miles wrote:
>  
>
>>Frank,
>>
>>Wood is still the reference fuel because it is the most prevalent even 
>>though there will be lots of other residues mixed in or there will be 
>>areas with mostly dung. You can't find the data if you don't know the
>>    
>>
>species.
>  
>
>>Density is the single most important property of wood that 
>>differentiates its burning characteristic. You can plot ignition time, 
>>the volume burning rate, and percentage left as charcoal all as a 
>>function of wood density. CO, PM and VOC emissions also appear to vary
>>    
>>
>with density.
>  
>
>>  
>>    
>>
>snip
>Tom, first off - How is the family?  Happy New Year to you all!
>
>How do we figure or take into account native species like Kiswara,
>Eucalyptus,  Tola (which is a bush, would that be wood?)
>  
>
>>The next distinction is between wood and non-wood. Grasses and 
>>agricultural residues including corn cobs and husks have completely
>>    
>>
>different properties
>  
>
>>than wood.   
>>
>>  
>>    
>>
>and here is where the walking gets "thicker" - animal dung, which is
>relative to what they are grazing on and maybe climate.  Species like
>Yareta, which I think is like a liechen, but I've been told it is a tree
>(¿), tundra . . .
>  
>
>>If we can identify wood species and characteritics relative to test fuels
>>    
>>
>we
>  
>
>>will have accomplished a lot. Next can look at non-wood fuels.        
>>
>>Tom
>>    
>>
>saludos
>D
>
>--
>"We make a living by what we get... we make a life by what we give." -
>unknown author
>
>David Whitfield V.
>Executive Director
>CEDESOL Foundation
>
>Alternative Education, Renewable Energy, Social Equality 
>
>http://www.cedesol.org
>
>SKYPE - solar1bol
>
>
>
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>  
>

-- 
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