Koen's design of pipe like simple fire

Small Engines Charcoal Gasification
#1

When I look at this design ( not of the simple fire but of K’s ) I am curious why he can leave an opening in the bottom of the device allowing air in ( plus steam ) ? Does this not give an chance of explosion with the inrush of air from the bottom?

It would seem to me that charcoal gasifiers would have less chance of explosion with a backfire because it would have less volatile gas in it than one that uses wood?

Always curious about the what and why of the design.

2 Likes
#2

That’s the tuyere for the gasifier, where air enters the system, into the “fire”, where the oxygen is consumed to make CO2, which is then reduced to CO. There’s no free oxygen beyond the initial fire zone so there’s no risk of explosion.

3 Likes