I don’t always need reasons to do crazy stuff but I thought that a wider, slower heat zone might make just as much gas and maybe run a little cooler and have less “dead” zones. I had to quit when the suction blower took a crap after about 25 minutes but then I took a temp reading at the bottom of the gasifier and the highest temp anywhere on the unit was 325 degrees F. so comparing that with Bob Macks 600 degrees, maybe it does run cooler although he was pulling with a Kirby not a weak 12v blower like I was.
11 Likes
Pretty excited to see how this progresses Don. Looks like a really good design. With all the work you did to weld up the rods on each side of the slit I think I would try and do a larger pipe over the nozzle and weld it so that it sealed around the slit and water cool it. I am currently adapting my 8 inch WK to see if I can run it as a downdraft charcoal unit or I’d try those water cooled slit nozzles myself. The idea of water cooled nozzles has been on my mind.
3 Likes
Hi Tom,
My first run yesterday was with bone dry charcoal and my next try will be with 15 to 20% water wetted charcoal which should run cooler yet. I thought a lot about water cooled nozzles but decided it was not worth all the extra effort. One little leak could really screw things up. I have no idea what the life of the slit nozzles will be so after the next couple of runs I may take a look at them seeing they are easily removable and maybe take Marcus advice and run a couple spots of weld across to keep them from spreading open.
11 Likes
Took some time today to run my fuel refinery.
55 gallon barrel
and 40 gallon barrel
This should be enough to do a lot of testing.
16 Likes
Nice looking charcoal you have there Don.
That looks larger than popcorn size. That is the size I like to burn in my double flute charcoal gasifer.
Bob
7 Likes
Getting close to making a video of startup and running my double flute charcoal generator.
I gave up on the slit nozzle and went to the tried and true flute design.
21 Likes
I ran the generator this afternoon. Please excuse the shakey video. I had my phone on the end of a selfie stick which amplified every little movement and I couldn’t see what I was pointing at half the time.
My 1/2 inch air adjustment valve is too small. It was wide open and still needed more air. It did run though!
23 Likes
Sounds sweet Don! Man them chargassers sure make the gas quickly. Was this a for fun project or a backup for power outage?
6 Likes
For backup power mainly but for fun too!
9 Likes
Thanks for the video Don.
You sure make it look easy 
8 Likes
Tell you what the double flute really likes a square form factor. I’m just trying to think of a good nozzle hole to engine size ratio.
3 Likes
Don, what Mr Wayne sayd. How does the power feel?
Cody, l belive the goal is to reach around 25m/s of air velocity on any gasifier air jet, cold. You do the math then 
5 Likes
Really enjoyed that Don. Is this with the wetted charcoal? How do you gauge the moisture content of the char? Made me smile to think of you with a selfie stick.
6 Likes
It is a little low on power partly because it needs more air than the little 1/2 inch valve can give but otherwise not bad.
7 Likes
I weigh the charcoal in a cardboard box and then spray water until it weighs between 15% and 20% more. After a couple times like that I sort of get the feel of how much to add.
7 Likes
Cody,
Koen posted a link to a spreadsheet for calculating nozzle size a few years ago on the Nozzles for Charcoal Gasifier’s thread at post 50.
6 Likes
Hi Don you can just open your blower isolation valve a little and use the 1/2" valve to fine tune your air for generating load adjustments.
Nice double flute charcoal gasifer and Genset build.
Bob
7 Likes
Mr Don , you have done a good job , neat precise workmanship , may it be a pleasure to you. 
6 Likes
Don, very inspiring.
I’ve always wished you made more videos. It’s like waiting for Santa 
9 Likes
Excellent design and workmanship. You have inspired me again
8 Likes