Multiple Reactors

So I was thinking about my Harley. Has anyone built a multiple reactor system that could be switched over on the fly to extend the runtime but keep a smaller profile? Maybe like 4 8" X 24" reactors tied to a couple manifolds with shutoff valves to isolate them and switch over while driving.

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You probably could do it, but you would have to constantly switch and play with them to keep them hot enough to reignite.
That would be a real handful to deal with and ride.

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For the ignition maybe a propane assist and a battery operated grill igniter per reactor?
Possibly electricity controlled isolation valves? Maybe hooked up to a controll board that reads temp. I know it would take a bunch of planning for sure.

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So your going to ride down the road, operate mixture valves while driving, operate isolation valves while paying attention to the road and then run a propane fired ignition system ( that could just as easily detonate the gasifier as reheat ) and do all of this safely?

I think that is a lot to try and do.
Maybe pull over stop and refueling as needed is the safest choice

Please do not think I am making fun of you…
But I just have this vision of a bike going down the road and you hit the ignition for the gasifier and KA-BOOM.
Flames and Charcoal flies all over the place, skid marks on the road and perhaps even in your underpants and that’s not even taking in the consideration the effect this might have on other drives near you.

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I faced similar problems with atempting to gasify my Seat Arosa. The gasifier had to be low, but culd be wide. Thats one of tbe reason l came up with the flute nozzle. What l want to say is with the flute nozzle you do just that, have as many gasifiers as you do holes on the nozzle pipe. In one system. Culd you do the same?

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I’m not sure it would be that exciting but it does paint an interesting picture.

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I was thinking the same thing, kristijan allready built that feature into one unit, Thanks for posting your designs kristijan , i did read that unit design.

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Kristijan, would you please tell me what thread your design is on. I’m really interested in checking it out.

my over the roof s10 gasifier was a little bit above the roof line at 50" tall 55 gallon barrel, and it was notched too clear the drive shaft and lower the unit too the roof line, and still have 40 mile before refill on light weight pine. 48" is a little too tall unless putting in a big truck maybe. keeping the build low profile is the best option, and it keeps the wind drag down good.

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Here you go. For some reason l cant find pictures of the flute nozzle pipe… l think they might be on a nother topic.

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It starts at post 52 Kristijan is showing his new design flute multihole design.
Bob

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I saw your photo’s from home recently and there appears to be no snow in the mountains of Slovenia.
Let me tell you comrade its snowing here and its nearly a meter deep in places!!!
If this keeps up I will not need a bike or car that uses wood gas but a bloody snowmobile that runs on wood.
Really this is a very far fetched idea, but I wanted to say it out loud…
Record smashing snow!!!
.

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Thanks Kristijan and Bob for the link to Kristijan’s Flute design. Yup it looks like a GREAT option for the bike build.
Kevin, yeah 48" would be really high for a bike. I would like to keep the reactors around 24" if possible. One on each side for balance.

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J.P., How about reactor on one side and filter plus spare fuel storage on the other side. A charcoal gasifier doesn’t need to be real heavy, I think it would balance OK.

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Not a bad idea Mike. I just don’t think I’ll get much range out of on gassifier. Gona have to do some testing for sure.

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Just think of the gasifier as a person riding with you on the back of your bike.
Bob

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I am with Mike here. Whats the engine disolacement, power and usual driving rpm?

Wallace, we have been blessed/cursed with allmost summer temp weather.

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Kristijan,
This is what I picked up off the Harley Davidson web site

Type of Engine
The 1,450 cc is equivalent to an 88 cubic inch block, and is is a twin-camshaft engine. It pushes 80 horsepower at 5,200 rpm. The torque of this engine is 82 ft-lb at 3,500 rpm

Bob, Prayers sent up for a speedy recovery from your injury. I hope it’s not too serious.

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Not many charcoal powered motorcycles out there wich l think is a real shame! If you are serious about this, l am first in line willing to help you on the project. I love the concept :slight_smile: l have had a 50cc moped on chargas and l just loved it.
I have a feeling Harley engine might be a wery good candidate for chargas.

As much as l love the updraft gasifier for its simplicity, years of testing out different designs lead me to the design l currently use, a downdraft hybrid of the old WW2 style gasifiers and the WK gasifier. It gave me best performance of all with a minimal size package. It is more complex thugh.

Anyway, if l wuld be building, l wuld make something like this:

This is looking from behind. With this setup you are looking at a range of about 60 miles with one hopper filling + reserve char. Thats a rough guess with 12x12x25" hopper.

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Wow Kristijan, your drawing looks like a person sitting on the back seat of a motorcycle.
Bob

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