We had this blower on hand, and so just decided to use it for testing… It’s 5 x stronger than the intended engine. However, with all the variables, you’re right… Things change. Here is the latest list of changes we’re making, based on 3 nights of testing:
We’re returning the Honda 8.75kW generator for something about twice the size.
We’re ordering a venturi ejector with variable speed blower. We found out that regenerative blowers in contact with H2 are $4K!!! Required by law… Screw that… venturi it is.
We’re building a special water cooled radiator with finned stainless pipes. Takes a while for the gas to heat up, but we want to ensure ambient gas temps at all times. Water will be air cooled by traditional radiator.
We’re shrinking the ash bin. the one we had only had a teaspoon.
We’re lengthening the burn tube another 10"
We’ve already replaced the copper water drip system with all new parts, and improved the fab work… Much beefier now, with bigger tubes.
Testing the new copper tubes, and valve tomorrow on a full hopper full of char
Much has changed since the original sketch… Instead of the single air nozzle with ball valve shut-off at the bottom, we decided to make a tee… the lighting port goes all the way through to the other side. in the middle of that horizontal pipe, we have a tee with an upright air nozzle. You should be able to see this on some of the build photos:
We did this for 3 reasons:
we can use one port as a steam feed
we can use the other for an exhaust feed
charcoal won’t fall through to the ground (instead a little falls as the “kindling” and quickly gets sucked up into the nozzle.
We have only tried steam so far… Exhaust gasses will be next, but we still need to fabricate the air mixer, the carb manifold, a gas cooler, etc. Lots to do…
Steam and Exhaust will act as a coolant, and both will also give off a usable fuel. The trick will be to find a balance between all these variables. Eventually, we will hook up an Arduino, and begin to fine tune everything for smooth, “walk away” operation.
Troy
The patterns of 3 September 2014 (# 14), we see a gas outlet pipe above the zone you out oxydation.Pourquoi gas at this level rather than above the hopper?
For which reason the oxidation zone is in a small pipe rather than a big? (As gasifiers Gary Gilmore)
awesome going …