[Gasification] Acetylene light not Limelight
Thomas Reed
tombreed2010 at gmail.com
Mon Feb 7 06:56:00 CST 2011
PS. To my earlier acetylene note.
The very same folks who don't have kerosene for cooking don't have good lighting for reading about how to get good lighting for reading!!!
This week at Paul Anderson's CHAB camp here in Normal, Il, I hope we will have a Stove-light camp to fix both problems at once.
Just to keep the record straight, Wellsbach Mantle light, Limelight and Carbide light are not the same, but belong to what I call "superluminints, but may more properly be called "candoluminescent".
The gorgeous light from a mantle whose temperature is probably less than 1500C is due to the fact that it has very high emissivity in the visible, but hardly any in the IR.
The light from a carbide lamp is due to the fact that acetylene is a very unstable compound, heat of formation a negative 250kJ/mole.
And I'm not sure whether limelight is bright because it's heated by an electric arc or also has super luminescent properties. Why not Magnesia light?
All comments welcome.
Tom Reed, boy chemist
Dr Thomas B Reed
President, The Biomass Energy Foundation
www.Woodgas.com
On Feb 2, 2011, at 2:55 PM, GF <gfwhell at aol.com> wrote:
> Luke.
> There is a possibility that the "hydrogen out house" was in fact an acetylene generator, It would have consisted of a "pressure chamber/reactor" and a water tank.together with some mechanical spring loaded controls for producing lime light. Many early automobiles were fitted with this type of illumination.
> I am sure the system would have been used prior to wide spread electrical distribution. in some homes and buildings.
> When I was a lad I could still buy "Carbide of Calcium" at the local bicycle shop for use on bicycle lamps, although these were almost non existent at that time. We used to use the carbide for other purposes.
> Like exploding screw cap bottles etc I believe this chemical is still commercially available for the production of welding gas.
>
> GF
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Luke Gardner <lgardner at wwest.net>
> To: Discussion of biomass pyrolysis and gasification <gasification at lists.bioenergylists.org>
> Sent: Wed, Feb 2, 2011 12:56 pm
> Subject: Re: [Gasification] DIY GtL
>
> GF,
> thanks for the clarification,
> this below is a little tangential to the current discussion, but still food for thought
> when I was sixteen or so I worked for a local contractor, one job I had that summer was part of a demo crew that worked on a restoration project at a place called "the mansion". This place was owned originally by one of the first salmon cannery owners on the Columbia river here on the west coast. It was built in the mid/late 1800's. 11' ceilings, 12 large bedrooms, huge living and dinning rooms , half a dozen bath rooms, godly ornate trim everywhere, the place inside was in superb condition, out side was a little weathered. Anyway, our particular tasks were as follows,
> 1 To remove the cast iron stand up radiant water heaters located throughout the place, about 30 total ranging in sizes
> 2 remove this huge (about 6' cubed) cast iron water jacketed wood/coal stove located in an attached wing off the back. and remove this very odd metal box located outdoors, but under a large overhang of the attached mechanical wing.
> 3. remove all of these sconce like lamps used for lighting throughout the place.
>
> The place had been vacant for decades, ownership had fallen to estranged heir's of previous fortunes in the forty's, and was then again inherited in the eighty's within a family of residence somewhere back east they had sold it to the guy who was restoring it. it was truly a glimpse into the past.
> Me being of curious nature asked around how did these lamps work?
> no one knew... until I asked this local old duffer running a concrete crew, he explained that they were gas lamps, when I inquired where they got the "gas" he pointed to the odd box that we were removing, he answered "from that hydrogen generator" At which point my boss started chewing ass about my lack of work being accomplished.
>
> 20+ years later my memory is washed clean of any of the particulars of the plumbing and whatnot, and I find myself building a gasifier for grid tied power production, with ambitions of waste heat capture for home heating, and fancy the idea of capture and storage for cooking, lighting, and even small scale GTL for personal use.
>
> I wonder, no electrical pumps, no pressure sensors, no solenoid valves, what do you think they did for production, capture and storage?
> Luke Gardner
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: GF
> To: mark at ludlow.com ; gasification at lists.bioenergylists.org
> Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2011 9:05 AM
> Subject: Re: [Gasification] DIY GtL
>
> Mark,
> I have attempted to describe a double barreled gas pump consisting of two plastic drums. The principle of operation, is that "WATER" is used as the "PISTONS"
> If one drum is full of water and a pump is started in order to empty the drum it will create a vacuum, unless a fluid is admitted to fill the void.
> In this case that fluid will be drawn from the out put of a gasifier.which is sucked in, replacing the water which is being pumped out.
> The pump is transferring this water into drum "B", which is, by its nature, a piston expelling what ever fluid is within.
> Once air has been expelled from drum "B", it is safe to reverse the process,
> The return "stroke" will cause compression of the entrained gas in drum"A" and will be drawing gas into drum "B"from the gasifier.
> The desired pressure of the entrained gas can be adjusted by a pressure switch stopping the pump(s)
> My underground system with its reinforced concrete casing will withstand a reasonable pressure/vacuum.
> Bearing in mind that a 10 inch vacuum is likely to ""collapse" an unsupported plastic drum.
> With the use of check valves, level switches and low tech ancillaries it is possible to construct a safe gas compressing system.
> My reference to the water becoming flammable is an obvious mal description, the water will take on some of the by products of the gas being pumped which will include condensable volatiles such as methanol , ethanol creosote and tars, the disposal of which should be pyrolisis.
> GF
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mark Ludlow <mark at ludlow.com>
> To: 'Discussion of biomass pyrolysis and gasification' <gasification at lists.bioenergylists.org>
> Sent: Mon, Jan 31, 2011 9:28 pm
> Subject: Re: [Gasification] DIY GtL
>
> Usually the flammability of a liquid is measured by something called "flash point", which is determined by the minimum temperature any given liquid must be to sustain combustion at its surface, when in a "closed cup". Water will never burn. Volatiles in the liquid will burn, as in a dessert set aflame by a warmed liqueur.
> Mark
>
> From: gasification-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org [mailto:gasification-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org] On Behalf Of Luke Gardner
> Sent: Monday, January 31, 2011 6:17 PM
> To: Discussion of biomass pyrolysis and gasification
> Subject: Re: [Gasification] DIY GtL
>
> Gf,
> you mentioned ---
> This style of "GAS PUMP" could form the "suction system" required for running the gas producer. No doubt the water will become flammable over a period of time.
>
> the second barrel as you described is vented to the atmosphere I assume
> I'm curiose,
> how long does it take for the water to become flamable?
> is it's flamability more linked to time or more linked to cycles?
> how flamable can it become?
> does this ever pose a threat of igniting through the vent?
> Luke Gardner
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: GF
> To: gasification at lists.bioenergylists.org
> Sent: Monday, January 31, 2011 8:57 AM
> Subject: Re: [Gasification] DIY GtL
>
> Compressing flammable gas obviously can be hazardous, however those who are familiar with making the stuff will know the importance of the exclusion of "air" from any such installation.
> Natural gas distribution, arrives for domestic use here, at about 45 psi.from the city main.and is regulated down to around 11" wg. for burner use. This stuff is fairly nitrogen free being mostly methane and has a higher cal value than the wood gas which is being debated. So 100 mm WG sounds a trifle low
> for burner operation unless large pipes and burner jets are contemplated.
> There for compressing the gas is the answer.
> This can be safely achieved with the use of two (or more) 45 gallon plastic drums planted under ground for convenience, fitted with the required plumbing and a water pump system with pressure switch controls.
> The idea is that one barrel is filled with water and is ready to "suck" gas, the water pump transfers the water into the other barrel drawing gas into the void being created as the water level drops..When the water entering the second drum has expelled all of the contained air in the second drum. This oscillating pumping system can begin.
> With the use of good quality check valves, sealed float switches and the use of "two pumps" (the requirement for solenoid valves can be alleviated)
> This style of "GAS PUMP" could form the "suction system" required for running the gas producer. No doubt the water will become flammable over a period of time.
>
> GF
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Craig Kernan <craig at postcollapse.org>
> To: Discussion of biomass pyrolysis and gasification <gasification at lists.bioenergylists.org>
> Sent: Mon, Jan 31, 2011 9:25 am
> Subject: Re: [Gasification] DIY GtL
> I would also like information
>
> Craig
>
> On 1/31/2011 1:44 AM, Li CHEN wrote:
> > Hi Rolf,
> >
> > In China, there are hundreds of villages using fuel gas > station...(gasifier --> producer gas --> pipe line --> end user).
> >
> > I find some chinese documents about using pipeline to provide producer > gas.
> >
> > About pipeline part:, it uses:
> >
> > From gas tank to end user, outside underground pipeline: high-density > polyehytlene (designed life: 50 years).
> >
> > Inside or outside ground pipeline: steel pipe.
> >
> > Pressure before end user gas burner: 100mm H2O.
> >
> > I will send you offlist some figures about the gas storage tank figure.
> >
> > Li
> >
> >
> > Le 30/01/2011 19:39, Rolf Uhle a écrit :
> >> Hallo Brian, Doug and list,
> >>
> >> this looks amazing ! The filtering seems to be very good.
> >>
> >> You and Doug seem to have experience with stocking producer gas.
> >>
> >> May I ask you some questions ?
> >>
> >> We have 5 separate houses/cabins on our land , all of them with solar >> and
> >> individual wood and /or almond shell burning fireplaces .
> >> All of them are hidronic underfloor systems with hot sanitary water >> tanks .
> >>
> >> The distances between these houses make a central water heat >> distribution
> >> system rather inviable.
> >>
> >> We are off grid and run electricitywise on solar, wind and micro hydro.
> >> There is a backup generator slow speed diesel running on WVO.
> >>
> >> My idea is to connect all houses to a single gassifier of around 40 >> -50 kW gas
> >> output and store a few hours gas in a gasometer and have the gassy >> start and
> >> stop and run at close to full output as the gasometer level demands >> so as to
> >> give it " an easy life " tarwise.
> >>
> >> The clean and cool gas could run through ordinary PE pipes to the >> individual
> >> houses where it should burn in gas furnaces.
> >>
> >> A part of it could run the Listeroid genset which already works in >> chp mode.
> >>
> >> I remember systems like this being built in Switzerland until 30-40 >> years ago
> >> for large kitchens and heating boilers in hotels and other remote >> buildings
> >> in the mountains. The manufacturer was located in Horgen on Lake Zurich.
> >> I would have to dive very deep into my old records to find him...
> >>
> >> I attended the Germany GEK workshop with Jim last year, but he seems >> to busy
> >> to have time to spare for me. It is a pity.
> >>
> >> Questions:
> >>
> >> Do you have a gassifier of that range 40 - 50 kW gas, not engine kW ?
> >>
> >> Do you think that after scrubbing the gas could be "compressed " >> slightly to
> >> 300-400 mb and stored in a gasometer ?
> >>
> >> Has anybody sent producer gas through PE pipes over 150 m ?
> >>
> >> Where do you expect the real difficulties ?
> >>
> >>
> >> Looking foreward to your answer.
> >>
> >> Rolf
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Am Sonntag, 30. Januar 2011 18:06:37 schrieb Brian D Paasch:
> >>> On Jan 29, 2011, at 8:10 PM, doug.williams wrote:
> >>>> To finger the problem of using industrial scale producer gas, is that
> >>>> most large systems are not tar free, and if you need to compress >>>> the gas,
> >>>> technical challenges come thick and fast.
> >>> Doug,
> >>>
> >>> Oh goodness yes! We've not been willing to TOUCH the compression >>> challenges
> >>> until we got our gas pretty darn clean. I'm cautiously optimistic with
> >>> where we are at on that task:
> >>>
> >>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNypVoZg3VA
> >>>
> >>> And right now we're planning on three separate compression steps with
> >>> additional filters between each step.
> >>>
> >>> And thanks for the pointer to your archives, I will certainly browse!
> >>>
> >>> -brian
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> ---------------------------------------
> >>> Indiana Renewables, LLC
> >>> 6600 Karyn Drive
> >>> Avon, Indiana 46123
> >>> ph: 317-272-7939
> >>> fax: 317-536-5326
> >>
> >>
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