[Gasification] Lignin, Tar, and Mesquite

[Thomas Reed]

Very good questions Ray

I hope to collect a sample of the volatiles and the gases  from PYROLYTIC (as opposed to total or Imbert ) gasification of ordinary wood.  While I'm doing it, I should also collect samples from mesquite gasification and see what they contain.  

I'll report back when I get results.

Yours truly,  

Tom REED

Dr Thomas B Reed
President, The Biomass Energy Foundation
www.Woodgas.com

On Jul 12, 2011, at 7:19 PM, Ray Menke <ray.menke at gmail.com> wrote:

> On July 9th, Dr. Reed wrote: "Pyrolytic  gasification
> Wood + Heat ==> Charcoal + vinegar gas ( acetic acid etc.)
> is a piece of cake compared to total gasification in which lignin
> contributes phenolics to make  tars."
> Also, on April 24th on the Stoves List, he commented: "I read that the
> lignin content of most wood is 15-25%, but that Mesquite is 64%."
> 
> This morning as I was nearing the end of a cooking session using a
> pair of TLUD stoves, I added some 1" cubes of mesquite hardwood so I
> could extend the burn time of both of the stoves.  I noticed a short
> burst of tarry smoke when I dropped three or four of these little
> chunks into each stove (near the end of the run).  (Usually, I remove
> the pot or pan and toss several chunks of junk softwood into the
> stove..This time I wanted a little more heat, so I threw in the
> Mesquite chunks.)
> From this observation, should I conclude that dry Mesquite would not
> be a good fuel to use in a Micro Gasifier where engine grade gas was
> desired?  Would it be a more difficult task to break down the Tar in
> the hearth?  If one could somehow find the magic in the proper hearth
> design and the exact air flow rate, could the tar be totally consumed.
> I guess if it wasn't totally consumed (cracked), one would end up
> with a nasty mess in the cyclones, coolers, and filters.  If one used
> mesquite charcoal in the micro gasifier, would the problem go away?
> By "micro gasification", I'm thinking of hearth restrictions in the
> range of 2.5 to 3.5 inches in diameter.
> Is the extra lignin a good thing to have, or should I start collecting
> cedar and scrap construction lumber for future use?
> 
> 
> -- 
> Ray  Menke
> 
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