[Gasification] Charcoal and biochar

[Kevin C]

Dear Craig and Tom

I would suggest that Pellets are an especially good fuel for "Cross  
Country Travel", in that they can be purchased all across the country,  
throughout the year. When you want to refuel a Woodgas Car, simply  
drive into Home Hardware or Walmart, and "fill 'er up."

Clearly, there is a problem with pellets used in an Imbert Style  
gasifier, with moisture absorption by the pellets above the pyrolysis  
zone. However, there is no such problem with pellets fed to one of  
Luk's "Drizzlers"

"Pellet energy" is more expensive than "chip energy", but if the extra  
cost is chalked up to "widespread availability", then it is a lot more  
bearable.

Best wishes,

Kevin

Quoting Craig Kernan <craig at postcollapse.org>:

> Hi Tom,
>
> Glad to see you are working on the automotive gasifier project we  
> discussed some years ago.
> My plans were also delayed but now starting to go forward.  Life  
> happens in non-linear ways.
>
>
> Pellet do seem like an ideal fuel, however I have some concerns. These are:
>
> 1.  the binders and their byproducts.
> 2.  Will they hold together enough and predictably enough for good  
> gasifier operation?
> 3.  variation in moisture content.
> 4.  variations in "wood"  material found in commercial pellets.
>
> Thoughts from people on the list on:
>  1  these and other issues and
>  2  producing/ selecting wood pellets well suited for a gasifier (  
> what is important ?)
>
> would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks
>
> Craig
>
>
>
>
> On 3/16/2014 9:06 AM, Tom Reed wrote:
>> Dear Peter Davies and Al:
>>
>> Thrree technologies are coming together
>>
>> o. Wood pellets are widely available throughout the US, Europe and  
>> much of the rest of the world.
>>
>> o. Wood pellets are an ideal oil substitute for running cars and  
>> trucks.  Much better than the wood blocks used during WWII. The  
>> cost of pellet energy is 1/3 the cost of gasoline.
>>
>> o. Biochar is a product that should become better known and well  
>> used, since it greatly increases soil productivity, while reducing  
>> the CO2 burden on our atmosphere
>>
>> I intend to buy a small truck when Spring comes, convert it to  
>> producer gas from pellets and drive cross country to see my son in  
>> Long Beach (and other West coast friends)
>>
>> Comments?
>>
>> Tom Reed
>> Thomas B Reed
>> 280 Hardwick Rd
>> Barre, MA 01005
>> 508 353 7841
>>
>>> On Mar 15, 2014, at 9:54 PM, Peter Davies <idgasifier at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> David, this multi-layered question will be answered in the  
>>> positive shortly in a much more practical way and at a location  
>>> you may find more convenient to visit.
>>>
>>> Peter
>>>
>>>
>>>> On 3/15/2014 1:55 PM, David Coote wrote:
>>>> And I'm very interested in where the technology is for  
>>>> integrating biochar manufacture with gasification with a view to  
>>>> using the producer gas for energy generation (thermal and  
>>>> electricity) and what this integration means with respect to  
>>>> biochar characteristics and quality of producer gas.
>>> -- 
>>> Peter Davies
>>> Director
>>> ID Gasifiers Pty Ltd
>>> Delegate River, Victoria
>>> Australia
>>> Ph: 0402 845 295
>>>
>>>
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>
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