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<DIV><SPAN class=027373814-28112010><FONT size=2 face=Arial>OK, First off,
Greetings List(s)!</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=027373814-28112010><FONT size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=027373814-28112010><FONT size=2
face=Arial>Second:</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=027373814-28112010><FONT size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=027373814-28112010><FONT size=2 face=Arial> Since my
accidental discovery of smaller feedstock sizes about a week ago, I've been
doing some tests (ok, mad scientist stuff), to the acceptable "Minimum" size
level in my downdraft units.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=027373814-28112010><FONT size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=027373814-28112010><FONT size=2 face=Arial> For those that
do not know me, briefly, I build smaller downdraft gasifiers (under 250KwT) I do
NOT go bigger than that, I have my reasons.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=027373814-28112010><FONT size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=027373814-28112010><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I've been using a
"standard" sized woodchip, typical of most small industrial units (NOT your home
"shredder/mulchers") generally 15-30 hp units.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=027373814-28112010><FONT size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=027373814-28112010><FONT size=2 face=Arial>These chippers
produce, for the most part, chips about 3 x 3 x 0.25 cm chips (3/4 x 3/4 x
3/16") and down to the point of dirt, or mash.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=027373814-28112010><FONT size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=027373814-28112010><FONT size=2 face=Arial>6 - 7 years ago, I
had settled on a rotary screen design using a "fines" screen of 0.63
x 0.63 cm (1/4 x 1/4") square openings. this has been my "smaller"
size since then. (Until this week, we have always discarded
anything that was considered "fines", used these as mulch or horse
bedding).</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=027373814-28112010><FONT size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=027373814-28112010><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Upon the somewhat
accidental use of a fines pile as feedstock, much to my surprise, the unit
accepted the fines for the most part, for about 8 hours of operation, (these
where raw fines, directly from under the rotary drum), Yes the gasifier did
eventually plug up and shut down BUT, not knowing what was going on at the time
(I did NOT know the unit was running on fines) I was perplexed as to what had
caused the problem, upon investigation, and finding that the worker had
inadvertently used this pile, instead of the correct one, and finding out the
length of the time the unit had ran on them, I undertook the new question of
"how small I can go" in feedstock sizes.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=027373814-28112010><FONT size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=027373814-28112010><FONT size=2 face=Arial>As it turns out, the
unit will run consistently on a much smaller chip size than originally thought.
We have since changed the fines screen in the rotary screener to 3/16" round
holes (punched panel) on an offset pattern (68% opening) the ratio change is as
follows:</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=027373814-28112010><FONT size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=027373814-28112010><FONT size=2 face=Arial> Original 1/4 x
14" square openings, ratio of fines to acceptable feedstock 30% fines, 70%
feedstock</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=027373814-28112010><FONT size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=027373814-28112010><FONT size=2 face=Arial> New
3/16" round openings, 10 - 13% fines, 87 - 90% acceptable.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=027373814-28112010><FONT size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=027373814-28112010><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Hoping that this
information is useful to someone.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=027373814-28112010><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Kindest
regards: </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<P><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial>Greg Manning,</FONT> <BR><FONT
face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>Canadian Gasifier Ltd.
(www.cangas.ca)</FONT></FONT><BR><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial>Building
Hi-Pe</FONT><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial>r</FONT><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>formance Gasifiers, Since</FONT> <FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial>2001</FONT> <BR><FONT face=Arial> </FONT> <BR><FONT
color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial>Brandon, Manitoba, Canada</FONT> <BR><FONT
color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial>1 (204) 726-1851</FONT> <BR><FONT
face=Arial> </FONT> </P>
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