[Stoves] Testing Jatropha-seed stoves for toxic emissions

[Paul S. Anderson]

Dear Tom and all,

Tom's message (below) raises two questions (each gets a separate  
Subject line).

1.  Testing for toxins in the emissions from the burning of whole  
Jatropha seeds is a valid topic.  By far, most testing of Jatropha  
burning is of the OIL and not of the whole seeds.  And therefore even  
the combustion devices are not the same.  One answer does resolve the  
entire question.

2.  TOXINS are NOT measured in the PEMS or other equipment available  
to stovers.  Toxins-testing needs specialized equipment.  Who has it  
and who will make it available or who will pay for such testing?  Some  
universities could have such equipment.  Our best hope is at the major  
centers that study Jatropha, but thus far they are researching the  
J-oil and not the J-seed, and certainly not in TLUD gasifiers.

3.  Even with the equipment, the right situations need to be tested.

4.  First, they need Jatropha seeds (available, but not easy to get.   
If you need some, contact me about possible sources.)

5.  Second, there are different ways and differnt devices that could  
burn the whole seeds, and testing needs to match the conditions of how  
the seeds would actually be combusted.  A smouldering pile of J-seeds  
does NOT have the same emissions (CO, PM, and now "toxins") as a  
properly functioning TLUD-FA gasifier.  I specifically said FA (Forced  
Air) because we have such devices ready for testing, but we do not yet  
(close, but not quite) for TLUD-ND (natural draft).

6.  Jatropha seeds as fuel are only the tip of the iceberg.  The  
bigger topic is "oil-rich biomass." (We will AVOID the food vs. fuel  
debate by only dealing with true waste biomass that does not feed  
humans or animals.)  One example is cashew shells, which have highly  
caustic oils and probably toxins.

7.  I hope that this message gets passed on into other Listservs or  
directly to places which could actually conduct (or facilitate with  
payment) the testing of whole Jatropha seeds in TLUD gasifiers.  On  
this topic, I am here to help (because this is certainly a  
TLUD-related topic), but it is far beyond my capabilities to  
accomplish the needed testing.

8.  I will bring this topic to the attention of each of the BEF Stove  
Camps that will occur in areas with Jatropha production.

Opinion:  J-seed stoves are in their infancy.  The J-seed TLUDs are  
not into households yet, so A) there is no need to slow down the  
development of the stoves while waiting for test results, and B) it is  
a great time to get the testing started before dissemination gets  
started into households.

-- 
Paul S. Anderson, PhD
Known to some as:  Dr. TLUD    Doc    Professor
Phone (USA): 309-452-7072   SKYPE: paultlud   Email: psanders at ilstu.edu



Quoting Tom Miles <tmiles at trmiles.com>:

> Crispin,
>
> Good thoughts. The Jatropha discussion was "toxic" in that it stimulated
> quite a lively debate. We probably got more heat from the discussion than
> from the stove on a cold and slightly windy day. No pot. It clearly needs
> some careful testing. Good project for Winter stove camp (this week?)
>
> I didn't bring either of my testers. Unfortunately my TSI is in repair
> (after burning it up testing a gasifier) and my Testo is in use at a steam
> boiler. Stovers don't seem to carry them. I would have liked to have tested
> the two Aprovecho charcoal stoves that were demonstrated.
>
> Tom
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: stoves-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org
> [mailto:stoves-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org] On Behalf Of Crispin
> Pemberton-Pigott
> Sent: Monday, January 31, 2011 8:28 PM
> To: 'Discussion of biomass cooking stoves'
> Subject: Re: [Stoves] [Jatropha cake properties]
>
> Dear Tom
>
> Thanks to Tom, Dr Tom and Dr Paul
>
> Did you put a pot on it? I am interested in whether or not the flames
> touched the pot more than usual. That has to be judged by someone who knows
> the stove and other fuels well. If the fuel is oilier, will it make the
> flames longer to the point that they run along the pot creating more CO?
>
> It may be that a J-seed stove needs a different flame path length to get
> great performance.
>
> Jes' thinkin'
> Crispin
>
>
> ++++++++
> Burning Jatropha seed in a Tom Reed Woodgas Stove at ETHOS 2011. No
> emergency vehicles were called and no adverse symptoms were recorded by
> observers. Greatest danger was that the seeds "pop" occasionally.
>
> Thanks to Paul Anderson for the demonstration.
>
> Tom Miles
>


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