[Stoves] The University of Adelaide dung-burning TLUD project

[kchisholm at ca.inter.net]

Dear Josh

Feedlot manure is often a disposal problem, and it would make sense to  
burn it. However, it seems to me that in many cases where poor people  
burn dung as a fuel, the dung would be put to a higher use as a  
fertilizer or agricultural supplement. However, as a compromise, where  
both fuel and fertilizer are required, it seems to me that a better  
solution would be to wash the dung, and apply the washings as a  
fertilizer solution. What would remain is the "biologically  
undigestible fractions of the feed", which would mainly be lignin.

The "solubles" used for fertilizer would contain major minerals (Ca,  
Mg, K, Na, P, etc), trace elements, hormones, and proteins. The  
remainining "undigestable fraction", as basically a "Washed Lignin"  
should make a superior, smoke-free fuel, with no danger of formation  
of dioxins, and other toxic products of combustion containing chlorine.

What do you think of the practicality and sensibility of washing dung?

Best Wishes,

Kevin Chisholm,
AKA "Dr. Dung."

Quoting Josh Wilkey <josh.wilkey at student.adelaide.edu.au>:

> Dear Crispin and fellow stovers,
>
> I am interested in finding out more about your experiences with dung burning
> in TLUD cook stoves. A team of mechanical engineering undergraduates from
> The University of Adelaide are optimising TLUD cook stoves for use in the
> southern Terai region of Nepal, where they use buffalo dung as the primary
> fuel.  Reading about Crispin's own work with goat dung and his plans for a
> clean burning stove for Southern Asia has me thinking there may be some
> useful advice out there regarding fuel preparation, optimal primary and
> secondary air flow, fuel chamber dimensions etc.
>
> Our own testing of cow dung in a Servals group Champion TLUD (the one
> commercially produced in India) successfully boiled 4 litres of water in 30
> mins (without a pot skirt) however 3 fuel canisters where used with each
> lasting only 12 minutes. From discussions with Dr Paul Anderson and Dr Hugh
> McLaughlin we know how important it is to increase the fuel density to
> improve the stove performance. We will test different fuel preparation
> techniques in the coming months however there may be many stovers out there
> who have invaluable information regarding dung burning in TLUDs which may
> help narrow our focus.
>
> The bioenergylists.org website has been a great help so far in our project,
> and we would most appreciative of any other documents, links or general
> information which fellow stovers may be willing to share.
>
> Kind regards,
>
> Josh Wilkey
>
> --
> *
> *
> *Josh Wilkey*
>  *
> *
> *Undergraduate Honours Student
> Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) with Bachelor of Economics
> *
> *School of Mechanical Engineering
> The University of Adelaide
> SA 5005 Australia
>
> *
> *Mobile: +61 437 716 131
> e-mail: josh.wilkey at student.adelaide.edu.au*
>  *
> *
>