[Stoves] Plans and actions wedgies presses and invite to Guatemala

Richard Stanley rstanley at legacyfound.org
Tue Oct 30 18:38:29 CDT 2012 

Paul Nolbert et al,
On Oct 30, 2012, at 6:05 AM, Paul Anderson wrote:

Richard,

I hope someone tries it, but not me.   I see some difficulties:

1.  if the mixture is not equally into all four spaces, the pressure will mostly be on the one with the most material, resulting in less compression on the less filled ones.   This makes filling more complicated to do it right.
I would liquify the feed stock to slurry consistency this assures more even distribution--and a far faster production rate

2.  Each of the four "wedge" segments is somewhat tall.   Maybe fine, but maybe not.
It should be easy enough to adjust height, eh ?

3.   When extracting the wedges, they do not stay together, a implied in the diagram of the finished product.  Separate and thin, they could be breaking in shipping.
This all has more to do with the fine and rarely well understood art (ouside the cadre of actual producers living close to the ground)  of preparing the feedstock. If the field squeeze tests are followed and really understood, they will hold together nicely upon ejection. If not chances are that there is not suficient amount and/or sufficient quality of pliable fibers in the blend. Then indeed such Bqs even those said to be really "hard" and "dense" using rlaly high pressure presses -- will be too weak to stand up very long, even after drying.

4.   and I am not very comfortable about the piston/plunger being strong in those 4 "legs", and there could easily be material buildup in the slots.   And substantially more side friction.
Again harks back to getting the blend right. if you are making a charcoal-or other course granular carboniferos-rich blend , you can expect a lot of side wall friction. If you are letting the material rot too much then it will muddy up the cylinder and jam it . The blend needs more fibers to absorb the granular material..The "Squeeze tests" in the Users Manual discusses this in some detail. 

On the other hand, just might work.
Am rather confident that it will, given all the above done correctly.  

My method of putting marks (depressions) into briquettes (by having about 1 cm blades as a   +    on the plunger works.   I have shown it many places, but nobody has taken it up yet.   Maybe we will in Uganda.
Paul, I helped Kevin Adiar design the 25 gang press being used by his Fuego del Sol organisation in Haiti last year. Same principle could be applied quite easily to very large number of very small briquettes in a mucbh simlified manner givne no center hole requirement. Here is Fuego del Sol's video:   
      https://sites.google.com/a/elfuegodelsol.com/elfuego/
 
Alternatively for smaller lot production, I suggest you just show what you made to  Bosco Epila (UWESO-- in KAmpala) and /or Vicky Okello UUWA-J  -- inMbale) Uganda, then stand back--if there is a real market for it, they will figure it out. 

We are heading back to Guatemala Thursday.  We will be there thru xmass, doing TOT of the selected producers we trained in April . Wil also be doing follow up networking support for them, and testing with our counterparts of a co-invented hand-powerd molino. 
Point is though abd harking back to yoru above concerns, If anybody wants to see real briquettemaking, and use, Maya style. give us a holler.  Beyond a quick demonstration, if any of you or your teams want to arrange training they will be able to provide that too..Get in now while their cost is low ! 

Attentamente,
Richard Stanley

Paul 

Paul S. Anderson, PhD  aka "Dr TLUD"
Email:  psanders at ilstu.edu   Skype: paultlud  Phone: +1-309-452-7072
Website:  www.drtlud.com
On 10/2/2012 12:21 AM, Richard Stanley wrote:
> Paul, Nolbert Ssebo, and for anybodey else who may be interested.
> 
> Here is a quick and dirty design modification idea for making 6 wedgies at a time from a modified 4" (or any size) conventional cylnder/ piston arrangement. Almost any batch / lever / down fed press woud work with it too. 
> Caveat emptor though: WE, nor anybody we know,  have never tried it,  so be my guest ! 
> It should be fairly easy to make up at nearly no cost, if you already have a cylinder laying around.
> 
> Its designed so that  if you have to make a mistake, you can make it  without  having to invest too much money or time in it.
> 
> If you learn something in the process, please send some feedback to the group.  
> 
> Tak,
> 
> Richard Stanley
> www.legacyfound.org
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Oct 1, 2012, at 9:36 AM, Paul Anderson wrote:
> 
> Nolbert and Richard,
> 
> That is all correct in your message.
> 
> In summary, Richard, can you assist us with making briquettes acceptable for TLUDs?   Chunky like 1 inch cubes and irregular shapes are fine.   I like the wedges that can be made by making a 4 inch diameter briquette.
> 
> Paul
> 
> Paul S. Anderson, PhD  aka "Dr TLUD"
> Email:  psanders at ilstu.edu   Skype: paultlud  Phone: +1-309-452-7072
> Website:  www.drtlud.com
> 
> On 10/1/2012 9:43 AM, Nolbert Muhumuza wrote:
>> Doc,
>> 
>> The energy elaborations by Richard are awesome!
>> 
>> Yes indeed, we want to keep the prices of the final briquettes as low
>> as possible. We want to make the machines/presses as affordable as
>> possible meaning avoiding electricity as much as we can, BUT we also
>> want to get as many people/ groups making, using and selling these
>> briquettes.
>> The challenge is making acceptable briquettes for he TLUD
>> micro-gasfiers. The three designs we have here in Uganda at the moment
>> do not give us this benefit.
>> 
>> I will try new binders e.g. warm cassava flour, but that wont be
>> immediately because of the demands of setting up ABE!
>> 
>> I have sent another email to Mr. Epila, i hope he will reply soon, but
>> if they are dealing with carbonized briquettes then thats not what we
>> are looking for really, ya?
>> 
>> Regards, Nolbert.
>> 
>> 
>> On 01/10/2012, Paul Anderson <psanders at ilstu.edu> wrote:
>>> Richard and Nolbert,
>>> 
>>> 1.  No mixing in of charcoal fines because the briquettes are for TLUDs
>>> and the charcoal simply passes through.
>>> 
>>> 2.  Please help us with some binder info.   The copy of the manuals that
>>> I bought is with Nolbert.
>>> 
>>> 3.  Nolbert, pay close attention to the energy numbers that Richard
>>> provides below.   We will want to use those numbers in our reports and
>>> applications.   And we want to verify those numbers in our Uganda contact.
>>> 
>>> 4.  Richard, please provide names and contact info of any worthy
>>> briquette-making people in Uganda.   We want to do business with
>>> them.    We know about JEEP, but they do not seem to be valid
>>> participants at this time.
>>> 
>>> Paul
>>> 
>>> Paul S. Anderson, PhD  aka "Dr TLUD"
>>> Email:  psanders at ilstu.edu   Skype: paultlud  Phone: +1-309-452-7072
>>> Website:  www.drtlud.com
>>> 
>>> On 9/30/2012 12:22 PM, Richard Stanley wrote:
>>>> Paul,
>>>> 
>>>> Re densities, agree for that type of briquette but Ask Epila and co
>>>> about charcoal dust blends; Their densities are .5 to .7 g/cc
>>>> equivalent to most hardwood  The producers will utilise waste charcoal
>>>> dust off the seller stall floor and aroud existing cooking
>>>> environments 25% of the stuff added to thea sawdust paper blend wil
>>>> double it heat value and its market value, and desnify it by providng
>>>> important infilling material. Common stuff as its popular int the
>>>> market everywhere briquettes are being produced--where there is demand
>>>> for a charcoal- like fire whis is not always the case for the cook.
>>>> 
>>>> Richard
>>>> 
>>>> PS a cautionary note for you on the good german machine: There are
>>>> many like this but they gobble energy for their operation:
>>>> viz.,  14.4KW (their stated total power requirement)  x 8 hrs =115 kw
>>>> hrs of energy input (thats the rough  equivalent to running an 18 hp
>>>> motor say outboard engine on a boat all day long at full rated
>>>> capacity). How does THAT energy consumption compare to  how much
>>>> energy you get out of  the pellets,  is the real question,  if you are
>>>> serious about greening up the planet.
>>>> 
>>>> I'll stick with the hand process: 75 watts per person x 6 persons x 8
>>>> hrs 3.6kw hrs generating 500 briquettes at .3 to .5 kw energy each =
>>>> 200 kw out Ratio of energy out to energy in  is 200/3.6= 55,
>>>> meaning we are gettign 55x the energy out for the energy put into the
>>>> process
>>>> 
>>>> I think you may find that figure hard to beat by any mechanised
>>>> pelletising operation of that type--by a long shot…
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> On Sep 30, 2012, at 6:24 AM, Paul Anderson wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> Richard.
>>>> 
>>>> I am sending this to my associate Nolbert in Uganda. We will check on
>>>> the person you named.   Any other names and addresses in Uganda would
>>>> be of great use.
>>>> 
>>>> Our problem in our operation in Uganda is that the briquettes are too
>>>> low in density.   (sawdust and paper).   Having contact with others
>>>> with more experience will be useful.   We will be happy to have our
>>>> stoves use their briquettes.    And maybe our company (Awamu) will get
>>>> into working relationships with some briquette makers.   We can use
>>>> all the help we can get.
>>>> 
>>>> Paul
>>>> Paul S. Anderson, PhD  aka "Dr TLUD"
>>>> Email:psanders at ilstu.edu    Skype: paultlud  Phone: +1-309-452-7072
>>>> Website:www.drtlud.com
>>>> On 9/30/2012 2:12 AM, Richard Stanley wrote:
>>>>> Paul, Busy man…What are yo going to do when you turn 40 ?
>>>>> 
>>>>>  I hold Lee in high regard: We have collaborated several times on the
>>>>> press and on grinders choppers and all kinds of related stuff .
>>>>> 
>>>>> The mini compound lever press is clever: It wa first tried on our
>>>>> full scale Bryant press in Mozambique in around 1996 by a local group
>>>>> but was not well thought out. Lee however has done so. Its not a high
>>>>> volume unit nor is it for larger diameter briquettes but for a
>>>>> starter press or for continuous use by  perhaps up to ten families,
>>>>> its a great tool.
>>>>> 
>>>>> There is so much variability to press design needs to meed demand for
>>>>>  briquette shape, blend type for ocla cooking needs, and resources
>>>>> and skills available for press making that a very wide variety of
>>>>> presses is emerging. (There are over 25 generically different presses
>>>>> that we know of –and that is by no means a comprehensive list
>>>>> anymore– out in use today around the globe).
>>>>> 
>>>>> We are seeing no end in sight for briquette extension and our only
>>>>> hope is that we can develop enough training capacity nationally or at
>>>>> least regionally, to handle demand as it grows.
>>>>> East africa is rolling along well already. In Uganda for example
>>>>> there are about 100 producer groups and two differnt organisaitons
>>>>> doing training all over the country. Check out Boso Epila with the
>>>>> UWESO organsiation in Nagaseru hill in central part of fancy end of
>>>>> Kampala.
>>>>> 
>>>>> 2Tagore Crescent-Kamwokya-Kampala
>>>>> Epila  Bosco
>>>>> Ag.Programme Director & Socio-Economic Programme Manager
>>>>> UWESO
>>>>> P.O.BOX 8419 Kampala (Uganda)
>>>>> Tel 0392-777448 Mob +256 772  537 642
>>>>> Skype: epila.bosco
>>>>>  <bepila at uweso.org <mailto:bepila at uweso.org>>
>>>>> Website:www.uweso.org
>>>>> 
>>>>> We are focussing on meso america and then south america for the
>>>>> remainder of our work in this arena…then its into go knows what else!
>>>>> 
>>>>> Who knows where our paths will cross eh ?
>>>>> 
>>>>> All the best
>>>>> Richard
>>>>> PS there is a newbie out of vermont who is making a mold for Lees
>>>>> press which makes 2"dia x 4" tall briiquettes. He has a way to go to
>>>>> simplify it but its interesting none the less. He will be working
>>>>> with Lee on it I hope.
>>>>> =======================================================
>>>>> On Sep 29, 2012, at 6:11 PM, Paul Anderson wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> Richard,
>>>>> 
>>>>> 10 days ago I finished 2 months on the road to 5 events on 3
>>>>> continents.   Happy to be home for a while.   Next trip will probably
>>>>> be back to Uganda in early November for about 3 weeks.   I am setting
>>>>> up a company there to make TLUD gasifier stoves.   Current design is
>>>>> the "Quad" that you can read about at www.drtlud.com Aim is to be
>>>>> able to make over 1000 per month in one location and ship flat pieces
>>>>> to be assembled near the market.   Then to have multiples of that
>>>>> operation at different sites.   I need about 10 to 12 such sites to
>>>>> make 100,000 stoves per year, which is a magic number for getting
>>>>> outside support.  All of that is needed in Uganda, and more.   But I
>>>>> hope to expand the same methods into other African countries.
>>>>> 
>>>>> FUELS are a major concern, and my little company is also a fuels
>>>>> company.   Briquettes will be very useful.   We are able to make the
>>>>> Lee Hite style of smaller press in Uganda for about $40 each.   What
>>>>> is your opinion of the Hite press called Easy BioPress (free plans on
>>>>> the Internet).
>>>>> 
>>>>> Any opportunities that arise for any work together, I am interested.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Paul
>>>>> Paul S. Anderson, PhD  aka "Dr TLUD"
>>>>> Email:psanders at ilstu.edu    Skype: paultlud  Phone: +1-309-452-7072
>>>>> Website:www.drtlud.com
>>>>> On 9/29/2012 10:31 AM, Richard Stanley wrote:
>>>>>> Dr TLUD,
>>>>>> May I suggest that it NEEDS to cross your mind --and or those of the
>>>>>> folks who created it! Am a fan of hte old MArshal Mcluen: The medium
>>>>>> is the message and all that…
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Right we are heavy into guatemal this year briques ar exploding  on
>>>>>> the scene but I have no real hard idea as to whether they ar doing
>>>>>> so under force of donor largess or real market demand…Will find all
>>>>>> that out in November when we return to do the TOT of the producers
>>>>>> who are actually selling them and who are demonstrating an adaptive
>>>>>> skills,  and whom are sufficiently numerally literate and articulate
>>>>>> to train others. Training goes on in three languages (excluding
>>>>>> english).
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> What are your own movements, asked from a non proctologist..
>>>>>> Richard
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> On Sep 29, 2012, at 6:46 AM, Paul Anderson wrote:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Richard,
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> I think you refer to "Black Revolution" in the context of biochar.
>>>>>> Char is always black and there is no racial connotation
>>>>>> whatsoever.   Never crossed my mind about any link to Black people.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> BTW, how are you doing?   Major activity in Guatemala, right?
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Paul
>>>>>> Paul S. Anderson, PhD  aka "Dr TLUD"
>>>>>> Email:psanders at ilstu.edu    Skype: paultlud  Phone: +1-309-452-7072
>>>>>> Website:www.drtlud.com
>>>>>> On 9/28/2012 11:32 PM, Richard Stanley wrote:
>>>>>>> Paul,
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> I have a hard time getting beyond the title "Black revolution" for
>>>>>>> whatever product in Kenya. Did it originate with a Kenyan or an
>>>>>>> expat..Does that not bother you too?
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Have you heard of the new stove for the US part of the americas,
>>>>>>> called "Whites cooking" ? or how about yellow mans briquettes for
>>>>>>> China ?
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Richard Stanley
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> On Sep 28, 2012, at 5:42 PM, Paul Anderson wrote:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Tom and all,
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Go to www.re-char.com    and see the "climate kiln" that sells for
>>>>>>> $290 .   I know that the design as it is made in Kenya has been
>>>>>>> changed from what is shown at the website.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Paul
>>>>>>> Paul S. Anderson, PhD  aka "Dr TLUD"
>>>>>>> Email:psanders at ilstu.edu    Skype: paultlud  Phone: +1-309-452-7072
>>>>>>> Website:www.drtlud.com
>>>>>>> On 9/28/2012 1:12 PM, Tom Miles wrote:
>>>>>>>> Am often asked if there is a burn barrel sized TLUD that is
>>>>>>>> commercially fabricated. We’ve seen some great DIY with Doug’s
>>>>>>>> Jolly Roger and others. Is anyone fabricating a 55 gal drum sized
>>>>>>>> TLUD that can be used for regular biochar production? If so, what
>>>>>>>> is the cost and availability?
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Tom Miles
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
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>>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>> 
>>> 
>> 
> 


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