[Stoves] Shields E450c as a way to test char-making stoves (attn: GACC testers)

[Frank Shields]

To all;

<OMG>  : )  

The ONLY reason to change the present efficiency method to the E450c method
is to lower the detection limit. It is also nice to have a safer, quicker,
cheaper, easier procedure and a test that deals with stove differences
(rocket, TLUD, briquettes etc.) in a more comparable manor. Using the
formula [A / (B-C)] where C (energy not used) is all over the map makes for
a final value having a high noise level. If we cannot detect differences we
cannot then plot the variables we put into the system. Some of these
variables we may want to plot ranges to more optimize and fine tune stoves,
or just to compare one stove to another, is listed below: 

1) Is stove (A) more or less efficient than stove (B)?
2) Is it more efficient to use oven dried biomass or biomass having moisture
of 1%, 3%, 5% 10% 15% or 20% and when plotting the results we determine the
optimum moisture content.
3) Is it more efficient to use fuel with a higher volatile content (oily,
resins etc) or fuels of more lignin etc. for boiling water or for heating a
stove body for house warming.
4) what is the best shape for a fuel; (cubes, round sticks, short sticks,
sphere etc.)  that will result in the best efficiency?
5) what method of adding fuel results in better efficiency?
6) Is adding char or white quartz sand (and how much) into a mix for TLUD or
Briquette style stoves result in better efficiency for the task.
7) ...  so many more

We can do none of these until we use a procedure that can detect so we can
plot their changes.  Perhaps the E450c will be that procedure. 

Also; There is a big difference in the 'C' value from char making and rocket
type stoves. If we only use the energy in the 0c to 450c range that will be
a common value for both stove types. Therefore the error when determining
the energy in left over fuel is greatly reduced - actually eliminated. We
then only have [A/B] once we pre-determine what (B) is in that pile of
biomass using calorimeter and TGA or look-up tables and pipe procedures.  

Thanks

Frank


Frank Shields
Control Laboratories; Inc.
42 Hangar Way
Watsonville, CA  95076
(831) 724-5422 tel
(831) 724-3188 fax
frank at biocharlab.com
www.controllabs.com