[Stoves] PRE-processing of husks and shells of coconuts to be fuel ..... was Re: Char from coir Re: Biochar Inquiry

[Paul Anderson]

Thank you, Michael, for your insightful coments (below).   Here are some 
thoughts in response:

1.  I focus on places where husks and shell accumulate.   What is 
processed is wonderful.   May it continue and prosper.   But there are 
piles (I have been assured) in many places.

2.  I am envisioning piles of husks (skin, pith, and coir), some with 
shell still attached.   Perhaps in shape of about 1/3rd to 1/5th of the 
whole coconut.   Some might still be intact.   A pile in the sun.   
could be spread out for sun-drying.   A bit of dirt or sand does not matter.

3.  If the shell is actually separate (because of prior processing), it 
is an issue of smashing tough semi-spherical pieces of shell.  SMASH 
without much concern about some of the pieces becoming too small should 
NOT be of much concern.   Allow for some waste of "too small" pieces.  
Lift a substantial weight and let it fall requires effort,but I suspect 
that someone can make some suggestions that yield a net gain because the 
shell is SOOOOO good as a TLUD fuel.   Like pellets in some ways.   And 
pellets require substantial energy to be made.

4.  Mainly about the husk pieces (but possibly related to shell also), I 
want to suggest and discuss the drying and even the partial (maybe 
full??) torrification of that biomass.   After all, WASTE heat is one of 
the abundant leftovers of burning pyrolytic gases created when making 
char/biochar.   So, TOAST the stuff!!! Really, that is more of a 
question than a statement.

5.  What do we know about the torrification of husks (and of shells) of 
coconuts?   Can somebody find out, please?   First requirement is  that 
you need some husks (and shells)   (sorry, I do not have any).   After 
that, put heat to it any way you want to.   If torrified husk (or shell) 
can be then appropriately sized for use in TLUDs or any other combustion 
device, that would be progress.

Comments (and maybe results?) are requested.

Paul

Doc  /  Dr TLUD  /  Prof. Paul S. Anderson, PhD
Email:  psanders at ilstu.edu
Skype: paultlud      Phone: +1-309-452-7072
Website:  www.drtlud.com

On 4/16/2014 4:10 AM, Michael N Trevor wrote:
> Actually when dealing with coconut husk there are two elements
> coir which it the fiber and then the pith light weigh sawdust like 
> stuff left over after mechanically separating the two.
> As is husk is rather large in volume and not very dense making is a 
> rather low grade fuel. The extracted fibers have a great many uses. I 
> believe here, it is the pith that is left over that is being 
> discussed. This can be resinated and turn in to a Masonite like 
> material. It is also used as soil amendment and it can be compressed 
> into densified pellet as fuel.
> Shell on its own is a great fuel however it is also a superb charcoal 
> as well. A process  that can reduce shell into a easily used
> gasifier fuel to produce charcoal will be a double winner.
> Over all husk and shell are pretty tough stuff and it takes some 
> pretty serious machinery to slice dice chop and grind into useable by 
> products
> Michael Trevor
> Majuro Marshall Islands
>
>
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