<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html charset=utf-8"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div class="">Jock, cc list, Bill Knauss and Gordon West</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>A bit ago, I told a little of my stove-oriented trip to Silver City, New Mexico and to a small town in Mexico. That was mostly on a continuous TLUD. I don’t think I mentioned (or mentioned much) an idea for a new (to me) potential stove material. The new potential material is (for now) called “charcrete” (maybe with a hyphen: char-crete”). </div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>This idea is based on many years of Bill and Gordon working with a similar material called “papercrete”. I am writing this with zero experience but a few hours of conversation with Gordon and Bill and I have three of these papercrete blocks. To the best of our knowledge - no-one has made one with the purpose of using the material in a stove. </div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Of course the three of us are thinking TLUDs, but it should/could be more generally applicable. The reason we see potential promise is having seen how well papercrete holds up in an intense fire. </div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The reasons for thinking char could replace paper are: </div><div class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>a. The porous nature of char makes it a better insulator and lighter weight.</div><div class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>b. It is likely more available globally, near the need, than paper</div><div class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>c. It is possible that the pressure needed for papercrete blocks may not be needed for charcrete blocks.</div><div class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>d. Charcoal in other building applications have demonstrated improved economics and strength.</div><div class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>e. The papercrete blocks have stood up well under extreme fire conditions (we can forward a video clip).</div><div class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>f. There are many ways that this could be carried out commercially - all the way to self-manufacture of a stove - a common practice around the world</div><div class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>g. The diameter and heights can be readily varied to fit the needs of all types of families. Number 10 cans are great but not for a variety of family sizes.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>One would expect some combustion of the charred chips under long term use. But much of the strength can remain - both where char has disappeared but cement remains and for the majority of the block where the char is expected (cross-your-fingers) to remain.</div><div class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I believe this could be a patentable idea - but Bill and Gordon (like Jock) think it more important to get people working on it. So this is to ask all who can to try to make a block or two (if not a full stove).. There are many types of cement and many types of charred chips. We can supply some ideas for number, location, and sizes of the needed holes for both primary and secondary air.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The reason for introducing this via responding to Jock’s email is to be able to add a note on the potential for charcrete on each of Jock’s dozen items below - and because it seems likely Jock will see some potential AND because we like Jock’s overall educational motivation.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">see more below.</div><br class=""><div><blockquote type="cite" class=""><div class="">On Sep 28, 2017, at 9:30 AM, Jock Gill <<a href="mailto:jock@jockgill.com" class="">jock@jockgill.com</a>> wrote:</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><div class=""><div class="">Here are the basic goals I have for my TLUD development work:<br class=""><br class="">1. Achieve as long a period of blue flames as possible;<br class=""></div></div></blockquote><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Probably NO change, as this seems to be a function of other than the main material.<br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""><div class=""><div class=""><br class="">2. Look like a gas stove burner - aspirational;<br class=""></div></div></blockquote><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Maybe about the same as with any body material.<br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""><div class=""><div class=""><br class="">3. Be very low cost so teachers can afford to make it;<br class=""></div></div></blockquote><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Not as good as a # 10 can in this country - but maybe better in many countries.<br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""><div class=""><div class=""><br class="">4. Get pyrolysis and Biochar into schools;<br class=""></div></div></blockquote><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Could be satisfactory - especially as it might be safer.<br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""><div class=""><div class=""><br class="">5. Use the heat from the burning gases as completely as possible;<br class=""></div></div></blockquote><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Could have considerably lower radial losses<br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""><div class=""><div class=""><br class="">6. As few and as simple parts as possible;<br class=""></div></div></blockquote><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Perhaps only one part.<br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""><div class=""><div class=""><br class="">7. Easy and safe construction with simple tools;<br class=""></div></div></blockquote><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Could be essentially no tools.<br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""><div class=""><div class=""><br class="">8. No metal cutting or sharp edges;<br class=""></div></div></blockquote><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>None, maybe the strongest difference<br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""><div class=""><div class=""><br class="">9. Best run time with the maximum yield of high quality charcoal;<br class=""></div></div></blockquote><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Possibly true (because of good insulation)<br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""><div class=""><div class=""><br class="">10. A clean process that has minimal negative impacts;<br class=""></div></div></blockquote><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Maybe.<br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""><div class=""><div class=""><br class="">11. Support Drawdown, Regenerative Agriculture, and The Circular Economy;<br class=""></div></div></blockquote><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Same as any TLUD<br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""><div class=""><div class=""><br class="">12. An attractive package that invites use.<br class=""></div></div></blockquote><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Maybe. Can be highly individualistic.</div><div><br class=""></div><div>Added</div><div>13. Least first cost and long life - maybe possible<br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""><div class=""><div class=""><br class="">Biomass, Thermal energy and Carbon are too valuable to waste.<br class=""><br class="">What did I miss? Of course others will have different sets of goals. How much overlap will there be?<br class=""></div></div></blockquote><div><br class=""></div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><b class="">RWL: My goal for a charcrete stove is much more towards the most remote villages and homes - where the only material being transported is the cement - and not much per stove. All the char can be readily obtained locally - anywhere in the world.</b></div><div><b class=""><br class=""></b></div><div><b class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Any thoughts on this?</b></div><div><b class=""><br class=""></b></div><div><b class="">Ron</b></div><div><b class=""><br class=""></b><blockquote type="cite" class=""><div class=""><div class=""><br class="">Thanks,<br class=""><br class="">Jock<br class=""><br class="">Jock Gill<br class="">P. O. 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