Dear Stovers,
I have been experimenting with different ways to make biochar using pipes and glass (see through) TLUD units. The quality of the TLUD biochar is very dependent on the particle size and uniformity coeff of the fuel. If the particles differ (sawdust in one pie slice and chip in another) the flame will channel down and there will be sections of torrified fuel. And the gases release rate vary. This is a much smaller stove than what Paul Anderson is using but I think the problem may still occur as indicated by the variation of biochar quality.
When I place a pipe in a furnace and heat to 450 deg C all the gases stream out the small hole at one end and completes in 30 minutes from the time temperature has been reached. Complete char is then removed. I'm thinking a good design would be to pack fuel into a pipe with a small tube attached at one end to a burner on the outside. Then heat the pipe to 110 deg C to remove the water and seal until ready to use. Have several lined up ready. Place the pipe into a larger insulated pipe with the hole at the top fitted to the burner. Build a small fire in the larger pipe and under the smaller pipe with sticks and controlled air. Quickly the pipe will release pyrolyze gases to the burner under pressure. A second smaller tube could be directed back to the fire at the bottom (?) to continue that. With very controlled heat between 350 and 450 an even, complete, and controlled release of gases could occur until all is finished at the final 450 deg. C. Then the pipe is removed and replaced with a second if needed. An excellent quality char is produced. Never tried it but seems like a good idea : )
something like that. Regards Frank . -- Frank Shields Soil Control Lab 42 Hangar way Watsonville, CA 95076 (831) 724-5422 tel (831) 724-3188 fax [email protected] www.compostlab.com _______________________________________________ Stoves mailing list to Send a Message to the list, use the email address Stoves mailing list to UNSUBSCRIBE or Change your List Settings use the web page http://lists.bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/stoves_lists.bioenergylists.org for more Biomass Cooking Stoves, News and Information see our web site: http://www.bioenergylists.org/ [email protected] http://lists.bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/stoves_lists.bioenergylists.org
