Using Wood to Fuel a Generator! (How to Build a Wood Gasifier w/Demonstration)

Summary

This video script details the construction and operation of a homemade wood gasifier, an innovative device for converting organic biomass into combustible gas. The creator explains the gasification process, emphasizing its efficiency and potential for energy generation. The script covers the design, including a burn bowl, fire tube, and cyclone filter, and demonstrates the setup's ability to power a generator using wood pellets. The video also highlights safety precautions and the importance of using dry fuel, showcasing the gasifier's practicality and sustainability.

Takeaways

• 🔧 The video describes a homemade wood gasifier, an improved version 2, designed to efficiently decompose organic material into syngas.
• 🌲 The gasifier uses various types of organic, carbonaceous biomass such as wood pellets, paper, coal, and dried leaves for gas production.
• 🔥 Gasification is a process of controlled pyrolysis, which breaks down material through heating in an oxygen-deprived environment to produce syngas.
• 🌪️ Syngas is composed mainly of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen, with trace amounts of methane, and is produced from the leftover gases after pyrolysis.
• 🔨 The 'burn bowl' or 'shaker grate' is a crucial component of the gasifier, made from a stainless steel bowl with ventilation holes for efficient gas production.
• 📏 The diameter and length of the fire tube are essential for calculating gas production and determining the size of the engine that can be powered.
• 🔄 The gasifier includes a cyclone filter and a radiator for cooling, which helps remove water vapor, tar, and particulates from the syngas.
• 💨 A blower is necessary to pull the gas through the system and to start the gasification process, which can be powered by a 12-volt motor for convenience.
• 🔄 The gasifier must be airtight to prevent dangerous fuel-to-air mixtures that could lead to explosions, emphasizing the importance of careful construction.
• ♻️ The gasifier is designed to be self-cleaning, with the motion of the shaker grate helping to remove ash and maintain air flow.
• 🔋 The end product of the gasifier is a clean-burning syngas that can be used to power an internal combustion engine or for other applications like lighting and cooking.

Q & A

What is a wood gasifier?

A wood gasifier is a device that uses gasification, a process of controlled pyrolysis, to break down organic carbonaceous material like wood chips into a gas that can be used for various purposes such as powering engines or for heat.

What is the main purpose of the burn bowl or shaker grate in a gasifier?

The burn bowl or shaker grate is where the actual gasification process takes place. It holds the material for it to burn and be exposed to air, allowing for a more efficient gas production.

What type of material can be used in a wood gasifier?

Various types of dry organic materials can be used in a wood gasifier, including wood chips, wood pellets, paper, coal, dried leaves, and dried horse manure.

What is the composition of the gas produced by a wood gasifier on average?

The gas produced by a wood gasifier is typically composed of about 20% hydrogen, 20% carbon monoxide, and between 50 to 60% nitrogen, with a small amount of methane.

How does a wood gasifier increase the energy utilization compared to burning wood directly?

A wood gasifier allows for the capture and utilization of flammable gases that would otherwise be lost when burning wood directly, thus increasing the energy utilization from about one-third to a higher percentage.

What is the importance of the fire tube in a gasifier?

The fire tube is crucial as it determines the amount of gas that can be produced. Its diameter and length are important factors in calculating the engine size that can be powered by the gasifier.

Why is it necessary to have an airtight system in a gasifier?

An airtight system is essential in a gasifier to prevent the escape of gases into the environment and to avoid dangerous stoichiometric mixtures of fuel and air that could lead to an explosion.

What is the function of the cyclone filter in the gasifier's exhaust system?

The cyclone filter helps to remove water, tar, and particulate matter from the gas. It operates by causing the gas to spin along the side walls, which helps to condense and trap contaminants before they exit the filter.

What is the role of the blower in a gasifier system?

The blower is vital for starting the gasifier and maintaining the flow of gas through the system. It creates a vacuum that pulls air through the gasifier, aiding in the gasification process and delivering the gas to the engine or other uses.

How does the gasifier's radiator help in the gas cleaning process?

The radiator in the gasifier system helps to cool the gas, which is important for condensing and removing as much water as possible before the gas reaches the engine, thus improving the quality of the gas.

What safety considerations should be taken when operating a wood gasifier?

Safety considerations include ensuring the fuel is completely dry to prevent mushy buildup, maintaining an airtight system to avoid explosive mixtures, and being cautious during the startup process to prevent accidents.