From Gasoline to Wood in 5 Easy Steps

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General Information

If you decide to install a gasifier on a vehicle, please keep in mind that there is quite a difference between using wood and using gasoline.  With gasoline, you need not give any thought to getting into the car, turning on the ignition key and starting the engine.  A wood burner requires a bit more thought and time, not only to get it started (approx 30 minutes) but to keep it fueled as you make your way from one place to another.  You also have to take care of the burned ashes and other residue requiring a storage container for the burned ashes.

During World War 2, more than a million vehicles buses, trucks, motorcars, boats and trains - were powered by gasifiers fueled by wood, charcoal, peat or coal.  The gas generated when wood, charcoal or coal is burned in the gasifier amounts to about 40 per cent combustible gases, mainly carbon monoxide, hydrogen and some methane. The rest are non-combustible and consists mainly of nitrogen, carbon dioxide and water vapor.

Conversion of a gas engine to a gasifier usually results in reduced power output and is based mostly on the type of fuel to be burned in the gasifier. Charcoal is the best fuel that you can use in the gasifier. If you choose to use wood, it is best to use wood blocks about 1-1/2"x 3".  This wood should be as dry as you can possibly get it.

Charcoal:

Because good quality charocal contains almost no tars it is a feasible fuel for all types of gasifiers. Good gasifier charcoal is low in mineral matter and does not crumble or disintegrate easily.

The major disadvantages are the relatively high cost of charcoal, which reduces its competitiveness as compared to liquid fuel, and the energy losses which occur during charcoal manufacture

Wood:

Most woods have ash contents below two percent and are therefore suitable fuels for gasifiers

Downdraught gasifiers deliver a virtually tar-free product gas in a certain capacity range when fuelled by wood blocks or wood chips of low moisture content. After passing through a relatively simple filter, the gas is suitable for use in internal combustion engines.


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