The Wood Gas GeneratorSixty years ago, the wood gas generator were quit common used by trucks and tractors. Of course, this happened during the second World war, when gasoline was quit hard to find, and wood was relatively easy to find and available. How this device produce energy!In fact, it is nothing more than gas generated from wood or coal by heating them first, and then filters separates all the particles that not belong in the gas, which can be obtained as easily disposable clean and dry ash...On the end of the chain end we have a gas that can be used by a combustion engine truck. Woodgas can be used for trucks, this because you need a some space to put all the necessary stuff for generating the gas.All these things,for heating, filtering and separating,can be used from recycled stuff.The only thing you need to do is brainstorming what materials can be used, and use them.. Wood gas in the past..
During the second world war, cleaning of this gas was a problem. Nowadays this problem is solved with modern heat resistant filter mediums. But again, for a filter, you can be use recycling material. You only have to do some brainstorming on what materials are resisting heat (not burning) and could be used as a filter for small particles. Or a devices that is working such a way that it separates the small particles from the gas.
Energy pricesRecently, energy prices of fossil fuel are breaking records. So, people start to thinking about using new energy sources, and biomass energy, and more specific "wood gas" was one of these new energy resources that came back to the surface again. So, the "wood gas generator" has found a renewed interest.But not only by people as you and me, but especially by students who wish to build a special vehicle. A truck that uses wood as fuel..People don't believe what they see..if you past driving your woodgas car.
Videos "How to build a woodgas generator ?"There are a few excellent (youtube) videos...Here's one of them..Or better you can go watch them How to build a woodgas truck?The pros and cons of using wood gas ?The pro is that wood used to produce electricity in a power plant, then it's an environmental friendly energy form ( compared to fossil fuel).Also, in times of energy crisis, then wood gas will be excellent as alternative fuel.The con... Driving a vehicle, a truck,with a wood gas gasifier in the back of the truck, there's always the danger of having an accident. It will always be a vehicle with a hot stove in the back. I see some safety problems when to many cars a driving on the road with this kind of energy form.But frankly, I don't see this happen very soon, probably never.. Wood Gas trucks are great to drive on roads with little traffic,or on a private domain, farms. They are also great school projects to work on ( You can always recommend it as a project)or some one who wish to accomplish a special task in his free time. Creating a truck that's been powered by wood isn't something everyone can say . Bottom line A wood gas truck is easy,clean,and would be a great project for school. But is it also save to drive on the road? Save for the other road users? I truly have some doubts here..
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