Constructing a centrifugal fan #3

The fan is almost complete. All that is needed now is a way of taming its huge power. Controls for moderating air input and output will have to be constructed.

Update 1 - After discussing my problem with other wood gasers I have changed to a lower power DC supply. With a variable resistor I will be able to find the optimal speed. The next task will be to make a transition for the fan casing so it can be connected to the wood gasifier.

Update 2 - Well, the DC worked but made the fan rotate in the opposite direction. So I converted from AC to DC and from blower to vacuum cleaner. After some thought, I turned the coils round, that reversed the magnetic field and now we have a blower again. Now onto making a transition.

Constructing a centrifugal fan #2

The centrifugal fan is almost complete. As the fan runs on 240V AC a lot of care is being taken to make sure the fan does not endanger anyone.

The following photo shows the fan and a plywood former for a length of thin steel that will act as outside of the fan casing.

The next photo shows the rear of the fan with the AC motor. As you can see there are plenty of bolts holding everything together.

All that remains is for the front face and sides of the casing to be completed.

Handbook of Biomass Downdraft Gasifier Engine Systems

I am adding the Handbook of Biomass Downdraft Gasifier Engine Systems to my list of gasification reading materials.

This document is available for sale on some websites but it's actually in the public domain.

The handbook covers all aspects of gasifier designing, building and use of woodgas as an engine fuel source.

PDF document - Handbook of Biomass Downdraft Gasifier Engine Systems

Generator powered by updraught gasifier

Here is a simple but very effective gasifier running a generator. The gasifier would appear to use a forced-draught as air input as there is a blower rather than a sucker.

The wood gas is taken from directly above the pyrolysis layer so it would make this an updraught gasifier rather than a downdraught gasifier, which takes gas from below the pyrolysis layer.

Normally, an updraught gasifier is not to be recommended but the use of charcoal rather than wood makes for a cleaner gas. Looking at the flame in the combustion chamber, there is certainly a blue flame there.

Later in the video, we see the wood gas being successfully ignited.

It is good to see such a simple but effective gasifier in operation.