Constructing a blower

This is a work in progress and will be appended to the No-Weld Gasifier instructions in due course.

A blower is important in gasifier manufacturer, either for blowing air in or drawing wood gas out.

In the case of a downdraught gasifier, the blower is used in place of an engine to draw wood gas out of the gasifier until the gas is of sufficient quality for the engine to be started.

As part of the no-weld ethos, a blower has been constructed from scrap. In this case a car air-conditioner fan and vegetable oil drums were used.

In the first photograph we see a typical car fan.

The intention is to build a metal casing around the fan. Gas can then be drawn via an inlet pipe and forced out by the fan through an outlet pipe to a flare. At the flare the gas can be bunt to determine its quality. To facilitate the construction of the blower the two halves of the fan casing were prized apart so that the fan could be bolted into the blower housing.

The "squirrel cage" of the fan can clearly be seen. At the rear is the motor and other end of the rotor shaft. This shaft would rub off the intended metal casing so the assembly had to be held clear.

In the next photo you can just about make out a sandwich of plywood which holds the fan proud of the metal drum. The fan was bolted to the drum through the plywood sandwich.

Exact details for attaching the fan to the drum will not be given as every car fan is different. It will be necessary for the builder to discover the best way for themselves.

The next stage of construction is to fit the other half of the drum and then attach the inlet and outlet pipes. The blower can then be tested to determine its suitability.