Woodgas Stove

[Brad]

http://www.woodgas-stove.com/

Got one of these recently, with rechargeable batteries and a solar charger would make a good set up

[SunnyJim]

http://www.woodgas-stove.com/

Got one of these recently, with rechargeable batteries and a solar charger would make a good set up

Can you run them without the batteries?

i.e. can you run it as a standard rocket stove?

[Brad]

Don't think so. The batteries run a fan there are no air holes underneath

[mikepepler]

Here's one which doesn't need a fan:
http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/daxu
read the case study PDF.

Not sure if you can get technical details though.

[MacG]

Here's one which doesn't need a fan:
http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/daxu
read the case study PDF.

Not sure if you can get technical details though.

Systematically burning crop waste might deplete the soils. It's darn difficult to recycle ashes since the salts are so extremely soluble and easily run off in the first rain.

[RenewableCandy]

It's darn difficult to recycle ashes since the salts are so extremely soluble and easily run off in the first rain.

Do they bind up any better if you put them with other stuff in a compost heap first?

[MacG]

It's darn difficult to recycle ashes since the salts are so extremely soluble and easily run off in the first rain.

Do they bind up any better if you put them with other stuff in a compost heap first?

Have no idea! This Terra Preta thing should definitely do the trick though. If it works as advertised.

[Andy Hunt]

You mean it improves soil fertility?

(the carbon sink aspect being irrelevant?)

[JohnB]

Here's a home made one I saw at South Somerset Green Fair yesterday:

It's made out of a food tin, a paint tin and a computer fan. An example of the inner food tin can be seen in the foreground. Unfortunately I didn't get a photo with the kettle removed.

I've got a 1200 gram dog food tin, now all I need is a paint tin and a fan!

Here's a rocket stove on the same stand:

[mikepepler]

OK, I'm thinking of getting one of these WoodGas stoves. I know I could make something similar, but to be honest the people selling them have been designing them for some time for use in developing countries, so know how to do it properly. I've got plenty of solar power to charge the AA batteries to run it.

Has anyone tried them? How is yours going Brad?

[woodburner]

They work well. I bought 3 small and 3 large last year when the £/$ was high. some practice running them gives better results.
It's possible to run them without batteries, but you have to have a draught generator. I used two 6" riser tubes



Rather than using a solar cell to charge the batteries, you could use a peltier heat pump, and run the fan on the heat from the stove. It will work at night then.

[mikepepler]

Right, I've ordered one. I look forward to seeing how effective it is. I reckon it'll be handy to use up in the woods, and as a backup stove at home.

[kenneal - lagger]

Do a search on YouTube for woodgas stoves there are loads of them, mostly without fans.

[mikepepler]

Yes, I'd seen them, and will have a go making one sometime. However, to make one that gasifies the wood really well without a fan you need a chimney - I wouldn't be surprised if many of the DIY ones you see are putting out quite a bit of unburnt stuff, including CO.

The fan adds complexity, but it really does make it work better. So much so that for use in developing countries there are models being developed that use a peltier effect device to use the heat of the stove to run the fan (though I guess you have to kick start it with a battery, or get the stove hot first).

[emordnilap]

Keep us informed, Mike. The peltier trick sounds good, too. Sigh... will it generate extra hours in the day, though?