May 1998 Gasification Archive

From andrewc at energy.iol.ie Fri May 1 05:39:47 1998
From: andrewc at energy.iol.ie (Andy Cartwright)
Date: Tue Aug 31 21:07:36 2004
Subject: GAS-L: new member
Message-ID: <199805010947.KAA21327@mail.iol.ie>

i have recently joined the mailing list hoping to increase my knowledge of
Gasification in relation to wood burning. Can anyone point me to any
interesting and relevant sites that may be handy or maybe has undergone a
project similar to this.

Andrew Cartwright
EEC LTD Ph: +353 1 276 1428
48 Main St, Fax: +353 1 276 1561
Bray,
Co. Wicklow.
Ireland

From REEDTB at compuserve.com Fri May 1 06:24:26 1998
From: REEDTB at compuserve.com (Thomas Reed)
Date: Tue Aug 31 21:07:36 2004
Subject: GAS-L: Pimentel Facts - and Brickbats
Message-ID: <199805010630_MC2-3BA1-A58E@compuserve.com>

Dear Jay Hanson:

This being a free country, you are welcome to believe whatever you want
concerning the energy efficiency of raising ETHANOL. However, before you
throw brickbats at Pimentel, you need to read his arguments in detail and
refute them in detail.

I received the article "Energy and Dollar Costs of Ethanol Production with
Corn" today in the newsletter from the Hubbert Center for Petroleum Supply
Studies. Seven pages with references. You can find it on
http://hubbert.mines.edu. They are dedicated to finding the TRUTH about
oil reserves.

Since I am NOT involved in ethanol production, but AM interested in
alternative biomass energy, I am in a neutral position to referee this
fight. I would have to spend a few hours with this article before I
decided he was exactly correct. However, judging from the recent postings
here, many of a "religious" nature, I suspect he is more correct than
wrong. Certainly if we use propane for distillation he is correct.

The initial push behind ethanol (1978) was from small farmers, thinking
they could make their own fuel in their spare time, but after a few tried
it they let ADM carry the chemical engineering production burden.
Obviously the production of excess corn to make ethanol benefits the
farmer, the USDA, and mostly Archer Daniels Midlands, so I am skeptical of
arguments coming from those sources.

So, more facts, less brickbats. If you want to impugn his motives, I will
guess that you are an unwitting tool of ADM, the prime winners in ethanol
from corn.

Personally, I believe that the manufacture of METHANOL from corn stover (or
any other biomass "trash") by gasification is a win-win situation for ALL
producers and consumers (no "food for fuel" problem) of biomass (ie all
humans). Methanol production is high tech and can't be done down on the
farm. However, it would be ideal for farm co-ops. Incidentally, with
minor modifications, the same plant can produce ammonia and other fixed
nitrogen chemicals (urea, nitrates, etc.). If we are making both methanol
fuel and fixed nitrogen from farm wastes in a (co-op) "Energy Refinery", we
will have achieved a truly sustainable world. This was my goal in 1976 and
it hasn't changed.

Yours truly, TOM
REED

From rbaileyj at prmenergy.com Fri May 1 09:32:55 1998
From: rbaileyj at prmenergy.com (Ron Bailey, Jr.)
Date: Tue Aug 31 21:07:36 2004
Subject: GAS-L: new member
In-Reply-To: <199805010947.KAA21327@mail.iol.ie>
Message-ID: <3549D15F.1A85C673@prmenergy.com>

Mr. Cartwright:

What exactly are you interests? What is your objective in wood gasification?
Try www.prmenergy.com
.

Regards,

Ron Bailey, Jr.

From jaturnbu at ix.netcom.com Fri May 1 19:40:21 1998
From: jaturnbu at ix.netcom.com (jaturnbu@ix.netcom.com)
Date: Tue Aug 31 21:07:36 2004
Subject: GAS-L: Nitrogen Oxides Emissions - Biomass
In-Reply-To: <Pine.GSO.3.95q.980428121357.2154B-100000@uhunix2>
Message-ID: <3549F000.7860@ix.netcom.com>

Jiachun-

I believe that many of us would welcome the chance to read your
conclusions regarding the kinetics of nitrogen oxides emissions using
biomass - and any conclusions in terms of altering the kinetics.

Jane Turnbull

From jiachun at hawaii.edu Fri May 1 21:23:54 1998
From: jiachun at hawaii.edu (Jiachun Zhou)
Date: Tue Aug 31 21:07:36 2004
Subject: GAS-L: Nitrogen Oxides Emissions - Biomass
In-Reply-To: <3549F000.7860@ix.netcom.com>
Message-ID: <Pine.GSO.3.95q.980501152122.23763B-100000@uhunix4>

Jane Turnull,

I just post portion of my dissertation abstract here. Further discussion
is also welcome.

Jiachun Zhou (Frank)
Hawaii Natural Energy Institute
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, Hawaii 96822
Ph: (808)956-5348
Email: jiachun@hawaii.edu

On Fri, 1 May 1998 jaturnbu@ix.netcom.com wrote:

> Jiachun-
>
> I believe that many of us would welcome the chance to read your
> conclusions regarding the kinetics of nitrogen oxides emissions using
> biomass - and any conclusions in terms of altering the kinetics.
>
> Jane Turnbull

In our study (Hawaii Natural Energy Institute), pyrolysis and gasification
of leucaena, sawdust, and several other biomass feedstocks with
significantly different nitrogen content were investigated in a bench
scale fluidized bed gasifier to determine the effect of operating
conditions on the partitioning of fuel bound nitrogen (FBN) among
nitrogenous gas species (N2, NH3, HCN, Nox). A kinetics model, the first
one of its kind, was developed to simulate the evolution of FBN during
biomass gasification. This model considers 109 elementary chemical
reactions and about 30 C, H, O, N species. It was assumed that biomass
gasification comprises an initial instantaneous pyrolysis step, that
divides the biomass into char and volatiles, followed by heterogeneous and
homogeneous reactions between the volatiles, oxidizer(s), and char.
Important findings of this research include: (1) NH3 is the dominant
nitrogenous gas species produced during pyrolysis of biomass; (2) the
majority of FBN is converted to NH3 and N2 during gasification; relative
levels of NH3 and N2 are determined by thermochemical reactions which are
affected strongly by temperature; (3) N2 appears to be produced from NH3
in the gas phase; (4) good agreement between experimental data and
simulation results is obtained when it is assumed in the model that NH3 is
the sole nitrogenous pyrolysis product.
The experimental investigations and simulation data also indicate that the
chemical structures and forms of nitrogen in biomass are different from
that of coal, and affect the nitrogenous gas species concentrations in
gasification gas. Although the reaction mechanisms and kinetics of
nitrogen chemistry in biomass gasification are similar to that in coal
gasification and combustion, the initial pyrolysis products and the final
gasification products, as well as their concentrations, must be quite
different.

From arcate at email.msn.com Sat May 2 01:01:07 1998
From: arcate at email.msn.com (Jim Arcate)
Date: Tue Aug 31 21:07:36 2004
Subject: GAS-L: Nitrogen Oxides Emissions - Biomass
Message-ID: <002301bd7588$9a642ba0$186f2499@arcate>

Dear Jiachun Zhou (Frank):

I understand you are saying that nitrogen oxides emissions NOx from biomass
gasification are not the same as for coal gasification.
Are NOx emissions a problem for biomass gasification?
If so, what methods are employed to reduce NOx.
Would using HNEI "high yield charcoal" as a feed for gasification reduce
NOx?

Also please, a report on "Biomass Co-firing" states that NOx emissions for a
PC boiler co-firing biomass could be lower than those for a 100% coal-fired
boiler due to the lower nitrogen content of biomass and the lower flame
temperatures associated with high moisture content biomass feedstocks.

Do you agree with this?

Thank you

Jim Arcate

-----Original Message-----
From: Jiachun Zhou <jiachun@hawaii.edu>
To: gasification@crest.org <gasification@crest.org>
Cc: Scott Turn <sturn@hawaii.edu>; S.M. Masutani
<masutan@wiliki.eng.hawaii.edu>; Charles Kinoshita
<kinoshi@wiliki.eng.hawaii.edu>; Darren Ishimura <dishimur@hawaii.edu>
Date: Friday, May 01, 1998 3:32 PM
Subject: Re: GAS-L: Nitrogen Oxides Emissions - Biomass

>Jane Turnull,
>
>I just post portion of my dissertation abstract here. Further discussion
>is also welcome.
>
>Jiachun Zhou (Frank)
>Hawaii Natural Energy Institute
>University of Hawaii at Manoa
>Honolulu, Hawaii 96822
>Ph: (808)956-5348
>Email: jiachun@hawaii.edu
>
>On Fri, 1 May 1998 jaturnbu@ix.netcom.com wrote:
>
>> Jiachun-
>>
>> I believe that many of us would welcome the chance to read your
>> conclusions regarding the kinetics of nitrogen oxides emissions using
>> biomass - and any conclusions in terms of altering the kinetics.
>>
>> Jane Turnbull
>
>
>In our study (Hawaii Natural Energy Institute), pyrolysis and gasification
>of leucaena, sawdust, and several other biomass feedstocks with
>significantly different nitrogen content were investigated in a bench
>scale fluidized bed gasifier to determine the effect of operating
>conditions on the partitioning of fuel bound nitrogen (FBN) among
>nitrogenous gas species (N2, NH3, HCN, Nox). A kinetics model, the first
>one of its kind, was developed to simulate the evolution of FBN during
>biomass gasification. This model considers 109 elementary chemical
>reactions and about 30 C, H, O, N species. It was assumed that biomass
>gasification comprises an initial instantaneous pyrolysis step, that
>divides the biomass into char and volatiles, followed by heterogeneous and
>homogeneous reactions between the volatiles, oxidizer(s), and char.
>Important findings of this research include: (1) NH3 is the dominant
>nitrogenous gas species produced during pyrolysis of biomass; (2) the
>majority of FBN is converted to NH3 and N2 during gasification; relative
>levels of NH3 and N2 are determined by thermochemical reactions which are
>affected strongly by temperature; (3) N2 appears to be produced from NH3
>in the gas phase; (4) good agreement between experimental data and
>simulation results is obtained when it is assumed in the model that NH3 is
>the sole nitrogenous pyrolysis product.
>The experimental investigations and simulation data also indicate that the
>chemical structures and forms of nitrogen in biomass are different from
>that of coal, and affect the nitrogenous gas species concentrations in
>gasification gas. Although the reaction mechanisms and kinetics of
>nitrogen chemistry in biomass gasification are similar to that in coal
>gasification and combustion, the initial pyrolysis products and the final
>gasification products, as well as their concentrations, must be quite
>different.
>
>

From arnt at c2i.net Sun May 3 11:28:53 1998
From: arnt at c2i.net (Arnt Karlsen)
Date: Tue Aug 31 21:07:36 2004
Subject: ..re: GAS-L: dual fuel engines
Message-ID: <199805031528.LAA18909@solstice.crest.org>

> Dear members,
>
> I have got three small questions. I would be very happy if you could
> spare some time and answer them.
>
> 1 What is the regular size for a gas engine and what is the biggest
> gas engine operating today?
>
> 2 What is the temperature of the exhaust gas?
>
> 3 Can such an engine be operated using producer gas and a light oil?
>
> Thanks,
> Frank
>

..those I know of are in the 15kWe to 3 MWe range, made by Fiat,
Jenbacher, Ulstein, etc, if memory serves me right, I've seen a 65MWe
reference by Sülzer(?). Could not find it on the web tonight.
The larger ones are essentially modified ship propulsion units.

..pretty much the same as in the liquid fuel engine it is derived from.

..most cases, yes. Diesel engines require spark ignition or pilot fuel
injection.
--
Arnt

From jiachun at hawaii.edu Mon May 4 01:14:20 1998
From: jiachun at hawaii.edu (Jiachun Zhou)
Date: Tue Aug 31 21:07:36 2004
Subject: GAS-L: Nitrogen Oxides Emissions - Biomass
In-Reply-To: <002301bd7588$9a642ba0$186f2499@arcate>
Message-ID: <Pine.GSO.3.95q.980503190308.16432A-100000@uhunix5>

Dear Jim Arcate,

1) Biomass gasification product gas contains high NH3, N2, less NOx
according to our research results. But the product gas usually is
employed for further utilization, such as power generation, fuel
production, etc. The actual NOx emission depends on these end utilization
methods.

2) Sorry, I am not in that charcoal research group of HNEI.

3) One of primary NOx production mechanisms, Zeldovich (thermal)
mechanism, strongly depends on the reaction temperature. Lower combustion
temperature will reduce the NOx emission during coal+biomass combustion.
But I am not sure that the total fuel nitrogen in the feedstock is reduced
or not, since it depends on the nitrogen contents in biomass and in coal.

Jiachun Zhou (Frank)

On Fri, 1 May 1998, Jim Arcate wrote:

> Dear Jiachun Zhou (Frank):
>
> I understand you are saying that nitrogen oxides emissions NOx from biomass
> gasification are not the same as for coal gasification.
> Are NOx emissions a problem for biomass gasification?
> If so, what methods are employed to reduce NOx.
> Would using HNEI "high yield charcoal" as a feed for gasification reduce
> NOx?
>
> Also please, a report on "Biomass Co-firing" states that NOx emissions for a
> PC boiler co-firing biomass could be lower than those for a 100% coal-fired
> boiler due to the lower nitrogen content of biomass and the lower flame
> temperatures associated with high moisture content biomass feedstocks.
>
> Do you agree with this?
>
> Thank you
>
> Jim Arcate
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jiachun Zhou <jiachun@hawaii.edu>
> To: gasification@crest.org <gasification@crest.org>
> Cc: Scott Turn <sturn@hawaii.edu>; S.M. Masutani
> <masutan@wiliki.eng.hawaii.edu>; Charles Kinoshita
> <kinoshi@wiliki.eng.hawaii.edu>; Darren Ishimura <dishimur@hawaii.edu>
> Date: Friday, May 01, 1998 3:32 PM
> Subject: Re: GAS-L: Nitrogen Oxides Emissions - Biomass
>
>
> >Jane Turnull,
> >
> >I just post portion of my dissertation abstract here. Further discussion
> >is also welcome.
> >
> >Jiachun Zhou (Frank)
> >Hawaii Natural Energy Institute
> >University of Hawaii at Manoa
> >Honolulu, Hawaii 96822
> >Ph: (808)956-5348
> >Email: jiachun@hawaii.edu
> >
> >On Fri, 1 May 1998 jaturnbu@ix.netcom.com wrote:
> >
> >> Jiachun-
> >>
> >> I believe that many of us would welcome the chance to read your
> >> conclusions regarding the kinetics of nitrogen oxides emissions using
> >> biomass - and any conclusions in terms of altering the kinetics.
> >>
> >> Jane Turnbull
> >
> >
> >In our study (Hawaii Natural Energy Institute), pyrolysis and gasification
> >of leucaena, sawdust, and several other biomass feedstocks with
> >significantly different nitrogen content were investigated in a bench
> >scale fluidized bed gasifier to determine the effect of operating
> >conditions on the partitioning of fuel bound nitrogen (FBN) among
> >nitrogenous gas species (N2, NH3, HCN, Nox). A kinetics model, the first
> >one of its kind, was developed to simulate the evolution of FBN during
> >biomass gasification. This model considers 109 elementary chemical
> >reactions and about 30 C, H, O, N species. It was assumed that biomass
> >gasification comprises an initial instantaneous pyrolysis step, that
> >divides the biomass into char and volatiles, followed by heterogeneous and
> >homogeneous reactions between the volatiles, oxidizer(s), and char.
> >Important findings of this research include: (1) NH3 is the dominant
> >nitrogenous gas species produced during pyrolysis of biomass; (2) the
> >majority of FBN is converted to NH3 and N2 during gasification; relative
> >levels of NH3 and N2 are determined by thermochemical reactions which are
> >affected strongly by temperature; (3) N2 appears to be produced from NH3
> >in the gas phase; (4) good agreement between experimental data and
> >simulation results is obtained when it is assumed in the model that NH3 is
> >the sole nitrogenous pyrolysis product.
> >The experimental investigations and simulation data also indicate that the
> >chemical structures and forms of nitrogen in biomass are different from
> >that of coal, and affect the nitrogenous gas species concentrations in
> >gasification gas. Although the reaction mechanisms and kinetics of
> >nitrogen chemistry in biomass gasification are similar to that in coal
> >gasification and combustion, the initial pyrolysis products and the final
> >gasification products, as well as their concentrations, must be quite
> >different.
> >
> >
>
>
>
>

From antonio.hilst at merconet.com.br Mon May 4 22:43:31 1998
From: antonio.hilst at merconet.com.br (Antonio G. P. Hilst)
Date: Tue Aug 31 21:07:36 2004
Subject: GAS-L: Pimentel Facts - and Brickbats
In-Reply-To: <199805010630_MC2-3BA1-A58E@compuserve.com>
Message-ID: <354C36E7.3331@merconet.com.br>

Thomas Reed wrote:
>
> Dear Jay Hanson:
>
> This being a free country, you are welcome to believe whatever you want
> concerning the energy efficiency of raising ETHANOL. However, before you
> throw brickbats at Pimentel, you need to read his arguments in detail and
> refute them in detail.
>
> I received the article "Energy and Dollar Costs of Ethanol Production with
> Corn" today in the newsletter from the Hubbert Center for Petroleum Supply
> Studies. Seven pages with references. You can find it on
> http://hubbert.mines.edu. They are dedicated to finding the TRUTH about
> oil reserves.
>
> Since I am NOT involved in ethanol production, but AM interested in
> alternative biomass energy, I am in a neutral position to referee this
> fight. I would have to spend a few hours with this article before I
> decided he was exactly correct. However, judging from the recent postings
> here, many of a "religious" nature, I suspect he is more correct than
> wrong. Certainly if we use propane for distillation he is correct.
>
> The initial push behind ethanol (1978) was from small farmers, thinking
> they could make their own fuel in their spare time, but after a few tried
> it they let ADM carry the chemical engineering production burden.
> Obviously the production of excess corn to make ethanol benefits the
> farmer, the USDA, and mostly Archer Daniels Midlands, so I am skeptical of
> arguments coming from those sources.
>
> So, more facts, less brickbats. If you want to impugn his motives, I will
> guess that you are an unwitting tool of ADM, the prime winners in ethanol
> from corn.
>
> Personally, I believe that the manufacture of METHANOL from corn stover (or
> any other biomass "trash") by gasification is a win-win situation for ALL
> producers and consumers (no "food for fuel" problem) of biomass (ie all
> humans). Methanol production is high tech and can't be done down on the
> farm. However, it would be ideal for farm co-ops. Incidentally, with
> minor modifications, the same plant can produce ammonia and other fixed
> nitrogen chemicals (urea, nitrates, etc.). If we are making both methanol
> fuel and fixed nitrogen from farm wastes in a (co-op) "Energy Refinery", we
> will have achieved a truly sustainable world. This was my goal in 1976 and
> it hasn't changed.
>
> Yours truly, TOM
> REED
Tom,
Very appropiate your comment, with a minor repair and a question of
mine:
- Although methanol and ammonia production tecchnology are more or less
equal, it does take "major" changes to switch form one another;
- How does USDA profit from ethanol production from corn?
Antonio

From jaturnbu at ix.netcom.com Tue May 5 13:38:11 1998
From: jaturnbu at ix.netcom.com (jaturnbu@ix.netcom.com)
Date: Tue Aug 31 21:07:36 2004
Subject: GAS-L: Nitrogen Oxides Emissions - Biomass
In-Reply-To: <Pine.GSO.3.95q.980501152122.23763B-100000@uhunix4>
Message-ID: <354EDE22.9C8@ix.netcom.com>

Jiachun -

Thank you for the abstract of your dissertation. The products of your
model are very interesting. And I do have a few questions, especially
since it has been a long while since I studied organic chemistry.

1. What is the temperature of the gasifier bed - and thus the pyrolysis
reaction? How would a change in the temperature influence the relative
percentage of NH3 formed?

2. How did you arrive at the 109 chemical reactions and 30 species? Are
these all intrinsic to the gasification process?

3) Where does C-N fit into this? Or does it? I am under the impression
that cyanide is an intermediate product when NOx is reduced to N2 during
reburn. Is there any C-N to NOx formation during gasification?

Jane Turnbull

From jiachun at hawaii.edu Wed May 6 01:36:30 1998
From: jiachun at hawaii.edu (Jiachun Zhou)
Date: Tue Aug 31 21:07:36 2004
Subject: GAS-L: Nitrogen Oxides Emissions - Biomass
In-Reply-To: <354EDE22.9C8@ix.netcom.com>
Message-ID: <Pine.GSO.3.95q.980505193617.6109A-100000@uhunix5>

Dear Jane,

The gasification temp. is in a range of 900C to 700C in our tests. The
reaction mechanisms are based on previous nitrogen chemistry research
results in the fields of gasification and combustion. HCN concentrations
in the gas were measured in our experiments.

The details please refer to my dissertation which can be easily found from
library of University of Hawaii (check its website).

Jiachun Zhou (Frank)
University of Hawaii at Manoa

On Mon, 4 May 1998 jaturnbu@ix.netcom.com wrote:

> Jiachun -
>
> Thank you for the abstract of your dissertation. The products of your
> model are very interesting. And I do have a few questions, especially
> since it has been a long while since I studied organic chemistry.
>
> 1. What is the temperature of the gasifier bed - and thus the pyrolysis
> reaction? How would a change in the temperature influence the relative
> percentage of NH3 formed?
>
> 2. How did you arrive at the 109 chemical reactions and 30 species? Are
> these all intrinsic to the gasification process?
>
> 3) Where does C-N fit into this? Or does it? I am under the impression
> that cyanide is an intermediate product when NOx is reduced to N2 during
> reburn. Is there any C-N to NOx formation during gasification?
>
> Jane Turnbull
>
>

From yanjy at ket.kth.se Wed May 6 04:09:27 1998
From: yanjy at ket.kth.se (J. Yan)
Date: Tue Aug 31 21:07:36 2004
Subject: GAS-L: expertise needed
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19980506102718.006f793c@kemitek.ket.kth.se>

I would like to get some general information on the fuel-conversion
efficiencies (i.e. energy content of gas/energy content of feedstock) for
different biomass gasifiers, for example, atmospheric air-blow gasifier,
pressurized air-blow gasifier, and pressurized oxygen-blow gasifier. I am
particularly interested in the black liquor gasifiers. Thank you.

Regards,

Yan

From REEDTB at compuserve.com Sat May 9 07:40:48 1998
From: REEDTB at compuserve.com (Thomas Reed)
Date: Tue Aug 31 21:07:36 2004
Subject: GAS-L: Pimentel Facts - and Brickbats
Message-ID: <199805090747_MC2-3C70-EE1@compuserve.com>

Message text written by INTERNET:gasification@crest.org
>Very appropiate your comment, with a minor repair and a question of
mine:
- Although methanol and ammonia production tecchnology are more or less
equal, it does take "major" changes to switch form one another;
- How does USDA profit from ethanol production from corn?
Antonio

Dear Antonio:

Good comments and questions.

I once met an engineer who had been in charge of a small (50 t/d) plant in
Australia that made methanol part of the year and ammonia at other times.
In principle the production of syn-gas will be the same for both, but the
rest of the plant will be different.

The USDA doesn't make a "profit", but they perceive their mission to
produce as much corn, soybeans, ... as possible, even when the demand is
missing.

Thanks, TOM REED

From kpert at ozemail.com.au Sun May 10 06:11:08 1998
From: kpert at ozemail.com.au (Einion Thomas)
Date: Tue Aug 31 21:07:36 2004
Subject: GAS-L: Refuse Derived Fuels & Wet Digestion
Message-ID: <199805101018.UAA00231@fep2.mail.ozemail.net>

Dear list members

I am undertaking an economic study of RDF and Wet Digestion/fermentation
facilities.

These facilities will be part of an integrated approach to energy recovery
and landfill avoidance from the Municipal Waste Stream (Putrescible Solid
Waste). Initial treatment of this stream will be by way of Pretreatment
technology (yet to be finally specified but benchmarked to the Dano Drum
Technology) to achieve a primary separation of the materials into:

(1) homogeneous, size reduced organics (approx. 40%)
(2) high calorific value oversize (approx. 40%) and,
(3) inert mixed residuals (approx. 20%)

The scenario I am looking at has 240,000 tonnes of pretreated material with
approximately:

72,000 tonnes available for RDF and
120,000 tonnes available for Wet Digestion.

The remainder would be classified as fill material.

I do not have any costing information on RDF and Wet Digestion/fermentation
facilities and would be grateful if anyone on the Crest list would be able
to provide information on:

(1) the capital costs of both technologies
(2) the operating costs of both technologies
(3) the market sale price of RDF and gas in dollars / thermal units
(4) consumption rates of technologies (conversion/efficiency rates of
inputs materials v output of RDF/gas)
(5) list of specialist technology providers currently providing this type
of technology

Regards

Einion Thomas, Consultant
Western Sydney Waste Board
Blacktown NSW Australia
kpert@ozemail.com.au

From jphillips at alumni.stanford.org Wed May 13 11:33:33 1998
From: jphillips at alumni.stanford.org (Jeffrey N. Phillips)
Date: Tue Aug 31 21:07:36 2004
Subject: GAS-L: Thermal Data for Natural and Synthetic Fuels
Message-ID: <000101bd7e85$64b86c40$b706efd0@jnphatch.gis.net>

I just got a flyer in the mail from Marcel Dekker, Inc. announcing the
publication this month of "Thermal Data for Natural and Synthetics Fuels".
The authors are Siddhartha Gaur of VSLR Sciences and one Thomas R. Reed of
the Colorado School of Mines.

Congratulations to our moderator on this significant achievement!

(for more info on the book check out www.dekker.com)

Regards,

Jeff Phillips
Fern Engineering, Inc.
P.O. Box 3380
Pocasset, MA 02559
USA
1-508-563-7181 (phone)
1-508-564-4851 (fax)
www.capecod.net/ferneng

From arcate at email.msn.com Wed May 13 18:50:51 1998
From: arcate at email.msn.com (Jim Arcate)
Date: Tue Aug 31 21:07:36 2004
Subject: GAS-L: www.techtp.com
Message-ID: <000301bd7ec2$b1f1a200$0100007f@localhost>

Hello fellow group members:

I had to move my Transnational Technology (biomass charcoal, etc.) web site
to a new host server, too much traffic ?, no the first one though good just
wasn't making enough $$$.

Please checkout my site and give me feedback.

I want to add a web page on "commercial" large-scale charcoal making so info
and links are welcome.

thank you,

Jim Arcate
3289 Manoa Road Apt A
Honolulu, HI 9682-1273
(808) 988-7502
www.techtp.com

From Steve.Schuck at bigpond.com Wed May 13 19:15:16 1998
From: Steve.Schuck at bigpond.com (Stephen Schuck)
Date: Tue Aug 31 21:07:36 2004
Subject: GAS-L: Commercially available gasifiers : 300 GJ/h
Message-ID: <23222138521563@domain2.bigpond.com>

Dear list members,

I am new to the gasification list. I am the Manager of the Australian
Biomass Taskforce and am seeking information on the commercial availability
(3rd or 4th unit) of a 300 GJ/h gasifier for a proposed pulp and paper
mill. I am seeking supplier information, reference plants, plant
experience, costings, inputs and outputs etc. I am hoping to show biomass
gasification in this setting is viable.

Could anyone help me with this inquiry?

Steve Schuck
Australian Biomass Taskforce Manager

7 Grassmere Road
Killara NSW 2071
Australia
Phone/fax: 61+2+9416-9246

From nova at org.ktu.lt Fri May 15 09:21:58 1998
From: nova at org.ktu.lt (nova)
Date: Tue Aug 31 21:07:36 2004
Subject: GAS-L: Gasifier - municipal waste - synthesis gas
Message-ID: <199805151329.PAA15723@vingis.sc-uni.ktu.lt>

Dear Sirs,

I have expanded the geography of gasification list. Do you know where
Lithuania and Kaunas are ?

I can help you. Where all from a small to an old one are playing basketball,
there are Kaunas and Lithuania.

In addition to that Kaunas Science & Technology Park is still interested in
gasifiers which from municipal waste, wood and agricultural biomass as well
as peat could produce synthesis gas. Further, we shall produce methanol
and/or dimethyl ether which will be used instead of or alongside with petrol.

At present, methanol is produced in Lithuania from natural gas.

I am very much interested in any available information regarding your
achievements in the field of gasification. I am open to any kind of
co-operation and would be grateful for any response.

Sincerely,

Gediminas Petrauskas
Chairman of the Board

Our address :Griunvaldo
3000 Kaunas
Lithuania
Tel : 370 7 222393,320523
Fax : 370 7 203923
E-mail : nova @ org.ktu.lt

From BeedieD at cardiff.ac.uk Fri May 15 12:53:17 1998
From: BeedieD at cardiff.ac.uk (David Beedie)
Date: Tue Aug 31 21:07:36 2004
Subject: GAS-L: gas engines, 20-500kWe
Message-ID: <2DC14C01926@NPRDCF1S.CF.AC.UK>

Hello List,
I am forwarding this message to you for Dr.Donald C. Patrick -
still not yet a citizen of the internet - that he offers gas engines
for natural gas, propane and biogas, rated from 20-500kWe,
and their control systems. His UK telephone/FAX number is +44 1925
723369, but if you want I can pass on your emails to him.

Message Ends.

***********************************
Dr D.Beedie, School of Engineering, University of Wales, Cardiff, UK
email: BeedieD@cf.ac.uk
Home tel. 01222 762197
Office Tel. 01222 874683; or 874000 ext.5927(lab.)
Home tel: 762197

From tk at tke.dk Mon May 18 03:14:20 1998
From: tk at tke.dk (Thomas Koch)
Date: Tue Aug 31 21:07:36 2004
Subject: GAS-L: gas engines, 20-500kWe
In-Reply-To: <2DC14C01926@NPRDCF1S.CF.AC.UK>
Message-ID: <199805180722.JAA30834@proxy000.image.dk>

From: David Beedie <BeedieD@cardiff.ac.uk>
To: gasification@crest.org
Date: Fri, 15 May 1998 17:59:01 GMT0BST
Subject: GAS-L: gas engines, 20-500kWe
Reply-to: gasification@crest.org

Hi Donald

Sound interesting.
Is it possible to get some more information?

Regards

Thomas Koch
Stationsvej 4
4621 Gadstrup
Denmark

Message Ends.

From dFurness2 at AnglianWater.co.uk Mon May 18 04:17:42 1998
From: dFurness2 at AnglianWater.co.uk (Furness, David)
Date: Tue Aug 31 21:07:36 2004
Subject: GAS-L: gasification of sewage sludge
Message-ID: <B0000024391@anglianwater.co.uk>

>From Anglian Water

Dear All

I recently came across your community on the Internet and wondered if
you could help me.

I am currently researching the gasification of sewage sludge for Anglian
Water (England) and am having some difficulty locating companies that
can supply suitable equipment.

After dewatering, the sludge is about 25% ds. I understand that to
gasify this it is necessary to dry it to around 90% + ds.

Any help would be much appreciated.

David Furness (dfurness2@anglianwater.co.uk)

--*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*--
The information contained in this message is likely to be confidential
and may be legally privileged. The dissemination, distribution, copying
or disclosure of this message, or its contents, is strictly prohibited
unless authorised by Anglian Water. It is intended only for the person
named as addressee. If you have received this message in error, please
immediately return it to the sender at the above address.
Anglian Water does not authorise any contract to be made using the
Internet.

From REEDTB at compuserve.com Mon May 18 08:01:04 1998
From: REEDTB at compuserve.com (Thomas Reed)
Date: Tue Aug 31 21:07:36 2004
Subject: GAS-L: Thermal Data for Natural and Synthetic Fuels
Message-ID: <199805180808_MC2-3D5E-602E@compuserve.com>

Dear Jeff:

Thank you for your kind words concerning our new book, "THERMAL DATA FOR
NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC FUELS". I have not yet seen a copy of our book, but
I just found it on
www.dekker.com/cgi-bin/webdbc/md/detail.htx?d_cat_id=0070-8. I presume I
will get 10-20 complimentary copies.

I actually started collecting Thermogravimetric data at SERI in 1978, but
got involved with other projects in the 1980s. Sid Gaur and I worked on
this collection of data for NREL starting in 1992 with a brand new Seiko
TGA machine at the Colorado School of Mines. Wonderful machine!

In particular I would like to draw your attention to: the "best yet" data
on the effect of heating rate on TGA results; the new analysis by Sid and
me of the original Arrhenius equation, based on our "best yet" data; and
the large collection of Prox and Ultimate fuel data taken mostly from the
thesis of S. A. Channiwala under Prof. Parikh at IIT Bombay, in the
appendix.

Sorry I can't sell copies of this book through the Biomass Energy Press at
$25 rather than whatever Dekker is asking, but they have done a fine job of
editing.

For better data leading to better understanding, Your Biofriend,
TOM REED

~~~~

Dear Tom Reed:
I just got a flyer in the mail from Marcel Dekker, Inc. announcing the
publication this month of "Thermal Data for Natural and Synthetics Fuels".
The authors are Siddhartha Gaur of VSLR Sciences and one Thomas R. Reed of
the Colorado School of Mines.

Congratulations to our moderator on this significant achievement!

(for more info on the book check out www.dekker.com)

Regards,

Jeff Phillips
Fern Engineering, Inc.
P.O. Box 3380
Pocasset, MA 02559
USA
1-508-563-7181 (phone)
1-508-564-4851 (fax)
www.capecod.net/ferneng
<

From REEDTB at compuserve.com Tue May 19 08:26:57 1998
From: REEDTB at compuserve.com (Thomas Reed)
Date: Tue Aug 31 21:07:36 2004
Subject: GAS-L: Tire Pyrolysis
Message-ID: <199805190834_MC2-3D7C-C9F8@compuserve.com>

Dear Steve:

(Steve who? What is Sjsshooter? What are your capabilities? Capital?
etc. )

Technically tire crumb is one of the easiest materials to pyrolyse.
Pyrolysis produces a nice "boiler fuel" oil if all you want is heat.

Potentially the oil contains many valuable chemicals if someone takes the
time to sort them out.

So, it is difficult to answer your question without knowing more about your
capabilities and needs.

Your GASIFICATION/CREST administrator, TOM
REED

From REEDTB at compuserve.com Tue May 19 08:33:50 1998
From: REEDTB at compuserve.com (Thomas Reed)
Date: Tue Aug 31 21:07:36 2004
Subject: GAS-L: Gasifier - municipal waste - synthesis gas
Message-ID: <199805190834_MC2-3D7C-C9EC@compuserve.com>

Dear Gediminas:

Thank you for your geographical letter and questions. Welcome to the
GASIFICATION node of CREST. We are certainly glad to have a member from
Lithuania in our group and I hope we will all check our map of Europe to
find you. In our kinder gentler world of the third millenium we can hope
that a countries size will not determine its importance.

We also believe that Biomass Gasificatin will play an important role in
substituting renewable energy for fossil fuels as the fossil fuels are
depleted or become too expensive.

It is important to realize which problems have already been solved in
gasification and which ones are still dreams. There is no doubt in my mind
that methanol and dimethyl ether can eventually be made from biomass and
peat. However, a number of practical steps remain to be perfected, so you
should not be deluded into thinking (or delude others into expecting) that
they will come in the next few years. I know, because I have pursued your
dream since 1973 (see "Methanol: A Versatile Fuel for Immediate Use", T. B.
Reed and R. M. Lerner, Science, Dec. 28, 1973). We must keep "Technically
Possible" and "Economically Optimal" separate in our thinking.

Practical problems still to be solved in biomass gasification before
"Methanol Now" is possible are: Pressure feeding of biomass; low tar
production or simple tar destruction methods; simple reforming of residual
hydrocarbons in synthesis gas; simpler catalysts for conversion to methanol
or mixed alcohols.

So, until these problems are solved we can use gasification for
retrofitting boilers or cooking (clean gas not required); for operation of
IC engines for power(requires clean producer gas); gasification for
turbine, Stirling or fuel cell operation operation (waiting for appropriate
engines and cells).

I am attaching a list of the books on gasification available from the
BIomass Energy Foundation which I operate "for the good of gasification".

I hope you will keep us informed of your progress and don't hesitate to ask
questions,

Yours truly, TOM REED (Gasification
administrator)

Dear "GASIFICATION":

I have expanded the geography of gasification list. Do you know where
Lithuania and Kaunas are ?

I can help you. Where all from a small to an old one are playing
basketball,
there are Kaunas and Lithuania.

At present, methanol is produced in Lithuania from natural gas.

I am very much interested in any available information regarding your
achievements in the field of gasification. I am open to any kind of
co-operation and would be grateful for any response.

Sincerely,

Gediminas Petrauskas
Chairman of the Board

Our address :Griunvaldo
3000 Kaunas
Lithuania
Tel : 370 7 222393,320523
Fax : 370 7 203923
E-mail : nova @ org.ktu.lt

~~~~

BOOKS FROM THE BEF PRESS

PURPOSES OF THE BIOMASS ENERGY FOUNDATION PRESS

Biomass energy and particularly biomass gasification is a field where
publications are often difficult to find. We make available information on
biomass at reasonable prices. We will also make available at $0.15/page
other papers from our extensive library of technical papers on gasification
dating back to the turn of the century. We also act as a clearinghouse to
locate technical assistance for biomass projects. We also publish other
technical books.

HANDBOOK OF BIOMASS DOWNDRAFT GASIFIER ENGINE SYSTEMS
T. B. Reed and A. Das Over a million wood gasifiers were used to power
cars and trucks during World War II. Yet, after twodecades of interest,
there are only a few companies manufacturing gasifier systems. The authors
have spent more than 20 years working with various gasifier systems, In
this book they discuss ALL the factors that must be correct to have a
successful "gasifier power system."
ISBN 1-890607-00-2 200pp ...
$25.00

FUNDAMENTAL STUDY AND SCALEUP OF THE AIR-OXYGEN STRATIFIED DOWNDRAFT
GASIFIER - T. B. Reed, M. Graboski and B. Levie. In 1980 the Solar Energy
Research Institute initiated a program to develop an oxygen gasifier to
make methanol from biomass. A novel 1 ton/day gasifier was designed and
studied for five years at SERI on air and oxygen. Now a 25 ton/day
gasifier has been operated on both air and oxygen. This book describes the
theory and operation of the two gasifiers in detail and also discusses the
principles and application of gasification as learned in eight yearsby the
author-gasifier team. Initially published by DOE with lavish
illustrations. ISBN 1-890607-03-7 250pp....... $30.00

CONTAMINANT TESTING FOR GASIFIER ENGINE SYSTEMS - A. Das. Long engine life
and reliable operation requires a gas with less than 30 mg of tar and
particulates per cubic meter (30 ppm). The simplified test methods
described here are adapted from standard ASTM and EPA test procedures for
sampling and analyzing char, tar and ash in the gas.
ISBN 1-890607-09-5
32pp....................... $10.00

TREES - Jean Giono. While we strongly support using biomass for energy, we
are also very concerned about forest destruction. This delightful story
says more than any sermon on the benefits and methods of reforestation.
ISBN 1-890607-12-6 8pp $1.00

EVALUATION OF GASIFICATION AND NOVEL THERMAL PROCESSES FOR THE TREATMENT OF
MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE - W. Niessen et al. 1996 NREL report by Camp Dresser
and McKee on MSW conversion processes198 pp.$25.00

BOOK LIST

BIOMASS ENERGY FOUNDATION PRESS & ORDER BLANK
No. Cost

BIOMASS DOWNDRAFT GASIFIER ENGINE SYSTEMS HANDBOOK: T. Reed and A. Das,
(SERI-1988).
ISBN 1-890607-00-2 140pp $25.00 ___ _____

GENGAS: THE SWEDISH CLASSIC ON WOOD FUELED VEHICLES: English translation,
(SERI-1979; DAS 1982) edited T.Reed, D. Jantzen and A. Das, with index.
This is the "Old Testament" of gasification, written by the people involved
in successfully converting 90% of transportation of WW II Sweden to wood
gasifiers.
ISBN 1-890607-01-0 340pp. $30.00 ___ _____

PRODUCER-GAS: ANOTHER FUEL FOR MOTOR TRANSPORT: Ed. Noel Vietmeyer (The
U.S. National Academy of Sciences-1985) A seeing-is-believing primer with
historical and modern pictures of gasifiers. An out-standing text for any
introductory program. ISBN 1-890607-02-9 80pp $10.00 ___ _____

FUNDAMENTAL STUDY AND SCALEUP OF THE AIR-OXYGEN STRATIFIED DOWNDRAFT
GASIFIER: T. Reed, M. Graboski and B. Levie (SERI 1988).Operation of a 1 to
25 ton/day system for power and syn-gas..
ISBN 1-890607-03-7 290pp $30.00 ___ _____

CONTAMINANT TESTING FOR GASIFIER ENGINE SYSTEMS: A. Das (1989). Test that
gas!
ISBN 1-890607-04-5 32pp $10.00 ___ _____

TREE CROPS FOR ENERGY CO-PRODUCTION ON FARMS: Tom Milne (SERI) Trees to
grow for energy.
ISBN 1-890607-05-3 260 pp $25.00 ___ _____

SMALL SCALE GAS PRODUCER-ENGINE SYSTEMS: by A. Kaupp and J. Goss. (1984)
Updates GENGAS and contains engineering data indispensable for the serious
gasifier projects.
ISBN 1-890607-06-1 278pp $30.00 ___ _____

GASIFICATION OF RICE HULLS: THEORY AND PRAXIS: A. Kaupp. Applies
gasification to rice hulls and other agricultural residues. ISBN
1-890607-07-X 303pp $30.00 ___ _____

WOOD GAS GENERATORS FOR VEHICLES: Nils Nygards (1973). Translation of
recent results of Swedish Agricultural Testing Institute. ISBN
1-890607-08-8 50 pp. $4.00 ___ _____

THE PEGASUS UNIT: THE LOST ART OF DRIVING WITHOUT GASOLINE: by Niels A.
Skov and Mark L. Papworth. Description and detailed drawings of various
gasifiers and systems from World War II.
ISBN 1-890607-09-6 80 pp $20.00 __ ______

BIOMASS TO METHANOL SPECIALISTS' WORKSHOP: Ed. T. B. Reed and M. Graboski.
Expert articles on biomass to methanol. ISBN 1-890607-10-X 331 pp
$30.00...___ _____

CONSTRUCTION OF A SIMPLIFIED WOOD GAS GENERATOR: H. LaFontaine (1989) -
Over 25 drawings and photographs on building a gasifier for fueling IC
engines in a Petroleum Emergency (FEMA RR28).
ISBN 1-890607-11-8 68pp $15.00 ___ _____

TREES: by Jean Giono, 1953. A delightful story which says more than any
lecture on the need for reforestation.
ISBN 1-89060712-6 8 pp $1.00 ___ _____

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

ORDER BLANK
BOOK TOTAL
...........................................................................
...............................No. ___ _______
10% discount to booksellers and orders of 3 or more books = _________
BOOK TOTAL.____________
Add $3 handling/order + $1.50/book postage (in US & Can) $_________= ______
TOTAL ENCLOSED__________
SHIP TO:
Name______________________________________________________________________
Address____________________________________________________________________
________
Foreign orders - $9/book air mail; $6/book regular

E-mail order to reedtb@Compuserve.com or Mail orders to The Biomass Energy
Foundation Press (BEFP), 1810 Smith Rd., Golden, CO 80401; FAX 303-278
0560;call 303 278 0558;. We'll send invoice with books. Pay by postal
order or check on US Banks. (No foreign checks - can cost $25 to clear!)

Thanks for your order, Tom Reed

From BeedieD at cardiff.ac.uk Fri May 22 11:30:31 1998
From: BeedieD at cardiff.ac.uk (David Beedie)
Date: Tue Aug 31 21:07:37 2004
Subject: GAS-L: gas engines, 20-500kWe
In-Reply-To: <2DC14C01926@NPRDCF1S.CF.AC.UK>
Message-ID: <382A7F1048E@NPRDCF1S.CF.AC.UK>

Hi Thomas,
I'm a bit behind on my email!
I'll FAX your message on to Dr Patrick tonight.
Dave.

> From: David Beedie <BeedieD@cardiff.ac.uk>
> To: gasification@crest.org
> Date: Fri, 15 May 1998 17:59:01 GMT0BST
> Subject: GAS-L: gas engines, 20-500kWe
> Reply-to: gasification@crest.org
>
> Hi Donald
>
> Sound interesting.
> Is it possible to get some more information?
>
> Regards
>
> Thomas Koch
> Stationsvej 4
> 4621 Gadstrup
> Denmark
>
>
> Hello List,
> I am forwarding this message to you for Dr.Donald C. Patrick - still
> not yet a citizen of the internet - that he offers gas engines for
> natural gas, propane and biogas, rated from 20-500kWe, and their
> control systems. His UK telephone/FAX number is +44 1925 723369,
> but if you want I can pass on your emails to him.
>
> Message Ends.
>
> ***********************************
> Dr D.Beedie, School of Engineering, University of Wales, Cardiff, UK
> email: BeedieD@cf.ac.uk Home tel. 01222 762197 Office Tel. 01222
> 874683; or 874000 ext.5927(lab.) Home tel: 762197
***********************************
Dr D.Beedie, School of Engineering, University of Wales, Cardiff, UK
email: BeedieD@cf.ac.uk
Home tel. 01222 762197
Office Tel. 01222 874683; or 874000 ext.5927(lab.)
Home tel: 762197

From james at sri.org.au Sun May 24 19:40:24 1998
From: james at sri.org.au (James Joyce)
Date: Tue Aug 31 21:07:37 2004
Subject: GAS-L: gasification of sewage sludge
Message-ID: <19980525095204james@jj_lap.sri.org.au>

This may be a late reply, but I just stumbled across the article while
looking for something else.

WQI (Water Quality ?International?) January/Febuary 1997 reports on the
Water Corporation of Western Australia awarding a construction contract for
the world's first 'oil from sludge' plant. The $22 million plant was to be
installed at the Subiaco treatment plant by a joint venture between
Environmental Solutions International (ESI) and Clough Engineering, using
ESI's Energsludge process. The plant was expected to be operating by mid-
1998.

Key features mentioned in the article were :

Sized to treat 30 dry tonnes of sludge per day (17 tpd initially)
Yield expected to be 300 litres of oil from 1t of sludge (presumably dry)
Sludge dewatering to 28%
N-VIRO Chemical stabilisation
Sludge drying to 95% solids and pelleting
A conversion reactor (read gasifier) producing char, gas, oil and reaction
water and a second catalysed thermo-chemical reactor to reform / crack the
products to oil.
A char combustor to generate hot gases for the sludge drying stage

The oil is intended as a specialty chemical for the road making industry
(where it is reported to be worth 10 times more than as a fuel)

Hope that helps you.

>From Anglian Water
> ......
>
> I am currently researching the gasification of sewage sludge for Anglian
> Water (England) and am having some difficulty locating companies that
> can supply suitable equipment.

> After dewatering, the sludge is about 25% ds. I understand that to
> gasify this it is necessary to dry it to around 90% + ds.
>
> Any help would be much appreciated.
> David Furness (dfurness2@anglianwater.co.uk)

From VHarris001 at aol.com Wed May 27 21:43:09 1998
From: VHarris001 at aol.com (VHarris001@aol.com)
Date: Tue Aug 31 21:07:37 2004
Subject: GAS-L: RE: GAS-L Purox/Torrax gasifiers
Message-ID: <1beeeea9.356cc2ef@aol.com>

Dear Tom Reed (and Gasification list members)

I read about Purox and Torrax MSW gasifiers in the book INCINERATOR SYSTEMS
HANDBOOK (Incinerator Consultants Incorporated) but dismissed both from
further review for producer gas for IC engines since 1) both are updraft
gasifiers (high tar content), 2) Purox requires pre-processing of MSW and an
ash water quench, and 3) Torrax gas only has 120-150 Btu/st cu ft.

Is there some aspect of these systems I am missing which would warrant further
investigation for producer gas for IC engine use?

Must gasification with oxygen always gasify at very high temperatures like
Purox does, or are there control mechanisms to prevent this? (I haven't yet
read FUNDAMENTALS).

I read once about small oxygen generators for breathing during very high
flight in small planes. I assumed that there would be a wide variety of
small, light oxygen generators that might suit portable gasification
applications.

I'll post this on the gasification list so others can benefit from any
responses recieved from anyone.

Thanks,

Vernon Harris
VHarris001@aol.com

From VHarris001 at aol.com Wed May 27 21:54:52 1998
From: VHarris001 at aol.com (VHarris001@aol.com)
Date: Tue Aug 31 21:07:37 2004
Subject: GAS-L: Gas cleanup w char ash?
Message-ID: <48d056af.356cc5b1@aol.com>

Dear gasification list members,

During WWII, producer gas was passed through wood chips to remove tar. Today,
producer gas is passed through baghouse fabric filters covered with ash dust
to remove ash, but this does not work well for tar.

It occurs to me that char ash itself, without the filter fabric, might serve
as a filter medium for both ash and tar. Consider the following:

Suppose a metal cone (small opening at the bottom, large opening at the top)
is filled with char ash. Producer gas, entrained with ash and tar, enters the
bottom of the cone at high velocity. The gas velocity slows as 1) the cone
becomes wider and 2) the gases cool. The gases diffuse and are drawn upward
through the char ash filter medium at a progressively slower velocity. The
slower the velocity, the more ash particles drop out or are filtered out from
impinging on the char ash medium. The cooler the producer gas, the more tars
impinge on and attach to the char ash.

The inverted metal cone should be deep enough to filter out the ash and wide
enough that producer gas has insufficient velocity to reentrain surface ash.
The ash would need to be cooled enough to capture the tar.

Above the surface of the ash in the cone should be sufficient space so that
ash is not disturbed when the producer gas is drawn off. As ash accumulates
in the cone it could be augured out (somewhere below the surface) so the cone
does not completely fill with ash and the auguering does not disturb surface
ash.

At the narrow-necked bottom of the cone, I envision the largest particles of
ash boiling, churning and swirling about as hot producer gas rushes in, laden
with ash and tar. At the wide-mouthed top of the cone, I envision a uniformly
fine, silty smooth layer of ash with clean, cool producer gas wafting lightly
out of it's tranquil surface.

Does anyone have knowledge or information about using ash for filtration?
Will an ash filtration system work, or is this simply a (cone shaped) pipe
dream?

Any help or sources of relavant references will be greatly appreciated!

Thank You,

Vernon Harris
VHarris001@aol.com

From REEDTB at compuserve.com Thu May 28 09:02:29 1998
From: REEDTB at compuserve.com (Thomas Reed)
Date: Tue Aug 31 21:07:37 2004
Subject: GAS-L: Rice Husk Bible
Message-ID: <199805280909_MC2-3E6E-8A4C@compuserve.com>

Dear Rice Hull Energy folks:

A team of experts at Louisiana State University in 1997 published a "Study
of Market for Rice Husk-to-Energy Systems and Equipment" by a team of
experts in energy and rice (including me). The book was commisioned by
NREL.

For a copy, call Brett Craig at Louisiana State, 504 388 8349 and leave
your name and mail address. The book is $19.95 + $4 S&H and they will
invoice. They printed 1020 copies, so they won't run out tomorrow. Or
E-mail to bcraig@AGTR.LSU.edu.

This 200 page book is all you will ever need to know about rice hulls. It
is hard bound and well edited. What a deal! Makes you wonder how
commercial scientific presses get $75 to $150 for equivalent books.

Yours truly, THOMAS B.
REED

From REEDTB at compuserve.com Thu May 28 09:02:47 1998
From: REEDTB at compuserve.com (Thomas Reed)
Date: Tue Aug 31 21:07:37 2004
Subject: GAS-L: Combustion "bible"
Message-ID: <199805280910_MC2-3E6E-8A4D@compuserve.com>

Dear Energy Mavens:

Most of my adult life I have used the following three technical reference
books as a substitute for an infinite memory:

HANDBOOK OF CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS The CRC Press
Perry's CHEMICAL ENGINEER'S HANDBOOK McGraw Hill
THE MERCK INDEX Merck &Co.

Together they take up 30 cm of shelf space and weight 10 kg and make me an
instant expert on many subjects.

On a recent trip I found a 1970 COMBUSTION HANDBOOK published by North
American Mfg. Co. It had many things not in the above books that I had
lusted for all my life or calculated on my own. (Some of you no doubt have
used it a long time - don't know how I could have missed it so long.) I
Xeroxed many of the tables and wished for the original....

When I got home I checked with Amazon.com and found that there is a new 3rd
edition Volume II (1997) in two volumes. I coughed up $55 (3.95 S&H) for
Volume II and it has just arrived. I guess I'll have to order Volume I, it
is so great!

The Chapter heads in Volume II are: Fuel-burning equipment; combustion
control; Combustin systems; Heat recovery; Process control optimization;
pollutin control; Noise minimization; and Oxygen Enrichment. 120 pages of
tables follow in the appendix.

There have been a number of questions in this forum about the use of oxygen
instead of air for combustion, and when is it justified. Chapter 13 is
"Oxygen Enrichment and Oxy-fuel Firing". It includes a table showing the
capacity, purity, delivery pressure and kWh/ton required for

Cryogenic plants

Bulk liquid purchase

Pressure and Vacuum swing adsorption (molecular sieves)

Membrane separation

It was written by an acquaintance, H. Kobayashi of Praxair, a LARGE
producer of oxygen, formerly Linde.

I highly recommend these volumes to anyone interested in biomass
combustion.

Yours truly, TOM
REED

From CharlesFederle at webtv.net Thu May 28 17:30:25 1998
From: CharlesFederle at webtv.net (Charles S Federle)
Date: Tue Aug 31 21:07:37 2004
Subject: GAS-L: Uses for rice hulls
Message-ID: <199805282138.OAA10941@mailtod-141.iap.bryant.webtv.net>

Dear Thomas B. Reed : Rice hulls and rice straw
will yield a gas when heated to 169 degrees C. That gas is much more
valuable as a monomer than as a fuel.. What is the market price per ton
of hulls or straw? Sincerely, Charles S. Federle 1440
Cardington Road, Kettering, Ohio 45409

From REEDTB at compuserve.com Fri May 29 14:38:18 1998
From: REEDTB at compuserve.com (Thomas Reed)
Date: Tue Aug 31 21:07:37 2004
Subject: GAS-L: Gas cleanup w char ash?
Message-ID: <199805291445_MC2-3E92-875D@compuserve.com>

Message text written by INTERNET:gasification@crest.org
Dear Vernon et al:

In general, sounds like the principles are good. God is in the details.

You weren't clear on the type of gasifier preceeding the char-ash filter.
It sounds like an inverted downdraft (ie gas going up, charcoal on top).
But downdraft gasifiers are oxygen poor and typically produce 4-8%
char-ash. You would need to add air to your cone - carefully to prevent
slagging. You would recover more energy from the carbon and might produce
an agglomerated ash.

Other comments from others??

Onward, TOM
REED

~~~~~
Dear gasification list members,

During WWII, producer gas was passed through wood chips to remove tar.
Today,
producer gas is passed through baghouse fabric filters covered with ash
dust
to remove ash, but this does not work well for tar.

It occurs to me that char ash itself, without the filter fabric, might
serve
as a filter medium for both ash and tar. Consider the following:

Suppose a metal cone (small opening at the bottom, large opening at the
top)
is filled with char ash. Producer gas, entrained with ash and tar, enters
the
bottom of the cone at high velocity. The gas velocity slows as 1) the cone
becomes wider and 2) the gases cool. The gases diffuse and are drawn
upward
through the char ash filter medium at a progressively slower velocity. The
slower the velocity, the more ash particles drop out or are filtered out
from
impinging on the char ash medium. The cooler the producer gas, the more
tars
impinge on and attach to the char ash.

The inverted metal cone should be deep enough to filter out the ash and
wide
enough that producer gas has insufficient velocity to reentrain surface
ash.
The ash would need to be cooled enough to capture the tar.

Above the surface of the ash in the cone should be sufficient space so that
ash is not disturbed when the producer gas is drawn off. As ash
accumulates
in the cone it could be augured out (somewhere below the surface) so the
cone
does not completely fill with ash and the auguering does not disturb
surface
ash.

At the narrow-necked bottom of the cone, I envision the largest particles
of
ash boiling, churning and swirling about as hot producer gas rushes in,
laden
with ash and tar. At the wide-mouthed top of the cone, I envision a
uniformly
fine, silty smooth layer of ash with clean, cool producer gas wafting
lightly
out of it's tranquil surface.

Does anyone have knowledge or information about using ash for filtration?
Will an ash filtration system work, or is this simply a (cone shaped) pipe
dream?

Any help or sources of relavant references will be greatly appreciated!

Thank You,

Vernon Harris
VHarris001@aol.com
<

From REEDTB at compuserve.com Sat May 30 08:01:58 1998
From: REEDTB at compuserve.com (Thomas Reed)
Date: Tue Aug 31 21:07:37 2004
Subject: GAS-L: Uses for rice hulls
Message-ID: <199805300809_MC2-3EA6-5DE4@compuserve.com>

Dear Charles:

Rice hulls begin to pyrolyse at about 200C and the process is essentially
complete by 700C. The gas is called "pyrolysis gas" and typically has an
energy content of about 500 Btu/scf (20MJ/nm3).

The price of rice hulls can vary from -$100/ton to + $100/ton depending on
circumstances and location. I don't fully understand your question.

Yours truly, TOM REE

From VHarris001 at aol.com Sun May 31 13:17:14 1998
From: VHarris001 at aol.com (VHarris001@aol.com)
Date: Tue Aug 31 21:07:37 2004
Subject: GAS-L: Gas cleanup w char ash?
Message-ID: <2a490721.35719262@aol.com>

Dear Tom and Gasification members;

For the ash filter mentioned below, I had in mind a stratified downdraft
gasifier. Why would air need to be added to the cone, and is the air the
cause of agglomeration?

Thanks much,

Vernon Harris
VHarris001@aol.com

<<
In general, sounds like the principles are good. God is in the details.

You weren't clear on the type of gasifier preceeding the char-ash filter.
It sounds like an inverted downdraft (ie gas going up, charcoal on top).
But downdraft gasifiers are oxygen poor and typically produce 4-8%
char-ash. You would need to add air to your cone - carefully to prevent
slagging. You would recover more energy from the carbon and might produce
an agglomerated ash.

Other comments from others??

Onward, TOM
REED

~~~~~
Dear gasification list members,

During WWII, producer gas was passed through wood chips to remove tar.
Today, producer gas is passed through baghouse fabric filters covered with
ash
dust to remove ash, but this does not work well for tar.

It occurs to me that char ash itself, without the filter fabric, might
serve as a filter medium for both ash and tar. Consider the following:

Suppose a metal cone (small opening at the bottom, large opening at the
top) is filled with char ash. Producer gas, entrained with ash and tar,
enters
the bottom of the cone at high velocity. The gas velocity slows as 1) the
cone
becomes wider and 2) the gases cool. The gases diffuse and are drawn
upward through the char ash filter medium at a progressively slower velocity.
The
slower the velocity, the more ash particles drop out or are filtered out
from impinging on the char ash medium. The cooler the producer gas, the more
tars impinge on and attach to the char ash.

The inverted metal cone should be deep enough to filter out the ash and
wide enough that producer gas has insufficient velocity to reentrain surface
ash. The ash would need to be cooled enough to capture the tar.

Above the surface of the ash in the cone should be sufficient space so that
ash is not disturbed when the producer gas is drawn off. As ash
accumulates in the cone it could be augured out (somewhere below the surface)
so the cone does not completely fill with ash and the auguering does not
disturb
surface ash.

At the narrow-necked bottom of the cone, I envision the largest particles
of ash boiling, churning and swirling about as hot producer gas rushes in,
laden with ash and tar. At the wide-mouthed top of the cone, I envision a
uniformly fine, silty smooth layer of ash with clean, cool producer gas
wafting
lightly out of it's tranquil surface.

Does anyone have knowledge or information about using ash for filtration?
Will an ash filtration system work, or is this simply a (cone shaped) pipe
dream?

Any help or sources of relavant references will be greatly appreciated!

Thank You,

Vernon Harris
VHarris001@aol.com >>

From mbeychok at home.com Sun May 31 22:26:20 1998
From: mbeychok at home.com (Milton R. Beychok)
Date: Tue Aug 31 21:07:37 2004
Subject: GAS-L: Air Pollution Dispersion
Message-ID: <35721296.E01F408D@home.com>

Anyone interested in air pollution dispersion modeling should visit the
website at:

...................... http://www.air-dispersion.com

to learn about "FUNDAMENTALS OF STACK GAS DISPERSION" ... the most
comprehensive single-source reference book on dispersion modeling of
continuous, buoyant pollution plumes. The website provides a brief
description of the book, peer reviews published in technical and
scientific journals, the book's complete table of contents, and
information on how to obtain copies.

Topics covered in the book include: classifying atmospheric stability;
determining of buoyant pollution plume rise; Gaussian dispersion
calculations and modeling; developing windspeed profiles; trapped
pollution plumes; fumigated plumes; flare stack plumes; meteorological
parameters, and much more.

Milton Beychok, 2233 Martin St. # 205, Irvine, CA 92612, USA
Phone & Fax: 949-833-8871
E-mail: mbeychok@air-dispersion.com

BioEnergy Lists: Gasifiers & Gasification

May 1998 Gasification Archive