My passion remains to use low value/no value biomass as a feedstock. This includes storm debris, tree trimmings and logging slash. Storm debris includes houses as well as just trees. Also, most communities are actively tearing down abandoned houses. But, old houses will almost always have one thing in common... lead paint.
Is there any way to strip the lead out during gasification? The particulate lead would need to be cleaned from the gas going to an engine (typically running a generator). But, would there be enough lead that passed say a 5 micron particulate filter to pose an environmental risk?
If so, could we use some sort of catalytic converter on the exhaust of the genset? Wet scrubber? Electrostatic precipitator?
Having spent right at 2/3 of my life in Louisiana (and more than one hurricane), I see great need and strong potential for a means to convert storm debris into fuel for gasification. But... what about the lead paint?
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#2
RobWindt
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Posted 12 February 2010 - 01:24 AM
No quick answer here Todd but lead was phased out of gasoline because it contaminates catalytic converters and oxygen sensors, rendering them useless - but the aromatics and other chemicals added to unleaded fuel have been shown to cause leukemia - think I'd rather have my kids a little dumber than dead.
Filter as best you can and burn away
Filter as best you can and burn away
#3
pedalmonkey
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Posted 15 February 2010 - 07:36 PM
Lead paint is a huge problem in the reclaimed wood bidness. If you're just going to burn it, try get a cheap wood planer and taking that mess off with it. Even the really cheap ones from Garbage Freight have dust collection ports on them that one can hook to a shop vac or dedicated dust system. Disposal would consist of burial in an appropriate landfill. Good luck.
Hey, know anybody with a wire welder for sale? CHEAP?
Hey, know anybody with a wire welder for sale? CHEAP?
#4
bear@apl
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Posted 15 February 2010 - 07:44 PM
Hi Todd,
Having heavy metals in fuels is of concern. I haven't researched this area fully, but there may be potential. Of course, handling these types of materials is a definite "don't try this at home" area. But with research, monitoring, and development, there may (or may not) be viable options to prevent Pb emissions and properly handle these materials.
As a starting point, you might look at this MS Thesis:
A. Klein, “Gasification: An Alternative Process for Energy Recovery and Disposal of Municipal Solid Wastes,” Columbia University, 2002. http://www.seas.colu...lein_thesis.pdf
Cheers,
Bear
Having heavy metals in fuels is of concern. I haven't researched this area fully, but there may be potential. Of course, handling these types of materials is a definite "don't try this at home" area. But with research, monitoring, and development, there may (or may not) be viable options to prevent Pb emissions and properly handle these materials.
As a starting point, you might look at this MS Thesis:
A. Klein, “Gasification: An Alternative Process for Energy Recovery and Disposal of Municipal Solid Wastes,” Columbia University, 2002. http://www.seas.colu...lein_thesis.pdf
Cheers,
Bear
#5
ToddT
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Posted 16 February 2010 - 04:02 AM
Thanks for the tip, Bear. Having worked a little in the metal finishing industry and in wastewater treatment, I'm aware there are various ways to either precipitate out or otherwise catch heavy metals. Air emissions is not my thing but am confident there are some creative tricks to the trade.
And yes, this is definitely not for the DIY crowd.
By the way, one of my chemist buddies who has lots of experience making pellets and briquettes also does work with bugs. I was looking at dropping out hexavalent chromium from some rinsewater but he said he has a better idea. Bugs. He has "fine tuned" bugs to convert all sorts of haz waste into soil amendments. That's the creative thinking I want to get involved in gasification.
It's out there... just a matter of making connections. I call it "imagineering".
And yes, this is definitely not for the DIY crowd.
By the way, one of my chemist buddies who has lots of experience making pellets and briquettes also does work with bugs. I was looking at dropping out hexavalent chromium from some rinsewater but he said he has a better idea. Bugs. He has "fine tuned" bugs to convert all sorts of haz waste into soil amendments. That's the creative thinking I want to get involved in gasification.
It's out there... just a matter of making connections. I call it "imagineering".
#6 Guest_solidwoods_*
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Posted 07 February 2013 - 03:29 PM
Todd
Just put exhaust gas lead detection on an engine run from gek running on clean wood vs wood with lead paint.
My guess is you will find that the lead got disassembled just like the wood molecule did.
Next if the ash contains lead, a lead recycler (the dude with the smelter) may want the ash for free because they are equipped to do that type of work.
jim
Just put exhaust gas lead detection on an engine run from gek running on clean wood vs wood with lead paint.
My guess is you will find that the lead got disassembled just like the wood molecule did.
Next if the ash contains lead, a lead recycler (the dude with the smelter) may want the ash for free because they are equipped to do that type of work.
jim
#7
HarryN
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Posted 13 February 2013 - 10:17 PM
The lead in these situation is in completely different chemical forms. The lead additive in gasoline was tetra ethyl lead (TE-Pb), and its primary roles were valve lubrication and octane boosting. While the actual compound (TE-Pb) is quite hazardous, it was added in ppm quantities so the hazard level while in gasoline was quite small.
When burned in an engine, the form converted to lead oxide, which is quite stable, but too much of anything is bad, and the dust eventually became a small health problem, although the catalytic converter problem is really what ended its use.
Lead in paint is a different matter, in that it actually is the relatively inert lead oxide, but it was used as the white pigment in the base paint color, so rather large quantities are present. When the paint is intact, it is actually a non issue. When it flakes off, and small children eat those flakes, that is a real problem. If you have kids, you know that no matter if they are hungry or not, they put everything in their mouth. It is just human nature.
One way to strip it off of wood is the same way that trees are de barked. I would rather have a concentrated pile of paint shavings to dispose of than a lot of diluted out ashes to wonder about, but sometimes there is no choice.
When burned in an engine, the form converted to lead oxide, which is quite stable, but too much of anything is bad, and the dust eventually became a small health problem, although the catalytic converter problem is really what ended its use.
Lead in paint is a different matter, in that it actually is the relatively inert lead oxide, but it was used as the white pigment in the base paint color, so rather large quantities are present. When the paint is intact, it is actually a non issue. When it flakes off, and small children eat those flakes, that is a real problem. If you have kids, you know that no matter if they are hungry or not, they put everything in their mouth. It is just human nature.
One way to strip it off of wood is the same way that trees are de barked. I would rather have a concentrated pile of paint shavings to dispose of than a lot of diluted out ashes to wonder about, but sometimes there is no choice.
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