I'm considering using woodgas to supplement my LP. Most of my appliances have conversion settings for LP and natural gas so I have the hardware. I also have a natural gas dryer running on LP through a stepdown regulator. I was thinking of plumbing so that the appliances are set up for natural gas and when LP is used it runs through stepdowns to maintain the appropriate pressure.
Two appliances concern me. My gas range because 1) I expect the burner output to be lower on wood gas than LP and we’d have to relearn how to cook whenever we changed fuels, and 2) The pilot lights have a tendency to blow out occasionally and I’m paranoid about releasing CO in any quantities in my home. I can either get a different stove or plumb a separate line so I’m not too concerned. The other appliance that concerns me is the dryer. The dryer should run correctly (glow plug ignition should work with woodgas-right?) but since dryers run the combustion products through the clothes to dry them, would they stink?
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#2
ToddT
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Posted 23 September 2010 - 04:44 AM
A chemist told me that woodgas has about 1/10 the BTU per standard cubic foot as propane. Whereas jets can draw in enough propane and natural gas, not the case on woodgas.
As an example, an engine running on on propane will have a venturi and a jet to introduce a small amount of combustible gas into a large volume of combustion air. But, an engine running on woodgas will have two equal size hoses coming together: one for combustion air and one for woodgas. It's usually about a 1:1 ratio for combustion: woodgas for running an internal combustion engine.
I have no experience on gas flues and such so I'll be very interested in hearing what you come up with. Please keep us posted.
As an example, an engine running on on propane will have a venturi and a jet to introduce a small amount of combustible gas into a large volume of combustion air. But, an engine running on woodgas will have two equal size hoses coming together: one for combustion air and one for woodgas. It's usually about a 1:1 ratio for combustion: woodgas for running an internal combustion engine.
I have no experience on gas flues and such so I'll be very interested in hearing what you come up with. Please keep us posted.
#3
bear@apl
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Posted 23 September 2010 - 07:18 AM
While "town gas" has been used in appliances directly indoors in the past, it's something I'd stay away from, due to the CO risks. I'm sure there are still some creative ways to generate and use the heat indoors without risks, but likely not with a normal appliance.
On the dryer front, heat exchange with incoming air would be best. I've actually thought that one of the more interesting integrations of heat/electrical output (CHP) from a Power Pallet would be to run a laundromat: at 10 kWe + thermal, I'm sure you could run a number of machines.
Cheers,
Bear
On the dryer front, heat exchange with incoming air would be best. I've actually thought that one of the more interesting integrations of heat/electrical output (CHP) from a Power Pallet would be to run a laundromat: at 10 kWe + thermal, I'm sure you could run a number of machines.
Cheers,
Bear
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