19 replies to this topic

[jimmason]

Gasification PowerExchange Workshop #11: March 30 - April 1
Gasifier Power System Showcase: 10kw, 20kw & 100kw, GEK building and running, More Lister spark conversion

Gasification Lecture and Demo: Friday, March 30, 7:30-9:30PM
Building, Running and  and Testing: Saturday and Sunday, March 30 and April 1, 11am – 7pm
Location: ALL Power Labs, 1010 Murray Street. Berkeley, CA
Contact: sales ^at^ allpowerlabs.org
Cost: Free for GEK owners.  $100 otherwise http://www.gekgasifi...rkshop/sign-up/
RSVP to: http://gekgasifier.c...-1-berkeley-ca/
More Info: http://gekgasifier.c...bout/workshops/



Join us at ALL Power Labs in Berkeley CA, March 30 - April 1 for the next in our long running series of Biomass Gasification workshop weekends.  It has been way too long since our last gathering (nearly 9 months), so come and see all we've been up to in the interim.  Repeat visitors might not even recognize the place . . . it's a factory now, with a continuous production line!

The purpose of these workshops is to help bring more people to successful operation of small scale gasifiers, to serve real world distributed energy needs.  These workshops are open to GEK and Power Pallet user/owners, as well as anyone with any other type of gasifier- or just a budding interest in the general endeavor.  If you have a GEK and want personal instruction in how to run it, or you want to build one with oversight from the mothership, this workshop will be a great opportunity to do either.  If you want to see one of the turnkey Power Pallets running in person, or poke around our scrap pile to see from where we've come, all will be on view for your consideration.

The workshop begins with an evening talk by APL Director, Jim Mason, on the science of gasification and a survey of its engineering history.  This is followed by two full days of hands-on projects, demonstrations, and general wrench turning.   As usual, the weekend will offer multiple projects running in parallel, all open for you to wander between and enjoy.

We expect about 75 people for the weekend.  If you are camping inclined, there is plenty of office space to spread out a sleeping bag for free.  We also have many visitors coming from overseas.  If you need help with visas or travel logistics, please inquire and we'll help as we can.

The projects for this round are as follows:


1. Gasifier Power System Showcase: 10kw, 20kw and 100kw

T'he latest versions of both the 10kw and 20kw Power Pallets will be on site and running throughout the weekend.  There is no formal endurance run this round, as we've done this multiple times already.  Also, Bear is tired and doesn't want to tend power pallets all night again . . .  This round we'll focus on operational instructions, fuel specification and general inquiries on how to deploy these units in real world scenarios.  We are getting many people looking to do large scale commercial deployments with the Power Pallet, so this workshop we're focussing on the issues and information relevant for such endeavors.  

The new 100kw Powertainer will also be onsite and available for tire kicking.  We will not, however, be running it as it is not quite ready for its public debut.  The 100kw is not an experimental unit, so we've decided to not demo it until it is completely finished and ready for general delivery.  Therefore consider this somewhat like a static unveiling at the Detroit Auto Show.  It will be visually complete and done.  You can wander its innards completely, see everything, and ask about anything.  Just no key turning or test driving quite yet.  But soon . . .


2.  GEK Gasifier Building:

Want to build you own gasifier?  Here's your chance to do so, using our tools and instruction from the local crew.  

We have tables and welders for 4 people who want to weld together a GEK kit over the weekend.  Given clear inhouse instruction, you should be able to get through the building process by the end of Sunday.  Finished gasifiers can Russian doll back into the hopper and filter for checking as oversize baggage on the plane.  Yes this does work.  We do this regularly.  Airline security surprisingly does not mind too much.

Anyone who wants to do this will need to reserve a spot by purchasing a Level III weld together GEK kit.  There is no additional cost for instruction, using our tools, and burning our welding wire.  The workshop is also free if you get a kit.   We're trying to make this easy and accessible.

Again, there are ONLY 4 slots for gasifier building.  Welders are limited.  Please reserve ahead of time if you want to build a kit.  If you want to get a jump on what we'll be doing, here's the general process shown in video form:


If you want to buy a kit for welding at the workshop, please write us at "sales@allpowerlabs.org".  You are also welcome to bring your own scrap tanks, and we'll try to do something with those too.


3. Lister spark conversion:

After a 1.5 year pause, KenBoak and crew are back at it on the Lister spark conversion project.  The goal continues to be a hybrid system that can start up on diesel, then cross over to 100% woodgas via a spark plug added into the compression release plug.  Listers are everywhere and Ken really wants to get to a DIY spark conversion kit to make this easier for all to do.  Ken is working on this project throughout March and posting his progress.  You can follow along at the links below.

Ken's original write up on the project is in the APL Wiki - here:  http://wiki.gekgasif...iesel%20engines

More feedback and comment is in the Forum here:  http://gekgasifier.c..._lister__st__20


4. GEK kit assembly and startup:

If you have recently bought or built a GEK kit, here's a chance to learn the details of its finish and running.  We'll be assembling a current GEK v4.3 from scratch, as well as running various fuels through the results.  Actually, we have quite a few gasifiers on site at this point, so several versions of the GEK will be available for running and learning.  You're also welcome to bring yours.  Free upgrades tend to happen for those who get their machines here on site.  Extra credit for bringing your own fuel for testing.  



General Info and Signup

If you want to join us, you need to RSVP before the event.  Please do so to the forum thread here: http://gekgasifier.c...-1-berkeley-ca/
If you need to pay the workshop fee, you can do so via credit card here: http://www.gekgasifi...rkshop/sign-up/

Information on local accommodation, maps and airports is here: http://www.gekgasifi...d-accomodation/

We look forward to seeing you here soon.


jim


------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jim Mason
Website: http://www.whatiamupto.com
Current Projects:
   - Gasifier Experimenters Kit (the GEK): http://www.gekgasifier.com
   - Escape from Berkeley alt fuels vehicle race: www.escapefromberkeley.com
   - ALL Power Labs on Twitter: http://twitter.com/allpowerlabs
   - Shipyard Announce list: http://lists.spacesh...p-spaceship.com

[Amanda Ravenhill]

I'm excited to attend this workshop and deepen my knowledge of gasification. I'm part of the team that has recently launched the Biochar Association of the Bay Area and am eager to talk to others who may be interested in joining our Association.

More about me: Amanda Joy Ravenhill LinkedIn profile
The Biochar Association of the Bay Area.

[fuel spiller]

Hi Jim

I would like to bring the GEK kit that I picked up at the last event on Father's day weekend, to weld together.
I also want to bring my friend Darryl who can't wait to make engine grade gas with the finished product.
I'll pay for Darryl's spot online now. Please let me know if this will work.
Thanks again
Neal

[TreeHuggingTreeCutter]

Hello all,
I'm looking forward to seeing a GEK in action.

Am I understanding this correctly...we are meeting in the evening on Friday at 7:30pm and the workshop continues on Saturday and Sunday?

Matt

[JayAlchemAPL]

Steve Feher, Executive Director and Sustainable Technologies Laboratory (STL)Sustainable Community Development Institute (SCDI) will be attending the Berkelely Workshop March 31-1. He and six of his students will be bringing their small rice hull gasifier and a bunch of rice hulls with the test set up they used to measure its heat output. He says, "It's a fun set up, we can demonstrate it . . . and our kids will tell a good story." They will be running their gasifier and will be doing an informal presentation Saturday afternoon of the workshop.
"We just completed a very interesting set of experiments by the students on measuring usable BTU output generated in our small rice hulls gasifier," Steve states. He will be bringing up to 6 students to the workshop to not only learn about gasification from our workshop, but to teach us as well!

[conway]

I'm looking forward to attending the upcoming workshop I'l be bringing my DIY power pallet to hopefully bring to life

Dave Conway

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[bigdaddy]

Troy and Jared will be attending ... We were going to build a GEK before the workshop, but figured it might be better to watch and learn (build it afterwards), just in case there is a "wish we would have known" moment. Anyway, we're excited to be attending, and look forward to meeting the APL crew, and other gasifier enthusiasts.

Thanks!

[joego]

Hi, I will be bringing my gasifier down to the workshop and testing out my Gek. I need to buy the stainless steel hoses and the special hardware for hooking up the compressor to get it started. Looking forward to a great weekend!

Joe Goforth

[conway]

I'd like to confirm my attendance to your upcoming workshop

Dave Conway

[winsol3]

I will be attending the workshop... just don't know if i'll be able to make the whole weekend... See ya'll Friday!

[JayAlchemAPL]

Nick and Charles over at Santa Fe Community College just as of this week purchased a 10kW PowerPallet to assist in educating their students about the technology of gasification. They are really excited about incorporating the GEK Gasifier into their curriculum which fits nicely with their other projects in algae, ethanol, and biodiesel. They will be giving a presentation on their program and current projects at their Biofuel Center of Excellence (http://biofuels.gree...ining.sfcc.edu/).

From their site: "The Biogas and Pyrolysis Module will provide a history of gasification and pyrolysis, and an overview of photosynthesis, the carbon cycle and biomass energy.  Students will study the biochemistry of anerobic digestion, pyrolysis, gasification and the qualities of methane.  Safety issues and OSHA compliance are also included in the curriculum. The varieties of biogas applications will be explored as well as common types of biogas plants.  The mechanics of gasification include how a system is designed and built, how gas cleanup is handled and how to select the appropriate feedstock.  The economics section will explore market opportunities and issues of scale."

[dank]

This post is confirmation that I plan to attend the Gasification PowerExchange Workshop #11: March 30 -April 1 even though my registration fee says "June 2011 Gasification Workshop"

Making gas is one thing, turning it into liquid is something entirely different. I hope we have a great Workshop!

[TestDriven]

Hi guys Ill see you at the workshop I cant wait to do some welding and get some real hands on experience with the system!!!!

[solaroid]

Confirming that I will be attending the March 30-April 1 workshop in Berkeley.

[jflora]

Looking forward to the workshop in Berkeley this weekend.

Joe Flora

[brianvon]

We would like to join you for the Friday evening discussion at All Power Labs this week.  Our group from Stanford is working on a bio-hybrid pyrolyzer that will process biosolids and organic waste into biochar.  We are expecting:

Stanford University Prof. Reggie Mitchell—
Dr. Brian Von Herzen
Dr. Paul Csonka
Mr. Ken Chaney
Mr. Randy Hall

You can reach me at brian <at> climateFoundation.org or through this forum

Thank you,

Brian

[winsol3]

Don't know if this is the right forum to post this, but I figure there'll be a lot of smart people around this weekend:
Anyone interested in small work subgroup on taking a wood slash pile in the National Forest (up I80 or 50) and turning it to energy?

NFS has agreed to doing a pilot project.

Need to have some people help figure out how to process the fuel and turn it to energy (syn gas, liquid alcohol, battery stored electric??) ON-SITE.  Right now these slash piles are being burned in open air, or chipped and hauled 100's of miles away.  It's a win,win,win,win all around with big upside potential.

thanks
fred K

[jimmason]

This weekend is looking to be our largest workshop ever.  85 RSVPs are the most we've ever seen out front-- but we're ordering some more chairs, coffee and bagels, so we can hold a few more.  The building and associated resources will likely top out around 100 people.  That leaves space for about 15 more of you.   Also, there are still two slots left if you want to weld together a GEK Level III during the workshop.   Write us a note (sales@allpowerlabs.org) if you are still planning on attending and/or building, but have yet to tell us so.

Jim

[Tarek]

Jim,

I know I would be speaking on behalf of many, that the workshop was very enjoyable, in addition to being enriching and motivating to many of us.  Thank you for your hospitality and for committing yourself and your dedicated staff to our education and assistance.  It was a pleasure to to meet everyone at APL, as well as others with interest in the field.  I look forward to further collaboration and engagements with you in the future

Oh...and Happy Birthday!

Sincerely,
Tarek Chbeir

[Ashley Shields]

I'm from the Butte College team that brought the little unit. I just want to say thanks to everyone for making this such a great weekend! I learned so much and met so many awesome people. I'm very grateful for the experience. I had a blast getting to know everyone, seeing the units in person, and running our demos (as unprepared as we were, thanks to the APL folk for setting us up with starter fluid, fire, and a warm place to sleep)

I don't have a functioning camera right now so I wasn't able to get any photos. If anyone has some they'd like to share I'd really appreciate it so I can share them with my family and the members of our team who weren't able to make

Also, with everything going on I wasn't able to exchange contact information with as many people as I would have liked. To any friends acquired, my email address is shields.ashley@gmail.com. I'd love to stay in touch!