03-16-2008, 04:33 AM
The three threats most recognized threats to our area, and Hawaii in general:
Ecological Destruction
Poverty
Rising energy costs.
Here is a potential solution. Holtzman gas.
Holtzman gas, or "blue gas" or producer gas is the byproduct of the distillation of wood. Some of you may remember in earlier posts that I've some experience in that process. Holtzman gas was used widely worldwide in the late 1800's to power homes, lights, and machinery of all types. It will power vehicles or generators. It was used widely in Europe during WWII because petroleum sources were so disrupted to power delivery trucks and other vehicles. Holtzman gas is basically a mixture of hydrogen and methane, buffered with nitrogen. Running in engines at a 1.1 to 1 ratio it produces about 70 to 80 percent the power of gasoline. About 20 lbs of wood chips, small wood blocks, sawdust, or other biomass
creates the energy equivalent of one gallon of gasoline. Even kelp has been successfully processed.
The gas is not without problems. It must be filtered of ash, and the gas producer itself can be a troublesome machine. If working improperly it is prone to clogging, it can be smoky and filthy. It is a large bulky object, about the size of a hot water heater so for usage in vehicles it is certainly cumbersome. Frequent attention must be payed to feeding the fire at the rate of consumption. It must be lit before usage like any wood stove and be attended to in much the same manner. Still, for generator use and for powering a small generator off waste wood in essence for free in a time we look squarely at 5 dollar a gallon gasoline. . .it is of obvious interest. As well, it does allow one to power machinery in a truly carbon neutral manner, as one can grow their own fuel. The waste heat can heat hot water, dry clothes, or what have you. The strawberry guava I have found to be a near ideal fuel.
So, my latest version that I plan to install has a new throat design, that I'm currently in the patent application process for, that eliminates many of the traditional problems of clogging and actually burns very cleanly. It's sitting in the front yard an looks much like a robot out of a 30's movie, committing suicide. I'll be plumbing it into the house as it will provide hot water and hydronic heat as well as electricity. The producer itself isn't difficult to build, nor expensive, and I may well market these in the near future. One could be set up completely with a gas generator and an inexpensive gasoline generator for less money than a power pole.
If anybody would like to see it run, please feel free to contact me at oarclub@hotmail.com
So, like any technology there are upsides and downsides.
First, off grid un-interruptible power is a huge plus. Wind or solar are not interruptible. As well, they are vastly more expensive. This is a 7kw unit, that I could SELL you for under 3000 dollars. Solar would be close to 20000 for the same output.
Secondly, the producer can be built to power vehicles.
Thirdly, it is possible to run the device in a carbon neutral manner.
Fourth, it provides a possibility for local income, as any dry prepared biomass fuel is worth 10 cents a pound at todays fuel prices. If you're so shiftless that you won't even pick up sticks, well, you're out of luck, I expect.
Fifth, it decentralizes energy production.
Dangers:
Carbon Monoxide is a major portion of the gas, as is methane. With stupid or sloppy operation, these are released into the air or potentially poisoning people. Methane is a dangerous greenhouse gas for certain.
The thing gets hot as hell and you can burn the be-jesus out of yourself on it.
It is certainly not a convenient as simply dumping gasoline in a tank. But, it is a lot more convenient than not having gasoline.
Use of the producer is not idiot proof, especially as one can never underestimate the profundity of idiocy. It would be possible to blow yourself to kingdom come with one of these, but again, I've seen people shop-vac gasoline. No kidding.
What do you all think?
Ecological Destruction
Poverty
Rising energy costs.
Here is a potential solution. Holtzman gas.
Holtzman gas, or "blue gas" or producer gas is the byproduct of the distillation of wood. Some of you may remember in earlier posts that I've some experience in that process. Holtzman gas was used widely worldwide in the late 1800's to power homes, lights, and machinery of all types. It will power vehicles or generators. It was used widely in Europe during WWII because petroleum sources were so disrupted to power delivery trucks and other vehicles. Holtzman gas is basically a mixture of hydrogen and methane, buffered with nitrogen. Running in engines at a 1.1 to 1 ratio it produces about 70 to 80 percent the power of gasoline. About 20 lbs of wood chips, small wood blocks, sawdust, or other biomass
creates the energy equivalent of one gallon of gasoline. Even kelp has been successfully processed.
The gas is not without problems. It must be filtered of ash, and the gas producer itself can be a troublesome machine. If working improperly it is prone to clogging, it can be smoky and filthy. It is a large bulky object, about the size of a hot water heater so for usage in vehicles it is certainly cumbersome. Frequent attention must be payed to feeding the fire at the rate of consumption. It must be lit before usage like any wood stove and be attended to in much the same manner. Still, for generator use and for powering a small generator off waste wood in essence for free in a time we look squarely at 5 dollar a gallon gasoline. . .it is of obvious interest. As well, it does allow one to power machinery in a truly carbon neutral manner, as one can grow their own fuel. The waste heat can heat hot water, dry clothes, or what have you. The strawberry guava I have found to be a near ideal fuel.
So, my latest version that I plan to install has a new throat design, that I'm currently in the patent application process for, that eliminates many of the traditional problems of clogging and actually burns very cleanly. It's sitting in the front yard an looks much like a robot out of a 30's movie, committing suicide. I'll be plumbing it into the house as it will provide hot water and hydronic heat as well as electricity. The producer itself isn't difficult to build, nor expensive, and I may well market these in the near future. One could be set up completely with a gas generator and an inexpensive gasoline generator for less money than a power pole.
If anybody would like to see it run, please feel free to contact me at oarclub@hotmail.com
So, like any technology there are upsides and downsides.
First, off grid un-interruptible power is a huge plus. Wind or solar are not interruptible. As well, they are vastly more expensive. This is a 7kw unit, that I could SELL you for under 3000 dollars. Solar would be close to 20000 for the same output.
Secondly, the producer can be built to power vehicles.
Thirdly, it is possible to run the device in a carbon neutral manner.
Fourth, it provides a possibility for local income, as any dry prepared biomass fuel is worth 10 cents a pound at todays fuel prices. If you're so shiftless that you won't even pick up sticks, well, you're out of luck, I expect.
Fifth, it decentralizes energy production.
Dangers:
Carbon Monoxide is a major portion of the gas, as is methane. With stupid or sloppy operation, these are released into the air or potentially poisoning people. Methane is a dangerous greenhouse gas for certain.
The thing gets hot as hell and you can burn the be-jesus out of yourself on it.
It is certainly not a convenient as simply dumping gasoline in a tank. But, it is a lot more convenient than not having gasoline.
Use of the producer is not idiot proof, especially as one can never underestimate the profundity of idiocy. It would be possible to blow yourself to kingdom come with one of these, but again, I've seen people shop-vac gasoline. No kidding.
What do you all think?