yeah i was thinking about building a woodgas engine eventually. I was thinking of a more static setup to run a generator. The logistics involved in running/ operating a mobile unit would cause problems unto itself. But for powering a cabin or Powerpack at a rally..... might work. A slightly worn out milspec genset would probably be a good candidate.
Now that diesel and gas are hitting 5 a gallon maybe this idea should be revisted. I would be willing to bet a Bullydog propane additive system would make things go allot easier.
I think I recall a picture in a book on early Fords showing a late 30s early 40s Ford car with that set-up in it's trunk area.
Sure would be nice to reduce gasoline and diesel to the realm of being only one choice for a fuel; instead of the only choice.
First though we'd have to wean people off of their need-for-speed mentality as almost all hybrids or alternative fuel vehicles aren't exactly road rockets.
In Finland they have an Air Museum close to Helsinki Vanta airport. Displayed are one or two military trucks from the war that were wood powered. It really freaked me out to think they ran vehicles that many years ago on wood stoves. Trees and forest they have no shortage of and I thought a never ending fuel supply, very cool.
well i love to tinker and, like everyone else, i have enough spare parts around to probably get a good start on this project. Has anyone on the site ever tried this with a Genset? Ive read many of the online articles but would like to talk to someone who has already at least tried it.
the only little quirk I've heard of in running a stationary unit is bridging of fuel in the hopper, a moving vehicle gives enough jiggling to shake it down most of the time and if it bridges it'll loose power. I thought it through and decided a taller hopper with no sholders in it along with using even size chips for fuel might solve it.
As for the "conspiracy theory", It's not theory, but fact, but you don't believe it exists because they've done a very good coverup job and managed to make the world think alternatives don't exist. It takes free thinking, technical understanding, and a lot of digging to uncover all the corruption, I've uncovered it and it stinks to high heaven.
the first oil replacement technology was invented and patented in 1922, oil corp bought it and sat on it, second one invented and patented in 1936, bought and sat on again. and it's been going on ever sence with more and more oil replacement technologies, till oil could have been replaced by cheap or 0 cost energy a dozen times over. ok I'll shut up, if someone dosn't want to know the truth there's nothin i can say to help.
the issue is not there there aren't replacement technologies out there, its that to convert the entire economy is not an overnight thing. If fusion reactors were perfected tomorrow, it would take years to get the power plants replaced with them. There are many more vehicles than power plants so you understand the logistics. Plus new tech is expensive, many simply dont have the money to purchase a new vehicle even if it means not running on oil. Sure the government could heavily subsidize the costs, but that would mean many other programs that need funding would go without.
my photo album
1969 M35a2c with M34 rims and 1100 singles
1985 M1008 CUCV w/Banks Turbo
6" superlift springs
crossover steering
rear disc brake conversion
38.5" ground hawgs on hmmwv rims
Democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on what's for dinner. Liberty is a well-armed sheep contesting the vote.
There are 4 boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order. Starting now.
I remember my grandfather telling stories of the not-so-good old times and holzgas powered vehicles. They operated a small pickup that way - and rotated the duty of maintaining the kettle (right term?) weekly between the participants, because that was the most ****ty and unthankful job one could think of. He talked about some stinking, black, tar-like residue and soot that had to be cleaned out regularly out of the bottom of the kettle, and also maintaining the right smoldering temperature for the wood and keeping it going for a while was a little science of itself. The little truck had hardly any power and the participants/co-drivers had to get out on certain well hated uphill grades and help to push the pickup up and over the top...
I don't think that works with Diesels, since the "working component" in Holzgas is mainly carbon mono-oxide and methane and that won't self ignite at Diesel compressions. Correct me if I'm wrong. You also can't use any wood, in Germany you were only allowed to burn certain controlled beech wood types and certainly not fresh wood - it has to be dried thoroughly or you don't get the process started or get too much condensate which adds to the frustration of the kettle-cleaner. Also, in the soot is formic and acetic acid, which is a hefty corrosion problem to the kettle and the whole system, including the motor.
All in all its a very unefficient fuel type: only 10% of the "dry-destilled" gas is methane, the rest is carbon-dioxide (50%), and carbon-monoxide (33%), acidic water depending on the moisture of the wood, and small amounts of ethene and variations of hydrogen. Percentage depends on the type of wood, the temperatures, process, and so on.
This is something I would like to try in my spare time (HAHAHAHAHA).
It would be great just to have the knowledge just in case the fuel situation gets worse.
I think it would work on a diesel...I have seen Detroit diesels that ran backup generators at my old unit configured to run on natural gas.
Any other mad scientists in my area game to try it.
We can borrow one of FreightTrains engines he has stored at my place .
Maybe it was a glowplug-type diesel? I also read about holzgas-Diesels that have an additional oil-injection; here a small amount of oil is injected, which serves as an initial ignitor so the holzgas can fire upon it.
Well you would not be the first. We are also going to convert my new deuce to run on wood gas as well. You have to get past the need for lube internally for which the fuel is supposed to provide. We are already building one to add to the truck. Try looking up Werners Chevrolet.. a guy running a V-8 on woodgas
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