Micro-gasification: Cooking with gas from dry biomass
62
‘iCan’ concept presented by Jock Gill Simplest All-in-One TLUD made from one tin-can, just 17 holes in the right places in one can. No tools needed other than a can opener and a nail or punch, takes less than 10 minutes to make. Very suitable for school projects or elsewhere to demonstrate the TLUD principle and have people cook something on the ‗stove‘ they just made themselves. Similar concepts have been presented by other designers (like Paul Anderson‘s ‗Willie-OneCan), but the most recent and nicely illustrated version was posted by Jock Gill on http://www.bioenergylists.org/content/peacham-ican-tlud-st. More designs by Jock Gill on http://www.bioenergylists.org/taxonomy/term/1508/0 and on http://www.greaterdemocracy.org/archives/1116
‘1G Toucan’ by Hugh McLaughlin Probably the second simplest TLUD micro-gasifier made essentially out of two cans placed on top of each other: typically a 1-gallon paint can and another slightly smaller can (called a ―Number 10 tin‖ or a coffee-can in the USA) for the secondary air. The ‗Toucan‘ is very educational to demonstrate the TLUD-principles. The combustion zone is very visible so that the convection flows and flame shapes are easily understood. It is very suitable for the production of small quantities of consistent high-purity and easy-touse biochar. This is due to its unique construction features: primary air is fed through the bottom of the 1G-can (which is slightly raised) and secondary air through the second can on top. The main fuel container has no air holes on the side. Thus char-gasification (which depends on the availability of oxygen) might easily be halted by sealing off the air supply: once the tin is placed directly on the ground and covered on the top with the paint can lid, it prevents char-gasification in an oxygen-starved environment. This ensures the safe and easy saving of the char inside the container without having to quench the char in water or dump glowing char out of a hot container at the end of the wood pyrolysis stage. Makes also a good and powerful burner unit, ideal for a camp-stove or a make-shift stove as backup for power-cuts. Can also be used as a fireplace insert. Photo: Various 1G Toucans with risers at CHAB-camp in Massachussetts in August 2010 For further information see http://www.bioenergylists.org/mclauglintoucan, from where you can download easy and clear instructions at http://www.bioenergylists.org/files/1G%20Toucan%20TLUD%20for%20Biochar%20Jan%20 2010%20-%20final_0(3).pdf (0.6 MB)
HERA – GIZ Manual Micro-gasification Version 1.0 January 2011