http://www. driveonwood. com/static/media/uploads/pdf/fema_plans. pdf https://www. pssurvival. com/PS/Gasifiers/FEMA_Simplified_Wood_Gas_Generator-Mar_1989_With_Biomass_Energy_Foundation_2001. pdf Also download the “Handbook of Biomass Downdraft Gasifier Engine Systems” at https://www. nrel. gov/docs/legosti/old/3022. pdf
Biomass gasifiers don’t create liquid fuel, only combustible vapors. However, it’s important to remember that internal combustion engines vaporize liquid fuel anyway. Section I also presents an interesting historical account of the process, including how widespread the use of biomass gasification was in Europe during World War II.
In basic terms, the wood pellets or shavings are burned in one chamber of the gasifier, the smoke is filtered through more wood pellets/shavings in a second chamber, and the filtered vapor is mixed with air as it enters the intake valve of the internal combustion engine. You’re using fire to create combustible vapors, so it’s essential that you follow the directions very closely and take every recommended safety precaution. You may also benefit by watching online videos that show DIYers building gasifiers based on the FEMA plan, such as https://youtu. be/a6e3CprVTi8?t=220.
In reality, this type of gasifier is probably more useful as a way to power a gas-fueled generator, which in turn can generate electricity for your home. This way, you can keep the lights on in your home with little more than some scrap wood. [4] X Research source
The high heat and pressure convert the biomass into a mix of carbon dioxide and hydrogen, at which point impurities can be filtered out. Then, the introduction of a heavy metal catalyst turns the carbon dioxide and hydrogen into long-chain hydrocarbons that are cooled and condensed into a liquid.
It relies on temperatures of at least 300 °C (572 °F) and preferably 1,000 °C (1,830 °F), and pressures of up to tens of atmospheres. This makes it extremely challenging–and dangerous, due to the risk of an explosion–if you don’t have advanced mechanical and scientific knowledge.
While the basic building materials are widely accessible—things like steel piping, pressure gauges, etc. —you need expert precision and knowledge to build a Fischer-Tropsch converter effectively and safely. Putting combustible materials under high pressure creates a major risk for explosions if the converter isn’t built and maintained properly.
So, unfortunately, this isn’t a “magic bullet” replacement for gasoline derived from crude oil. Fischer-Tropsch fuels, however, do burn cleaner and create less environmental pollution than standard gasoline.
Home production of ethanol on a small scale (under roughly 5,000 US gal (19,000 L)) is legal in the U. S. , but check with your local authorities for any restrictions where you live. Take the time to find good plans for building a still, and consider working with someone experienced with the process. Heat and pressure are utilized to create ethanol, and these can be dangerous with improperly-constructed equipment.
These machines can be the size of a stacked washer and dryer and may include a pump for direct fueling into cars, etc. However, expect to pay around $10,000 USD for one of these machines. Also, depending on the cost of the raw materials (namely sugar), producing ethanol this way may cost more than filling up your car with traditional gasoline.
It’s also possible to convert a standard engine so it can run on straight ethanol. For a car engine, this involves things like resetting the ignition timing and rejetting the carburetor. Unless you’re knowledgeable in auto repair, you’ll need a mechanic to make these changes. [12] X Research source
