Comments on: Thermo-chemical Conversion Technologies for Woody Biomass Utilization

By: Gene R. Jackson

Gene R. Jackson — Fri, 01 May 2009 15:26:35 +0000

With our complete package of the GTL process we can use almost any biomass with a free carbon. We do not need to “Grow” our feedstock. Garbage, or manure, or the beetle killed trees are just examples of what we can use to make “Ecalene(tm)”.

Low cost and a very effecient fuel that will be used in all motor vehicles.

By: stovepipe

stovepipe — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 05:25:17 +0000

There is a good source of potential energy available from straw on farms. Areas with a lot of moisture produce more straw than they can deal with, and it gets burned or requires more fuel consumed to work into the soil. It’s a byproduct and should be utilized as an energy source. As well, switchgrass or other perennial biomass crops can be grown on marginal land unsuitable for grain and oilseed cropping.

By: Notrandom

Notrandom — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 07:10:11 +0000

I see this working for farmers…
1 – There are other sources for biofuel; corn was obviously a bad mistake. But in a politicians world, corn is where the moneys at! – I say that’s not good enough for the rest of us. Then we have algae, switch grass, wood chips and the best alternative – “HEMP”. So the first question would be, when comparing amount of waste (Sulfur, CO2, etc) how much waste is produced by each and every option? Which one of these produces the least amount of waste?

2 – It takes energy to make energy – the downside with corn is it took too much energy to make. Corn is naturally a hard crop to grow. Hemp on the other hand grows everywhere. It is drought-tolerant and a nitrogen-fixing “weed” that improves soil integrity. Meaning, more farm land in the future and possibly an end to famine. So we know In addition to its potential to solve our energy crisis, it would also impact: soil degradation, deforestation and desertification. But everything comes at a cost… when comparing the alternatives for biofuels, what are the production / energy ratios? You can’t possibly consider using a fuel which takes more energy to make than it produces?

I am positive if you do your research, you will find Hemp would be the best source for biofuel. (And I am always willing to be proven wrong)

By: Blake

Blake — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:44:43 +0000

Hey check out http://www.Victorygasworks.com to get really insightful information on gasification. They even have the first gasifier supply store with things that can help test your results or make a gasifier. It’s a cool online community as well for biomass gasification or wood gasification. Robin and Nflight, there are free plans there and if you want, you can buy a video of one of the gasifiers being made.

By: Nflight

Nflight — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 18:46:08 +0000

Salman that web site is not functioning but, Robin This web site works well and has plenty of different manufacturers.
http://www.fluidynenz.250x.com/

By: Salman

Salman — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 02:34:42 +0000

Please visit this website for more information, Robin.
http://www.gasifiers.org/

By: Robin

Robin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 02:46:21 +0000

Are there any commercially available or reliable self-build designs for wood gasification electrical generators for residential applications?

Thanks in advance for any leads or ideas.
Robin

By: Salman

Salman — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 01:57:39 +0000

Biomass gasification is definitely the best option to recover energy from woody biomass. Its very good to know that it is now practically possible to achieve 90% thermal efficiency from BG. You may find more information on the efficiency of biomass gasification and waste-to-energy at my blog http://www.energyblogs.com/wte1

By: Nflight

Nflight — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 02:41:53 +0000

I prefer the working practice of Biomass Gasification. Some friends of mine asked for my assistance on converting the remaining lost heat into something useful. The proclaimed efficiency is now close to 90%, and with that we are also able to heat a greenhouse, and extract hydrogen for resale in the same operational gasification process. Any Excess heat is transferred to a district heating/cooling setup for the offices. Any biomass we use we must push the limitations beyond fossil fuel thinking. We only have the biomass to use once and then regrow it several months to 20 years later.

By: Salman

Salman — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 17:09:50 +0000

Its true, indeed. Co-firing is the simplest and the easiest method of utilization of woody biomass.

By: Michel

Michel — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 15:33:47 +0000

I like the idea concept listed above of co-firing the coal with the biomass. It seems like a quick way to get coal fired plants to be at least a bit more environmentally friendly in a very quick way.