Coal and wood to gas One of the most important technical developments in history was the discovery of gas production from dry-distillation (carbonising/pyrolysing/heating) of coal and wood. The technology meant not only a revolution to lightening with gas and heating technology, but it was in the 1860s also the basis for the chemistry of artifical colours produced from tar liquids.
Coal and wood to gas The discovery of combustible gas was furthermore the main driving force for the development of gas-blown combustion engines (called explosion engines at that time (imukaasumoottori)). Nomenclature like "gas pedal" and "step on the gas" remember to this historical relation. A car equipped gasifier
Coal and wood for fuel engine Italian Garuffa built a gas generator, in which he used as fuel wood. Initially the engine power was about 12 horse power, but soon they learned to build a large and heavy for hundreds of horse power engines, began to improve relations against the steam machines.
Coal and wood to gas Early 1920s in Finland has been made first tests with wood gas. France and in the 1930s, including Germany, the state has actively supported the development of wood gas-using cars owned by various tax breaks. First in Finland Tamperelaisen Kustaa Mendelinin vm 1923 T-mallin Fordiin sovittaman puukaasuttimen kerrotaan olleen ensimmäinen laatuaan Suomessa.
The most significant developer of wood gas generator was Franco- German chemical engineer Georges Imbert (1884-1950). Schematic view of the Word War II Imbert gasifier
In Sweden has been two pioneers: Axel Svedlund In 1920 he installed coal gasifier to his car. 1945 had prepared a total of about 35 000 Svedlunds patented coal gasifiers. Torsten Källe He designed the 1941 passenger cars, meaning a light carbon gasifier (Kalle-generator (Kallekaasutin)). Peculiar structure, it started much faster than others ready to produce carbon monoxide gas. Kalle-generator was highly successful in Sweden.
Typical process of wood gas generator and the brochure of Otso gasifier in Finnish
Manufacturing of fuel in 1941
Eero Kangasojas car 3.6 litre Mobar engine: Driven 120 000 km Max. speed 120 km/h One litre wood chips / 1 km Driving costs 1 /100 km Fuel storage 200 litre ->200 km
Kangasojas CHP-equipment (www.nettitv.centria.fi)
Technical properties of EK gasifier : Air dry wood ships (or other biomass) moisture 45 % All tree species are suitable (pine, spruce, birch, willow, alder, aspen, mountain ash, willow, juniper?, Etc.) The gas product is suitable for either direct combustion or use of CHP The structure is simple and easy to maintenance It is not a fire hazard (the residue sludge) During the use of vacuum apparatus -> no danger of carbon monoxide The stands will not leak
History and future of different fuels
1. Biomass or coal 2. Primary air 3. Gasifier 4. Dust separator 5. Compressor 6. Second air 7. Combustion chamber 8. Gas 9. flue gas 10. Gas turbine 11. Generator 12. Steam Boiler 13. Main steam 14. Steam turbine 15. Generator 16. District heat ex. 17. District heat 18. District heat water 19. Feed water storage tank 20. Feed water IGCC Power plant