[Terrapreta] torrified wood vs. charcoal

[Robert Flanagan]

Hey Gerald,

Why would you cook on torrefied or charcoal when you can burn the smoke and
woodgas with a Top Lit Up Draft gasifier and keep the charcoal?
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=woodgas+stove&search_type=&search=Search

Regards,
Rob.

On Feb 12, 2008 10:31 PM, Gerald Van Koeverden <vnkvrdn at yahoo.ca> wrote:

>  As far as quality, you are correct, torrefied wood burns faster than
> charcoal:
>
> "A survey carried out among 180 consumers comparing torrefied wood and
> charcoal.
>
>  Nature, appearance and cleanness were considered to be satisfactory.
>
>  Kindling was considered to be easy or very easy, in clear opposition to
> charcoal kindling.
>
>  Glowing embers were considered to form more rapidly
>
>  The product appears to be more appropriate to brisk cooking.
>
>  Absence of smoke during cooking was noted almost unanimously."
>
> http://www.techtp.com/tw%20papers/fao_paper.htm
> But for those in developing countries who make charcoal strictly for
> cooking, they would get more energy from the same wood since less is lost in
> the carbonization process.  90% of the original energy is still in torrefied
> wood, as opposed to 60% (?) in the charcoal product.   Of course, torrefied
> wood might require developing a different stove to optimize cooking times.
>
> Gerald
>
>
>  On 11-Feb-08, at 11:47 PM, Greg and April wrote:
>
>  Grrrrr - one of these days I'll remember to hit 'Reply All'.
>
> Anyway -
>
>  Doubtful.
>
> Part of the lure of charcoal, is a low even heat, with little in the way
> of smoke ( unless it's on purpose ), if you want a high energy fuel you may
> as well use propane.
>
>  While it may be roasted, I don't think that volatile materials have been
> fully driven off - just in part ( the lower temperature material ).    In
> the case of specialty hardwoods, like apple or hickory, that's actually a
> part of what gives the food it's flavor and if a part of it has been driven
> off, it then the final product is going to suffer.
>
> Greg H.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> *From:* Gerald Van Koeverden <vnkvrdn at yahoo.ca>
> *To:* Terra Preta <terrapreta at bioenergylists.org>
> *Sent:* Monday, February 11, 2008 13:09
> *Subject:* [Terrapreta] torrified wood vs. charcoal
>
> *Is torrefied wood going to replace charcoal in our barbecues?  It seems
> to be both more energy efficient and less polluting...*
> *
> *
> *Gerrit*
> *
> *
> *B: Torrefied Wood, Energy For The Future*
>
> At a global level, renewable energy is of increasing importance because of
> the greenhouse effect. Emissions from the burning of fossil fuels must be
> reduced, so alternative fuels are needed. Torrefied wood can be burnt in a
> conventional coal-fired power station.
> But what is torrefied wood? The word comes from the French 'bois
> torréfié', which means "roasted wood". This means that the first stage of
> carbonisation has taken place, without reaching the stage of charcoal.
> Why pre-treat wood in this way, instead of burning it directly, for
> example in a bioenergy power station? Thanks to roasting, the fuel is better
> than ordinary biomass. Torrefied wood is wood that has undergone thermal
> drying and has a relatively high energy potential (20-22 MJ/kg), and is
> suitable for grinding in coal-grinding mills. It has an excellent combustion
> rate and low emissions. Moreover it is easy to store, even outdoors, since
> it is hydrophobic. Transport is relatively cheap.
> Initial tests (phase I of the project) were carried out in 2003 in the
> Netherlands and Britain.
>
>
>
> Results were very positive.
> After the positive outcome of phase I, the partners in the project, BGP
> Ingenieursbureau BV and Stramproy Contracting BV, decided to continue. Phase
> II is currently in progress. The aim is to produce large quantities of
> torrefied wood. It is produced in a continuous process plant which can
> produce a tonne of torrefied wood per hour.
> Many sectors of industry could be interested in this innovation,
> especially because of the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, which allows
> mixed biofuels to be offset against CO2 emissions.
> In future, it is believed that production will reach 10 tonnes an hour. In
> the meantime additional biomass will be provided by agriculture, the food
> industry, and forestry.
> Info: H. Kroopman, hkr at bgp.nl - M. Verbeeten, mv at bgp.nl - info at bgp.nl
>
> (MilieuDirect, Belgium, www.kluwer.be/kluwer/home.asp?doelid=3)
>
>
> AN FAO paper:
>
> http://www.techtp.com/tw%20papers/fao_paper.htm
>
>
>
>
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>
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-- 
Robert Flanagan
Chairman & President
Hangzhou Sustainable Agricultural Food & Fuel Enterprise Co., Ltd.

Skype "saffechina"
Tel:   86-571-881-850-67
Cell:  86-130-189-959-57
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