[Terrapreta] SIMPLE CHARCOAL PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES

[Len Walde]

Hello Gerald:

I have a problem with the web address: All I get is a "Notepad".  Can you help?

Len


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Gerald Van Koeverden 
  To: Terra Preta 
  Sent: Saturday, March 22, 2008 9:43 AM
  Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] SIMPLE CHARCOAL PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES


  Rich,


  if you like the New Hampshire Kiln, also check out Radke's modification of it using agricultural materials.  I prefer the old design with the smooth sides, but if you have a small grain bin lying around, it would be cheapest.  It also includes "house catalytic converters for reducing air pollution during 
  charcoaling. Six-inch diameter disc-shaped catalytic converters are available from many 
  heating supply dealers or woodstove retailers and can be easily mounted in the 6” 
  diameter flue pipe. The catalysts are quite simple to use, and reduce air pollution from 
  charcoal making considerably."


  Go to his web page:   http://charcoal.fw.vt.edu/charcoal   and hit "how to make a charcoal kiln."


  Gerrit


  On 22-Mar-08, at 12:01 PM, Richard Haard wrote:


    thank you gerald - Helpful at moment as I am planning to make some charcoal, later this spring. 


    I want to make it similar to our top draft earth covered pile of last year where we pyrolysed about 1.5 cords in one burn ( after 3 tries).  This season I will do the same with a stainless restaurant hood that will let me stack about 1 cord. This year I have a endless supply of pallet boards cut to length by a local recycling company. There is a lot of oak and tropical hardwood so will make high quality charcoal. 


    I think where I am going with my idea this year is similar to the New Hampshire kiln, ie an appliance that can be lifted off with the tractor. I do not think it is necessary to do the elaborate welding for this bottom draft system as if there was a bottom segment that the hood sat on such as a berm  of soil, then the drafts could be dug in where needed. I think there also should be some holes made  in the hood with 1" pipes for management of combustion air.


    The Montserratian 'coal' pit is interesting because it has indeterminate length. I think a hybrid of this idea with a top draft system is where I am going . A small  tractor/bucket can easily scale this to any size for infield work. 


    My observation is that the stacking method and allowing for circulation of hot gasses inside the pile is important. We used pallets for base on a series of channels dug for circulation. We had considerable contamination with soil from our earth covered pile that came mainly with pile unloading. I think movable and easily transportable panels up against a layer of wet cardboard then hay would be the ticket. 


    Rich




    On Mar 22, 2008, at 6:08 AM, Gerald Van Koeverden wrote:


      For those considering building their own small-scale charcoal makers, here's a comprehensive VITA publication comparing 5 different charcoal production technologies.


      Gerrit


      "COMPARING SIMPLE CHARCOAL PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE CARIBBEAN"


      Appendixes


      I. Construction and use of carbonizing techniques
      Montserration coal pit
      3-pipe Mini CUSAB kiln
      Montserratian kiln
      Tongan kiln
      New Hampshire (Black Rock) kiln
      Jamaican retort with tar condenser
      Jamaican retort with gas ports


      II. Relative efficiency testing procedures for charcoal kilns


      III. Charcoal kiln test data sheet


      IV. Species of wood commonly used in charcoal production


      Bibliography






      http://www.cd3wd.com/CD3WD_40/VITA/CHARCPRD/EN/CHARCPRD.HTM
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