4. BASIC OPERATION
The gas producers are supplied with properly matching 220
volt single phase 50 Hz electric starter fans. On sites
where 220 volt electric power supply is not available, a 12
volt or 24 volt battery powered DC electric fan can be used
for starting.
Where a dual wood gas/diesel generator is running on wood
gas, the starter fan as well as the cooling water pump can
be powered from the generator. It is started and runs on
100% diesel during the short time required for the starting
of the gas producer. When the gas is ready and after the
generator has been switched on, delivering power, it is only
then switched over to dual wood gas/diesel operation.
The igniting of a gas producer is done through the hearth
igniter sleeve, while the raw gas flare-off valve is open
and the starter fan running, by inserting a few sparklers
locked in a sparkler holder. In an emergency, starting can
also be done by inserting a small glowing wooden stick.
As there is no tar in the gas, the cooling and cleaning is a
simple operation, which does not produce any dirty tar
contaminated toxic water or deposits. Since it is not tar
contaminated, the filter media lasts for a long period of
time between the changes. The filter media is changed with
one filter at a time without power interruptions. The lids
are easily handled from a light overhead travelling rail
chain tackle. Both the raw gas and the cooled and filtered
clean gas is ignited and flared-off within 5- to 10 minutes
from starting, with 220/10,000 volts electric ignition. On
sites where 220 volts power is not available, the gas
flare-off ignition can either be done with power from a
battery powered DC / 220 volt AC inverter, or manually with
a long handle-paraffin soaked torch, which is used with
small gas producers.
Standard design normal size wood gas producers are, when
working under Developing World conditions, easiest and
quickest refuelled when using the simple affordable SJG
electric micro-winch re-fuelling goose-neck with a
“side-swing-gate” bottom opening fuel bucket, operated from
the re-fuelling platform. Micro winches are available in
suitable sizes. Large gas producers can use a re-fuelling
skip or a slat- or bucket re-fuelling wood conveyor, in
combination with a receiving hopper having an air-tight
single sliding gate valve underneath on the gas producer top
with an unsealed sliding gate valve against the wood fuel
above as protection. Both are synchronised and operated by
hydraulic or compressed air rams.
Standard size gas producers are provided with a single
refuelling lid / explosion pressure release vent which helps
to restrict the gas producer height, since when the gas
producer is operated correctly, any smoke or gas emission
from the lid when opened is sucked back into the gas
producer because of the systems vacuum with the engine or
suction gas fan running. The duration of refuelling is very
short (3 to max.5 min.).
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