Generator for Fueling Internal Combustion
Engines in a Petroleum Emergency
By:
H. LaFontaine, Biomass Energy Foundation, lnc. Miami, Florida
And:
F. P. Zimmerman, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Energy Division
FEMA lnteragency Agreement Number: EMW-84-E-1737 Work Unit: 3521 D
For:
Federal Emergency Management Agency, Washington, D.C. 20472
"This report has been reviewed in the Federal Emergency Management Agency and approved for
publication. Approval does not signify that the contents necessarily reflect the views and policies
of the Federal Emergency Management Agency."
Date Published: March 1989
APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE: DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED
:
CONTENTS
ABSTRACT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
S.1. PRINCIPLES OF SOLID FUEL GASIFICATION
S.2. THE STRATIFIED, DOWNDRAIFT GASIFIER
1. WHAT 1S A WOOD GAS GENERATOR AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
1.1.INTRODUCTION
1.2.PRINCIPLES OF SOLID FUEL GASIFICATION
1.3.BACKGROUND INFORMATION
1.3.1.The World War II, Embowered Gasifier
1.3.2.The Stratified, Downdraft Gasifier
2. BUILDING YOUR OWN WOOD GAS GENERATOR
2.1. BUILDING THE GAS GENERATOR UNIT AND THE FUEL HOPPER
2.2. BUILDING THE PRIMARY FILTER UNIT.
2.3. BUILDING THE CARBURETING UNIT WITH THE AIR AND THROTTLE CONTROLS
3. OPERATING AND MAINTAINING YOUR WOOD GAS GENERATOR
3.1. USING WOOD AS A FUEL
3.2. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND ENGINE MODIFICATIONS
3.3. INITIAL START-UP PROCEDURE
3.4. ROUTINE START-UP PROCEDURE
3.5. DRIVING AND NORMAL OPERATION
3.6. SHUTTING DOWN THE GASIFIER UNIT
Contents
3.7. ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
3.7.1 Daily Maintenance
3.7.2 Weekly Maintenance (or every 15 hours of operation)
3.7.3 Biweekly Maintenance (or every 30 hours of operation)
3.8. OPERATING PROBLEMS AND TROUBLE-SHOOTING
CONTENTS
3.9. HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH GASIFIER OPERATION
3.9.1. Toxic Hazards
3.9.2. Technical Aspects of "Generator Gas, Poisoning"
3.9.3. Fire Hazard
APPENDICES
APPENDIX I. CONVERSION FACTORS FOR SI UNITS
APPENDIX II. LIST OF FIGURES
APPENDIX III. LIST OF TABLES
APPENDIX IV. BIBLIOGRAPHY
ABSTRACT: CONSTRUCTION OF A SIMPLIFIED WOOD GAS
GENERATOR FOR FUELING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES IN A
PETROLEUM EMERGENCY
H. LaFontaine, G. P. Zimmerman
This report is one in a series of emergency technology assessments sponsored by the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The purpose of this report is to develop
detailed, illustrated instructions for the fabrication, installation, and operation of a biomass
gasifier unit (i.e., a 'producer gas' generator, also called a "wood gas' generator) that is capable of
providing emergency fuel for vehicles, such as tractors and trucks, in the event that normal
petroleum sources were severely disrupted for an extended period of time. These instructions
have been prepared as a manual for use by any mechanic who is reasonably proficient in metal
fabrication or engine repair. This report attempts to preserve the knowledge about wood
gasification that was put into practical use during World War II. Detailed, step-by-step
fabrication procedures are presented for a simplified version of the World War II, Embowered
wood gas generator. This simple, stratified, downdraft gasifier unit can be constructed from
materials that would be widely available in the United States in a prolonged petroleum crisis. For
example, the body of the unit consists of a galvanized metal garbage can atop a small metal
drum; common plumbing fittings throughout; and a large, stainless steel mixing bowl for the
grate. The entire compact unit was mounted onto the front of a farm tractor and successfully field
tested, using wood chips as the only fuel. Photographic documentation of the actual assembly of
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