Biomass Gasifiers Downsides

This technology was developed before and during the dawning of the industrial revolution, it was further used during a fuel crisis in the 1920's in Europe, Wood Gas burners where used to run vehicles. This is a very efficient, sustainable and non-polluting source of energy. Hydrogen is cracked with the use of this method and CO or Carbon Monoxide is released as one of its by product... very toxic. This is the downside.

I have quoted this from a book on how to make your gasifiers:

"Generator gas poisoning is often caused by technical defects in the functioning of the gas generator unit. When the engine is running, independent of the starting blower, the entire system is under negative pressure created by the engine's pistons; the risk of poisoning through leakage is therefore minimal. However, when the engine is shut off, formation of wood gas continues, causing an increase of pressure inside the generator unit. This pressure increase lasts for approximately 20 minutes after the engine is shut off. For this reason, it is not advisable to stay in the vehicle during this period. Also, the gas generator unit should be allowed to cool for at least 20 minutes before the vehicle is placed in an enclosed garage connected with living quarters. It should be emphasized that the gas formed during the shutdown period has a carbon monoxide cdntent of 23 to 27% and is thus very toxic."

On Toxic Poisoning:

"Many deaths in Europe during World War II were attributed to poisoning from wood gas generators. The danger of 'generator gas poisoning' was one of the reasons that such gasifiers were readily abandoned at the end of World War II. It is important to emphasize that 'generator gas poisoning' is carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Acute 'generator gas poisoning' is identical with the symptoms that may develop if a heating stove damper is closed too early, or if a gasoline vehicle is allowed to idle in a poorly ventilated garage. Table 3-2 shows how poisoning symptoms develop according to the concentration of carbon monoxide in breathable air. It is important to note that rather brief exposures to very small concentrations of carbon monoxide result in undesirable physiological effects.

In case of carbon monoxide poisoning, first aid should consist of the following procedures:

Move the victim quickly out into the open air or to a room with fresh air and good ventilation. All physical exertion on the part of the victim must be avoided.
If the victim is unconscious, every second is valuable. Loosen any tight clothing around the neck. If breathing has stopped, remove foreign objects from the mouth (false teeth, chewing gum, etc.) and immediately give artificial respiration.
Keep the victim warm.
Always call a physician.
In case of mild carbon monoxide poisoning without unconsciousness, the victim should be given oxygen if possible."

This technology seems to be attractive for todays crisis... but I think it is better to stick with enhanced Fossil Fuels... Enhanced Fossil Fuel is about a Hybrid Approach in burning fossil fuel more thoroughly and completely.

Fossil Fuels that are incompletely burned or unburned will release methane... we don't want methane to be released into the atmosphere, what we need to do is crack methane further into it's most disintegrated form - making it harmless to our planet. The process of disintegration can be utilized to benefit mankind in the form of usable energy.

For extreme scenarios, wood gas reactors or biomass gasifiers should incorporate some water hybrid system in it's combustion applications. This will decrease the CO output - which is GOOD! But the wood as fuel is another question. For how long are we going to have a steady supply of waste woods?... another scenario will emerge, shortage of trees in the forest. In my honest opinion, the number of trees should not be compromised when it comes to making an alternative renewable energy project. The trees or any part of it should not even be part of it in the first place.

I think, the best applications for this will be the conversion of land rubbish into public grid energy when it is burned into Gasifiers to run Generators in Power Plants or Boilers with Water Hybrid system.

For those who can think and ponder about this... do so.