Transcript Project Design and Management Pegasus II (Measurement and

PROJECT DESIGN AND
MANAGEMENT II
PEGASUS II
(MEASUREMENT AND
INCREMENT OF THE EFFICIENCY
OF PEGASUS LAWNMOWER
ENGINE)
ROBERT CRUMRINE
BEN KNERR
RIJESH PRADHAN
INTRODUCTION
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This Project is a continuation of the spring
Pegasus project.
The purpose is to construct a Biomass gasifier
unit, or a wood gas generator, to substitute
gasoline as fuel.
to measure and enhance the output delivered
from it to increase efficiency
BACKGROUND
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Biomass gasifers are excellent because the fuel
can be abundant and easy to convert
The structure needs a burner, heat exchanger,
and pipes that can withstand high temperatures.
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The energy is produced by combustion.
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Wood, peat, coal, or lignite can be used for fuel.
OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY WOOD BURNER
GAS GENERATOR
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Presently it is used to fuel a lawnmower
engine(Pegasus).
In the past, this technology has been used to
power internal combustion engines.
The operation of the Gas Generator is simple.
The fuel is starved of oxygen.
The basic chemical equation for this is,
C6H12O6 + 3O2 → 6CO + 6H2O (g)
HOW IT WORKS
The Burner uses a process
called gasification.
 Optimum temperature is
1000 degrees Celsius.
 Products of the starved fuel
becomes carbon monoxide,
hydrogen, methane, tar and
dust.
 Carbon monoxide and
hydrogen make up the
combustible gas that feeds the
engine.
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Figure 2 –
Gasifier without
casing and
shaker.
DESIGN
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Main body
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Manifolds
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air Inlet
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Storage compartment
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Basket
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Outlet pipes
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Access cover
Rear view of the
gasifier unit
DESIGN
 Other
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components
Filter
Heat exchanger
Blower
Valves(air fuel mixture)
Nozzle
Side view of pegasus
SPRING ‘11
Problems known before testing
 Excess production of tar as
output.
Built up for testing
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Scaled autoCAD model
construction for temperature
probe and insulation
installation concepts.
Procuring the insulation and
temperature probe.
Removal of tar in the pipes .
Tar as unwanted
output
TESTING
March 9th 2011
 Outdoor temperature 17C and conditions windy.
Initial Observation
 Temperature not high enough ( fluctuating
between 200C - 300C)
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The basket before and after ignition
INITIAL OBSERVATION
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Smoke coming out of the inlet
ports.
Blower placed too far to
provide efficient suction.
Output air not combustible.
Air inlet ports
DISMANTLING THE UNIT
Disassembly of the filter
Removing the system piping
DISMANTLING
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Filter filled with wood chunks.
Filter did not have enough crossover holes for
proper airflow.
Wood crammed in the
filter
Holes for cross flow of
gases
TROUBLESHOOTING
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The blower was attached to
the top of the gasifier unit.
The temperature increased to
460C
Smoke discharging from the
blower increased .
Smoke discharging from the
inlet ports decreased.
CONCLUSION AFTER TESTING
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System doesn’t have sufficient air flow.
Maximum temperature reached too low .
(460 C compared to the required 1000C)
Thicker wood chunks caused uneven heat
distribution
Filter actually obstructs the airflow to the
blower.
RECOMMENDATIONS
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Blower needs to be closer to the gasifier unit to
provide better suction.
Installation of insulation around the unit to
decrease heat loss.(next step)
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Use of finer cut wood for proper combustion.
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Filter modification or better assembly required .
FIGURE 1 – PEGASUS UNIT GENERAL
SCHEMATIC (REF 1)
AUTOCAD
Conceptual view of the gasifier unit
BUDGET
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Temperature probe an meter
$670
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Insulation
$63 + s/h
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Initial budget provided
$500
APPENDIX A: GHANTT CHART
(510)-331-3767
REFERENCES
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1. La Fontaine, Harry; Zimmerman, F.P. Construction of a Simplified Wood
Gas Generator for Fueling Internal Combustion Engines in a Petroleum
Emergency. 2nd ed. Golden, CO: The Biomass Energy Foundation Press. (1)
2. Papworth , and Skov. Driving on Wood. The Biomass Energy Foundation
Press, 2006.
3. Das. “The Up-Downdraft Gasifier.” Woodgas. Web.
http://www.woodgas.com/history9.htm
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4.Vinod. Volvo 240 Converted to run on Wood Gas. Automotto, 29 July 2010.
Web.
http://www.automotto.org/entry/duch-john-converts-his-volvo-240-to-run-on-woodgas
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5.Lynch, Eric. Biomass Gasification. What is it? Can it be used now?.
Surfers without borders, 21 Jan. 2006.
http://www.surferswithoutborders.org/Resources_files/Biomass%20Gasification%2
0Presentation.pdf
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QUESTIONS???????