CONSTRUCTION OF A SIMPLIFIED WOOD GAS GENERATOR FOR FUELING
INTERNAL COMIBUSTION ENGINES IN A PETROLEUM EMIERGENCY
H. LaFontaine G. P. Zimmerman
ABSTRACT
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 emergeney fuel for vehicies, 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 mechanie 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,
Imbert 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 exampie,
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 the unit as well
as its operation is included.
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