Wood-burning gas generators - step-by-step manufacturing instructions. How we made a car gas generator (also suitable for domestic needs) Gas generator for heating a house by hand

The gas generator has a fairly simple design, since all the processes taking place in it are based on the pyrolysis combustion of wood. That is, the idea of ​​​​gas generators is based on pyrolysis boilers, where wood burns in a lack of air, releasing a large amount of various gases. Below we will provide information about the structure of this device.

• Frame. It is usually made from sheet steel. All elements are connected by welding. In general, the body can have either a cylindrical or rectangular shape, although the cylinder shape is more common and looks aesthetically pleasing. At the bottom, the legs are welded on which the structure will stand.
• Bunker. It is also made from low carbon steel sheets. Like the body, the hopper can also be shaped like a cylinder or rectangle . It is brought inside the housing and attached to the walls of the housing using bolts. There should also be a lid covering the hole at the top that leads into the hopper. Asbestos or some other material is used as a sealant.
• The combustion chamber. It is located at the bottom and is usually made of steel with a high chromium content. Z Here solid fuel combustion occurs under conditions of insufficient air supply. There are asbestos cords between the inner walls of the housing and the combustion chamber. On the side walls of the combustion chamber there are several holes, or as they are also called, air supply lances, through which air is supplied to the combustion chamber. These tuyeres are connected to an air distribution tank, which communicates with the atmosphere. When air leaves this container, it overcomes the check valve. The function of this valve is to block the release of gas formed during the burning of wood to the outside.
• The grate is located at the bottom of the device. Its function is to maintain hot fuel. Also, through the numerous holes of this grate, the ash formed during fuel combustion enters the ash pan.
• Loading hatches. There are three such hatches in the design of household gas generators. The first one is located on top, its lid folds horizontally. Asbestos cords are used as sealing during closing and sealing. In modern models, in the area where the hatch is attached, you can find a special spring-shock absorber, which automatically comes into action if the pressure inside the device exceeds a certain norm. Under the action of this spring, the hatch tips over. There are two more loading hatches on the side of the structure. The first of them is located at the level of the recovery zone. This hatch is used to load fuel into this area. The lower hatch is located at the lower end of the device, at the level of the ash pan. It is used to clean it. The gas formed during the combustion of solid fuel is removed from the upper part of the structure. For this purpose, there is a special gas outlet pipe.

• Drying zone. It is located in the upper part of the structure, immediately below the loading hatch. Here the fuel dries quickly due to the fact that the temperature in this zone reaches about 190 degrees Celsius.
• Dry distillation zone. It is located below the drying zone. The dried fuel here undergoes charring due to the fact that the temperature reaches up to 500 degrees. During these processes, tars and some acids of organic origin are removed from the fuel.
• Combustion zone. Located at the bottom. The fuel enters here and burns at a temperature of 1200 degrees. Air is supplied through special tuyeres. During combustion, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are released.
• Recovery zone. Gases released during fuel combustion rise upward and reach the reduction zone. Coal is loaded here through a special hatch, which is held on a grate. Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide react with coal. When carbon dioxide and coal react, carbon monoxide is formed during the reaction. But coal contains water, which is also active towards gases. As a result of all these reactions, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, methane, some volatile unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds, and nitrogen are formed. This mixture of gases is purified of all impurities and then mixed with air. This is the end result. The resulting mixture of gases can be used for domestic needs.

Combustible gas, so necessary for heating houses, cooking, as fuel for cars and other useful devices, is not only extracted from underground. The source of this valuable product can be firewood, peat, wood waste, coal and even certain types of garbage, for example, pieces of old linoleum or removed parquet, plastic unsuitable for further use, etc. To obtain gas in this way, you will need to purchase a special device or make a gas generator with your own hands. How to build it yourself - we’ll talk about that now.

Design and principle of operation of a wood-burning gas generator

Wood-burning gas generators are fired in the same way as conventional boilers. Moreover, here and there, solid fuel is used - wood. Firewood, sawdust, or other fuel is placed in a chamber located at the bottom of the gas generator. After this, the fire is ignited and the damper is opened to create draft. Also, you should pay attention to the fact that the damper opens only halfway, as the fire may go out. The reason for this is excess incoming air.

Design and operating diagram of the gas generator

The design of the gas generator is very simple; it is based on two chambers located in one housing. Fuel is burned in the lower compartment, and gas is burned in the upper compartment. Heated air constantly circulates through the pipelines.

The lower chamber has special openings for cold air intake. When heated, it rises and then enters the channel.

To obtain flammable gas from wood, it is necessary to provide special combustion conditions. To do this, a small amount of oxygen is supplied to the firebox, which prevents the fuel from simply burning. In this case, the temperature in the combustion chamber must be very high, more than 1100 degrees.

The wood-burning generator was used successfully for automobiles as early as World War II. Today, this idea is increasingly being returned for reasons of environmental safety.

As a result, a mixture of flammable gases is formed, which must be cooled. After this, the gas is passed through a series of filters to remove acetic and formic acid, ash, suspended particles, etc. The purified gas is fed into a mixer, where a certain amount of air enters it. This gas-air mixture is suitable for further use, for example, for heating water in a heating circuit or as fuel for an internal combustion engine. Understanding the principles of operation of the device will help when creating a wood gas generator with your own hands.

Please note that there is another type of wood-burning gas generator - a pyrolysis oven. It also produces flammable gases that enter the secondary combustion chamber rather than being removed for further use.

In general, the idea of ​​a wood-burning gas generator is not new, and in recent years environmentalists have advocated the use of such units for cars. The following video demonstrates the successful experience of creating a car gas generator that runs on wood.

Video: manufacturing and launching a gas generator

Advantages and disadvantages of the unit

Among the advantages of using gas generators, the following should be noted:

• quite high efficiency, which can reach 80-95% (for comparison, 60% efficiency for solid fuel boilers is considered a very good achievement);
• a long fuel combustion process, which eliminates the need to frequently add fuel (wood can burn for up to 25 hours, coal combustion can last up to 5-8 days);
• complete combustion of fuel, so the procedure for cleaning the ash pit and flue is carried out very rarely;
• the controlled combustion process can be automated;
• during operation, a minimum amount of harmful substances is released;
• home heating costs are reduced;
• You can load logs up to one meter long into the firebox;
• In some generator models, you can use freshly cut wood or wood with a moisture content of 50%.

The ability to automate the operation of the device, as well as the materials used in their creation, make a wood-burning gas generator safer than a traditional solid fuel boiler.

As fuel for the gas generator, you can use not only firewood, but also peat, coal, sawdust, old parquet, and some other waste

However, this unit also has a number of disadvantages that should be taken into account:

• Most models use an electric fan to supply air, due to which the device can be considered energy-dependent.
• When the generator power decreases by more than 50%, combustion loses stability, resulting in the release of tar that pollutes the flue.
• To avoid condensation, the heating treatment temperature must be maintained at 60 degrees or more.

In addition, the cost of generators offered by industrial production is almost 2 times higher than the cost of purchasing a solid fuel boiler. You can significantly reduce these costs by making the unit yourself.

How to make a wood-burning gas generator for heating a house with your own hands

Before you start making a gas generator with your own hands, you need to take a closer look at its design and understand the principles of operation.

Layout of elements and outline of the unit

The unit must consist of:

• the housing in which the remaining elements are enclosed;
• a bunker, also called a filling chamber, into which fuel is loaded;
• combustion chamber, in which the fuel combustion process occurs at very high temperatures;
• the neck of the combustion chamber, where the cracking of resins takes place;
• air distribution box with check valve;
• calibration holes, called tuyeres, which connect the middle part of the combustion chamber to the distribution box;
• grate designed to support coals;
• loading hatches with sealed covers (top and side - for loading fuel, bottom - for removing ash);
• a gas outlet pipe to which gas pipeline pipes are welded;
• a cooler, passing through which the gas cools to the required temperature;
• filters for purifying gas from impurities.

The diagram below shows how the elements of the gas generator are placed.

This diagram clearly shows all the components of the unit

The hot gas produced in the generator can be used to dry the fuel. To do this, part of the gas pipeline must be routed in a ring around the combustion chamber, placing it between the device body and the fuel loading chamber. This allows you to increase the efficiency of the device. A drawing of the device is shown below.

With a drawing it will be much easier to assemble the structure

Since the operation of a homemade sawdust generator occurs at high temperatures, fairly stringent requirements are imposed on each structural element. The body is usually welded from sheet metal, with small metal legs attached to the bottom. Traditionally it is made in a cylindrical shape, but there is no rule that says it cannot have a rectangular configuration.

This diagram clearly shows the design features of a wood-burning gas generator. Leaving the combustion chamber, the gases are mixed with air, cooled, and then undergo final purification

Stages of work on assembling a steel unit

Low carbon steel should be used to make the hopper. It is installed inside the housing and secured with bolts. The hopper lid needs a seal. Asbestos is often used for this, but it is considered hazardous to health, so you should purchase gaskets made from another heat-resistant material.

A combustion chamber made of heat-resistant steel is installed in the lower part of the bunker, and a neck is attached to the chamber. The body is separated from the neck with a sealing asbestos cord or other insulator.

Craftsmen who have managed to make a homemade gas generator note that it is convenient to use a gas cylinder, new or used, as a combustion chamber. In the latter case, there is a danger of the remaining gas igniting when the top of the cylinder is cut off. To prevent this from happening, the gas cylinder should be filled with water and then begin work.

The air distribution box is installed outside the gas generator housing. In order for a self-made wood-burning gas generator to work properly, a check valve should be installed at the outlet of the box to prevent gas from leaving the device through this hole. You can place a fan in front of the box to pump air. This design allows you to use even freshly cut wood for combustion, the humidity of which exceeds 50% (the norm for solid fuel boilers is 20%)

You can make a wood-burning gas generator from various suitable materials, for example, from a metal barrel or an old gas cylinder

The grate is most often made of cast iron. To simplify the cleaning procedure, the middle part of the grate is made movable, controlled by a special lever. An important element of the loading hatch is a shock-absorbing spring, which will allow you to lift the hatch cover in the event of excessive gas accumulation in the bunker.

Homemade gas generator from a cylinder or barrel

The barrel acts as a combustion chamber

Any barrel is suitable for making a boiler; you can even use an empty gas cylinder or make it yourself using welding and a sheet of steel. The thickness of the sheet should, as a rule, be no more than ten millimeters. You will need rings that will serve as a coarse gas filter and pipes that will serve as cold air intakes. It is also necessary to consider the removal of condensate so that it does not accumulate at the bottom of the boiler. This problem is most often solved by installing a drain valve.

Gas generators made at the factory cost a lot. Therefore, not everyone can afford them. Craftsmen prefer to make boilers themselves by following these steps:

1. Weld a cylinder from a sheet of steel and attach the legs. The body is ready.
2. Make a hopper and secure it to the top of the boiler with bolts. For the manufacture of this component, less carbon steel can be used.
3. Make a combustion chamber from a gas cylinder.
   

   Before cutting the cylinder, fill it with water, as residual gas may accumulate on top.

4. Then secure the gas distribution box; you can make it yourself or purchase it at a specialty store.
5. Install the grate that was assembled earlier - a device that will supply and exhaust air.
6. Install the chimney.

Small wood-burning gas generators can be installed in the house, since there is no risk of debris accumulating when loading, and the fuel can be stored next to the boiler.

Large units should be installed outdoors as close as possible to the storage area of ​​natural fuel material. In such a situation, it is possible to transport firewood to the device without much inconvenience. In addition, when placing the boiler in the yard, it will be possible to avoid contamination of the room with ash and dirt.

If the gas generator is located on the street, then for ease of connecting it, the pipes to the heating boiler should be laid on the ground.

Video: gas generator for heating

The desire to make life as comfortable as possible forces us to look for ways to achieve complete autonomy of our homes. First of all, it means connecting to the electrical network. Unfortunately, very often the energy supply is not at the proper level, intermittently, and then you have to either sit in the dark or look for alternative sources of electricity.

One of the options is a gas generator; not everyone can assemble it with their own hands, but everyone can buy an industrially produced model. However, such equipment is by no means cheap, which makes you think about the idea of ​​​​creating your own unit. We will try to make sure that it is really profitable.

What is this unit?

The fact that equipment of this class is attracting an increasing number of consumers is explained primarily by the lowest price of fuel when compared with gasoline and diesel. In addition, gas-powered generators are among the most environmentally friendly, which fully meets the requirements of the modern buyer.

Gas generator

There are differences in this unit in terms of design. It consists of the following blocks:

• Engine;
• Alternator;
• Technological piping.

The presence of the last unit, which includes control and maintenance devices, made it possible to achieve stable operation of the equipment in accordance with consumer requests. Many models have output current stabilizers and microprocessor units, which guarantees not only high quality generated electricity, but also the ability to monitor engine operation. Today, some of the gas generators are capable of simultaneously producing power and heat. They are the ones that most interest the modern consumer.

Design and principle of operation of the generator

Units of this class are usually equipped with a conventional internal combustion engine. It ignites and burns the gas mixture. This produces gases that drive the engine pistons and crankshaft, from which rotation is transmitted to a device that generates electricity.

Operating principle of the device

However, this also includes models that run on solid fuel. Structurally, they consist of two main blocks:

• Housings;
• Combustion bunkers.

How to make a gas generator with your own hands will be described below. Naturally, the operating principle of such a device will be different. To understand how this unit functions, let's consider the purpose of each block. The body is usually made of steel sheet and has a cylindrical shape, although rectangular is also allowed.

The lower compartment is a welded bottom with legs for ease of installation. Inside there is a filling chamber in which fuel is placed.

It is also made of steel and is shaped to match the body to which it is attached with bolts. The top of the unit is closed with a lid with an asbestos seal around the edge. If you intend to install a self-assembled gas generator indoors, then the gasket can be made of environmentally friendly material.

Fuel combustion occurs in the lower part. Heat-resistant steel is used for its manufacture. It has a neck used for cracking resins. It is separated from the body by an asbestos gasket.

The middle part is equipped with tuyeres or calibration holes. Through them, the oxygen necessary to maintain the combustion process is supplied. All camera parts are made of heat-resistant steel.

Gas unit diagram

The exit of gas from a pyrolysis gas generator, assembled by yourself, is limited by a special check valve, which is located at the outlet. It is possible to install a fan in front of it, which will increase engine power.

At the bottom of the device there is a grate where hot coals are placed. When burned, they turn into ash, which is poured into the ash pan.

But in order for the motor of a homemade gas generator to work without failure, the gas entering it is cleaned and mixed with air. For this purpose, filters installed behind the unit body are used. They are a pipe with special elements.

Types of gas installations

The modern power plant market offers equipment that runs on gas of three main types:

1. Direct generation method;
2. Reverse;
3. Horizontal.

The former are suitable for burning coal and semi-coke. In such units, oxygen enters from below, and gas is taken from the top of the unit. But since in these models moisture from the fuel does not enter the combustion zone, it has to be supplied specially. This allows you to increase the power of the device.

Reversed process units are an ideal option for burning wood waste. In them, air is supplied directly to the combustion zone, and gas is taken from below.

Transverse method devices are characterized by high-speed air supply through a tuyere in the lower part of the housing. Moreover, here, only from the opposite side, gas is taken off. These units are characterized by minimal start-up time and good adaptability to changing modes.

Power plant diagram - for craftsmen

Assembling such a unit with your own hands is not so difficult. However, before you start making a gas generator with your own hands, you need to familiarize yourself with the principle of operation of the unit, and also select the most suitable scheme for your conditions.

Installation design and connection diagram

For the simplest device, items that are easy to find in every home are quite suitable:

• Barrel;
• Pipes;
• Radiator;
• Filters;
• Fan.

This set can be supplemented with other elements. What and in what order to collect can be found on the Internet. Moreover, these are not necessarily drawings and photos, but most often a video that shows in detail and clearly explains how to assemble a gas generator on your own using manure, firewood and other fuel. If the scheme is selected, then you can proceed directly to assembly.

Creation instructions

Any unit consists of a housing, inside of which the main components and mechanisms are located. This is not alien to a gas generator assembled with your own hands. It also has a housing that contains:

• Bunker;
• Combustion compartment;
• Air distribution part;
• Grate;
• Pipe branch;
• Filters.

The unit body is usually made of sheet metal. For ease of installation, legs are welded to the bottom. The shape of the design can be either oval or rectangular.

We do it ourselves, stages of work:

The hopper is made of low-carbon steel and is mounted inside the unit. It is equipped with a lid with a seal made of asbestos or other material. The bottom of the device is occupied by the combustion chamber. For its manufacture, special grades of steel are selected that are most resistant to high temperatures. A neck is attached to the chamber, which is also separated from the body by insulating material.

Experts who have had to assemble gas generators with their own hands more than once suggest making the combustion chamber from a gas cylinder.

The air distribution chamber is usually located outside the device body. Moreover, a check valve is installed at the outlet of it, designed to prevent gas from escaping through this hole. A fan is placed in front of the box.

Looking at gas station signs with gasoline prices, every now and then a desire arises to switch the car to a cheaper type of fuel.

One of the popular options is converting a car to gas. But not everything is smooth here either. Against the backdrop of events in the gas and oil sector, gas prices may rise, which will make work pointless.

Problems with energy resources are obvious and no one yet knows how this will end for the end consumer.

If you decide to redo it, then you should choose independent and truly effective methods. And here gas-generating cars or, in simple terms, “wood-burning cars” come first in terms of savings.

HISTORY OF CREATION AND DEVELOPMENT, EXAMPLES OF WOOD-POWERED VEHICLES

Despite the slow progress of the topic of gas-generating machines, the history of such developments is very rich. So, back in 1823, the Russian inventor Ovtsyn I.I. developed an apparatus for distilling wood. It is based on the most common “thermal lamp”.

The main feature of the installation was the use of the main pyrolysis products - illuminating gas, acetic acid and tar, as well as charcoal.

Almost forty years later (in 1860), Etienne Lenoir, a Belgian waiter with engineering “inclinations,” made his contribution to science. It was he who first acquired a patent for an internal combustion engine operating on lighting gas.

Two years later, the installation of the newly minted genius appeared on an 8-seater open omnibus.

But in 1878, when the more powerful 4-stroke gas engine of Nicholas Otto was presented to the public, Etienne Lenoir's development was quickly forgotten. At the same time, the new device had a higher efficiency: 16% for Otto versus 5% for Lenoir.

Another two decades later, in 1883 (from 1860), a new concept of combining a conventional internal combustion engine and a gas generator appeared.

The English scientist E. Dawson managed to combine two devices in one box.

The resulting device could be safely installed on any equipment and safely operated. Over time, E. Dawson’s development became known as “Dawson gas.”

In 1891, Evgeniy Yakovlev (lieutenant of the Russian Navy) distinguished himself. He managed to build an entire plant for the production of kerosene and gas engines. The place for construction was St. Petersburg.

Over time, the plant ceased to exist due to the inability to resist competition with gasoline and diesel engines.

The year 1900 can safely be called the year of production of the first gas-generating car using charcoal and wood as fuel.

The device was developed in France by Frederick Winslow Taylor, and a patent was obtained a little later (in 1901).

Subsequently, new and more interesting developments in this area appeared. So, in 1919, Georg Imbert (an engineer of French origin) developed a reverse-type gas generator.

Already in 1921, the first cars with engines operating on this principle appeared. It was then that speculation arose about the likely competition of a gas-generating car with diesel or gasoline engines.

Over time, Germany also distinguished itself, where during the war not only wood-burning gas generators became widespread, but also devices capable of operating on special briquettes consisting of lignite dust and crumbs.

The first trucks with gas generators were very slow - they could hardly reach a speed of 20 kilometers per hour.

Despite this, by 1938 the popularity of gas-generating cars was so great that the total number of such cars was about nine thousand.

Three years later (by 1941), their number increased fiftyfold. For example, in Germany, the number of “wood-burning” cars has grown to 300 thousand copies.

The Soviet Union also tried to keep up. Here, the first tests of gas generator cars took place in 1928. The car was powered by a Naumov engine and a Fiat-15 chassis.

Six years later, the first large run of cars with gas generator engines was organized from Moscow to Leningrad and back.

ZIS-5 and GAZ-AA cars took part in the “race”. The success of the event contributed to the adoption in 1936 of a special resolution of the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR on the development of gas-generating tractors and machines.

GAZ - AA.

The first batch of new gas-generating vehicles appeared on the roads of the USSR in 1936.

Production was carried out at two plants - Gorky (GAZ-42) and ZIS (Stalin Plant).

Five years later, the production of gas generator engines for tractors and ZIS vehicles was launched.

The disadvantages of power units included multiple factory defects, high metal wear rates, minimal power, and so on.

On the other hand, gas generators helped a lot during the war and were actively used in the rear.

WOOD-FUELED GAS GENERATOR FOR A CAR – DEVICE AND PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

The automotive gas generator installation includes the following elements:

• rough cleaners;
• the gas generator itself;
• fine cleaners;
• mixer and ignition fan.

A simple diagram looks like this.

During movement, air is sucked into the gas generator using the thrust of a running motor.

The same thrust helps to “pump out” the flammable gas from the gas generator, as well as supply it to the coarse purifiers, and then to the fine filter.

After mixing with air in the mixer, the finished gas-air mixture is sucked into the engine cylinders.

After leaving the gas generator, the hot and contaminated gas requires additional processing (cooling and cleaning).

To do this, it is passed through a special pipeline that combines a gas generator with a fine filter.

In some designs, the gas passed through a special cooler mounted in front of the water radiator.

Most often, a combined system was used for cooling and cleaning.

Its principle of operation was to change the speed and direction of the gas flow. At the same time, the latter was cooled and cleaned.

The next stage is fine cleaning, for which special “ring” cleaners made in the shape of cylinders were used.

The operating principle of most fine filters was based on the water principle, when gas purification was carried out using water.

In the process of igniting the gas generator, a special centrifugal fan equipped with an electric drive was used.

Due to the fact that the fan needs to pump air through the entire purification system, the device was installed as close as possible to the mixer.

The formation of a combustible mixture is carried out in a car mixer.

The simplest type of device is a special tee in which air and gas flows intersect.

The volume of the mixture entering the engine is controlled using the throttle valve.

The quality of the gas-air mixture is regulated by an air damper.

Principle of operation.

The main fuel for a gas generating unit is coal briquettes, peat or firewood.

The operating principle of the system is based on partial combustion of carbon. The latter, during combustion, can connect one or a pair of oxygen atoms with the subsequent formation of two elements - carbon dioxide (dioxide) and carbon monoxide (monoxide).

If carbon does not burn completely, then almost 30% of the total energy can be obtained with complete combustion of the material.

As a consequence, the formed gas has a lower heat transfer than the original solid fuel.

It is worth noting that in a gas generator, during the conversion of wood or coal into gas, an exothermic reaction occurs between water and carbon monoxide.

Thanks to this reaction, the temperature of the resulting gas drops and the efficiency increases to 80 percent.

If the gas does not require cooling before use, the efficiency can reach 100%. As a result, 2-stage fuel combustion occurs.

The resulting gas has minimal calorie content due to its mixing with nitrogen.

Due to the fact that smaller volumes of air are needed to burn fuel, such a reduction in calorie content is insignificant.

As for the decrease in engine power when running on gas, the reason is a decrease in the charge of the fuel composition caused by the difficulty of cooling.

DO-It-Yourself WOOD-WOODED CAR

If you wish, you can make a wood-burning car with your own hands.

In a simplified version, the algorithm looks like this:

1. A loading hopper is equipped.

As a base, you can use a regular gas cylinder with a capacity of about 40-50 liters. Thanks to this capacity, large volumes of coal can be placed in the cylinder.

Other materials can also be used.

Make sure that the wall thickness is at least three millimeters.

Once a suitable cylinder has been selected, cut out the bottom and cut a neck for loading fuel. The hole for the lid should be wide to simplify the process of loading fuel.

2. A grate is made, which takes on the greatest load.

3. A special lid for the hopper is created.

Fuel (coal) will be loaded through it. If desired, the lid can be made of aluminum, but theoretically any other type of metal can be used.

During the installation process, pay attention to the choice of cord - it must be asbestos with mandatory impregnation with graphite.

This is necessary to protect the cord from burning and accidental damage in case of closing or opening.

You can get a high-quality cord at the market or in a boiler room. The optimal diameter of a suitable cord is 13 and 8 millimeters.

4. A tuyere is made.

The task of this device is to take on the main temperature load. During the installation process, everything is done in such a way as to make replacement easier.

5. A cyclone filter is manufactured.

The use of charcoal or brown coal, peat, straw or other substances for traveling by car has a characteristic feature - the presence of dust.

If you do not make a high-quality filter element, then dust can get into the carburetor, pistons, spark plugs and other components (including the interior).

You can find a ready-made solution right away.

6. Making a radiator (cooler).

Any material can be used here. As an option, it is possible to use a standard heating radiator made of aluminum.

You can construct a device from water pipes. Please note that the cross-section of the radiator, as a rule, is slightly larger than the cross-section of the pipes connected to it.

But still some take the simple route.

7. Manufacturing of a fine filter.

At the time of the first gas generators, fine filters were enormous in size and occupied a significant part of the car. However, the effectiveness was minimal.

Today we have modern materials at our disposal, thanks to which we can make a high-quality and compact filter at minimal cost.

In this case, the service life will be 10-20 thousand kilometers.

Here, as a rule, you will have to get rid of the luggage compartment lid to install a new device.

Some Kulibins hang the device behind the trunk. This is of course more practical, but it does not look very aesthetically pleasing.

9. Connecting the gas generator to the motor.

The switching tubes through which gas is supplied are supplied to the engine.

At the same time, the main structural elements must remain intact.

REGISTRATION WITH THE SAI

The most important thing is to register a car with a gas generator engine with the traffic police.

Here it is worth contacting the inspectorate in advance and clarifying the package of documents required for registration.

Unfortunately, in the CIS countries, legalizing cars converted for firewood is a very difficult task. The reason is the lack of GOST standards.

There are similar standards abroad, so the registration process takes a minimum of time.

Anyone who managed to register with the traffic police without problems, share your experience in the comments.

If someone has a motorcycle with a sidecar, then you can try to implement this option.

Despite the complexity of the device, craftsmen manage to build a gas generator with their own hands and create models with optimal parameters for economical home heating. If necessary, you can easily master the drawings of gas generators for self-production and study the design features of the unit.

The unit is a mechanized device, the operation of which involves the production of gas from all kinds of solid fuels - firewood, coal, mixtures. The resulting resource is used for various purposes: it is used to heat homes, is used as fuel for cars, and is used to ensure the operation of power plants. The device of a wood-burning gas generator is based on the components described below.

Frame

It is made of steel sheets that are joined by welding. The most common models are cylindrical in shape. Moreover, among the home-made units there are many gas generators of rectangular configuration. The body is equipped with legs that are welded to the bottom.

Bunker

The container is installed inside the housing and is a chamber for loading fuel. The shape of the compartment follows the geometry of the body; low-carbon steel is used in its manufacture.

The combustion chamber

The compartment can be seen at the bottom of the housing; it is necessary to support the combustion process. The unit is made of heat-resistant steel; in some models, the working surface is made using ceramics. For cracking of resins, a neck made of heat-resistant chromium steel is equipped in the far segment of the compartment.

In the middle part of the combustion chamber there are tuyeres through which air is supplied. The design provides calibrated holes that are connected to the air distribution box. The check valve at the outlet of the air distribution box prevents the leakage of flammable mass from the gas generator.

Grate

The cast iron grate is located in the lower part of the body of the wood-burning gas-generating installation and serves to support hot coals. The middle part of the structure is movable, which is necessary for cleaning the grate from slag. A special lever is used to rotate the grate.

Loading hatches

The design provides hermetically sealed lids with thoughtful functionality. Features of the top loading hatch:

• reclines horizontally;
• equipped with a sealing asbestos cord;
• The mount is supplemented with a special shock absorber.

In case of excess pressure inside the chamber, the hatch cover is lifted using a spring.

The side surface of the hull is also equipped with upper and lower loading hatches:

• the top hatch is used to add solid fuel to the recovery area;
• The bottom hatch is designed to remove ash.

The gas is discharged through a pipe that is connected to the gas pipeline. Before taking it outside the generator, the potential of the hot gas is used to dry the fuel in the loading chamber. Thus, the gas outlet pipeline is laid along a ring line around the chamber, which covers the perimeter between the housing and the bunker. Gas extraction is carried out in the recovery zone, most often in the upper half of the gasification unit, but it is also possible to extract the resource from the lower part of the housing.

Filters

At the exit from the generating unit, the gas enters the filtering devices, which are located behind the gas generator housing. Filters are tubular structures with appropriate cleaning media. Before entering the fine filter, the gas must be cooled, for which a special cooling compartment is used. Next, the purified gas is sent to a mixing unit for mixing with air.

Types of equipment

Based on the characteristics of the device, the following types of gas generators are distinguished:

• vertical gasifier – installation of a direct gasification process. The design provides for air intake from below through the grate, gas removal is performed from above. The moisture necessary for gas enrichment is supplied by a special channel, since in vertical gas generators moisture from the fuel does not enter the combustion zone. In gasgens of the direct gasification process, non-bitumen fuel is used - anthracite, semi-coke coal;
• reverse - here gasification occurs in an “inverted” order. The product is assembled in such a way that the air entering inside is directed immediately to the middle part of the body, that is, to where combustion is initiated. The resulting gaseous products are discharged below the active zone, directly into the ash pan. For such units, resinous fuel is relevant, in particular firewood and similar coal, wood processing waste;
• horizontal – gasification proceeds in the transverse direction. The air enters at high speed, and the outlet is provided on the side at the bottom of the housing. A gas sampling grid is installed opposite the tuyere.

Horizontal gas generators can easily adapt to changes in operating modes, and among the advantages of the unit they note that a minimum time period is required to start the installation.

Advantages and disadvantages

Along with such advantages of gas generators as independence and productivity, a number of other, no less significant, advantages of gas generating plants are noted:

• autonomy - a solid fuel gas generator saves the situation in cases where there is no power supply line, the supply of gas in cylinders is difficult, and there is no possibility of laying a main gas pipeline. The resulting flammable gas is used to ensure the operation of power plants and pumping units, and is sent for domestic needs, heating of residential buildings, and industrial facilities;
• high level of performance - the efficiency of solid fuel gas generating units is 80-95%. For example, the efficiency of conventional TT boilers does not exceed 60%;
• high octane number - the indicator varies between 110-140;
• adjustability of the combustion process - depending on the model of the gasification device, one stack of firewood is enough for the installation to operate efficiently for 8-12 hours. In wood-fired gasgens with an upper combustion type, this parameter varies up to 25 hours. In the case of a coal-fired gasification unit, one fill is enough to ensure uninterrupted operation for up to 5-8 days;
• the ability to automate the operation of the installation - an automated gas generator is capable of operating without human intervention, the process can be controlled remotely;
• environmental friendliness - fuel burns completely, the emission rate of harmful substances into the air is determined in minimum values;
• high level of device safety - this is ensured by the operation of automation, and the safety of the device is determined by the quality of materials;
• ease of maintenance and care - there is no need for frequent fuel refills, cleaning of the ash pan and flue is carried out less frequently due to the peculiarities of the gas generator;
• undemanding to the quality of fuel resources - depending on the model, the use of firewood with 50% humidity is allowed, some models of gasgens are capable of working on freshly cut wood. The unit can be loaded with firewood 1 m or more in length.

In addition to the use of various types of wood and wood waste, gas generators allow the recycling of plastic, rubber products and other polymers.

Disadvantages of gasification generators:

• high cost - prices for gas are almost 2 times higher than the cost of solid fuel mechanisms;
• energy dependence - not all models of gas generators operate autonomously. So, to suck air in, you need to install an electric fan;
• demanding work process - with prolonged use of the device at a power below 50%, the work is accompanied by the effect of unstable combustion, one of the consequences of which may be the accumulation of tar deposits in the chimney.

In addition, if the return temperature in the system drops below 60°C, condensation will form in the gas duct.

DIY options

When deciding how to make a bio gas generator with your own hands, the first thing you do is choose a design. To do this, you should use diagrams of factory or home-made units. Having ready-made drawings, it is easy to make a gasgen for heating or a gas generator for smoking with your own hands.

Tools and materials

To make your own gas generator, you need to prepare the following tools:

• welding machine;
• grinder;
• drill;
• set of hand tools;
• fasteners.

In a vertical combustion device, the produced gas rises vertically and is directed through a pipe for filtration and cooling. Procedure:

1. As a body, you can use a ready-made metal barrel, or you can use sheet steel 8-10 mm thick and a corner to create a structure of the required configuration.
2. The hopper is made of a similar material and fixed inside the housing.
3. The combustion chamber is made from an empty gas cylinder.
4. The neck of the combustion chamber is equipped with heat-resistant gaskets made of silicone or silicates.
5. Next, an air distribution box is equipped, and a check valve is mounted nearby. There are tuyeres between the air distribution unit and the chamber.
6. To create a gas filtration unit, use the body of an old fire extinguisher.
7. To cool the gas after rough cleaning, install a regular radiator; if desired, make a special coil.
8. To remove condensate, a seperator is used. To do this, a ribbed plate is inserted into a pipe d3-5 mm and fixed to the cold air supply point; the lower part is equipped with a condensate drain valve.
9. The grate is made from heat-resistant fittings, but it is better to use a ready-made cast iron grate of a suitable size.
10. Doors are installed from heat-resistant bases with hermetic seals.

It must be remembered that tightness is one of the important conditions for the correct operation of the device.

Manufacturing of a horizontal gas generator

In thermal power plants with a horizontal combustion process, gas moves in the lower half of the housing in horizontal flows. The device is somewhat simpler than similar vertical equipment.

Components of a horizontal gas generator:

• housing with a hopper, air duct and gas distribution unit;
• combustion chamber, which is equipped with a sealed neck;
• filters, cooling compartment, mixer.

When designing the unit, you should use diagrams and drawings of industrial or homemade gasgens.

Nuances of operating a gas generator

It is mistakenly believed that a homemade gas-generating unit is capable of operating on wood with a moisture content of up to 50%. It is worth considering that the higher the fuel moisture level, the lower the efficiency of the thermal power device. To optimize the work process, it is worth using hot gas to heat and dry firewood in the bunker. For these purposes, a gas pipeline is laid between the housing and the loading chamber: part of the thermal energy is spent on drying fuel resources.