1. P ROJECT D ESIGN AND M ANAGEMENT II P EGASUS II (M EASUREMENT AND I NCREMENT OF THE E FFICIENCY OF P EGASUS L AWNMOWER E NGINE ) R OBERT C RUMRINE B EN K NERR R IJESH P RADHAN

2. I NTRODUCTION Our project is to construct a Biomass gasifier unit, or a wood gas generator, to substitute gasoline as fuel. Biomass gasifiers are excellent because the fuel can be abundant and easy to convert. The structure needs a burner and pipes that can withstand high temperatures.

3. H OW 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. Figure 2 – Gasifier without casing and shaker.

4. D ESIGN Main body Gas generator Filter Assembly Heat Exchanger Blower Nozzle Pipes Rear view of the gasifier unit

5. T EST 1 March 9 th 2011 Initial Observations Temperature not high enough ( fluctuating between 200C - 300C) Smoke coming out of the inlet ports. Blower placed too far to provide efficient suction. Output air not combustible. Fire location was located to close to inlet ports.

6. C ONCLUSIONS AFTER TEST 1 System doesn’t have sufficient air flow. Blower placement directly affects maximum temperature. Thicker wood chunks caused uneven heat distribution. Filter and heat exchanger actually obstruct the airflow to the blower. Transfer tubes are partially clogged with combustion debris.

7. M ODIFICATIONS Installed insulation Cleaned pipes Replaced wood Added gasket

8. T EST 2 April 2 nd 2011 Initial Observations Optimum temperature was reached. Gas flow changed based on blower location. Smoke did not flow out of inlet ports. Outflow was saturated with water. Fire location was located to close to inlet ports.

9. A NALYSIS Insulation improved combustion temperature. Outlet gases were incombustible. Flame is positioned too close to inlet ports. Heat exchanger is reducing gas flow and not necessary. Air inlet ports

10. O PTIMIZATION The heat exchanger needs to be removed. Air inlet needs to be modified. Add protective paste to the insulation. A component is needed to remove water vapor.

11. OPTIMIZATION FilterMethodPros and Cons The tankCooling tank that condenses air in mixture Filtering Unit too big for this project Water separatorUses centripetal force to separate water Not that expensive($125) Refrigerated air dryerCools the vapor below it’s dew point Very expensive ($1238) Desiccant bead air dryer Uses desiccant beads to absorb water Expensive($776) Beads have to be cleaned regularly Next major modification is to remove water vapor from the output air mixture.

12. C ONCLUSION Pegasus was tested. Efficiency was improved. Evaluated problems. Clearly outlined future goals. Key milestone of combustion temperature achieved.

13. Temperature probe and meter $670 Insulation $63 + s/h Initial budget provided $500 Proposed budget Insulation paste ~$100 Pipes ~$5 Installation Labor ~$100 Water Separator $125 Final Budget

14. A PPENDIX A: G HANTT C HART

15. R EFERENCES 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 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-wood- gas 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

16. Q UESTIONS ???????