The other member of the science department, Philip Gerard, has been installing a wood gasification boiler in his home in Thomaston. This hot water heating system boiler burns any kind of wood with 85% efficiency (as compared to 50% efficiency for most non-catalytic wood stoves) and results in virtually no particulates and only water vapor and carbon dioxide as exhaust from the chimney.
Wood gas is produced by applying heat to wood, a process called pyrolysis. The wood gas is drawn through the bottom of the firebox and into a uniquely designed refractory by an induction fan. The gases are combined with oxygen and combusted in the refractory. The super heated gases pass through the interconnected refractory tunnels and in to a swirl chamber. This is where the bulk of heat exchange takes place. The superheated refractory then continues to gasify the wood remaining in the firebox. After combustion the residual ash is combined with high velocity air flow to continually clean the heat exchanger allowing for consist heat exchange. The small amount of ash that remains is collected, as it exits, in a “cyclone separator” removing particulates from the exhaust gases.
The furnace is up and running — come visit and take a look. I’m certain that this type of furnace will be a big part of our energy future.
