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Introduction

Project Design and Management II Pegasus II (Measurement and Increment of the Efficiency of Pegasus Lawnmower Engine) Robert Crumrine Ben Knerr Rijesh Pradhan. Introduction. This Project is a continuation of the spring Pegasus project.

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Introduction

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  1. Project Design and Management IIPegasus II(Measurement and Increment of the Efficiency of Pegasus Lawnmower Engine)Robert CrumrineBen KnerrRijeshPradhan

  2. Introduction • 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

  3. Background • 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. • The energy is produced by combustion. • Wood, peat, coal, or lignite can be used for fuel.

  4. Old Dominion University Wood Burner Gas Generator • 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)

  5. 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. Figure 2 – Gasifier without casing and shaker.

  6. Design • Main body •     Manifolds •     air Inlet •     Storage compartment •     Basket •     Outlet pipes •     Access cover Rear view of the gasifier unit

  7. Design • Other components • Filter • Heat exchanger • Blower • Valves(air fuel mixture) • Nozzle Side view of pegasus

  8. Spring ‘11 Problems known before testing • Excess production of tar as output. Built up for testing • 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

  9. testing • March 9th 2011 • Outdoor temperature 17C and conditions windy. Initial Observation • Temperature not high enough ( fluctuating between 200C - 300C) The basket before and after ignition

  10. Initial Observation • Smoke coming out of the inlet ports. • Blower placed too far to provide efficient suction. • Output air not combustible. Air inlet ports

  11. Dismantling the unit Disassembly of the filter Removing the system piping

  12. dismantling • Filter filled with wood chunks. • Filter did not have enough crossover holes for proper airflow. Holes for cross flow of gases Wood crammed in the filter

  13. troubleshooting • 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.

  14. Conclusion after testing • 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.

  15. recommendations • 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) • Use of finer cut wood for proper combustion. • Filter modification or better assembly required .

  16. Figure 1 – PEGASUS Unit General Schematic (Ref 1)

  17. Autocad Conceptual view of the gasifier unit

  18. Budget • Temperature probe an meter $670 • Insulation $63 + s/h • Initial budget provided $500

  19. Appendix A: Ghantt Chart (510)-331-3767

  20. References • 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%20Presentation.pdf

  21. Questions???????

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