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Project Design and Management II Pegasus II (Measurement and Increment of the Efficiency of Pegasus Lawnmower Engine) Robert Crumrine Ben Knerr Rijesh Pradhan. Introduction. Our project is to construct a Biomass gasifier unit, or a wood gas generator, to substitute gasoline as fuel.
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Project Design and Management IIPegasus II(Measurement and Increment of the Efficiency of Pegasus Lawnmower Engine)Robert CrumrineBen KnerrRijeshPradhan
Introduction • Our project is to construct a Biomass gasifier unit, or a wood gas generator, to substitute gasoline as fuel. • Biomass gasifiersare excellent because the fuel can be abundant and easy to convert. • The structure needs a burner and pipes that can withstand high temperatures.
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.
Design • Main body • Gas generator • Filter Assembly • Heat Exchanger • Blower • Nozzle • Pipes Rear view of the gasifier unit
Test 1 • March 9th 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.
Conclusions 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.
Modifications • Installed insulation • Cleaned pipes • Replaced wood • Added gasket
Test 2 • April 2nd 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.
Analysis • 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
Optimization • 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.
optimization • Next major modification is to remove water vapor from the output air mixture.
Conclusion • Pegasus was tested. • Efficiency was improved. • Evaluated problems. • Clearly outlined future goals. • Key milestone of combustion temperature achieved.
Final Budget • 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
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
