Posts: 1
From:Crivitz, WI 54114
Registered: Dec 2005

posted December 30, 2005 12:19 AM               

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Hello Ron & All!!
I'm new to this field, so please bear with me here. I'm attempting to design a feed system for a downdraft wood gassifier, useful for powering an automobile or home energy system. The materials I would like to auger include wood pellets, paper pellets, and small wood chunks (approx. 1/2 in. or less square). My concept relies on using a central drum into which the process of wood gassification occurs, and employing an external metal drum surrounding this central drum, to which is affixed a spiral to auger the pellets up into the central drum's top end, as well as act as a temporary storage site for the next pellet batch. As a means of filtering the wood gas produced, it has been recommended by some sources to pass this producer gas through a compartment filled with wood chips prior to final filtration, and I thought running these gasses up through the spiral auger filled with wood pellets/chips/chunks to be an ideal way of reducing gas tars or dusts, and eliminating the need to hand handle this material, as it would simply then be shuttled into the generator for the next batch once a refill was called for.
The questions I have relate to auger design. How well do vertical feed augers for solid chunks work, and what sorts of problems will I run into?? I know this is an odd idea, and perhaps I should consider some type of conveyor that follows a spiral track instead? Still testing out the options, and any suggestions you could shuttle my way would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Chuck Kottke

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Posts: 668
From:Brodheadsville, PA USA
Registered: Jun 2001

posted December 30, 2005 12:42 PM               

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A large diameter auger (6"+) with a small diameter shaft (1.5" +/-) and a short pitch flight (4") would probably work fine. Be careful, as large pieces have the potential to jam any auger. Sometime the initial flight clearance can be increased to aid the material getting into the auger without jamming, then the clearnace is filled in to improve conveying.

Some centerless augers are designed with large cleanrances and the ability to flex and move so that jamming on big pieces is minimized.

Tom C

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