Ok here is the first VersiFire prototype. This is sort of a mockup at this point. There is much more!!
What is the VersiFire? This system will solve a market need for off grid LP / NG applications all while converting raw chip and chunk fuels into engine grade charcoal or bio char.
Developers are just fascinated by running engines on biomass. But we have all seemed to forget we can also run gas appliances and its actually more efficient. As running the gas direct at an appliance is a direct energy conversion verses running the electric counter part with wood gas derived electric power; you lose 75% of the gas energy potential in engine losses at the power generator. Besides if you are running one of our charcoal gasifiers and are making charcoal; why waste that energy produced in the charcoaling process?
The VersiFire is a simplified downdraft gasifier. A down draft gasifier does one thing very well and that is they make lots of charcoal. The VersiFire is especially built and optimized to bulk produce charcoal while retaining the pyrolysis gases to be stored in a twin gasometer system. As gas is produced the grate actuator will harvest the charcoal as it is produced while charging one of the gasometers. Once the gasometer is full it will under go a timed cooling cycle. As the gas is cooling, tars / soots will condense out while dust and debris settle and drop. The gas will be as clean as if brought to you by a utility. Once this gas is ready this gasometer will become a supply, while other one begins its charging and cooling cycle. They just flip flop back and forth providing an un interrupted gas supply.
This will also give the off grid system more balance as these gas appliance now shift electric power needs over to gas appliances. Thus less electric power you need. You will be able to run on demand hot water heaters. gas refrigeration, your stove / oven, clothes dryer and potentially all heating needs. This maybe the new way to heat with biomass and it will even run other appliances. This will flip the wood heating industry on its head!! This will also make running charcoal gasifiers the same as any other raw wood gasification. But fuel feed stock will be less critical and easier to produce for this gasifier as gas cleanliness is not an issue. The gasometer will scrub it clean and for composting this condensate left in the gasometer will also be desired.
That's Great,I like it !
Ok fired up the VersiFire for the first time. Check it Out!!
You always leave me on the edge of my seat!
Awesome,keep us updated with your progress !
Here is a quick update on the VersiFire. I will be ordering the accumulator barrels this week and get them built along with getting the ammo box filter and blower set up. Took a bit to think of a compact frame that would support the gasifier reactor and also integrate the gasometer barrels. But I think Ive come up with something we can offer in a kit that will be easy to assemble and viable to ship at the same time. As for a safety cage, Im going to leave that to the users discretion as this is a DIY kit.
I also need to install the grate agitator actuator mechanism yet. So I will tackle that when we tear it back down to install the accumulator drums. Once all this is built it will be ready to plumb up and install the electrical stuff. Then it should be ready to fire up. Im shooting for the end of September and this will be fully functional and proofed out.