The principle of operation of the gas generator - gas generator. We make a gas generator for a car on our own Gas-generating cars on wood scheme


It is possible to obtain electricity using new technologies, which include wind farms, and by using methods that have been known for several decades. Energy generating devices include a gas generator. The device can be the main source of electricity and a backup, designed to support the operation of household equipment during temporary power outages. Gas generators are used to generate electricity and for space heating. High efficiency equipment is an acceptable alternative for heating private houses in the absence of natural gas.

Principle of operation and features

One of the main questions that arises for a person who does not encounter a wood-burning gas generator is what kind of principle the equipment has and what it is for. The use of such a device for obtaining gas allows us to solve several problems:

  • create a backup power supply system for a private house;
  • obtain comfortable microclimatic conditions during the heating season and at the same time obtain gas for other purposes (for example, cooking);
  • ensure the operation of the internal combustion engine of the car.

By heating solid fuel to 1100 °C and limiting the access of oxygen to its combustion zone, it is possible to make the equipment pyrolytic. The basic principle of operation of the gasifier is to convert the cellulose contained in wood into olefins (propylene and ethylene) by means of a pyrolysis process. The resulting gases are cleaned by a filter system from soot, ash and other impurities, and then cooled. After cooling, the products end up in the secondary combustion chamber, where they continue to burn, heating the walls of the boiler. To improve the combustion process, air is supplied to the same furnace. The technical details are detailed in the video below.

The efficiency of pyrolysis boilers is higher compared to conventional wood-burning stoves and boilers, and the time and money spent on creating a homemade gas generator will pay off in the long run. Moreover, a wood-burning gas generator can be made not only for heating, but also for water heating equipment. To do this, the walls of the boiler, heated during the combustion of firewood, are connected to a heat exchanger.

Pros and cons of using wood gas generators

Among the advantages of using gas generators, it is worth noting:

  • Efficient use of woodworking waste - sawdust, trimmings and wood chips. Usually such materials are classified as garbage and thrown away - the generator receives heat and gas from them.
  • High efficiency of the gas generator, depending on the methods of counting calories, reaching 80-95%. For budget wood-burning boilers, the coefficient rarely exceeds 70%.
  • Possibility of use in places remote from large settlements and having neither gas supply nor electricity supply.
  • Environmental friendliness of the installation compared to oil-fired boilers, which not only emit more harmful substances into the air, but also require the creation of special fuel storage tanks.

The widespread use of wood-burning gas generators is hampered by several disadvantages, the main of which can be called large dimensions devices. The video below shows a gas generator being used to heat a 1200 m² locksmith shop.

In addition, during operation, the equipment requires constant cleaning - the centrifuge, furnace and cooling elements are regularly cleaned. The disadvantages include the need for periodic replacement of "consumables" (filters for the gas obtained using the installation) and the use of only wood with a moisture content of up to 20%.

Firewood for kindling requires storage space, and gas begins to form only 20-30 minutes after the start of combustion. When using a gas generator for a private house, you should not pay attention to the last two shortcomings, but for a car these disadvantages are critical. It is almost impossible to regulate the temperature in the furnace, and the walls of the chamber are very hot, so the equipment lasts less compared to wood-burning stoves and boilers used for heating.

Making a wood-burning gas generator for a private house

An important nuance that should be taken into account when creating a wood-burning gas generator with your own hands is the equipment diagram. It indicates not only the elements, but also the direction of movement of air and gas flows. On the Internet, you can find different options for gas generators, and one of the most popular among domestic homeowners is a device that is assembled on the basis of a 200-liter metal barrel.

In the upper part of the cylindrical body, a wood bunker is arranged, the volume of which is assumed to be approximately 60–70 liters. As a filter element of the generator, a zigzag pipe is usually used. You can take for this and the body of the fire extinguisher. The filter is equipped with a tap that allows you to collect and bring out the condensate that appears during the combustion of raw wood.

The principle of operation of a wood-burning gas generator, the device and drawing of which are used to create a home-made device, is as follows:

  • firewood laid in the bunker gets into the firebox and burns;
  • in the process of combustion, gas is formed, which enters through the coarse cleaning system into the skirt in the upper part;
  • when passing through the cooling filter, the gas cools down and is discharged through a special pipe (for example, to the internal combustion engine or to an additional combustion zone).

When damp firewood is burned, the gas enters the “skirt” and, upon contact with cold air, leaves a small amount of water. The liquid passes through a separator made of a pipe with a ribbed plate inserted inside and drains out. To increase the efficiency of the boiler, the purified gaseous fuel obtained by burning wood is used for additional heating, getting into the second combustion zone. In this case, only carbon dioxide (CO₂) escapes.

The video below shows a variant of a gas generator for heating made of sheet metal.

By creating a gasgen with your own hands, you can provide for a boiler in the design. The water is heated by the return fuel gas, which is additionally cooled during this process. On average, such equipment provides heating of 5–10 liters of water per minute by 20–30 degrees.

Features of installation and use

The place for the equipment is selected taking into account the lack of smell in the produced gas and its danger to the human body. Therefore, it is advisable to install home-made gas generators on wood in separate rooms. The room must meet the same requirements as the boiler room - have good forced ventilation and a volume of at least 15 cubic meters.

To output the gas, a special gas pipe is used, fixed with clamps to the generator nozzle. Under the installation, a base made of fireproof materials must be provided. It is also worth noting that the work on assembling the gas generator must be carried out by a professional - if there is no experience in carrying out such work, it is better to refuse to make a home-made device for producing gas or increasing the efficiency of burning wood.

Automotive gas generator

The difference between a gas generator for a vehicle is its compactness and increased reliability - although even such characteristics do not allow driving a car at high speed. However, acceleration to 80-90 km / h is quite possible. The material for the manufacture of an automobile gas generator is most often metal containers. Serial production involves the use of stainless steel, which reduces the weight of the generator and improves aesthetic parameters. Handicraft production of such devices leads to efficient, but not too neat-looking and heavy wood-burning stoves, the gas from which is transferred to the gas engine of the car.

Niva car powered by a gas generator

A good option for creating a gas fuel generator for a small car can be an old propane tank. For the internal part of the circuit, the devices provide for the use of a receiver from a truck with a volume of 20 or 40 liters. Thin metal is chosen for the grate, and ordinary pipes for heating are used for pipes.

The lid with fasteners is made from the top of the cylinder or sheet steel. It is sealed with an asbestos cord treated with graphite impregnation. A coarse filter is made from an old fire extinguisher or a piece of pipe corresponding in length. At the bottom of the filter element, a cone-shaped nozzle is installed through which ash will be shipped. From above, the pipe or fire extinguisher is covered with a lid with a pipe built into it.

The presence of coolers, which are often used as bimetallic heating radiators, is required for two reasons:

  • too hot gas has a low density and cannot ensure the efficient operation of the internal combustion engine;
  • when hot gas comes into contact with hot engine parts, a flash may occur.

Another important design element is the mixer, which allows you to adjust the proportions of the gas-air mixture. If the fuel concentration is not changed, the gas with a calorific value of 4.5 MJ/m 3 will enter the engine, which is 7.5 times less than that of conventional propane. By changing the proportion using a special damper, the gas-air mixture is brought into line with ordinary gas.

Check out a series of videos on creating a gas generator for a Moskvich car.

Vehicle installation

Before installing a wood-burning gas generator, you need to choose a suitable place. On trucks, the installation is located between the cab and the body, on buses - on the side (from the driver's side). For a passenger car, two options are allowed - installation in the trunk or on a separate trailer.

The gas generator in the luggage compartment looks neater and does not interfere with the design of the vehicle. But using such a device is inconvenient, and there is practically no space left for transporting goods. Separate installation of the device on a trailer not only saves space in the trunk, but also simplifies the repair of equipment. In addition, the trailed gas generator can be disconnected, if necessary, by switching the machine to gasoline or bottled gas. The disadvantage of the trailer option is the increase in the total length of the vehicle, which creates parking problems, and the additional cost of purchasing a trailer.

conclusions

By creating a home gas generator for heating a house or operating an internal combustion engine, you can get a device that allows you to partially replace natural gas and generate electricity, reducing wood consumption by increasing efficiency and increasing the burning time of one portion of solid fuel. The burning time of one bookmark of wood in the furnace of a gas generator, when using the resulting gas as an additional energy carrier, reaches 8–20 hours. The operation of the equipment is quite simple, except for periodic cleaning, and only filter elements require replacement.

Despite these advantages, it is impractical to install a home-made wood gas generator on a car. The savings will not be as significant as a decrease in the level of comfort of using the vehicle and unpredictable consequences for the internal combustion engine. The only compelling argument in favor of such a decision can only be problems with the purchase of gasoline.

An acceptable option is to assemble a gas generator for a private house with your own hands. In this case, the device will become a source of gas for a heating boiler, gas stove and a small home power station.

In search of an alternative energy source, the understanding came that it is not necessary to produce gas in mines in order to then burn it in boilers and internal combustion engines, combustible gas can be extracted from industrial waste and wood. A gas generator or, as it is also called, a gas generator by burning local fuel - firewood, peat, charcoal, sawdust and other wood waste, as well as sometimes other organic residues, can emit / generate combustible gases such as CO, CH4, H2 and others. There are several options for using the resulting gas, but in any case, each device is based on the principle of a gas generator. About how the gas generator works, what elements it consists of, as well as what processes take place inside it, we will describe in this article. We will also consider options for the further use of the resulting gas and places where such units can be installed.

So, what are the options for using the gas obtained in the gas generator?

First, combustible gas is sent to the gas stove in the kitchen and used for cooking. The second - combustible gas is burned immediately in a pyrolysis heating boiler with a gas generator, respectively, is used to heat a house or greenhouses. By the way, such boilers can be called a gas-fired boiler, solid fuel pyrolysis boiler, gas-fired boiler. All of them can be used both for domestic needs and for heating huge industries and workshops or enterprises. Third, combustible gas can be sent to an internal combustion engine, which serves as a drive for a pumping station or an electricity generator. A wood-fired gas generator makes it possible to obtain electricity in those regions where it is not possible to lay power lines, lay a gas pipeline, and it is difficult to supply gas in cylinders. In addition to autonomy, gas generators have other advantages, which we will discuss below.

Advantages and disadvantages of gas generators

As an example, consider the advantages and disadvantages of gas-fired heating boilers. Pyrolysis boilers belong to the category of solid fuel, but differ significantly from conventional wood or coal stoves, where the usual process of fuel combustion takes place.

Advantages of gas generating boilers:

  • The efficiency of gas-fired boilers is in the range of 80 - 95%, while the efficiency of a conventional solid fuel boiler rarely exceeds 60%.
  • Regulated combustion process in a gas-generating boiler - one bookmark of firewood can burn from 8 to 12 hours, for comparison, in a conventional boiler, burning lasts 3 - 5 hours. In gas-generating boilers with top combustion, the combustion of firewood lasts up to 25 hours, and coal can burn for 5-8 days.
  • The fuel burns out completely, so it is not often necessary to clean the ash pan and flue.
  • Due to the fact that the combustion process can be regulated (power is adjustable in the range of 30 - 100%), the operation of the boiler can be automated, such as gas or liquid fuel.
  • Emission of harmful substances into the atmosphere from the gas generator is minimal.
  • Gas-fired boilers are more economical than conventional ones.
  • Fuel for gas generators does not have to be dried up to 20% moisture content, there are boiler models in which wood up to 50% moisture content and even freshly cut wood can be used.
  • Possibility of loading unchopped logs up to 1 m long and even more into the boiler.

  • In addition to firewood and wood industry waste, rubber, plastic and other polymers can be recycled in pyrolysis boilers.
  • The high safety of the boiler compared to a conventional solid fuel boiler is ensured by automation and the materials from which the unit is made, and in particular the combustion chamber.

If we talk about gas generators that are used to generate electricity, they have exactly the same advantages, such as environmental friendliness, economy, high efficiency, high octane number 110 - 140, versatility in terms of fuel used and greater efficiency in winter.

Disadvantages of gas-fired boilers:

  • For a gas generator, the price is 1.5 - 2 times higher than for a conventional solid fuel boiler.
  • For the most part, gas generators are volatile, since a fan is used to suck in air, but there are also models that can work without electricity.
  • If you use a gas-generating boiler at a power below 50%, then unstable combustion is observed - as a result of precipitation of tar, which accumulates in the flue.
  • The heating return temperature must not be lower than 60 °C, otherwise condensate will form in the flue.
  • Usually gas generators are demanding on the moisture content of the fuel, but as mentioned above, there are models in which even freshly cut wood can be burned.

No other significant shortcomings of gas generators have been identified.

By the way, gas generators are not such a new invention. Even in the middle of the last century, when most of Germany's oil resources were used, firewood was used as fuel for cars. Even trucks were equipped with gas generators. Modern units have not gone too far in their design, but, nevertheless, have been thoroughly improved.

The principle of operation of the gas generator - gas generator

Combustible gas is produced from solid fuel in a gas generator or gas generator. The main secret is that air is supplied to the combustion chamber, the volume of which is not enough for complete combustion of the fuel, while maintaining a high temperature of the order of 1100 - 1400 ° C. The resulting gas is cooled and sent to the consumer or internal combustion engine if, for example, it is planned to produce electricity. We will consider in more detail the principle of operation of the gas generator below, specifying which process occurs in which element of the unit.

The device of the gas generator on wood

Consider a domestic gas generator device. I would like to note right away that pyrolysis boilers with a gas generator differ from the proposed scheme, since gas combustion occurs inside the boiler in the second combustion chamber. We will consider only the gas generator itself, at the output of which a combustible gas is obtained.

Gas generator housing made of sheet steel and has welded seams. The most common body shape is cylindrical, but it may well be rectangular. A bottom and legs are welded to the lower part of the body, on which the gas generator will stand.

Bunker or filling chamber serves to load fuel into the gas generator. It also has a cylindrical shape and is made of mild steel. The bunker is installed inside the gas generator housing and secured with bolts. On the cover of the hatch leading to the bunker, an asbestos sealant or gasket was used on the edges. Since asbestos is prohibited for use in residential areas, there are models of gas generators whose lid seals are made of a different material.

The combustion chamber located at the bottom of the bunker and made of heat-resistant steel, sometimes the inner surface of the combustion chamber is finished with ceramics. Fuel is burned in the combustion chamber. Resin cracking occurs in its lower part, for which a neck made of heat-resistant chromium steel is installed there. Between the body and the neck there is a gasket - a sealing asbestos cord. In the middle of the combustion chamber are air lances. The tuyeres are calibrated holes that connect to an air distribution box connected to the atmosphere. The lances and junction box are also made from heat resistant steel. A non-return valve is installed at the outlet of the air distribution box, which prevents the combustible gas from escaping from the gas generator. In order to increase engine power or to be able to use firewood with high humidity (more than 50%), it is possible to install in front of the air distribution box fan, which will force air inside.

Grate serves to keep hot coals burning. It is located at the bottom of the gas generator. Through the holes of the grate, the ash from the burnt coals falls into the ash pan. So that the grate can be cleaned of slag, its middle part is made movable. A special lever is provided for turning cast-iron grates.

Loading hatches fitted with sealed lids. For example, the top loading hatch folds horizontally and is sealed with asbestos cord. There is a special shock absorber in the lid fastening - a spring, which raises the lid in case of excessive pressure inside the chamber. There are also two loading hatches on the side of the hull: one on top - for adding fuel to the recovery zone, the second on the bottom - for removing ash. Gas extraction is carried out in the recovery zone, therefore, most often in the upper part of the gas generator, but it is also possible to remove gas from the lower part of the unit. Gas is taken through a branch pipe to which gas pipeline pipes are welded. It is not necessary to immediately remove the gas outside the gas generator housing while it is hot, it can be used to heat and dry firewood or other fuel in the loading chamber. To do this, the outlet gas pipeline is carried out in an annular fashion around the chamber, between the gas generator housing and the bunker.

Cyclone filter and fine filter located behind the gas generator housing. They are made of pipes filled with filter elements.

Before entering the fine filter, the gas passes through cooler. And after the fine filter, the purified gas enters mixer where it mixes with air. And only then the gas-air mixture enters the internal combustion engine.

More clearly, the sequence of movement of combustible gas after it has left the gas generator is shown in the diagram below.

Firewood or other fuel burns in the combustion chamber, being oxidized by the air entering the combustion chamber through the tuyeres from the air distribution box. The resulting combustible gas enters the Cyclone filter, where it is cleaned. Then it is cooled in the coarse filter. Then the already cooled gas enters the fine filter, and then into the mixer. From the mixer, the resulting mixture enters the engine.

The process of converting fuel into gas

And yet: how is gas obtained from solid fuel? Inside the gas generator, a certain transformation process takes place, which is divided into several stages occurring in different zones:

Drying zone located at the top of the bunker. Here the temperature is about 150 - 200 °C. The fuel is dried with hot gas, which moves through the annular pipeline, as described above.

Dry Distillation Zone located in the middle of the bunker. Here, without air access and at a temperature of 300 - 500 ° C, the fuel is charred. Acids, resins and other elements of dry distillation are extracted from wood.

Burning zone located at the bottom of the combustion chamber in the area where the lances through which air enters are located. Here, when air is supplied and at a temperature of 1100 - 1300 ° C, charred fuel and dry distillation elements burn out, resulting in the formation of CO and CO2 gases.

recovery zone located above the combustion zone between the grate and the combustion zone. Here, CO2 gas rises, passes through hot coal, interacts with carbon (C) of coal, and CO gas is formed at the exit - carbon monoxide. Moisture from the fuel is also involved in this process, therefore, in addition to CO, CO2 and H2 are formed.

The combustion and reduction zones are called the active gasification zone. As a result, the producer gas consists of several components:

  • combustible gases: SO(carbon monoxide), H2(hydrogen), CH4(methane) and СnНm(unsaturated hydrocarbons without resins).
  • Ballast: CO2(carbon dioxide), O2(oxygen), N2(nitrogen), H2O(water).

The resulting gas is cooled to ambient temperature, then purified from formic and acetic acid, ash, suspended particles and mixed with air.

Types of gas generators

There are three types of gas generators: direct gas generation process, reverse and horizontal.

Semi-coke and anthracite can burn coal - non-bituminous fuel. The structural difference of this type of units is that the air enters through the grate from below, and the gas is taken from above. In gas generators of the direct process, moisture from the fuel does not enter the combustion zone, so it is specially supplied. Enriching generator gas with hydrogen from water increases the power of the generator.

Gas generators overturned or inverted process designed for burning tarry fuel - firewood, charcoal and waste. Their constructive difference is that air is supplied to the middle part - to the combustion zone, and the gas is taken below the combustion zone - in the ash pan. Typically, in units of this type, the selected hot gas is used to heat the fuel in the bunker.

Horizontal gas generators or cross process gasification systems are distinguished by the fact that air is supplied to them from the side - in the lower part of the body, and it is supplied at a high blowing speed through tuyeres. Gas sampling is carried out in front of the lance through the gas sampling grate. The active gasification zone in the horizontal process gasifier is very small and is concentrated between the end of the lance and the sampling grate. The start-up time of such a generator is much less, it also easily adapts to changing operating modes.

Place of installation of the gas generator

Gas generators and gas generating heating boilers can be installed both inside residential premises, for example, in basements and basement floors, and on the street.

The so-called pellet boilers are most often installed in the house, since their loading is not associated with a lot of garbage, and bags of pellets weigh a little and can be stored somewhere near the boiler.

Gas generators on wood, and especially on wood of great length, it makes sense to install on the street near the place where firewood is stored. So it will be possible to bring firewood on a wheelbarrow directly to the boiler or gas generator and not lower it into the basement of the house. A boiler standing on the street eliminates dirt and ash in the basement. This is especially true for wooden houses, where there are increased fire safety standards. The outer body of the boiler is made of stainless steel, which is not subject to corrosion. Also, the boilers are thermally insulated with bulk thermal insulation so that the ambient temperature has a minimal effect on the gasification process and the boiler start-up speed. The control system is housed in a steel casing under a cover so that precipitation does not fall on it. The chimney has double walls. If you are interested in how to connect a gas generator if it is on the street, then the answer is simple - the pipes are laid in the ground so that they are minimally cooled if it is a heating boiler. Heating pipes approach the boiler from below, and the boiler itself is installed so that it does not freeze during long breaks in use.

By the way, as already noted, the duration of the process of burning fuel in the boiler can be from 12 hours to up to 25 hours. Depending on the power of the boiler and the area of ​​​​the heated room, it will have to be heated once every two days, and sometimes once a week. To keep the heat generated by the boiler for such a long period, a heat accumulator is used.

DIY wood gas generator

There is nothing super complicated in making a gas generator with your own hands. Many use such a unit for domestic needs or install it on a car. Before you start making a gas generator yourself, you need to familiarize yourself with the principle of its operation and choose the scheme of work that suits you.

You will need - a barrel, pipes or an old battery of radiators, fine and coarse gas filters, a fan. On the other hand, the set of elements can be very different, it all depends on the imagination of the performer.

Below is a video example of a self-made gas generator.

Scheme of the gas generator:

On the Internet you can find both photos and drawings for the installation of gas generators and pyrolysis boilers. There are even craftsmen who take a ready-made proven boiler as a basis and completely repeat it at home. It turns out much cheaper.

The difference between a pyrolysis boiler and a conventional gas generator is that it consists of two combustion chambers: fuel is burned in one and gas is formed, and gas is burned in the other and a heat exchanger is located. We have already considered the device and principle of operation of the gas generator, add to it only the second combustion chamber, which should be located at the top, and the heat exchanger at the top. Sometimes the heat exchanger is placed on the side. Also, do not forget about different types of gas generators, so that the second combustion chamber can be located not only on top.

When assembling the chimney, try to assemble it in the reverse order of the movement of smoke, so any muck will settle on its walls less. The chimney itself is best made easily disassembled so that it can be easily and quickly cleaned. The space around the heating boiler must be free, as it heats up during operation. After installing the boiler, you will have to study its “habits” and choose the optimal operating mode for yourself, in which all resins burn out.

I would like to note that the gas generator can be considered not only as a burner of useful wood, but also as a waste disposal unit. It can burn the remains of linoleum, bags, bags, rubber, plastic bottles and other household waste.

People invented electricity, learned how to use solar and wind energy, extract various minerals, such as oil and gas. However, most of them still continue to burn wood in furnaces. Sawdust and other waste from the woodworking industry can be used if you make a gas-generating car on wood with your own hands. Many masters today successfully operate such devices.

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    The principle of the car

    A feature of the gas generator for a wood-burning car is the unit in which the gas mixture is extracted. Then it enters the internal combustion engine, where it is burned. As a result of these processes, the machine moves. When using such a device, it must be taken into account that it takes up a lot of space and requires the use of additional equipment- filters, pipes and radiator.

    A gas generator is a device that turns wood into gas. Everyone knows that gas is an alternative energy source for cars. This is confirmed by a large number of gas stations. However, getting fuel on your own is not only possible, but quite real. The onboard structure is capable of producing as many resources as the vehicle needs. However, there is one caveat: hot fuel is less efficient, especially if impurities are present in it. Therefore, the first step is to cool it, and then clean it.

    After leaving the unit, the gas moves through the pipes to the filter, and then to the radiator. During movement, it is cleaned of dust and acids. In addition, its temperature decreases. In the process of passing through the labyrinths, impurities settle on the walls in the form of liquid or solid particles. Through a special tee, the gas is combined with oxygen and sent to the engine. Then the mixture reaches not only the required condition, but also ends up in the engine. After that, the gas enters the combustion chamber and sets the car in motion.

    The suspension, interior, engine and clutch of the car remain in place. The only problem is where to place the gas generator and how to lay the pipeline so that the machine looks like a steam locomotive. All these questions should be studied in detail before starting work.

    The essence of the gas generator

    It is quite possible to make a car on wood with your own hands. The manufacture of a gas generator is a feasible task, however, as well as its installation. To begin with, it is important to understand the features of the unit and the essence of the process. The design itself is presented in the form of a cylinder narrowed at the bottom. Figuratively, you can call it a bunker, a store for firewood in which is a cylindrical part. In the narrow half, combustion occurs.

    The workpieces themselves fall under the influence of their own weight. This ensures an uninterrupted supply of fuel to the combustion source. Ash settles in a special container, which periodically requires cleaning. Firewood is loaded into the hatch from above.

    Small workpieces are tightly placed from the grate to the lid. The latter is hermetically sealed to minimize leakage. The device is kindled, after a while the car can hit the road.

    The design should not be confused with an open fire. The oxygen required for combustion is supplied in portions through a special tube. On the opposite side there is a hole for the gas outlet. With portioned air supply, active combustion is not carried out. Wooden blanks undergo pyrolysis - they smolder on low heat, actively releasing a combustible mixture.

    Wood burning car - made in Donetsk

    The main purpose of the gas generator is to produce a combustible gas called carbon monoxide. It is this substance that will burn in the internal combustion engine. This procedure can be positioned as complete and partial combustion, during which carbon monoxide is formed. In addition, carbon dioxide is released. When burned in contact with moisture, firewood forms a mixture that consists of:

    • methane;
    • unsaturated hydrocarbons;
    • carbon monoxide;
    • hydrogen.


    In addition, during the combustion process, several non-combustible components are released. These include:

    • oxygen;
    • water;
    • carbon dioxide;
    • nitrogen.

    Types of structures

    There are three types of gas generators for a car. If oxygen is supplied from the bottom, and gas is taken from above, this is a direct-flow product. With such an arrangement of nozzles, the gas mixture is released during combustion at the bottom of the cone. In the process of movement of gases through coal and chocks of wood, air and heat are released. After the blanks are passed through a hot gas mixture, they are dried and prepared for pyrolysis.

    If the supply of oxygen to support combustion is carried out at the beginning of the narrow part of the bunker, and the gas mixture is taken from below, then this type of device is called reverse or overturned. The wood is ignited inside, above the grate zone. Pipes for gas removal are located below the grate. A similar principle of operation is similar to a smoking pipe.

    There is also an alternative option - the combustion chamber at the reverse gas generator is limited by a special inclined partition. Opposite the oxygen supply pipe, on the back side of the partition, there is a niche from which combustible gas is taken. Oxygen supply and gas exhaust pipes are located on the same level. The pipe supply line crosses the bunker across, so this design is called horizontal.

    3) Do-it-yourself wood-burning gas generator #3

    Direct-flow and horizontal gas generators have shown themselves well when using peat, charcoal or coke. The overturned type of equipment is widely used for riding dry wood chocks.

    Device Features

    A characteristic feature of all gas generators is the movement of carbon dioxide (carbon dioxide) through decaying coal. In this case, the gas mixture gives off excess air and is converted into carbon monoxide. It is desirable that a cyclone filter be placed between the heat exchanger and the combustion chamber. This is necessary to ensure that the gas mixture is purified from all kinds of mechanical impurities. Such a device can trap about 90% of flying dust.

    The radiator plays an essential role. Cooling, the gas becomes more concentrated and decreases in volume. This contributes to the supply of more fuel to the internal combustion engine. Engine power during operation directly depends on the temperature indicators of the gaseous mixture. This is because the gas is resistant to detonation, so it must be cooled to increase compression.

    A fine filter element made of two canisters is considered compact. Mineral wool and slag in granules are placed inside the tanks. They will clean the gas well. At the bottom of the filter and heat exchanger, it is imperative to install taps. This is necessary to drain the condensate. After cleaning and cooling of the gas mixture, dew falls. Every 200 km of driving, about 3 liters of liquid is collected in the tank.

    Welds and joints must be sealed, because in the event of a leak with the constant addition of firewood, the speed and performance of the car engine will remain at a minimum level. The assembled unit must be well fixed so that it does not collapse from vibration during movement.

    do-it-yourself gas generator for cars

    A wood-burning gas engine for a car can be of various shapes and sizes. There are no specific requirements for these indicators. However, it must be borne in mind that the device must necessarily be created from metal with a thickness of at least 3 mm. Where exactly to install the structure, each motorist decides for himself.

    When choosing a location, it is important to consider not only the dimensions of the entire unit, heat exchanger and filters, but also the length of the nozzles. It is important that the batch of fuel is loaded through the cover from above. While the engine is running, refueling is carried out with a slight emission of gas. If the internal combustion engine is turned off, and the mass continues to burn in the device, loading a new batch is accompanied by the appearance of a plentiful cloud.

    You can place such a device only outside the car and always behind. This is because the structure must be freely accessible. The longer the planned distances without refueling, the larger the dimensions of the product. The constituent elements of the apparatus must be made in accordance with the dimensions of the hopper.


    The gas generator on a truck can be placed between the cab and the board on the driver's side. Pipes, heat exchanger and filter element may be placed behind the cab. The fine filter should be located on the opposite side of the cabin (behind the passenger door). For convenient removal of condensate, pipes and drain valves are led below the fine filter element.

    On a passenger car, it is recommended to install the device on an open part. To do this, you can modify the trunk, weld a trailer, etc. It all depends on the taste preferences and fantasies of the owner. It is not recommended to install the equipment in the trunk under the lid, since during its operation smoke and coal dust will enter the car interior.

    Gas generator - unit which produces combustible gas. After running the latter through cleaning filters and a cooling radiator, a clean and cold gas mixture is obtained. Carbon monoxide can replace the classic fuel option, keeping the engine running smoothly. Gasoline internal combustion engines operate with a gas generating device without significant performance losses.

    DIY manufacturing

    The production of any device begins with the production of a drawing. After studying the detailed information, a person has an idea of ​​\u200b\u200bthe external design of the unit. Then it remains to bring your idea to life.

    To make the device look aesthetically pleasing, you should choose the right details . For its manufacture you will need:

    First you need to make 5-6 holes at the top of the pipe. It will become the top of the structure. An oxygen supply tube should be welded to one of the holes obtained. The rest will release gas. In the lower part it is necessary to weld a perforated stainless steel bottom. Get the grate part, which will accommodate the coals. Dust will come out through the holes.

    From the inside of the resulting glass, a metal cone is welded to supply coal. Then a metal sheet should be welded with a hole the size of which matches the inner diameter of the pipe. The structure must be placed perpendicular to the top of the tube. The sheet will become the bottom of the bin. The functions of the latter will be performed by a can.

    The resulting workpiece is placed in a barrel and welded in such a way that there is room for ash below, and the neck of the can is placed above the barrel. Then one of the can holes must be aligned with the combustion chamber and connected with an oxygen supply tube. Further, a metal sheet is welded in the upper part, which covers the difference in the size of the neck of the can and the barrel. The structure is ready.

    Making a car on wood with your own hands is not as easy as it might seem at first glance. The procedure requires a lot of effort and time. However, for a skilled craftsman who is ready to experiment and is not afraid of difficulties, this is a very real task. It is very important to study in detail the device and the principle of operation of the product, as well as to correctly draw up its drawing.

I want to tell my story of creating an automobile gas generator (I post hours of video of its detailed creation)
As planned, it should also work as a household stove (like a gas stove)
looks like this (this block that we are just making does not work yet, it will be connected to the car gas generator as an additional module):

Better than cooking food outside the city on bricks and a fire.

Before I begin to describe the process itself, I’ll immediately say that I posted all the detailed videos of the step-by-step production of a car gas generator here:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA1E8C311DEC09E1C
(the first videos are short, but the subsequent ones are already long edited into an hour-long video)

It all started with the fact that I watched the film "Eco-inventors: wood-burning cars" and I liked the idea of ​​​​driving not on gasoline and gas, but on wood so much that I immediately decided to create such a device for myself. On the Internet, here and there there are materials on this topic (I recommend Tokarev's books Gas-generating cars), but I did not find specific step-by-step material on how to do it. 1 liter of gasoline loomed in my head equals 2 kg of firewood (under different conditions of humidity and wood, this figure fluctuates - I wrote a very average figure). Therefore, I began to look for a real designer who had already made gas generators. I searched for about a month, received several failures. But finally, through a neighbor in the country, I found out about his friend who had already made such a gas generator, but only for the house, he did not do it for the car.
By the way, here is the gas generator he created, there is a video of how it works, but I will post only a photo:

I met with him and we agreed that I would pay for all stages of work from drawings to tests on the track to create an apparatus that would allow the car to run on ordinary wood.

They shook hands and the creation of an automobile gas generator began.

I immediately told my chief designer Grigorich to design a gas generator for a car so that the materials of which it will be easy to find and cost very cheap (for example, abroad, including in Finland, gas generators for passenger cars are made from stainless steel in which the melting point is higher than that of ordinary metal - but stainless steel is very expensive despite the fact that it is less - where we take metal 2-4 mm thick. Stainless steel sheets would go thinner and the weight of the structure would be less - which also affects the speed vehicle).

The backbone of our automobile gas generator was an old household gas cylinder. Which would be both the loading area and the firewood burning area and the core of the gas generator.

We considered the option of a conventional iron box - which could be welded from sheets of metal (instead of a cylinder), but as our chief designer Grigorich said - the less welding the better, it can leak, rust - and this can happen (an explosion is not an explosion) but strong cotton gases. A strong explosion is possible only when the gas is stored, in our case it is not stored, but goes directly into the engine, so what happens with methane cylinders will not happen here. Therefore, it was decided to take a tubular material, ideally they wanted to take a pipe. I even tried to get it, tormented I tell you.

325 and 375 pipes are sold at factories for 10-11 meters at once (no one will cut off a piece of a meter or 60 cm - they say buy as a product). And the price per ton is about 12,000 UAH. (12,000/8 = $1500). How to take her away and why do I need so much?

Then I could hardly find the sellers of the same pipes - the price of these pipes was already 2 times less, but it was difficult to find a wall thickness of 5 mm - there was only 8 mm in stock.

According to state standards, the pipe goes from 5-6-8-10-12 mm wall thickness. I never found 5 mm and 6 mm, and as a result I realized after talking with different people - this is a rarity.
The seller even agreed to cut me a meter of pipe 8 mm thick, its weight was about 80 kg. (now I may be mistaken, somewhere there was a table of weights for these pipes) - I remember exactly that its price at this weight (5000 UAH per ton = $ 50 for 80 kg of pipes). Expensive price and too high weight of the structure is obtained (the pipe is just the beginning).

Therefore, they took the simplest used household gas cylinder with a wall thickness of about 3 mm. And it weighs two or more times less than the above-mentioned piece of pipe.

We have simplified the design as much as possible - and created it from materials - that are easy to find for everyone. And so that they are cheap, and $ 50 per meter of pipe is not that colinkor.

We considered another option to take air receivers from trucks: Zila, MAZ, Komaza, they are almost the same as a gas cylinder (but in my opinion it has a slightly larger diameter). Wall thickness 4 mm. and they cost Bush already with delivery $ 12-24.
If you decide to take bu receivers - take them from military 131 zil - the wall is thicker there, but remember that these bu receivers rot in the places where the structure is welded to the car.

Nevertheless, we decided to stop at bu gas household cylinders - they are easier to find.

I'll post more anyway. information on the receivers, can someone come in handy.
The dimensions and wall thicknesses of the receivers were reported to me by phone, measuring the receivers on the disassembly on the Internet, I did not find information on the dimensions for how long I searched) therefore, inaccuracies are possible.

Maz: 280 diameter - 2 mm. wall thickness.
Zil: 220 diameter - wall thickness 2 mm.
Kraz: 220 diameter (it seems that there is also such a diameter)
Kraz: diameter 280 mm. length 650, thickness about 3-3.5mm
KAMAZ: 280 diameter by 605 length metal thickness 2 mm. design pressure 16 atmospheres

All our drawings are designed for a used gas cylinder with a diameter of 300 mm. Therefore, if you take the receiver as a basis, understand that our drawings will no longer suit you (calculations for blowing air, etc. are made for this diameter).

When I brought the cylinder from my dacha to the welder, he did not want to cut it for the following reason: in these cylinders, even if the valve is turned off or even if all the gas is allegedly released, condensate remains in the form of greasy mucus on the walls (in the video links to which I gave at the beginning of the topic you can see it). The welder was afraid to cut it, even despite the fact that I carried a cylinder with an unscrewed valve in the car for two days in the heat. From his words, there could be an explosion, not an explosion, but a strong bang.

Therefore, it was decided to either blow it with compressed air, or fill it with water and start cutting with water pumped to the eyeballs inside.

But in order to pour water into it, it was first necessary to unscrew the cap (valve). There are two valve attachment points.
It is very difficult to unscrew it to the very bottom, but you can unscrew it higher, see the video how we did it, we suffered from hemorrhoids -)

Does not unscrew, the balloon is not fixed:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=D9tvNviDOCw

I managed to unscrew the top to release the remaining gas, I drove the cylinder for 2 days in a four - the stench from the old condensate was strong.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=tmllDbf-Foc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=FFl9PrYxk5c

In this video, I say what we will do with the balloon, how we will unscrew it, I show it in the drawing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=703EhqSF-0E

We weld the balloon to the base, it takes effort to unscrew
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7JlX-qy_c3g

We try to twist, we break the key, we fight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6YnFO1GXxfc

Finally unscrewed the head
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=eUPoU4g3icQ

Wood-burning car, myth or reality? And is it possible to make such a car with your own hands? Let's figure it out.

Looking at the gas station signs with gasoline prices, every now and then there is a desire to transfer the car to a cheaper type of fuel.

One of the popular options is converting a car to gas. But not everything is smooth here either. Against the background of events in the gas and oil sector, gas may rise in price, which will make the work meaningless.

There are problems with energy resources and no one knows how it will end for the end consumer.

If you decide to remake, then you should choose independent and truly effective methods. And here, in terms of savings, gas-generating cars or, in a simple way, “wood-burning cars”, come out on top.

History of creation and development, examples of wood-burning cars

Despite the slow advancement of the topic of gas generating machines, the history of such developments is very rich. So, back in 1823, the Russian inventor Ovtsyn I.I. developed an apparatus for the distillation of wood. It was based on the most common "thermal lamp".

The main feature of the installation was the use in it of the main products of pyrolysis - lighting gas, acetic acid and tar, as well as charcoal.

Almost forty years later (in 1860), Etienne Lenoir, a Belgian waiter with engineering "inclinations", made his contribution to science. It was he who first acquired a patent for an internal combustion engine operating on lighting gas.

But he was engaged not only in these developments.

Two years later, the installation of the newly minted genius appeared on an 8-seater open omnibus.

But in 1878, when Nicolas Otto's more powerful 4-stroke gas engine was introduced to the public, Etienne Lenoir's design was quickly forgotten. At the same time, the new device had a higher efficiency: 16% for Otto versus 5% for Lenoir.

Two decades later, in 1883 (from 1860), a new concept of combining a conventional internal combustion engine and a gas generator appeared.

The English scientist E. Dawson managed to combine two devices in one box.

The resulting apparatus could be safely installed on any equipment and safely operated. Over time, the development of E. Dawson was called "Dawson's gas".

In 1891 Yakovlev Evgeny distinguished himself (lieutenant of the Russian Navy). He managed to build a whole plant for the production of kerosene and gas engines. St. Petersburg became the place for construction.

Over time, the plant ceased to exist due to the inability to compete with gasoline and diesel engines.

1900 can be safely called the year of the release of the first gas-generating car using charcoal and wood as fuel.

The device was developed in France by Frederick Winslow Taylor, and a patent was obtained a little later (in 1901).

Subsequently, more and more interesting developments appeared in this area. So, in 1919, Georg Imbert (an engineer of French origin) developed a reverse type gas generator.

Already in 1921, the first cars with engines operating on this principle appeared. It was then that speculation arose about the likely competition of a gas-generating car with diesel or gasoline engines.

Over time, Germany also distinguished itself, where during the war not only wood gas generators became widespread, but also devices capable of operating on special briquettes consisting of brown coal dust and crumbs.

The first trucks with gas generators were very slow - they could hardly reach a speed of 20 kilometers per hour.

Despite this, by 1938 the popularity of gas-powered cars was so great that the total number of such cars was about nine thousand.

Three years later (by 1941) their number increased another fifty times. For example, in the same Germany, the number of cars "on firewood" has grown to 300 thousand copies.

The Soviet Union also tried to keep up. Here, the first tests of gas-generating cars took place in 1928. The Naumov engine and the Fiat-15 chassis were involved in the car.

Six years later, the first big run of cars with gas generator engines from Moscow to Leningrad and back was organized.

ZIS-5 and GAZ-AA cars took part in the "race". The success of the event led to the adoption in 1936 of a special resolution of the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR on the development of gas-generating tractors and machines.

The first batch of new gas generating machines appeared on the roads of the USSR in 1936.

Production was carried out at two plants - Gorky (GAZ-42) and ZIS (Stalin Plant).

Five years later, the production of gas generator engines for tractors and ZIS machines was launched.

The disadvantages of power units could include multiple factory defects, high metal wear rate, minimum power, and so on.

On the other hand, gas generators helped a lot during the war and were actively used in the rear.

Wood-burning gas generator for a car - device and principle of operation

The composition of the automobile gas generator installation includes the following elements:

  • coarse cleaners;
  • the gas generator itself;
  • fine cleaners;
  • mixer and ignition fan.

A simple circuit looks like this.

During movement, air is sucked into the gas generator using the thrust of a running engine.

The same thrust contributes to the "pumping out" of combustible gas from the gas generator, as well as its supply to coarse cleaners, and then to the fine filter.

After mixing with air in the mixer, the finished gas-air mixture is sucked into the engine cylinders.

After leaving the gas generator, hot and contaminated gas requires additional processing (cooling and cleaning).

To do this, it is passed through a special pipeline that combines the gas generator with a fine filter.

In some designs, the gas passed through a special cooler mounted in front of the water radiator.

Most often, a combined system was used for cooling and cleaning.

Its principle of operation was to change the speed and direction of the gas flow. At the same time, cooling and cleaning of the latter was carried out.

The next stage is fine cleaning, for which special “ring” cleaners made in the form of cylinders were used.

The principle of operation of most fine filters was based on the water principle, when gas was cleaned with water.

In the process of ignition of the gas generator, a special centrifugal fan equipped with an electric drive was used.

Due to the fact that the fan needs to pump air through the entire purification system, the installation of the device was carried out as close as possible to the mixer.

The combustible mixture is formed in the car mixer.

The simplest type of device is a special tee in which air and gas flows intersect.

The volume of the composition entering the motor is controlled by the throttle valve.

The quality of the gas-air mixture is controlled by an air damper.

Principle of operation.

The main fuel for the gas generating plant is coal briquettes, peat or firewood.

The principle of operation of the system is based on the partial combustion of carbon. The latter during combustion can connect one or a pair of oxygen atoms with the subsequent formation of two elements - carbon dioxide (dioxide) and carbon monoxide (monoxide).

If carbon does not burn completely, then almost 30% of the total energy can be obtained with complete combustion of the material.

As a consequence, the formed gas has a lower heat transfer than the original solid fuel.

It should be noted that in the gas generator during the transformation of wood or coal into gas, an exothermic reaction occurs, which occurs between water and carbon monoxide.

Thanks to this reaction, the temperature of the resulting gas drops, the efficiency increases to 80 percent.

If the gas does not require cooling before use, then the efficiency can reach 100%. As a result, there is a 2-stage combustion of fuel.

The resulting gas has a minimum calorific value due to its mixing with nitrogen.

Due to the fact that smaller volumes of air are needed to burn fuel, such a reduction in calorie content is not significant.

As for the reduction in engine power when running on gas, the reason is a decrease in the charge of the fuel composition, caused by the difficulty of cooling.

Do-it-yourself wood-burning car

If desired, a wood-burning car can be made with your own hands.

In a simplified version, the algorithm looks like this:

1. The loading hopper is equipped.

As a basis, you can use a conventional gas cylinder with a capacity of about 40-50 liters. Due to this capacity, large volumes of coal can be placed in the cylinder.

You can use other materials.

Make sure that the wall thickness is at least three millimeters.

As soon as a suitable cylinder is selected, cut out the bottom in it and cut through the neck for loading fuel. The opening for the cap should be wide to facilitate the process of loading fuel.

2. A grate is made, which takes on the greatest load.

3. A special cover for the hopper is created.

Fuel (coal) will be loaded through it. If desired, the cover can be made of aluminum, but theoretically any other type of metal is allowed.

During the installation process, pay attention to the choice of cord - it must be asbestos with mandatory impregnation with graphite.

This is necessary to protect the cord from burning and accidental damage in case of closing or opening.

You can get a quality cord in the market or in the boiler room. The optimal diameter of a suitable cord is 13 and 8 millimeters.

4. A lance is being made.

The task of this device is to take on the main temperature load. During the installation process, everything is done in such a way that it is easier to replace.

5. A cyclone filter is being made.

The use of charcoal or brown coal, peat, straw or other substances for car trips has a characteristic feature - the presence of dust.

If you do not make a high-quality filter element, then dust can get into the carburetor, pistons, candles and other components (including the interior).

You can find a ready-made solution right away.

6. Manufacturing of a radiator (cooler).

Any material can be used here. Alternatively, the use of a standard heating radiator made of aluminum is allowed.

You can construct a device from water pipes. At the same time, please note that the cross section of the radiator, as a rule, is slightly larger than the cross section of the pipes connected to it.

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