My Ultimate Potting Soil Mix
Permaculture, Soil buildingSo my Dad asked if he could take some of the hot-composted wood chip compost I have been making. He’s been up to the farm a few times and has been watching me do my “organic” thing. I think when he saw my compost — and smelled it — he must have been sold. It [...]
Getting My Fat Fingers on a Gasifier
Alternative Energy, Biomass Gasification, GasificationToday was supposed to be a farm day… Plant some seeds, feed the worms, clean the chicken pen, etc. So much for that business. Why? Because Anastasia was sitting on my dining room table, calling me to light her up. So I did! After a quick 15 minute assembly, this little gasification unit was ready. [...]
Anastasia arrived today
Biomass Gasification, GasificationI was pleasantly surprised when my UPS Store account sent an email with a new package notification. I knew what it was, and needless to say, I flew down to pick it up. Yep! It was Anastasia, alright. When I returned home, I couldn’t help myself. I started to assemble the gasifier and realized that [...]
Alcohol Fuel Plant Permit Arrived!!
Alternative Fuels, Ethanol, Ethanol FuelHi Readers, I am officially legal to brew fuel alcohol! The government approved my permit in just 19 days. I am impressed. Now I can start investigating mash yields and still designs legally. Stephen
Wood Chips & Rock Dust
Permaculture, Soil buildingToday, I finished a fairly extensive soil building endeavor. It has been a 6-month process in preparing my soil for the Spring planting. What exactly did I do? First, a little background… I live in Southern California — The high desert to be exact. The climate is harsh, and the soil is harsher. Predominantly made [...]
Anastasia’s First Run
Biomass Gasification, GasificationHi Readers, Anastasia got her first run today. Here she is with her suction ejector and manometer for pressure measurement: I also added a refractory blanket around the reduction area to keep everything toasty. After a few minutes of tweaking she ran great. The actual startup time for the machine was minimal, 2 minutes approximately. [...]
Anastasia Pic
Biomass Gasification, GasificationHi Readers, I got Anastasia welded together today between jobs. Here she is: The pipe assembly on the left is a startup ejector which uses compressed air to create suction to pull fuel gas out of the gasifier. She still needs insulation between the nozzles and the outlet pipe, but otherwise it’s ready to light. [...]
Meet the new girl in town – Anastasia
Biomass Gasification, GasificationHi Readers, I was able to get some barn time in today and I have just about finished our newest gasifier. This is a “microfier” made of 2 inch pipe. I affectionately refer to it as “Anastasia”. This machine will be our simplest, cheapest gasifier. Since there is no better teacher than hands on experience, this [...]
Corn mash a flop
Alternative Fuels, Ethanol, Ethanol FuelHi Readers, My exploits in corn mash are a flop so far. I placed 75g of Early Riser corn seed in a petri dish, added 1/8″ of water, and after a week and a half the seeds still haven’t germinated. The germination is what will produce the enzyme amylase to convert the starches in the [...]
Ethanol Page Updated
EthanolI will have to ask for a little latitude from my readers. I freely admit that I am still figuring out the blogging and posting world.
Ethanol Update
EthanolThe mash is brewing.