KsWoodsMan
Addicted to ArboristSite
I'm curious about who else has tried a 'top down fire" or uses it regularly. I've noticed it mentioned once or twice in the last couple of years here but it just never went very far , other than what is it ?
I've mentioned using the method of a TDF a few times with links to different sites. Sites that explain the benefit of starting the fire from the top of the pile instead of the bottom. In the last couple of yeas I have seen it mentioned less than a handfull of times by others but the topic of wood gassification boilers and heaters comes up often. An EPA approved wood space heater has to burn cleanly to be compliant. If a TDF burns clean could it also pass emmisions tests in an older heater ?
I have to admit that I was skeptical about TDF's, at first. In the last few years I have looked into wood gassification. In the 40's Europe was burning wood, chasrcoal and other biomass to power cars, trucks, busses and tractors because of the scarcity of gasoline/diesel for the war effort. They basically ran their car on the 'smoke' from downdraft gassifiers. A TDF works on the same principle as a down draft gassifier without the complexity of additional hardware.
The gasses given off from heated wood is what is burning, not the actual wood itself. By passing the smoke through a bed of glowing charcoal the smoke and tars are broken down far enough that they ignite off and burn easily. The gas from this can be used to power an engine or used for cooking and heating. By lighting the fire from the top the smoke is passed near, through or around the glowing coals. Allowing that there is enough air getting to it there is almost a complete combustion. The warmer, rising air surrounding the glowing coal ensures that there is a continous supply of fresh air to support combustion. This combustion supports the pyrolization of more wood. Complete combustion means no creosote formation inside the stove or flue pipe, more heat from a more efficient burn and fewer trips to load the stove.
Any way back to the question, Who's tried it ? What was your experience ? and who is making use of this method ?
I've mentioned using the method of a TDF a few times with links to different sites. Sites that explain the benefit of starting the fire from the top of the pile instead of the bottom. In the last couple of yeas I have seen it mentioned less than a handfull of times by others but the topic of wood gassification boilers and heaters comes up often. An EPA approved wood space heater has to burn cleanly to be compliant. If a TDF burns clean could it also pass emmisions tests in an older heater ?
I have to admit that I was skeptical about TDF's, at first. In the last few years I have looked into wood gassification. In the 40's Europe was burning wood, chasrcoal and other biomass to power cars, trucks, busses and tractors because of the scarcity of gasoline/diesel for the war effort. They basically ran their car on the 'smoke' from downdraft gassifiers. A TDF works on the same principle as a down draft gassifier without the complexity of additional hardware.
The gasses given off from heated wood is what is burning, not the actual wood itself. By passing the smoke through a bed of glowing charcoal the smoke and tars are broken down far enough that they ignite off and burn easily. The gas from this can be used to power an engine or used for cooking and heating. By lighting the fire from the top the smoke is passed near, through or around the glowing coals. Allowing that there is enough air getting to it there is almost a complete combustion. The warmer, rising air surrounding the glowing coal ensures that there is a continous supply of fresh air to support combustion. This combustion supports the pyrolization of more wood. Complete combustion means no creosote formation inside the stove or flue pipe, more heat from a more efficient burn and fewer trips to load the stove.
Any way back to the question, Who's tried it ? What was your experience ? and who is making use of this method ?