Bolivia: Gasification for Domestic Use

Author(s)

• Peter Kleinhenz, University of Dayton
• Steven Osgood, University of Dayton

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

9-26-2006

Abstract

During a service-learning internship in La Paz, Bolivia with a company named Proleña, two students studied, tested and designed gasifier technologies for domestic uses. When performed correctly, gasification is a cleaner and more efficient combustion process compared to normal combustion. It involves separating the combustion of biomass into two stages. During the first stage, called pyrolysis, the wood is chemically broken down into solid carbon and highly combustible gases. In the next stage these gases are released and mixed with oxygen to combust into a clean, hot flame. To understand the complexities of this process, the students applied there research and created some prototypes. The first prototypes were two tiny stoves made from pop and vegetable cans. These prototypes were very basic stoves used only to understand the gasification process. After observing the first stoves, the students developed a new prototype with an outside combustion chamber used to provide heat to the gasification process. After many failed tests and modifications the students were able operate this stove and make important observation. They learned the importance of creating good mixing between the wood gases and oxygen and to preheat the oxygen. Finally, the students developed a final prototype design, which incorporated more efficient methods of heat transfer from the primary combustion chamber to the gasification process. This final prototype is still under construction and currently untested.

eCommons Citation

Kleinhenz, Peter and Osgood, Steven, "Bolivia: Gasification for Domestic Use" (2006). ETHOS Technical Reports. 37.
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/ethos_reports/37