Truck Powered by Wood

[David Stifle]

Hi Guys,


Have any of you seen the TV show called Apocolypse PA? At least, I think that's the name. In one episode, the guy makes a truck run on wood. He mounts a 50 gallon drum in the bed (his burner), adds a heat exchanger, fan, etc., and darned if the truck doesn't start and he drives off. They said there were several thousand auto's running on wood during WW11. Pretty cool what people can do when they set their minds to do something.

He also makes a home made cannon, gunpowder, and decides to raise goats. Now, if he would just make a forge, smelt iron, and make some big ole knifes, this would be a perfect show.

Dave

 

[David Loukides]

The Germans during WW2 because of the lack of fuel had a VW bug that ran on wood or coal. The Fire was used to make steam to run the motor. The coal shaker was under the front hood. It was really strange Idea but creative.

 

[mete]

Cars ? Wood ? Check this out - a 1932 Talbot Boattail Tourer which was rebodied in 1969 with Honduran Mahogany !!

 

[David Stifle]

I can't imagine a VW powered by wood oe coal, so little space. Mete, that's a cool picture, bet that would be fun to drive.

In one scene of this show, the guy is testing his system. He unhooks a hose and lights it, and a blue flame shoots out like a blast furnance. He really has some type of gas being formed in his system, methane? I don't know, but I instantly started wondering if that system would make a good forge. I do recall he had a big radiator in there, with a fan blowing on it. Anyway, it was pretty interesting.

Dave

 

[Matt Brook]

Dave,

Check out these links:

http://www.angelfire.com/ak5/energy21/woodfire.htm
http://www.strathsteam.com/page8.html

There is an old fella getting aroung out in the bush that we ran into years ago still getting around in a steam powered car.

Matt

 

[David Loukides]

I could not find it in my books so I went on line.
GO about3/4 way down the page and look for the vw with the hump in the front trunk.
I use to be a bug nut.
Now I'm just a nut
http://www.energybulletin.net/node/51237

 

[David Stifle]

Matt, thanks for those links. Very interesting reading. To think they went all over Australia in a steam driven car! Pretty cool.

The VW is pretty incredible too.

Dave

 

[edgemaster]

it is a gasifier, making combustible gases from the heating/burning of wood.
we use a version to run our biochar machine.

carbon, water, heat ,and combustible gases from wood waste. and sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. win win win!

maybe someday you all can buy my biochar for your lawn and gardens.
help me, help yourself save the world