[thackney]

There are also wood-gassers, which home-built units produce hydrogen and methane for combustion

Much of that gas is carbon monoxide. Be wary if building such a system.

[familyop]

"Much of that gas is carbon monoxide. Be wary if building such a system."

Thanks. I also understand that a wood gas system also needs have proper pressure reliefs built into it in case of back-flashes or other pre-ignitions. Reliefs, IMO, should also be lightweight and have some sort of shield over them for protecting bystanders and preventing litter.

I might build one for a generator, frequently inspect the generator intake, head, etc., and gather data for developing some kind of maintenance analysis report. I haven't seen anything on maintenance for engines driven by wood gas units.

It appears that wood gas units are using the engines as re-burners of sorts, where truly high temperatures happen. By that, I know that one prominent barnyard wood gas experimenter overstated the max burn temperature in wood gas furnaces quite a bit (claim of 2000 to 3000 degrees, Fahrenheit). The units being built wouldn't stand the stated temperatures (refractory materials needed for temps between 1200 and 1800 degrees, Fahrenheit, generated by risers in rocket mass heaters). Even 3/8" steel won't stand temps over 2000 degrees for long (steel tech.).

Rough on engine rings or other parts? Perhaps. Maybe we'll find out. I'm also wondering if steel burn chamber/riser parts less than about 3/8" thickness will stand up to the burn temperatures for long.

[familyop]

On the man’s stated temperature range in wood gas systems, mild steel begins to melt for work at about 2500 to 2700 degrees Fahrenheit, but it softens and erodes quickly at much lower temperatures (roughly, temps higher than about 1000 degrees, F).