Gasifier Experimenters Kit

Untitled DocumentI started reading and experimenting in gasification a little over a year ago and have already shownthe ease with which basic units can be made to run internal combustion engines and fire effects. Inthe process, I have found gasification to be an unusually rich alt energy technology. By far themost rich and flexible in its applications that I have found to date. Its conceptual, technical, social,visual and logistical realities are nearly always expansive, evocative and strong tonics for mostimaginations that engage it.Gasification is a unique artistic opportunity for fire artists as it is really a form of partial or stagedcombustion. In gasification the usually unnoticed serial steps and kinetics of "fire" are controlledand pulled apart, revealing a multiplicity of forms and processes. Where before we just saw fineburning, a knowledge of gasification soon has one seeing the infinitely configurable LEGOsystem of organic chemistry, refereed by that hard and always unbribable taskmaster,thermodynamics.In the crucbile of fire, with the tools of gasification, we are invited to play with the raw elementsfrom which all life and natural metabolic/energy systems are made. Oddly, we are given onlythree measely pieces with which to work (C, H and O; carbon, hydrogen and oxygen). But withthis small collection of pieces, and thoughtful thermal, pressure and catalyst interventions, we canstart with nearly any organic matter, and make nearly any end hydrocarbon/carbohydrate wedesire.As such, I found gasification to be a tremendously attractive idiom and technology just beggingfor exploration and creative manifestation by our ever expanding circle of DIY junkyardfabricator pyros. Gasification is uniquely suited to the fire interests and gearhead skill setgenerally found around Burning Man. In time, I believe it will emerge as the main idiom throughwhich Burning Man can contribute something burning man related to the larger environmentalconversation."Gasification: Burning our way to a better tomorrow"After exploring nearly all the known options for power generation and conversion over the lastfive years, for me gasification has emerged as the most interesting and flexible way to "burnthings" in an environmentally thoughtful manner. And with the recent combination of gasificationwith Terra Preta Bio Char agriculture, gasification has emerged as the ONLY current alt energytechnology that can create a carbon NEGATIVE footprint. (see "Physical Specifics" section fordetails). The proposed Mechabolic project will be using gasifier based Terra Preta carbonsequestration process to fertilize the orchids and other plants in the "lung terrariums".(for a more technical discussion, see here)http://whatiamupto.com/mechabolic/technology.html (2 of 3) [10/9/2008 08:18:03]