Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

FYI: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_gas


Wikipedia, "better than a college education", lol

The process I am using is similar to this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal_gas

2kw of solar or wind with inverter and battery would cost far more than $1500 perhaps double that if you did installation and without rebates or tax refunds. I bought much of my 5 kw used and did get tax relief. I did the design and installation myself. I did have to replace the well pump battery after seven years because of abuse. Now I have changed the system and expect longer battery life.
the fact that solar PV takes little maintenance is a plus. I can spend my limited time and energy on AP, gardening, milk products and meat production. Biodiesel production does take several hours a week and in return fuels my vehicles and heat the home.
After reading the references, Dan, it seems that they are speaking of a form of gassifiction. Heating the biomass in absence of oxygen releases H2 and CO. I applaud your ambitions and hope you will share details. I am planning an anerobic digester for cooking gas and fertilizer but that is different.

Dan, this wikipedia definition looks a lot like coal/biomass gasification or steam cracking to me also. And with these materials/processes may come some nasty byproducts: phenol (carcinogen) creosote (carcinogen / birth defects) benzene (carcinogen) and the phenol and benzene gets into the groundwater quite quickly and you would have to do something with your steam condensate. The syngas in it’s self is pretty bad stuff, we had mechanics slump over next to a syngas compressor and had to be dragged over to fresh air and get jump started to bring them back, and with a pretty good headache. With all that said, if you can keep the Genie in the bottle it’s all doable. Personal CO detectors are about $300 and nitril gloves are about $15 at your local safety store. I started not to post this as I didn’t want to come across negative. Only to just add a little precaution to who ever else wants to try this. I consider you an accomplished inventor, and would love to visit your place. Bill.

Very wise
I currently meet my definition of ignorance in this area - I don't know enough to even know what questions to ask

It can be dangerous. I plan to build an automated system. I will not be in the area when its in operation. I will fence off the area, lock the gate and post signs. Safety is important.

Even with the dangers involved this seems the most practical method to produce quality fuel, fast.

Wow what a post probably one of the better ones that Ive read on this topic. Just so many ways discussed so quickly hard to keep track of them in one reading. Someday whan I have my own food production Ill look at some of these processes again and figure one out for myself.

With 6kw solar pv and 1200 watts wind power, I still end up each month with a small power bill. A friend gave up his fencing company and had a 25 kw diesel genny for sale, cheap. It is a whisperwatt, 3 phase or single phase, with a 34 hp isuzu engine. I got it at less than half new price and it has only about 1000 hrs. on it.
In the event of a lengthy power failure the fish pumps and air pumps may deplete their batterys. Same with the well pump, freezer and fridge. In winter when I make biodiesel I have to buy power to heat the oil. Any time I run the welder or air compressor on 240 volts, up to 50 amps each I am buying power. With this genny running on 160 deg. F waste veggie oil I can create the power just for the cost of engine maintenance. Plus I intend to capture the waste engine heat and direct it into the green house, reducing the need for burning biodiesel in the oil stove. The bluegill and catfish in the greenhouse do not require the heat but will grow faster with it as will the plants.
This is not a synchronise generator and controls to parallel the grid are to expensive. So running the meter backwards with this genny is not practical. Instead I am shopping for a used 50 amp 24 volt charger, to feed the battery bank and let the inverter sell back. These chargers are commonly used on pallet jacks.

the .pdf isn't shared any more and the video has been removed :/ anyone still has it mail it to me so I can play also...?

I have been making biodiesel for over five years. I make it from used french fry oil found in restraunts which is free and abundant. In fact I have about 1000 gal stored in IBC's. I burn it in my truck and to heat the house and greenhouse(with Ap tanks and G.B.). And now I burn it in my 15 kw generator, to power my well pump, the house, and heaters for making BD. I see no need to grow algae for an oil source at present.
I am now assembleing tank and all to grow spirulina for food supplement. Contact me PM if you need web sources for nutrient and starter culture. Once I have the 10 gal. system running, I hope to expand it to raise algae for animal and fish feed. The larger system will be an outdoor seasonal venture, but still spirulina. The oil content of spirulina is not great but the safety (nothing else will grow at 9.5+ PH) and nutrient value is grand.
The stock feed grade algae will take its carbon and nutrients from the biogas digestor which will also run seasonally. The large bio-reactors will probably be solar heated, shallow above ground ponds, probably stock tanks.