[TheForge] charcoal

[Bruce Freeman]

Frosty,

I was referring to the old-fashioned charcoal "pit" in which some of
the wood is burned to heat the rest.  SOME air is needed.  But in any
case, some space around the wood chips is needed in order that they will
all get heated. 

In an externally-heated retort, this all changes.  Complete exclusion
of air would then be best (but not all that important).

Bruce
NJ

>>> frosty at customcpu.com 4/6/2006 9:23:38 PM >>>
The potential problem using small pieces of wood isn't lack of air. You

don't want any air if you can avoid it; you're just cooking off the 
volitiles, water, etc. This is the difference between the direct and 
indirect combustion methods.

I think the only potential problem would be the insulation effect of
the 
chips but I don't think it's likely. At worst it'll take more time.
Using 
charcoal that small might be more of a problem though.

Frosty
-------------------------------
If it ain't forged
it ain't real.
Wrought iron is.
The FrostWorks

Meadow Lakes, AK.

http://www.artmetalradio.com/ 


From: "Bruce Freeman" <FREEMAB at pt.fdah.com>


> The chips I've seen are maybe 2" square and about one-half inch
thick.
> That strikes me as an awkward size for charcoal.  Also, a 55-gal drum
of
> such chips might not coal properly due to packing and lack of air
> access.  I'd stick with logs and branches if I were doing this.
>
> BTW, branches of <1/2" are coaled and sold to artists, so you might
get
> a "higher valued" product out of this...
>
> Bruce
> NJ

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