[TheForge] eco coke OT:

[Jerry Frost]

Yes I'm aware of the smoke powered engines during WWII, the most efficient 
were the coconut shell powered ones made by the Japanese in the islands. 
Coconut shells are probably more oily. I knew It'd get mentioned right after 
I hit send.

The Stanley Steamer was indeed an impressive vehicle, held the land world 
speed record for a while in fact. The land speed (Datona Beach) steamer was 
powered by kerosene I believe and it's milage wasn't all that good. The big 
problem with Stanleys was the fact that were so darned hard to work on, get 
it wrong and they wouldn't go or might go BOOM.

Indirect charcoal production has a much better return over semi or direct 
methods. The only reason you MUST open the chamber is to prevent a pressure 
burst. The origin of briquetes came as a result of trying to figure out what 
to do with all the charcoal powder left over from producing wood alcohol, a 
few other esthers and creosote during WWII. (I think) The whole BBQ industry 
is the direct result.

I have a few drawings of a wood stove for the shop that used the 
semi-indirect method to heat the shop while making charcoal for my cupola 
and or forge. It's only different in form from commercially available units, 
I just can't remember the correct term for this type stove but they're very 
efficient and clean burning.

Jer
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "peter fels" <artgawk at thegrid.net>
To: "Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, May 27, 2011 1:46 AM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] eco coke OT:


> Actually Jerry;
> There were wood powered cars that burned the volatiles off wood in both 
> the US and Germany in WW2.
> They must have made charcoal as a by-product.
> Of course the Stanley Steamer which burned either was a very impressive 
> car in it's day.
>