Aug 6-10, 2012 NESFI, Belchertown, MA. For further information about the camp activities, please contact Hugh McLaughlin.
Biochar Stove Camp
Labor Day Weekend
August 31 – September 4, 2012 Ecovillage Training Center, The Farm, Summertown, TN
with Dr. Paul Anderson, Eng. Bob Fairchild, Dr. Albert Bates, Eng. Frank Michael and others
The Biomass Energy Foundation (BEF) announces a BEF Stove & CHAB (Combined Heat And Biochar) Camp at The Farm.
The five-day Camp features hands-on experience plus theory & instruction on gasifiers of numerous types, but focusing on pyrolytic top-lit updraft (TLUD) technology for cookstoves (and larger devices for thermal energy and biochar CHAB). Each BEF Camp is a structured learning experience, where the technical foundation, practical skills and fabrication methods of constructing biomass-fueled devices are taught and put into practice with hands-on efforts by the participants.
The Farm’s BEF Camp starts with a social gathering Friday evening, followed by three days of structured learning, building, and burning. Typical days are divided between discussing combustion concepts, learning fabrication techniques while building small prototype devices that demonstrate the concepts, and operating the devices on both supplied and locally available fuels. Evenings are either social gatherings (including one meal prepared on the stoves) or additional time to fabricate and operate biomass-burning devices, collaborating in small groups of 2 to 5, and learning from insights and experiences of fellow participants. The final two days feature focused applications of the acquired skills to individual circumstances dictated by personal interests, unique fuels or culturally specific opportunities (determined based on participant interests for each camp). The instructors work in conjunction with small groups of “makers and testers”, with supplies available to prototype concepts and verify designs.
Workshop topics include:
Theory and Practice of Biomass Gasification: TLUDs, Retorts and Gasifiers- TLUD Micro Gasification: Cooking with gas from biomass
- Running a GEK: using gasification vapors and modifications for making biochar
- Joy To The World 5-gal TLUDs to Jolly Rogers 55 gal TLUDs and retort combinations for biochar production
- CHAB Devices: Heat, Heat Transfer, and Heat Exchangers; Capturing and using heat from batch and continuous TLUDs
- Dealing with special fuels such a Jatropha seeds, rice husks, leaves and briquettes
In 2011 stove camps were located in Australia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Honduras and Uganda. In 2012 camps will be offered in Massachusetts, Tennessee, Honduras and Kenya. Each BEF Camp has sufficient differences and updates to merit repeat attendance. Camp sizes are limited to 15 to 30 participants (subject to change in special circumstances). Price for the 5 day tuition, including materials, is $625 ($700 for couples) or $125 per day with special discounts for students, low-income, NGOs and the elderly. Tuition does not include transportation, lodging, and most meals, but a lodging and meal plan will be provided by Youre Inn at The Farm. An airport shuttle may also be possible. Reservations and pre-payments of tuition are appreciated to assist efficient running of the Camp. For those who desire, tent & RV camping is available, without RV hook ups but both with showers and toilets.
Each participant will have ample time to pursue specific interests, including the making or use of stoves and CHAB devices for specific purposes, such as: residential cookstoves, including the combustion device and the stove structure; Institutional cookstoves, in 55-gallon drums or in alternative structures; the Chip Energy Biomass Furnace (200,000 Btu/hr plus biochar) and the Biomass Grill/Stove; we expect to have some 50 samples of fuels, ranging from llama dung to briquettes, chips, pellets and Jatropha seeds. Well-dried fuel will be supplied at no charge.
For further information contact:
ecovillage at TheFarm.org
Both Global Village Institute (GVI) at The Farm and the Biomass Energy Foundation (BEF) are 501(c)(3) organizations to which donations (such as sponsorships of BEF Camps) are tax deductible in the USA.