GEK Wiki / GEKs for Education
  • If you are citizen of an European Union member nation, you may not use this service unless you are at least 16 years old.

  • You already know Dokkio is an AI-powered assistant to organize & manage your digital files & messages. Very soon, Dokkio will support Outlook as well as One Drive. Check it out today!

View
 

GEKs for Education

Page history last edited by jim mason 11 years, 10 months ago

Educational Institutions and the GEK Gasifier

Customer Highlights:  

 

Eastern Illinois University uses the GEK PowerPallet to educate students about gasification. They have set up real time gas detection to analyze the wood gas while running the system. In this ~9 minute video, they walk through their experiences with start-up and running the PowerPallet and how it fits with their intentions to sustain their energy needs from local resources from consistent energy sources. They are investigating a variety of their local feed stocks with the system and are looking into larger scale projects at their Renewable Energy Center (http://www.eiu.edu/sustainability/eiu_renewable.php)

 

"Dr. Jerry Cloward, an Assistant Professor in the School of Technology at Eastern Illinois University, talks about the School of Technology's Gasifier Experimenter's Kit."

 

In this video, they show a good shot of the way we recommend sampling the wood gas from the system. In order to ensure that condensate does not foul the analyzer equipment, attach a long copper coil in between the sampling port and the analyzer. It is recommended to include a small trap right before the gas analyzer. If you do have condensate, this can be collected for analysis as the liquid fraction by other means. 

 

 

Click below for projects by GEK research and educational users.  We're still building out these project pages, so please mind our dust- more pages are coming soon.  In the interim, see here for the name and location list of universities and research centers using the GEK.

 

 

 

Utah state University 

 


 

 

George Markt&Russ Lanchance, PhD

West Point, NY thermal imaging camera

 

 

 

University of Minnesota, Morris

Biomass Gasification Project 

 

 

 

John Kinstler's GEK:

Art School of Chicago

 
 

 

 

 

Ethan's GEK fabrication and research project at Appalachian State Univ

 

 

Gerardo Diaz:

Research at UC Merced 

 

 

 

Adam Asquith: University of Hawaii 

 

 

Analysis of GEK wood gas with GC at Mississippi State University 


 

 

Rogue Community College:

Grants Pass, OR 

 

 

 University Of West Virginia 

 

Many more of our universities and research partners listed here: http://gekgasifier.com/gasification-store/gekbek-users-research-educational-institutions/

 

Links for educational groups:


Choosing a Project:

If you don't have any equipment yet, its best to match your GEK system with your educational goals. (We recommend contacting us at sales@allpowerlabs.org to ask about our current lead times so that we can be sure to get you set up before your semester starts).

  • GEK III, Weld-It-Yourself: This kit is offered only in the 10kW (3'' Reduction Bell) size as a mild steel. If you are looking for a good project for a welding class, this is a really great one. Because of the low price, its feasible to purchase enough kits for the classroom. This project could fit into a half of a semester or easily be stretched out over an entire semester depending on your curriculum goals. 
  • Basic GEK IV, Assemble-Yourself: Some example projects that best fit the Basic GEK are flaring off the wood gas for thermal applications, gas or thermal chemical  analysis, testing difficult feed stocks, or simple demonstrations for education only the basic science of gasification for example. If you are looking at modifying the gasifier for experimental use, this option might be a good starter kit for you. 
  • GEK TOTTI: This kit best fits the use of running the GEK Gasifier with an engine you may already have. This kit comes with the TOTTI add-ons which increases the efficiency of the overall reaction which yields a clean gas fit for engine integrations.  The GEK TOTTI add-ons can be included with either the Level III or Level IV kits. 
  • PowerPallets: The PowerPallet series is highly recommended if you want to start out on the right foot with teaching and engaging students to understand how the technology works. This option works very well to engage students right off the bat to show the practicality and importance of the technology first before taking the unit apart to investigate the details in the engineering and process flows. We typically find that this approach is often the best with students to start out with their understanding around a working unit, instead of working through the details to build or assemble the unit before interacting with a working gasifier system initially. Starting with the PowerPallet will also open up time and opportunities to add on additional research projects and additional technology integration.
  • Process Control Unit (PCU): The PCU is required for meaningful research as it has everything you may ever need for testing, data logging, and control. The PowerPallet series already comes with a PCU, but you will need this in addition to the other kits if you do not already have a testing equipment. Along with the PCU, you will also want to purchase the NEMA Enclosure and Mounting Hardware which is a water proof project box equipt with mounts for the PCU, switch mounts, DIN rails, and connectors for example. This is essential for protecting the PCU and keeps your project reliable and organized. 
  • Research Experimenters Kit: This is a really good kit if you are interested in researching the further details of the science of gasification concerning flow rates, flow control, tar testing, and thermal profiles. 
  • Gas Analyzer: If you don't already have dedicated equipment for your gasification research, you will want to add this to your list. Check out the link to see if the specs fit your research needs. 

 

GEK Sizing Guide:

The GEK comes in two different sizes according to the size of the reduction bell and its corresponding output for electrical applications. You will want to chose the size that fits the range of power demand of your end use

  • 3'' Reduction Bell (10kW): 
    • For electrical generation, this size will support between 2-10kW. 
  • 4'' Reduction Bell (20kW):
    • For electrical generation, this size will support between 4-20kW.
    • This size is recommended for vehicle conversions for engines up to 100 HP. (The use scenario for vehicle conversions is quite different than constant electrical loads. See the page "Convert Engines and Generators" for more details on vehicle conversions).

 

Fabricate, Assemble, and Operate the GEK systems:

To get an idea of how you and your class room will be interacting with the equipment, you will want to check out our instruction and operation manuals. 

 

Facilities:

 We get many questions about where to set up the GEK Gasifier and PowerPallets for research purposes. Some things that you may want to consider:

  • Only operate or conduct maintenance on the GEK Gasifier or the PowerPallet in a well ventilated place. We have seen universities install hoods, negative pressure flues, or build a small single walled shed or roof structure to accommodate the equipment. 

 

Projects and other helpful links: 

 

Next steps: 

  • Send us a sample of your curriculum or syllabus- While we are interested in how teachers are using the GEK in the classroom, we could also give you advice on time lines, interactive projects, and offer teaching material and documentation. Send to support@allpowerlabs.org.
  • Promote your program- Many people contact us that also want to enroll in classes to learn about gasification and other renewable energy technologies. Promote your program by sending pictures of your GEK to support@allpowerlabs.org and posting on the GEK Gasifier Forum so that we can point them in your direction. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments (0)

You don't have permission to comment on this page.