FAQ

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We get a lot of email with questions about the GEK. We’re very happy to receive questions and provide answers. But please remember we’re a small shop and often get overwhelmed with email traffic (thus we apologize ahead of time if it takes a couple days to get back to you). The FAQ below answers most of the things you likely want to ask. And things not answered here are likely answered somewhere on the main site, or GEK forum or GEK wiki. If confusion persists, contact us at gek@allpowerlabs.org or through the form on the contact page here.

1. Will the GEK run my car, truck, generator, lawnmower, tractor, boat, etc?

The standard GEK is delivered with an Imbert type downdraft reactor sized to run engines in the 5 – 40HP range. The standard reduction bell and nozzle configuration will run 5-20hp engines. Changing these particulars can expand the gas rate to support up to 40hp engines, or a 20-25kw genset. Most people like to start with small engines– Listers, China Diesels, Briggs and Stratten, Honda V-twins, 4cyl car engines, etc. But you can easily adjust nozzle size and position, as well as change out the reduction bell to support larger gas flows, up to 80m3/hr, or about 40hp. Above here you will start to challenge the basic hearth sizing and related air intake and gas output plumbing sizes. We find the GEK is large enough to run common 4cylinder engines in smaller cars. Here’s an elaboration on the basic GEK running a Honda Accord with a standard 1600cc 4 cyl engine.

2. Does the GEK produce clean tar free gas?

The GEK does not promise, nor does it guarantee, clean gas or turnkey hands off performance. There are too many variables of fuel size, shape and moisture content, in combination with too many variables of operator competence, for us to promise you specific results.

However, we know through our extensive experience, and you can confirm through the community of GEK users, that the GEK can produce very clean syngas which can successfully run an internal combustion engine. In fact, the GEK comes default with a variety of elaborations and improvements on historic units that will greatly increase your access to success. Regular running of engine using the GEK is very possible. But you are going to have to invest yourself in the process and earn the success. Despite all the improvements offered with the standard GEK, at the end of the day, is still a fixed bed downdraft gasifier, and thus has all the fuel sensitivities and operator dependencies that we all know from our reading, as well as the historic experience.

ALL Power Labs, and the larger GEK collaboration, are progressively solving these problems and increasing the operational flexibility of the unit. We regularly deliver improvements and new add-ons to the basic Imbert reactor, things like continuous fuel feeding systems, integrated drying systems, and full electronic automation. Completely new reactor types that bolt in to the existing base will be available down the road. You can follow these developments by signing up for the GEK News list announce list, or follow the Reactors page here.

3. How much wood do I need to make (insert HP) or (insert KW)?

1 gal of gasoline or diesel will make about 15HP of shaft power for one hour. if driving a genset, this will produce about 1oKWe.

1 gal of gasoline or diesel is equivalent to about 20lbs of biomass through a gasifier.

1 ton of biomass to power through a gasifier-engine system is equal to about 100gal of liquid fuel in a genset, or 1MW of electricity.

Thus, the main rule of thumb to remember:
1 kg of biomass ~ 2lbs biomass ~ 2m3/h woodgas ~ 1HP ~ 0.75KW

See here for the details

4. How much wood do I need to drive my car?

Here’s how to approximate how much power your vehicle requires at cruise?

60MPG = 1gal/hr or 15HP for one hour
30MPG = 2gal/hr or 30HP for one hour
15MPG = 4gal/hr or 60HP for one hour

5. What kind of generator would you recommend?

Here’s some thoughts on that, along with photos and prices, in our forum.

6. What kind of fuel can I use in the GEK?

The best source of fuel is going to be dry, carbon dense biomass. Think wood chips, chunks, nut shells, coconut husks, that sort of thing. Lawn clippings, hay, leaves and so forth won’t work, since they’ll form an impermeable barrier to the heat and syngas wanting to rise up from the reaction bed. We do a lot of testing on various materials, and if you’re interested in that sort of thing, you should look here. In general, a chunk of wood about 1″ on a side is ideal, for air flow and combustion. But wood chips and pellets are great, too. The important thing is you’re not trying to dry the fuel while you’re wanting it to pyrolisize. Getting the moisure to the optimal level is what’s behind our heated fuel auger, and pyrocoil.

More questions we know we still need to answer:

- Can I heat my house, cabin, garage, with the GEK?

- Can the gas be compressed and stored for use later? How?

- Can I use the gas from the GEK in my existing boiler or water heater?

- Can I burn coal in it?

- How long will it run on one hopper load?

- Will this be something I can use to feed energy back into the grid?

-How much does it cost to ship a GEK to the UK, Canada, India, Australia, Germany, etc?

- I want a bigger GEK to run a V-8 engine. Can you make me one?

- Can I use the GEK to also run a diesel engine?

-If I get the current GEK version, will it be irrelevant after the next version comes out?

- How long does it take to get one delivered?