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The default reactor for the GEK system is an Imbert type downdraft reactor.  An Imbert is the usual starting point for generating low tar wood gas to power internal combustion engines. The GEK Imbert is delivered with a default configuration known to produce clean syngas when operated by a knowledgeable operator, using appropriate fuels.  The standard reduction bell and nozzle configuration will run 5-20hp engines, or 3kw to 15kw of electrical load.  Switching to a larger reduction bell can expand gas rates to support up to 40hp engines, or a 20-25kw genset.

The GEK Imbert will run many different types of engines and related gensets. See here for the pros and cons of various GEK-engine-genset combinations. The video below shows the GEK running a 10kw Honda V-twin genset– our current favorite choice amongst the readily available options.

The GEK Imbert combines all common Imbert internal variations into a single configurable reactor.  It elaborates these basics with a growing collection of internal improvements to the traditional Imbert, as well as “bolt to” flanges for external performance add-ons and customizations.

Standard kit features include:

• Variable air nozzle position and size
• Exchangeable reduction bell size and type
• Air preheating to 600C (or lack there of)
• Variable air injection architecture (air from top, bottom, or side annular ring, or combinations thereof)
• Multilayer hearth insulation
• Full hourglass hearth in stainless steel
• “Monorator” type condensing hopper
• Mechanical fuel stirring rod
• Rotary grate

See the GEK Gallery for pictures and videos of these features in action.  The dimensional particulars are shown in the graphic below.

Performance Particulars: Satisfaction Guaranteed or 100% Money Back

To be clear, the GEK is not a turnkey wood gasification unit. Given the variability of fuels and human operators, we cannot guarantee perfection right out of the box. However, in the hands of a knowledgable operator, the GEK will produce excellent results. Success is also very accessible to the beginner, but know it will reqiure your active participation and learning. Of course we are here to help you with this, which is the point of the GEK collaboration. See the GEKforum to understand the range of experiences real people have with the unit, as well as their plans for it in the future.

We believe the design, open source collaboration and manufacturing particulars of the GEK are a powerful value proposition. If you buy a GEK and find the particulars to be otherwise, you can return the unit for a 100% money back refund. After more than 120 units delivered and no requests for refunds after actual use, this is an easy promise for us to make.

Larger Imbert type gasifiers

We are often asked if we can make a larger GEK Imbert.  In principle, we can do this easily. The GEK Imbert is designed on a set of formal ratios for all vessel sizes and internal relationships, as well as the plumbing sizes for air in and gas out.  The resulting new sheetmetal dimensions are easy to cut via the CAD design and CNC cutting method that produces the units currently.

However in practice, the details of sourcing, logistics, information support, and unit testing make supporting multiple sizes simultaneously a challenge to our progress on the fundamentals.  Thus we have tried to stay with the size the greatest number of users/developers want, and thereby optimize the potential for collaboration engineering and development on top of a common base.  All the details we work out on the small units will transfer to larger units down the road.  We will just get there faster by not forking the road from the beginning.

Nonetheless, if you have a more ambitious project, and are interested in developing a larger GEK installation, write us and we can discuss the options.  You can see the steps for GEK upsizing here.

You contact us at: “gek_AT_allpowerlabs_._org”