Anthracite in a Wood Gasifier?

stevemaxwell.ca · Post by **stevemaxwell.ca** » Mon. Jan. 26, 2015 9:07 am

Good Morning Everyone!

Will anthracite burn properly in a Portage and Main Optimizer 250 wood gasification boiler? I'd like to try some, but only if there's some hope of success. It's a downdraft unit, with air forced in by a fan from a couple of dozen holes in the top. All gases leaving the firebox through a 2" x 6" slot in the firebrick floor of the unit. There are no grates in my boiler, but ash can fall down through the slot in the bottom gasification chamber.

I'm hoping to be able to switch from hardwood to coal sometimes, if wood is running short.

Is anthracite worth a try?

Bye for now and thank you very much!

Steve

Post by **coaledsweat** » Mon. Jan. 26, 2015 9:18 am

The two fuels have vastly different burning characteristics so it may not work out for you. Anthracite requires shaker grates and all air for combustion from below it to burn correctly. Your best bet is an appliance designed to burn anthracite.
Post up some pics of your appliance (inside and out) and the wizards will let you know if it is feasable.

windyhill4.2 · Post by **windyhill4.2** » Mon. Jan. 26, 2015 9:40 am

stevemaxwell.ca , Welcome to the forum. I will answer NO to your question . Anthracite must have air from below,little to no air from above.From the description you have given of that unit,& I have researched that unit too,i would say your chances of burning any kind of coal is less than slim to none. Sorry.

whistlenut · Post by **whistlenut** » Mon. Jan. 26, 2015 10:04 am

My first call would be to the factory, AND SINCE IT IS A DOWNDRAFT EXIT, I CAN'T SEE HOW IT COULD POSSIBLY WORK. The good news is that as a wood gasifier, it is a very nice unit. Efficiency is what we are all about on this forum, and affordability. If you don't or can't burn wood, you sure could sell the P&M gassifier and purchase a hand fed or stoker boiler. I have a few friends that burn wood in AHS's gassifiers, and absolutely love them. No ash to speak of, and silence. It is no secret that wood gasifiers are the best way to burn DRY wood.

Try this link to the wood burner boys. It might help. http://www.forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=50390.0

My REAL advise is: Sell it and buy a made for coal boiler IF you want to burn coal.

lzaharis · Post by **lzaharis** » Mon. Jan. 26, 2015 10:33 am

stevemaxwell.ca wrote:Good Morning Everyone!

Will anthracite burn properly in a Portage and Main Optimizer 250 wood gasification boiler? I'd like to try some, but only if there's some hope of success. It's a downdraft unit, with air forced in by a fan from a couple of dozen holes in the top. All gases leaving the firebox through a 2" x 6" slot in the firebrick floor of the unit. There are no grates in my boiler, but ash can fall down through the slot in the bottom gasification chamber.

I'm hoping to be able to switch from hardwood to coal sometimes, if wood is running short.

Is anthracite worth a try?

Bye for now and thank you very much!

Steve

==================================================================================================

Hello Steve,

NO, coal will not work in it. I am not even sure their
(canadian soft coal) stoker which costs more than my truck
to buy would work with anthracite.

confedsailor · Post by **confedsailor** » Mon. Jan. 26, 2015 1:46 pm

You should call up P&M and see if they'll do you a deal on a stoker.

lzaharis · Post by **lzaharis** » Mon. Jan. 26, 2015 2:24 pm

When I was pricing them I did not
choke, but the $17,000+ installation+ sales tax
and Canadian VAT (Value Added Tax)
for the outdoor coal stoker was a deal killer.
===============================================================
Stay safe out there members
and non members. It looks like
it is going to be a long 72 hours
with all the weather coming.

Be sure you have food, water, batteries, flash light bulbs,
spare flash lights, all your prescriptions, and candles.

Check your smoke detectors, be sure to check your
generator and make sure it starts and be sure to
test it with a load greater than a fluorescent
drop light-don't ask how I know HA HA.

Make sure your walk behind snow casters are running properly,
be sure to have mixed gas and 2 cycle oil on hand if you use it
in your snow caster.

Fill the tub full of water so you can flush the toilet, make sure you have canned food
you to not have to cook, make sure you have bottles of drinking water-distilled water is
best for long storage times. Be sure to keep the plastic bottles out of the sunlight or cover
them with a thick blanket as the soft injection molded plastic bottles will degrade in sunlight
and leach into the water and it tastes awful if it does-Don't ask me how I know HA HA.

Be sure you have a manual can opener, if you have a Leatherman Tool it
has a hawk bill can opener.

Make sure you have your freezer and refrigerator temperature
turned down a few more degrees (just in case you lose power).

Bring your pups and kitties inside- mine lived in a fully insulated
dog house but I still brought them in. The injection molded igloo
dog houses will not stay warm enough for your pups.

If you need to go out drive slowly and don't worry about the guy
in back of you as you have the right of way.

Give your self at least 5 or more car lengths even below 45 miles per hour
as it gives you more time to react if the car ahead of you starts sliding around.

Remember to give yourself at least one car length or more when stopped as you will not
be able to escape the lane if the car or cars ahead of you catch(es) fire.

We will get through this like we always do.We have dealt with bigger storms
so just be careful if you have to go out.