charcoal retort

[vince smith]

My retort is not original but I think I have simplified it a little and it works great.

Its a Tlud. ( top lit up draft )

Uses 3 concrete blocks 8" sq.
2 oil drums 44 gallon aust 55 gal usa.
1 gal reducing bush 2" to 1.1/4"
1 gal. cap 1.1/4"
2 pieces of 1" x 1/8" galv. flat mild steel.
and a bucket of clay to seal the drum from air in the extinguished stage.
Take one end out of the drum to be used as a retort leaving the bung end intact.
Take both ends out of the other drum to be used as an afterburner.

One plain end will be used as a lid in the extinguished stage.
the other plain end has tabs cut to form legs and is used as a baffle so as
charcoal (or ash) doesn't block the bottom air vent.

To use. load the retort with wood ( small bung in , reducing bush and bend installed, no cap yet.)

Once the fire is going lay the strips of flat mild steel across the top of retort and place the second endless dum on top ( afterburner )

The air is sucked in through the gap and helps burn the gasses from the smoke.

My burn time is 3 hours then I fit the cap, push the afterburner off and seal retort with lid. I leacve it overnight and unload next day.

Regards Vince.

 

[Snaker]

I have never heard of a retort. Best guess is that your making charcoal? If so, then what do you do with it, personal use or for sale? How about a little retort education.

 

[CBW1999]

Sometimes "Retort" is used when talking about cremation units- although, I don't believe this is what he built.

I am curious myself- incinerator perhaps?

 

[Perplexed]

The retort I know of is the one used in a chemistry lab to distill an evaporate I'm guessing he is indeed producing charcoal.

 

[vince smith]

Hello Snaker and CBW1999.

Yes I'm making charcoal, Its wonderfull stuff with many many uses.

I make it for my garden but hope to sell some soon.
It is great for carbon capture used this way.

I tend to waffle a bit so best look up Terra Preta for a history and uses.

I forgot to list the 1.1/4" bend on my parts list.

A retort burns timber ( or whatever ) in an oxygen deprived state.

I will attach a few pics, of the baffle, starting the burn and my first batch.

Regards Vince.

 

[Egon]

You gotta put a hot smoking unit on the end of that system and fully utilize the waste heat:thumbsup:

 

[vince smith]

Hello Egon, Your correct, there is a LOT of waste heat.
I've been looking at ways to use it ( that don't cost a lot.)

What is a hot smoking unit ?

Some places distill out elements from the smoke to make plant growth boosters and pest prevention liquids.

Regards Vince.

 

[Bill 55]

You need someplace to put a large piece of dead pig in that thing to utilize the excess heat

 

[Egon]

Yup, a place where your avatar hangings can get done up proper for the neighbours coming over. :thumbsup:

 

[Baby Grand]

Eric Sloane wrote about the importance of the charcoal makers to America's early history. It was used as a food preservative, filtration media, even toothpaste ...

Charcoal - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia