Project Summary | Project Information |
---|---|
A Kon Tiki, developed by the Ithaka Institute, is a cone style kiln that creates biochar from agricultural wastes and other biomass through the thermochemical decomposition of organic materials at elevated temperatures (pyrolysis). The Kon Tiki kiln is a cheap and simple design that optimizes biochar production while reducing carbon emissions. The kiln generally operates at temperatures higher than required, generating waste heat released into the environment. A Biochar Kiln Heat Recovery System would collect this excess heat to be repurposed for other heating applications. Current systems include overhead heat exchangers and coils added around the kiln, but these have either been proven to be ineffective or lack sufficient evidence to prove efficiency. The goal of this project is to provide a cost effective working prototype that can efficiently recover heat as well as be easily manufactured and distributed to countries all over the world. The heat recovery system has to be compatible with the existing kiln and be easily operated by an individual with no technical background. The design should be easily replicated to provide adequate heat recovery of kilns located in places without access to critical building materials. Since Biochar Kilns are typically used outdoors, the system must also be operable in a range of climate conditions to accommodate weather extremities all over the world. _______________________________________________________________________________If you are interested in seeing our original Project Readiness Packet, click on the following link for the Project Readiness Package. |
|
Team Members
Member | Role | Contact |
---|---|---|
Kent Derbyshire | Purchasing/Sourcing | kld4491@rit.edu |
Courtney Smith | Campus Relations/Drying Sub-System Lead | cns6240@rit.edu |
Kyle Bossung | International Customer Contact/Water Sub-System Lead | krb5210@rit.edu |
Zak Gustavesen | EDGE Administrator | zwg1448@rit.edu |
Phung Tran | Local Customer Liason/Project Manager | pnt4294@rit.edu |
Table of Contents
MSD I & II | MSD I | MSD II |
---|---|---|
Integrated System Build & Test |
Acknowledgements
Sarah Brownell (Guide)Kathleen Draper (Customer)
Dr. Robert Stevens (Subject Matter Expert - RIT)
Balz Baur (Subject Matter Expert - Serbia)
Hans-Peter Schmidt (Subject Matter Expert - Nepal)
Paul Taylor (Subject Matter Expert - Australia)