Flame Weeding: Difference between revisions

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=Basics=
=Basics=
[[File:large_TLUD_Rob.jpg|400px|thumb|right|Large TLUD gasifier, built by Rob Diermair, [http://biocharontario.ca/ Biochar Ontario].]]
*[[Non-Chemical Weeding]] via essentially "blanching" the weeds via hot flames + gas around said flame
Industrial Agriculture relies heavily on pesticides and toxic chemicals that, while effective at controlling weeds, have a variety of drawbacks.
*Effective yet imprecise, mainly used in between rows
 
*Looks metal af too which is a plus?
Traditionally, organic agriculture has relied on tillage or cover cropping for weed control. While these methods avoid the use herbicides, they have their downsides. Tillage can damage soil life and structure, resulting in a loss of valuable nutrients and organic matter. Cover crops may attract pests, delay ripening and compete with cash crops for nutrients and water. Flame weeders have been used with success, but often rely on propane gas from fossil sources.
*Often done with [[Fossil Fuels]] such as [[LPG]] / [[Propane]] / [[CNG]] etc currently, making this "organic" method not that eco friendly (Re: [[Greenwashing]] , grantet least from a [[NOx]] / [[GHG Emissions]] standpoint, again [[Sustainability of Agriculture]] is a complex issue, so broad generalizations (as about everywhere else) tend to not be correct)
 
*If done with [[Biogas]] , [[RNG]] ,  or [[Syngas]] based flames, this could be accessible, effective, and eco friendly
Enter the pyrolysis-powered steam weeder, which puts out [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superheated_steam superheated steam] to kill weeds. This device can use all kinds of dry biomass for fuel. Pelletized biomass such as wood pellets should work well. Pyrolysis releases heat which turns water into steam. The saturated steam from boiling water runs through a copper coil which is externally heated in the pyrolysis unit, creating the superheated steam. [[Biochar]] is generated as a byproduct, making the process carbon-negative.
 
=Components=
* a biomass [[gasifier]] - heat generation core
* boiler for water
* copper coil
* small electric fan for air flow to the TLUD
* an [[Arduino]] that controls the fan, thereby controlling temperature in the TLUD
 
=Uses=
* (organic) weeding
* against invasive species
* biomass drying, even [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torrefaction torrefaction] - generating more fuel right where it's needed.
* possibly for [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_steam_sterilization soil sterilization], but will need modifications
 
=Video=
<html>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yAElr7btyho" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</html>


=Further Research Required On=
*Optimal Height of the Torch
*Active Flame / Hot Gas "Scortching" of the Plants
*Can [[DME]] ,  [[Syngas]] , or even [[Hydrogen]] be used
*Can a Heated Gas ( [[Nitrogen]] ), or more likely due to cost effectiveness Heated Air be used? (Would reduce [[Wildfire Risk]] and also allow for direct electrical powdered devices via essentally a [[Hot Air Gun]] / [[Hot Air Station]] being scaled up to a [[Lifetrac Attachments]] Scale
*What is the
=Internal Links=
=Internal Links=
*
*[[Steam Weeding]] a similar concept, but with hot (or superheated / [[Dry Steam]] ? ) steam


=External Links=
=External Links=
* [http://www.soil-steaming-steam-boiler-blog.com/  Soil Steaming Blog]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weed_control#Thermal The Wikipedia Page on Thermal Weeding]
* [http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-3180.2009.00733.x/abstract paper:  A direct-fired steam weeder]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAElr7btyho A Video by the YouTube Channel "Off-Grid with Curtis Stone" Titled "BEST FLAME WEEDER ON THE MARKET!" ] ( '''~7 Minute Watch''' )
* [[Food_Drying_with_Superheated_Steam|"food drying with superheated steam"]]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_steam_sterilization Wikipedia: Soil Steam Sterilization]
* [http://www.physicalweeding.com/information/flame-vs-steam.html Flame vs. Steam]
* [https://www.youtube.com/embed//YmAUBmPdL6k Green Steam]


[[Category:Food and Agriculture]] [[Category:Farm equipment]]
[[Category:Food and Agriculture]] [[Category:Farm equipment]] [[Category: Incomplete Pages]]

Latest revision as of 04:07, 9 June 2023

Basics

  • Non-Chemical Weeding via essentially "blanching" the weeds via hot flames + gas around said flame
  • Effective yet imprecise, mainly used in between rows
  • Looks metal af too which is a plus?
  • Often done with Fossil Fuels such as LPG / Propane / CNG etc currently, making this "organic" method not that eco friendly (Re: Greenwashing , grantet least from a NOx / GHG Emissions standpoint, again Sustainability of Agriculture is a complex issue, so broad generalizations (as about everywhere else) tend to not be correct)
  • If done with Biogas , RNG , or Syngas based flames, this could be accessible, effective, and eco friendly

Further Research Required On

Internal Links

External Links

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