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 [[LPG]] currently making this "organic" method not always eco friendly (at least on a NOx / CO2 emmissions standpoint, again complex issues)
 
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>


=Internal Links=
=Internal Links=
*[[Steam Weeding]]
*[[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]
*
* [http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-3180.2009.00733.x/abstract paper:  A direct-fired steam weeder]
* [[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: Incomplete Pages]]
[[Category:Food and Agriculture]] [[Category:Farm equipment]] [[Category: Incomplete Pages]]

Revision as of 06:58, 8 December 2020

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 LPG currently making this "organic" method not always eco friendly (at least on a NOx / CO2 emmissions standpoint, again complex issues)

Internal Links

External Links

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