Negligiblek's Pyrolysis Empirical Model

Model for Empirical Knowledge

I have zero experience with pyrolysis. Since Marcin asked me to lead this project, I realized I'd need to know what I was talking about when I attempted to lure and retain more experienced Pyrolysis Collaborators.

I did not study anything or look at many designs before I began. I simply wanted to build a model and see what issues arise which others have experienced but don't really list in their experimental findings. Nor did I do any calculations of any sort. I winged it. If it blows up on me, I'll do more homework (call me Sir Francis as in Bacon: hopefully not burnt bacon).

Unscaled Drawing of Model

Photos of Manufacture and Assembly

Partial Collection of Parts March 21st, 2009

Missing from the parts above are:

• 1' 2" dia copper pipe length;
• 2" Cap, 2" Screw Cap;
• Unknown copper pipe length for feed back loop
• Water basin
• Water basin lid
• Water basin lid gasket

Not shown in pictures is the MAPP gas canister and torch head.

• The two right most vertical pipes will go through the water basin lid.
• The right most vertical pipe will be inside the water basin but not submerged in water and will have 10' of 1/2" copper tubing on the top end.
• The other end of the 1/2" copper tubing will terminate in the 1/4 turn shut off valve.
• On the far left side of the picture, one vertical pipe is missing; hence the hanging elbow.
• The next two left most (and present) vertical parts will connect into the missing 1' x 2" dia. copper pipe

March 29th, 2009 Obtained the following parts:

• 36" of 2" dia copper pipe
• Two 2" to 3/4" tees
• 2" to 1.5" coupler
• 1.5" to 1/2" coupler
• 5' of 1/2" copper pipe
• 1/2" to 3/4" coupler
• 2" copper threaded end
• steel cap
• teflon tape

Obviously, these are not the parts I had intended. Being in a hurry, I made do with what the hardware store had in supply.

March 29th, 2009 Assembled All parts with the exception of:

• water basin
• water basin lid
• Did not solder cooling tube to outlet
• Did not crimp 1/4 turn valve on to cooling tube

No, the soldering doesn't look pretty and I didn't try to clean it up before I shot it either. It does hold air though. The hunt for a good water basin continues.