Alterations to accommodate pyrolysis chamber/retort kiln

Hello all,

I have introduced my project in previous post. I am basically building a biochar retort kiln, more specifically, I am incorporating a hornito design alteration. This kiln does feature Ianto Evan's rocket stove design on the bottom. This photo demonstrates the rocket stove with the retort kiln on top (in this case it is a 55 gallon drum with another drum around it altered to be made a little bigger). I understand how this type of system works, and it most cases it works well. Although, I wanted to ask you all for any suggestions on how I might flip these drums horizontally to make loading/unloading a little easier. Below is a photo of a basic hornito design.

You may need to build it with 2 rockets feeding it, but it should work fine. That is my plan for a charcoal retort if I get around to it.

Build it like this barrel stove but with rocket(s) for the firebox: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aL6iJyDzOWI

R. Scott : I Think the Whole build is actually much simpler than you are making it ! I am sure that the pyrolyzed gases re-directed to the combustion chamber will complete
the total combustion to bio- charcoal.

Given the original expectations, producing bio-char, a failure to achieve total conversion to charcoal ( that will be buried in the Ground ) is a non issue !

If we were trying to achieve total carbonization to allow the further Pyrolization of Charcoal into a Methane /Carbon Monoxide fuel. small amounts of unburned Wood finally pyrolize
with increased Methane ,methanol production, if planned for this can be a + This is just my opinion, lets see what other fellow members say ! For the Craft ! BIG AL

Thanks for the input, guys! R. Scott, the YouTube video you posted is a great video, The design looks very similar to what I had drawn up and planned to build.

OK so I had a idea I was thinking what would happen if you add a thumper from a moonshine still would that clean out the impurities from the wood gas cleaning the tar and giving pure methane like in the hornito and then you can compress and store the methane for later use.what do you guys think?

R Scott wrote:You may need to build it with 2 rockets feeding it, but it should work fine.  That is my plan for a charcoal retort if I get around to it.    

Build it like this barrel stove but with rocket(s) for the firebox: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aL6iJyDzOWI  

Wow exactly what I was looking to do with Aircrete instead of bricks.

Pipe the excess gasses back into the combustion chamber.

Use a J tube instead of firebox.