Todd Turner

I bought an old RV to part out as a way to get a propane fridge and generator for research. I later bought a Servel brand propane fridge. Then... life got in the way.

Years ago, a chemist in the biomass industry told me that biogas was only about 50% methane. Lots of Nitrogen mixed in there as well. So, converting from propane to biogas may e tougher than first glance.

My propane fridge was used in a hunting camp (no electricity). Very efficient as far as gas consumption but not good to recover if the door is opened for very long. In other words, it takes a long time to chill the fridge.

I've been into biomass gasification for years. I'm also building an office in half of a 40' shipping container. I'm thinking of cannibalizing the factory air conditioning out of a small SUV to cool the space.

Here's my plan, please tell me if it's too far out there or if you have any suggestions:
100 watt Renogy solar panels (suitcase style), golf cart batteries for lighting and small power needs
13hp Honda GX390 engine (estimated 8.5hp on woodgas) fueled by a downdraft gasifier
Belt drive to turn an automotive alternator to recharge the 2 golf cart batteries on cloudy days
Belt drive to also turn AC compressor
Mount the in-dash AC in the exterior wall like a window unit

I read that automotive air conditioners are rated at between two and five tons of cooling. I was shocked at the output but after reading more, it makes sense. They are called on to quickly cool a small greenhouse. My space is 8'x20'x9.5'h (high cube container) = 1,520 cubic feet. No windows.

I used Insofast foam insulation panels on the walls and ceiling. The roof is painted white using a NASA spinoff ceramic coating.

Yes, I know I could use a window unit to cool the space but I always want to learn new things.

Tips? Concerns? Anyone with related personal experience?

A general rule of thumb for cleaning is the power of a cleaning chemical doubles every 20 degrees. Starting at 70 degrees F, your cleaner is twice as strong at 90 degrees. Go to 110 degrees (almost too warm to the touch) and you've quadrupled the cleaning power.

Another trick is dwell time. Try warming the oven just a bit, maybe even warm a cleaner on the stove and apply it... allow it to sit on the surface to soak in.

Be careful with the heating trick. Solvents like the orange peel smelling stuff (D-Limonene) has a flashpoint down around 118 to 125 degrees F.

One more trick: If you use a regular oven cleaner, have some vinegar handy. Most oven cleaners use caustic potash/lye (potassium hydroxide). It reacts with the fats and oils on the oven walls and it reacts with the fats and oils in your skin. Washing with water just turns it slimy. Flush with water first, then pour some vinegar over your hands to neutralize the caustic.