To burn wood smoke?

Question

Few if any will remember this.
But during world war 2 a method was devised to capture and use smoke from a wood fire on board vehicles in Europe.
No, not a steam engine. But some sort of engine similar to gasoline engines, but remade or designed to run on smoke.
I'm wondering with the cost of gasoline headed for $4.00 a gallon; if it wouldn't be practical now to reintroduce this machine.
If it will run on wood smoke, why not run it on trash?
Perhaps there exists a vehicle in a museum in Britain?

Answer 1

I believe it was called a 'gas-gen' or 'gas-o-gen' car. Or 'producer-gas'

There was a group in the US that crossed to country in a specially outfitted station wagon in the late 70's or early 80's using scrap construction wood. One large problem was that the smoke has smaller energy output that gas.

There were several books containing information on this.
One of the best was called 'Driving without Gas'. It was printed in the 70's during the US gas crisis.

Probably the eco-nazis would scream about the emissions from this system on a large scale though.

Answer 2

Wood smoke does contain some fine carbon particles, that are the by-product of incomplete combustion of the wood in a fire. What you are looking for was probably some sort of after-burner that scavenged the carbon particles from the smoke and reignited them for more complete combustion.

Unfortunately, In order to burn the smoke, first you need to burn the wood to make the smoke, and wood prices are going up even faster than gasoline. Have you priced a good clear 2x4 lately?

You could burn trash to create smoke, but common household trash also contains some things that could release toxic gasses when burnt... Not a really great idea.

Answer 3

Sure, wood smokes even as burning. It is not a concern. The smoke goes up the chimney. If you're burning fresh, inexperienced or damp wooden it'll smoke extra and the smoke could enter the room if the damper isn't open and/or there's a air flow trouble with the room.

Answer 4

Wasn't wood smoke actually, was wood gas.
Wood, when heated, gives off flammable gases.
These gases can be collected, and then burned.

Not exactly sure what you'd get from heating trash.

Answer 5

no clue