Product Description
In this age of high fuel prices and concern with continuing availability of oil,
scientists are working on a number of approaches to alternate fuel sources.
These concerns may provoke interest in how some people in gas-starved
Europe dealt with such problems throughout the war years, 1939-1945. One
of the most successful innovations, were the so-called gas producer vehicles
that utilized the by-products of solid fuel combustion, employing such solids
as coal, charcoal, turf, and wood to produce fuel gas for a standard internal
combustion engine. This book provides an overview of such vehicles, including
those used by the Wehrmacht. Schematics of operating systems and the
regulations concerning their use are also included, along with a translated
German illustrated operators manual. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

WARTIME WOODBURNERS: ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES IN WORLD WAR II
WARTIME WOODBURNERS: ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES IN WORLD WAR II
JOHN FULLER RYAN
SCHIFFER PUBLISHING, 2009
HARDCOVER, $29.99, PHOTOGRAPHS, 112 PAGES, ILLUSTRATIONS, SCHEMATIC DRAWINGS


Fuel gas, produced by the reduction of coal and peat, was used for heating, as early as 1840 in Europe, and by 1884 it had been adopted to fuel engines in England. The use of wood to provide heat is as old as mankind, but by burning the wood we only utilize about one-third of its energy. Two-thirds is lost into the environment with the smoke. Gasification is a method of collecting the smoke and its combustible components. Making a combustible gas from coal and wood began around 1790 in Europe. Such manufactured gas was used for street lights and was piped into houses for heating, lighting, and cooking. Factories used it for steam boilers, and farmers operated their machinery on wood gas and coal gas. After the discovery of large petroleum reserves in Pennsylvania in 1859, the entire world changed to oil-a cheaper and more convenient fuel. Thousands of gas works all over the world were eventually dismantled. Wood gas generators aren't technological marvels that can totally eliminate our current dependence on oil, reduce the impacts of an energy crunch, or produce long-term economic relief from high fossil fuel prices, but they are a proven emergency solution when such fuels become unobtainable in case of war, civil upheavel, or natural disaster. In fact, many people can recall a widespread use of wood gas generators during World War II, when petroleum products weren't available for the civilian populations in many countries. Naturally, the people most affected by oil and petroleum scarcity made the greatest advancements in wood gas generator technology. In occupied Denmark during World War II, 95% of all mobile farm machinery, tractors, trucks, stationary engines, fishing and ferry boats were powered by wood gas generators. Even in neutral Sweden, 40% of all motor traffic operated on gas deriveed from wood or charcoal. All over Europe, Asia, and Australia, millions of gas generators were in operation between 1940 and 1946. Because of the wood gasifier's somewhat low efficiency, the inconvenience of operation, and the potential health risks from toxic fumes, most of such units were abandoned when oil again became available in 1945. Except for the technology of producing alternate fuels, such as methane or alcohol, the only solution for operating existing internal combustion engines, when oil and petroleum products aren't available, has been these simple, inexpensive gasifier units. The World War II, Imbert gasifier requires wood with a low moisture content (less than 20% by weight) and a uniform, blocky fuel in order to allow easy gravity feed through the constricted hearth. Twigs, sticks, and bark shreds can't be used. The constriction at the hearth and the protruding air nozzles present obstructions to the passage of the fuel and may create bridging and channeling followed by poor quality gas output, as unpyrolyzed fuel falls into the reaction zone. The vehicle units of the World War II-era had ample vibration to jar the carefully sized wood blocks through the gasifier. In fact, an entire industry emerged for preparing wood for use in vehicles at that time. However, the constricted hearth design seriously limits the range of wood fuel shapes that can be successfully gasified without expensive cubing or pelletizing pretreatment. It is this limitation that makes the Imbert gasifier less flexible for emergency use. In this age of high fuel prices and concern with continuing availability of oil, scientists are working on a number of approaches to alternate fuel sources. In a new and timely book entitled WARTIME WOODBURNERS: ALTERNATE FUEL VEHICLES IN WORLD WAR II, author John Fuller Ryan has written a fascinating book complete with detailed photographs and drawings of "gas producer" vehicles that utilized the by-products of solid fuel combustion, employing such solids as coal, charcoal, turf, and wood to produce fuel gas for a standard internal combustion engine. This book provides an excellant overview of such vehicles, including those used by the Wehrmacht. The author has done an outstanding job of presenting this little known niche of World War II technology. A must purchase for any serious student of World War II.


Lt. Colonel Robert A. Lynn, Florida Guard
Orlando, Florida

Classic History Book
The smart design and layout of this insightful overview of alternative fueled vehicles of WWII is typical of all Schiffer books. The wonderful collections of photos tell the story by themselves. Not only do we see the various types of vehicles but how they were used and fueled. One really gets the feel of these desperate times by paging through the book. The writing is also concise and fills in the needed background without being overly technical. These rare black and white photos offer a glimpse into a time when alternative fuels were an everyday reality, but while the photos are historical the subject is quite contemporary.

Surprising Value
I'd always heard about these vehicles, but this is the first book I've found that deals with them in amazing detail. Not only is it a good historical book, but it's a very good start for anybody who might be interested in building one.

Great book!
I've been studying WW2 for a long time and had never heard of these vehicles or this technology. This fascinating book will show you just about everything there is to know about the subject. Film of the period always shows gas powered vehicles rolling along, but never the "alternative fuel" or horse drawn vehicles that apparently made up a good portion of the fleets of Germany and other nations. This author has done an outstanding job of presenting this little known niche of WW2 technology. A must buy for the serious WW2 buff!! And, very interesting to see that our own government has looked in to this as well! Bravo Mr. Ryan!! ... Read more

Product Description
Ages 9 to 12 years. In this important book, children will discover not only what hydrogen is, but also how this simple element can create clean energy, as well exploring it's past dealings with hot air balloons and airships, its present, space shuttles and fuel cells. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

JUNK
this book is a waste of time and money. Only suitable for grade 1, a general overview of Hydrogen.

hydrogen society - Toyota Fine X
In order for a hydrogen society to exist a network of hydrogen refueling stations are required. Hydrogen will be created on site or transported in liquid or pressurized gas to the refueling station.

Toyota has a concept car called the Fine-X.The fine-X is powered by hydrogen fuel cells.Stack fuel cells provide the electrical power and use a alloy catalyst requiring fewer precious metals.Fine X has four wheel independant steering system allowing turn on a dime. The fine X is a four passenger car.The front passenger seat pivots allowing the passenger to standup and walk away from the vehicle.The car will emit zero CO2 emissions. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (1)

The definitive work on future energy sources
Does nuclear power have a role in the green energy revolution? How about coal? What can we learn from Germany, arguably the world's greatest success story in green power? Morris covers all the bases in Energy Switch: Proven Solutions for a Renewable Future. The author's years of energy reporting for Germany's leading tech publisher have paid off in this book. He gives us a complete and nuanced look at all of the different energy sources -- from biomass, to fuel cells, to photovoltaics, to wind. But Morris, doesn't stop with so-called "alternative" energy sources; he also gives us a detailed look at coal, nuclear, natural gas, and oil, with impartial discussions of both the merits and the pitfalls of each.

The books shifts adroitly from the micro level to the big picture, explaining climate, economic, and social consequences. Morris also interprets the German system of subsidies and political measures in a way that is easy to grasp for American readers. And perhaps the book's greatest contribution is the author's practical recommendations for how America can benefit from some of the strategies that have been so successful in Germany.

Like it or not, energy indepenence and renewable energy is where America is headed. Energy Switch is a must-read book for anybody who wants to understand where the ride is taking us.
... Read more

Product Description

Also called energy scavenging, energy harvesting captures, stores, and uses "clean" energy sources by employing interfaces, storage devices, and other units. Unlike conventional electric power generation systems, renewable energy harvesting does not use fossil fuels and the generation units can be decentralized, thereby significantly reducing transmission and distribution losses. But advanced technical methods must be developed to increase the efficiency of devices in harvesting energy from environmentally friendly, "green" resources and converting them into electrical energy.

Recognizing this need, Energy Harvesting: Solar, Wind, and Ocean Energy Conversion Systems describes various energy harvesting technologies, different topologies, and many types of power electronic interfaces for stand-alone utilization or grid connection of energy harvesting applications. Along with providing all the necessary concepts and theoretical background, the authors develop simulation models throughout the text to build a practical understanding of system analysis and modeling.

With a focus on solar energy, the first chapter discusses the I−V characteristics of photovoltaic (PV) systems, PV models and equivalent circuits, sun tracking systems, maximum power point tracking systems, shading effects, and power electronic interfaces for grid-connected and stand-alone PV systems. It also presents sizing criteria for applications and modern solar energy applications, including residential, vehicular, naval, and space applications. The next chapter reviews different types of wind turbines and electrical machines as well as various power electronic interfaces. After explaining the energy generation technologies, optimal operation principles, and possible utilization techniques of ocean tidal energy harvesting, the book explores near- and offshore approaches for harvesting the kinetic and potential energy of ocean waves. It also describes the required absorber, turbine, and generator types, along with the power electronic interfaces for grid connection and commercialized ocean wave energy conversion applications. The final chapter deals with closed, open, and hybrid-cycle ocean thermal energy conversion systems.

Product Description
"The Footprint Reading Library" is the first non-fiction reading series for English language learners to present real-world stories in print, audio, and video. This series offers fascinating stories and facts from across the planet, and develops the language and skills needed to understand non-fiction writing. It offers a rich selection of engaging non-fiction, grouped into five themes: Incredible Animals, Fascinating Places, Remarkable People, Exciting Activities, and Amazing Science. One hundred individual readers are graded into eight levels - from Pre-Intermediate to Advanced. It ranges from 800 to 3,000 headwords. ... Read more

Product Description
This book covers energy conservation and new technologies needed within the materials field for today's climate of high energy costs and environmental consequences of greenhouse gas emissions. Also included in this book are papers from the second symposium on carbon dioxide reduction metallurgy.

This title includes approaches on carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission reduction in metal production by improved energy efficiency in life cycle fuel use, reductions in carbonate-based flux/raw material usage, as well as finding thermodynamically feasible reactions leading to lower emissions. Also covered are energy saving techniques for extraction and processing of ferrous and nonferrous metals and other materials. ... Read more

Product Description

This book presents the physical and technical principles of promising ways of utilising renewable energies. In this context, firstly the main characteristics of the available renewable energy streams are outlined. Subsequently, the book presents the technologies of heat provision from passive and active solar systems, ambient air, shallow geothermal energy as well as energy from deep geothermal sources. In the preceding chapters the book addresses the processes of electricity generation from solar radiation (photovoltaic and solar thermal power plant technologies), wind energy, and hydropower. In addition, a brief discussions of harnessing ocean energies is included.

The authors provide the important data and parameter sets for the major possibilities of renewable energies utilization which allow an economic and environmental assessment. Such an assessment enables us to judge the chances and limits of the multiple options utilising renewable energy sources.

Customer Reviews (1)

This is a brief overview of alternative energy and cars.Is the hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle for you?
With the cost of gas spiraling, fuel efficiency has become a concern, to say nothing of the emissions continually being poured into the atmosphere.In the 1950s and 1960s more people were able to afford a second vehicle and the rush to the suburbs was on.According to the author there are an whopping "136 million passenger cars in the United States" and about "97 percent of them rely on the internal combustion engine (ICU)."

In recent years there has been a resurgence in interest to find alternative energy resources with an eye on cars that use alternative energy.Green is in, but which vehicle type should we focus on?This book takes a look at electric cars, including the popular Tesla Roadster, but also takes a look at the downside of owning one, including the need to improve its battery.It also explores the hybrid car, the hydraulic hybrid, diesel cars, biodiesel fuel and hydrogen power.In 2007 Project Driveway put one hundred "hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles" on the roads in several major cities.This will be one project you may wish to keep an eye on!

This is a lovely, short overview on alternative energy and cars.Many of the photographs of the cars and their engines are `hot' and grab one's attention immediately.Both the pros and cons of each vehicle or fuel source are briefly explored.In the back of the book there is a glossary an index and additional recommended web sites that can be accessed through the publisher's link.This would be a good stepping stone book for students to think about and perhaps select a topic for further exploration for a school report. ... Read more

Product Description
With nearly all of the world’s energy consumption dependent on non-renewable resources,Powering Our Future challenges consumers to support changes that will create sustainable energy in the future.

The four biggest energy sources—oil, natural gas, coal, and uranium—currently power our earth. What would happen to our society if we experienced severe shortages of one or more of these resources? Such a glimpse into the future may become reality sooner than we think. Oil production is soon expected to begin a rapid descent, with natural gas in close pursuit. Powering Our Future is an educational tool that opens the door to a future fueled by sustainable, renewable energy. Consumers will learn:

·
• How our world has become dependent on four nonrenewable resources.·
• How each resource impacts us politically, economically, and environmentally.·
• How renewable resources such as hydrogen, fuel cells, wind power, solar energy, hydropower, and more are waiting in the wings.·
• How the transition to renewable resources will take place, offering economically stable and environmentally safe choices.

Product Description
The wind power industry has been transformed in the 1990s by dramatic breakthroughs in efficiency, economy, and adaptability. Wind Energy Basics is the most up-to-date source available of information about small wind systems. The book includes the unique "standard small wind turbine rating" developed by the author, which is designed to help readers wade through conflicting performance claims by manufacturers in the U.S. and overseas. Also included is detailed information on planning, siting, and installing a wind system, and on integrating wind power with solar for more cost-effective and reliable off-the-grid applications.

In addition, Gipe provides a discussion of "net metering" and intertie possibilities, explaining how homeowners in many states can now sell their excess electricity back to the utility company.

Wind Energy Basics is an excellent introduction to wind power for educational programs concerned with state-of-the-art renewable energy options, and will be indispensable for those considering today's generation of quiet, efficient, and reliable "micro" wind turbines.

Wind Energy Basics describes a new class of small wind turbines, dubbed micro turbines, which are so small that they can be purchased for less than $1000 and carried in your hands.

The debut of micro wind turbines brings the technology within reach of almost everyone. These inexpensive machines, when coupled with readily available photovoltaic panels (solar cells), have revolutionized living in remote homes off-the-utility grid. And the increasing popularity of micro wind turbines has opened up new applications previously considered off-limits to wind energy, such as charging electric fences and powering remote telephone call boxes, once the sole domain of solar cells.

Micro wind turbines have been around for decades for use on sailboats, but they have gained increasing prominence in the 1990s as their broader potential for off-the-grid applications on land has become more widely known. While micro wind turbines have yet to reach the status of widely available consumer commodities such as personal computers, the day may not be far off. The use of wind power is "exploding," say Karen and Richard Perez in their foreword. "There are currently over 150,000 small-scale RE (renewable energy) systems in America and they are growing by 30% yearly. The small-scale use of wind power is growing at twice that amount--over 60% per year," according to the Perezes, the editors of Home Power magazine.

Southwest Windpower awakened latent consumer interest in micro wind turbines with the introduction of its sleek Air 303. Since launching the 300-watt turbine in 1995, Southwest Windpower has shipped 18,000 of the popular and inexpensive machines.

"What Americans, and folks all over the world, are finding out," the Perezes say, "is that wind power is an excellent and cost-effective alternative" to extending electric utility lines, and fossil-fueled backup generators.

Wind Energy Basics explains how it is possible—in some states—for homeowners to run their kilowatt-hour meter backwards with a small wind turbine.

This book confronts the common but controversial practice of "power rating" that may mislead consumers about the potential of some small wind turbines. Known for his frank style, Gipe quickly cuts through technological jargon and the hype surrounding power ratings.

"Nothing tells you more about a wind turbine's potential than rotor diameter—nothing. The wind turbine with the bigger rotor will almost invariably generate more electricity than a turbine with a smaller rotor, regardless of their generator ratings," he says.

Gipe also comes down hard on roof-top mounting. "Don't bother," he warns. "It's not worth the trouble." He also minces few words on mounting wind turbines in trees. "Sometimes wind energy isn't the right choice," Gipe says. "If you live in a forest of tall trees and you can't afford a tower tall enough to clear the trees, then wind energy isn't for you."

Worldwide, wind energy is booming. Not since the heyday of the American farm windmill has wind energy grown at such a dramatic pace. By the new millennium, more than 40,000 medium-size wind turbines will be in operation worldwide, mostly in California, Europe, and India. These commercial wind turbines, including those found in California's giant wind power plants, will produce 20 terawatt-hours (20,000 million kilowatt-hours) of wind-generated electricity annually—enough to meet the needs of more than three million energy-hungry Californians, or twice that number of more energy-conscious Europeans.

The commercial success of medium-size wind turbines, or wind farm machines, is only part of the story. Small wind turbines have found their role expanding as well. Whether it's on the contemporary homestead of Ed Wulf in California's Tehachapi Mountains, in the Chilean village of Puaucho overlooking the Pacific Ocean, or on the Scoraig peninsula of Scotland's wind-swept west coast, small wind turbines are making an important difference. While their contributions may be small in absolute terms, small wind turbines make a big difference in the daily lives of people in remote areas around the globe. Small wind turbines may produce only a few tens of kilowatt-hours per month, but this electricity goes much further and provides as much, if not more, value to those who depend upon it as does the generation of their bigger brethren.

Today there are more than 50 manufacturers of small wind turbines worldwide, and they produce more than 100 different models. Altogether manufacturers in western countries have built about 60,000 small wind turbines during the last two decades. And tens of thousands more have been manufactured in China for use by nomads on the Mongolian steppes.

Wind Energy Basics is richly illustrated with photographs of small wind turbines, from those on the Patagonian steppes at the tip of South America to those on the wind-swept shores of Denmark.

The book contains information on most major small wind turbines on the international market. It also provides photographs of common wind turbine applications, including their use for wind power plants, vacation homes, third world villages, farms, water pumping, and so on.

Engineers will like the "exploded views" of popular micro and mini wind turbines such as the Ampair 100, Southwest Windpower's Air 303, and Bergey Windpower's BWC 850 and BWC 1500.

The book also introduces the "griphoist" to American readers. This amazing tool, coupled with new lightweight wind turbine towers that have recently become available, has the potential to transform the installation of micro turbines. With the "griphoist", two people can safely raise a micro wind turbine on a specially designed tower without resorting to cumbersome electric winches.

The appendix to Wind Energy Basics includes detailed product specifications for most popular micro and mini wind turbines, as well as sources for wind pumps (farm windmills), used wind turbines, anemometers, inverters, trade associations, and mail-order catalogs that sell wind turbines. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

A fabulous read
I needed to do a power point on wind energy and it is a subject I'm interested in for my retirement property.Paul Gipe really put all of the technology in easy to understand terms and spelled out the formulas.It was a productive and concise read.

Wind Energy Basics
I ordered this book because I am interested in potentially installing a wind energy system in my home.I did not find this book helpful to that end.It is too technical.It gave details I don't think I need and did not give me information on how to determine if my home is a good candidate for wind energy.Not what I was looking for.No practical information for a home owner.

Wind
Nice photos, but no real useful information. Ordered by mistake, and returned. Not worth the money, in my opinion.

WIND ENERGY BASICS
THIS IS A LITTLE TECHNICAL TO UNDERSTAND, ANDSOME OF THE GRAPHS AND CHARTS DONT HAVE ENOUGH EXPLANATION TO THE AVERAGE PERSON . I EXPECTED A EASY TO FOLLOW BASIC BOOK ON HOW TO , POSSIBLY MAKE YOUR OWN, IN A PICTURE OR ILLUSTRATIVE WAY . THE BOOK TOUCHED ON IT, BUT WAS TOOCOMPLEXFOR A BASIC BOOK .. I SAW NO IDEA OF HOW BIG THEELECTRICAL USE OF THE AVERAGE HOUSE WAS, SO I DONT KNOW HOW LARGE A WINDMILL MUST BE MADE OR PURCHASED.. PROBABLY A GREAT BOOK FOR ELECTRICIANS ,BUT NOT BASIC ENOUGH FOR ME .I WAS WANTING TO MAKE MY OWN ( FROM SCRATCH )AND HAVE THE BOOK TELL ME WHAT I NEEDED ..

Wind Power Wanted
Very good starter book for any interested in getting up to speed on Wind power solutions. ... Read more

Product Description

This is a comprehensive overview of energy storage concepts, methodologies and applications.

Students will find chapters exploring the underlying energy storage fundamentals under various conditions, such as organic fuels, phase transitions and heat capacity, in addition to reversible chemical reactions. Important energy storage types such as mechanical, hydrogen and electromagnetic energy storage are discussed in a pedagogical language and structure accessible to students and researchers alike. Valuable coverage of various types of batteries are included, such as metal hydride / "nickel", lithium, lead-acid and primary batteries, in addition to a variety of current applications.

Product Description
This book considers the uses of membrane technology in the chloralkali, water, food and biotechnology industries where the major effect of the technology is an improvement in product quality often allied to a saving in energy consumption.It also covers the implications for the power generation, oil and gas industries. ... Read more

Product Description
Using the perspectives of science, technology, and society studies, this book grapples with questions stimulated by a concern that current energy policies and practices reflect neither the best interests of ordinary people nor decision-making consistent with the traditions and aspirations of democracy. Probing the depths of assumptions made in traditional analysis and assembling minority views, present practices come into focus as startlingly narrow social constructs amidst a vast unexplored terrain of material and socio-cultural possibilities. Questions of power and responsible action are pursued in this context, casting both traditional decision makers and citizens in less than a positive light. The author includes an examination of the experience of the "home power" movement not as "The Solution" to our energy problems, but as a concrete illustration of alternative theory and practice, and of the range of possibilities inherent in energy decisions. The book aims not at recommendations for prescriptive public policy, but primarily at refocusing the reader's attentions, as ultimate policy maker, on the core of the energy question: How do we wish to live in the world? ... Read more

Product Description
Describes a variety of energy sources for the future, including solar, water, wind, and thermal power. ... Read more

Product Description
A paperback edition of a title from the ALTERNATIVE ENERGY series, originally published in 1990, investigating how bio-mass can be used to replace fossil fuels and exploring the environmental implications of such use. Illustrated with colour photographs and artwork throughout, suitable for National Curriculum Key Stage 2/3. ... Read more