Biomass Briquette Lever Press

This instructable will explain how to construct a biomass briquette press for under $15
Will be added to in stages. There is enough info to copy the press right now.

The design is from .PDF plans by Lee Hite
Engineers Without Borders:

Lee Hite briquette press page
Lee Hite press operation video

My Google Sketchup model is in the 3D Warehouse:  HERE 
Model with exploded parts and updates HERE

There are corrections in the Sketchup model from the early .PDF
Step 3 has exploded pics of all components with dimensions.

Lumber needed:
2x6x8 (x1)
2x4x8 (x2)

And about $10 worth of bolts and washers



Some background:

Briquettes for cooking have been around for quite some time now:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Briquette

This video explains the evolution and the "why" of the "modern" briquette fairly well:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3VcqINLV4o&feature=player_embedded


I believe these briquettes have a place anywhere in the world. They can burn in many types of wood stoves, campfires, fireplaces, etc. The fact that they can be made from many types of waste products is incredible.

I'm working on preparing tumbleweeds for processing into biomass briquettes for instance.
They could also be made from dried horse manure.
These are just two examples of local materials that can be turned into burnable briquettes.

A hammermill is needed to make some biomass waste into small "sawdust" size particles.
This "sawdust" is then mixed with pulpy pre-soaked newspaper and water to make briquettes.
More DIY hammermill ideas like THIS one are needed out there. A hammermill can take roughly chopped material and turn it into an almost sawdust like size.

Later in this instructable I'll give info on how to make the briquettes themselves. Read up on the process and watch some videos out there on the net. Especially this next article:

Take a look at how a bed and breakfast in Wales uses briquettes to heat their operation:
http://www.coedcae.co.uk/garden-waste-fuel.html

Why lug heavy wood around to heat your house? Get a system going to make your own wood!


So, get ready to learn some cool stuff.

Step 1 Gather Tools And Materials

Tools and materials:

Drill
Wrench
Saw
Chisel

Comments

[stapledpants]

Very nice photos and explanation. Three things I need to know though:
1. Are you drilling holes into the PVC pipes yourself and if so how?
2. Where can I get plastic or metal spacers of that diameter?
3. What kind of biomass are you using to make the briquettes? Have you found a good ratio in which to mix them?

Thanks

[steliart]

Very good instructable

[KoffeeKommando]

Thanks, it's not really finished yet though. Been working steadily on another project. I just made sure there are enough pics and links to get the job done.