Automatic wood smoke generator

Create better smoke from wood with less fuel, work and environmental impact.

The wood smoke generator creates smoke and heat from wood materials which then is pushed into the training building through metal ducts.

A control system adjusts the inflow of air and the outflow of smoke which creates a work free and efficient production of smoke.

Insulation and water cooling make all day production of smoke and reloads possible without damage to the metal structure.

By adjusting the moisture content in the wood, the smoke could be made more or less flammable to suit the training purpose.

All wood based materials work as fuel source. Normal wood pallets provides easy loading and combustion.

The wood fuel is consumed to 99,9% which means that no clean up is needed after use. Just load and go again.

Short facts

Weight: 700 kg.

Measurements: Length 1,6m, width 1,3m, height 2m.

Duct fitting: Ventilation ducts 200 mm.

Expected good smoke production: 30 min per load.

Expected good heat production: 60 min per load.

Maximum use time: No limit (as long as water remains).

Maximum fuel load: Six pallets or whatever fits inside.

Electrical needs: 110/230v with 10 amp fuse.

Moving: Wheels, pallet jack, fork lift or tractor.

Safety: A lid on the top is pushed open to release pressure if the pressure inside increases.

Why is a wood smoke generator needed?

The primary fire should not create all smoke and heat.

The most common way to create smoke from wood is to burn inside the facility. Usually it is the primary fire that creates the smoke. This however creates a number of problems making it a bad solution.

  • The large volume inside, as well as the leaky conditions, require a large fire to become limited on oxygen and produce good fire smoke.
  • The large amount of fuel requires a lot of work from the instructors to load and maintain.
  • Instructors must be inside the toxic and hot environment to maintain and restore the fire.
  • The high power output damages the construction around the fire.
  • The high power output also heats up the metal or concrete of the facility and creates a problematic production of steam upon suppression.
  • The steam creates incorrect feedback and thus behaviors of the trainees.
  • When the trainees suppress the primary fire, it is difficult to get the smoke production going again for subsequent exercises.

The main smoke production should take place outside.

By moving smoke production to the wood smoke generator outside the facility, several advantages arise.

  • It is easier to create good smoke in a small and tight volume where the amount of oxygen can be controlled.
  • The smaller volume is insulated to retain the heat inside and limit the amount of total fuel required.
  • The insulation allows the construction to be water cooled without affecting smoke and heat production.
  • A smaller amount of fuel needs to be acquired, stored and handled to produce the smoke.
  • The efficient operation keeps the environmental impact low due to lower total amount of fuel consumed.
  • Smoke production does not end upon suppression. If the exercise temporarily does not require smoke, the generator can be paused and the remaining smoke production diverted.
  • No instructor is required to maintain smoke production.
  • Instructors does not need to be in a poor environment to reload more fuel.
  • The heat generated does not strain the facility as much as it can be spread out more.
  • Instructors can focus on making the primary fire good for suppression, not for producing heat and smoke.
  • The primary fire can be made mobile and the smoke from the generator can be easily diverted to the desired new location.