vedelgaas

Vedelgaas is a flammable gas mixture produced by gasifying biomass such as wood in a controlled environment with limited oxygen. The resulting gas, often called producer gas or wood gas, is primarily composed of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen. It can be used as fuel for internal combustion engines or for electricity generation, and has historical significance for lighting and transportation before the widespread adoption of natural gas and liquid fuels.

The term stems from Scandinavian languages, where vedel or ved denotes wood and gas denotes the gaseous fuel. In practice, vedelgaas has appeared in discussions of wood gas production, wood gasifiers, and alternative energy systems. Its use peaked in periods of fuel scarcity, notably during the early to mid-20th century in Europe, when vehicles and small power plants ran on gas produced from wood and other biomass. After the rise of oil and gas pipelines, interest waned, but niche applications and demonstrations have continued, particularly in off-grid or experimental contexts.

Technology and operation involve gasification of biomass in a reactor with restricted air supply, producing producer gas that must be cooled and cleaned to remove tar, particulates, and sulfur compounds before use in engines or turbines. Common configurations include downdraft and updraft gasifiers paired with gas engines or microturbines. The practicality of vedelgaas depends on feedstock availability, supply logistics, and the quality of gas cleaning, which influence efficiency and equipment wear.

See also gasification, wood gas, renewable energy, off-grid power.