Alternative Solutions
Listed below are some of the proven methods that should be employed to stop the smoke.
i) Masticators:
They can also be called chippers or mulchers. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Masticator-usfs_image.jpg
Masticators generally have rubber tracks and exert a very low presure on the ground (down
to a few psi pressure). This prevents the ground from being compacted. They can
mulch large quantities in a short time.
We all know the benefits of mulch, but not a lot of people know that forest fires race
through the tree tops and the mulch doesn't usually catch as a secondry fire until later,
when it is easily put out by conventional fire fighting methods.
Masticator mulcher/chipper.
ii) Air Curtain Burners:
These can be inground or above ground as the pictures show.. They have a fan that provides
an air curtain across the top of the fire, plus the forced air helps the fire burn. Just a
whiff of smoke emerges from the burner when the air curtain is broken to load the fire
with more debri.
Above ground burner: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mo4K1dM2GH4
In ground burner: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nTmaQAon5I&NR=1
The Colorado
Department of Public Health and Environment recommends the use of air curtain burners
because an air curtain burner (ACB) creates less particulate pollution than burning the
same amount of wood in an open pile.
In contrast, Richard Chuter
for our Forest Practices Authority says ACB's are unsuitable because of cost and
logistics. Health is of no concern?
iii) Slow Pyrolysis:
This is a totally closed method of burning without air. There are excellent side benefits
from the process such as i) biochar, or ii) syngas for electricity generation. http://www.bestenergies.com/companies/bestpyrolysis.html
Slow pyrolysis system.
iv) Reducing Plantations:
This is the prefered way; stop the smoke at the source.
When the clearfelling stops - the burning
and smoke will too! An analysis of plannedburning in Tasmania by Charles and Claire
Gilmore, Pictues by Rob Blakers
The article and comments can be found at http://tasmaniantimes.com/index.php?/weblog/article/ashes-to-ashes-dust-to-dust/show_comments
Filling the air with smoke in 2010.
v) Flame Retardant Trees and Shrubs:
It is adviseable to plant European trees and shrubs which have a higher water content and
no volatile oils.
These 'fire retardant' species minimize
planned burning and polluting the air.
.