Lowell Baker: Energy from waste - the sawdust injection burner

Something overruns its time: Lowell Baker developed the sawdust injection burner in the 70s, after the first oil crisis. It seems that nobody noticed that invention in Europe. Anyway, I don't know anybody who fuels his kiln with sawdust. But after the increasing oil price in 2008 it is about time to think about this alternative.

So for the first time in Europe, Lowell will present his sawdust kiln. In my opinion, this will be one of the most exciting workshops at the woodfire conference. Reinhart and Charis Löber in Saal will host it and those who have met Reinhart know that he is always looking into technical and mechanical improvements of his environment as well as his wood firing.

And Lowell Baker, Professor at the University of Alabama, also an enthusiastic experimenter and technician.

Presently, the exact program of the workshop is still vague: either the construction of a sawdust injection burner for one of Reinhart's kilns (only to see such a kiln is worth the journey to the near Baltic shore), or building a hood-type kiln for fast firing; using vacuum cleaner blower or leaf vacuum blower, or maybe different ones are possible.

But for sure, when Lowell and Reinhart get together, ideas will sparkle like sparks on cutting metal pieces. sawdust

Time: 26. August (arrival in the evening, get together) – 31. August 2010

Location: Reinhart and Charis Löber, Grosse Bauernreihe 4, 18317 Saal

Participants: 12

Fee: 150 € reduced fee for Kalkspatz members / 170 € normal fee, incl. material for kiln construction and firewood, (sponsored workshop, very favorable fee)

Program: construction of sawdust injection burners, one fire at least, probably salt fire, please bring your bisque fired pieces

Accommodation: with Löbers, some rooms and camping, phone: 038223-457, also rooms in the neighbourhood

Meals: together, allocating costs

Please bring some bisque fired pieces and gloves with you.

Your participation falls under the usual kalkspatz terms and conditions. That means your registration becomes valid after we received your payment and sent a confirmation. This workshop can be booked independently from the woodfire conference at

Guenter Haltmayer, Luckower Weg 13, D-17194 Vollrathsruhe, +49 (0)39933-71836, guenter@woodfire.net

This seminar is also bookable without participation in the woodfire conference.

Lowell Baker will also present his burner during the woodfire conference.