A 53-YEAR old engineer and person deprived of liberty (PDL) at the Baguio City Jail has developed a working solar-powered gasifier device during his time interred.
“Rex,” whose real name has been withheld, developed the device after giving a proposal to jail management to let him more productively use his time behind bars.
A gasifier is a device that turns biomass or fossil fuel carbonaceous materials into gasses that can then be used as fuel. Traditional gasifier designs are powered by charcoal and wood, organic or agricultural residue, and other fuels.
However, Rex’s design uses solar power instead, allowing the device to power appliances, smokeless stoves, and other similar devices without a buildup of soot or heavy smoke emissions. It also contains an ash chamber and a flame regulator, unlike other similar devices.
Rex says that the design was made possible by the jail management approving of his project and providing assistance.
“I cannot do this without their support in terms of approval and materials,” he said.
Rex also sought the help of jail management in the conduct of a feasibility study for possible mass production of his solar gasifier, which has been submitted to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for review.
“The jail administration also helped me do the feasibility study which I hope will be approved,” he said.
