It's Called EATR!

The purpose of the Energetically Autonomous Tactical Robot (EATR)™ (patent pending) project is to develop and demonstrate an autonomous robotic platform able to perform long-range, long-endurance missions without the need for manual or conventional re-fueling, which would otherwise preclude the ability of the robot to perform such missions. The system obtains its energy by foraging – engaging in biologically-inspired, organism-like, energy-harvesting behavior which is the equivalent of eating. It can find, ingest, and extract energy from biomass in the environment (and other organically-based energy sources), as well as use conventional and alternative fuels (such as gasoline, heavy fuel, kerosene, diesel, propane, coal, cooking oil, and solar) when suitable.
In addition to missions requiring long-range, long-endurance ability, the EATR can provide direct support to combat units without requiring labor or materiel logistics support for refueling. EATR could forage for its own energy while the unit rested or remained in position. EATR, having a heavy-duty robotic arm and hybrid external combustion engine, could provide direct support to combat units by: carrying the unit's backpacks and other materiel (the mule function); provide RSTA, weapons, support, casualty extraction, or transport; provide energy to recharge the unit's batteries or directly power command and control centers.

This demonstration project can lead to three potential Phase III commercialization projects: (1) the development of prototype and operational EATR™ systems for military and civil applications; (2) new civil and military applications for the autonomous intelligent control system; and (3) development of the hybrid external combustion engine system for civil and military automotive applications, whether for manned or unmanned vehicles.

http://www.robotictechnologyinc.com/index.php/EATR

This could be a way around that pesky filtration thing. may be great for home power too.

The Cyclone Engine is a Rankine Cycle heat regenerative external combustion, otherwise known as a “Schoell Cycle” engine. In short, the Cyclone is a 21st century, high efficiency, compact and powerful steam engine.
The Cyclone Engine is capable of running on virtually any fuel (or combination of fuels) including today’s promising new bio fuels, while emitting far fewer pollutants than traditional gas or diesel powered internal combustion engines.

http://www.cyclonepower.com/

Thanks, Chris

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Comment by Marcos Buenijo on September 23, 2009 at 12:08pm: That German company has the right idea by designing the system for a low continuous output as this will minimize power conversion losses and optimize the net efficiency of the heating applications. Unfortunately, there seems to be very little information available on the unit. I sure hope the price is right, ;-).

Comment by Chris Seymour on September 23, 2009 at 7:34am: Check this out, looks like a nice one, and they make them now!

A German company has developed a Stirling engine retrofit for the KWB pellet boilers. The SPM Stirling engine then terns the KWB pellet boiler into a small scale CHP, providing heat and electricity to the user. This electricity will either be used within the property or sold back to the grid as valuable green electricity.

http://pelheatblog.com/2008/09/

Comment by Radam on September 22, 2009 at 3:09am: True, I would rather use Mark II couse of higher operating temperature.

Comment by Marcos Buenijo on September 21, 2009 at 2:53pm: True, the thermal efficiency is poor. But I've come to consider this problem from a different perspective. I now consider "efficiency" more as an economist by considering the total scarce resources & labor required to produce a desired effect over the long term. IMO, this kind of a system can be superior over an ICE system for reducing dependence on fossil fuels and/or providing individual energy self-sufficiency. Many factors lead me to this conclusion including: no gas filtering or gas cooling required, the ability to use a wider range of biomass fuels, the ability to incorportate solar heat into the system (NOTE: Cyclone is also developing small modular parabolic trough solar concentrators for use with this engine), lack of oil lubrication, lack of engine fouling of any kind with potential great longevity & reliability from the engine, engine self-starting, and relative ease with which space heating and water heating (CHP) can be incorporated.

Comment by Radam on September 20, 2009 at 12:25am: The only thing that makes this little engine bitter is its low efficiency. 12% is not much at all.

Comment by Marcos Buenijo on September 19, 2009 at 10:54pm: Hello Chris. I've been following the progress of Cyclone for a few years. IMO, steam power is the most efficient way to make use of biomass combustion... and the WHE is ideal. I actually began designing a small steam system to be fueled by biomass, and even purchased come components, but decided to abandon my efforts once I learned of the WHE. I love that little engine! ;-)

Comment by Chris Seymour on September 19, 2009 at 10:30pm: Great comment Marcos, that youtube video has been added to my favorites! I'm betting small scale gasification systems are going to be a HUGE market over the next 5 to 10 years.
Thanks, Chris

Comment by Marcos Buenijo on September 19, 2009 at 11:42am: VIDEO: "Cyclone WHE Biomass Generator System"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLst-kslKio
NOTE: This is the prototype system to be further developed for use in the EATR

Statement from recent PR: http://www.cyclonepower.com/press/09-15-09.pdf
"The company now plans to create a commercial production model of the WHE biomass generator, which could be sold through home and garden retailers, agricultural machinery wholesalers, or biomass furnace manufacturers and distributors."

Comment by Chris Seymour on September 10, 2009 at 8:08am: Ha Ha, thanks Radam for the comment.This tech looks like it's gonna get pretty wild over the next decade!

another possible way around tarry gas?
Allothermal gasification
Indirect gasification solves tar problem.The Biomass Heatpipe Reformer design focuses
on small-scale combined heat and power system

http://ec.europa.eu/research/energy/pdf/efchp_hydrogen7.pdf
http://www.biosng.com/experimental-line-up/gasification-technology/

Thanks, Chris

Comment by Radam on September 10, 2009 at 7:20am: Unbeleivable and awesome, where do you get all this, Chris?