Biomass pyrolysis experiment -- retort fired by grill (phase 1)

This is one in a series of video clips showing a simple qualitative experiment pyrolyzing wood pellets. Pyrolysis is the "destructive distillation" of organic matter by the application of heat, usually in a low-oxygen environment. In this, case, I am testing the practicality of pyrolyzing wood pellets in a retort made of black iron pipe, capturing the gases and liquids that escape for further analysis. Our long-range plan is to build some sort of biomass pyrolysis/gasification unit as a platform for applying industrial instrumentation and control, which is the subject of this program at BTC.