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Post by grunt on Feb 3, 2011 15:22:20 GMT -5
If you have charcoal chunks that used to be corn stalks, you turned some into biochar. If they were all consumed, and just ash is left, you have the basic minerals that were in the corn stalks, but no biochar.
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Post by garnetmoth on Feb 3, 2011 17:08:46 GMT -5
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Post by lmonty on Feb 3, 2011 17:13:46 GMT -5
johno- that charcoal plant is in yellville, on 125. i pass it everytime i drive to yellville.
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Post by mnjrutherford on Feb 3, 2011 21:27:17 GMT -5
So... hmmm... If I can create one of these little stoves, I can use it indoors? I could even use it to replace my current electric, 4 burner cook top? I couldn't find anything saying how long I could maintain a certain level of heat with a certain amount of fuel. I also couldn't figure out how I could adjust the heat level.
I'm interested in building one of these things and I can pull together most (maybe all) of the components within a week or less. I think.
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Post by grunt on Feb 3, 2011 22:08:34 GMT -5
They are used indoors in India, but I don't think you are talking a hermetically sealed building such as we have there. Heat regulation would be adjusting airflow (intake), I would imagine. As for amounts used, very small compared to a conventional wood burner = one of the sites was saying that a family in India could cook a meal using 100 grams of fuel, as opposed to using 2-3 Kg of fuel with a traditional Indian stove. Start checking out the links here = you have a long winter ahead yet, this will help pass the days.
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Post by mnjrutherford on Feb 4, 2011 8:03:32 GMT -5
Start checking out the links here = you have a long winter ahead yet, this will help pass the days. LOL You think I have that much time?  Truly though, I have started looking around which is why I think I can get one made fairly quick and easy with stuff on hand. I doing get certain terminology though, such as "gasifier" and I don't understand the issues pertaining to a fan and most important I don't understand how or if you can adjust the amount of heat administered to the pot. Being able to adjust the level of heat would be crucial. |
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Post by mnjrutherford on Feb 4, 2011 8:12:57 GMT -5
Nearly forgot! Regarding charcoal versus burnt to ashes... I've been mulling what you said. This is my best answer for the moment...
No way to realistically say how much charcoal or ash we have obtained in relationship to what has been put into the pit. I think that we PROBABLY have some of both but I don't think it's wise to even guess at ratio at this point in time. We did some soil samples a few weeks ago but spaced out sampling the first pit and the weather has kept it to wet to sample since then. So, as soon as we can we will get some data on it. The second pit isn't going to be anything like the first because of all the animal carcasses that have gone into it as well as all the chicken poo. We didn't have the chickens when we built and burnt the first pit.
As an update, the 2nd pit is going to be shut down for curing in a couple of months. The timing will work out pretty nicely. In February the first pit contents can be pulled out and spread. We'll probably modify it with the drain and pipe system we put into the 2nd pit. Then we can shut down the second pit for curing and start building the contents for the 3rd load.
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Post by johno on Feb 4, 2011 9:48:38 GMT -5
johno- that charcoal plant is in yellville, on 125. i pass it everytime i drive to yellville. Thanks! I knew it was around there somewhere, but couldn't remember which road. |
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Post by grunt on Feb 4, 2011 15:47:35 GMT -5
Jo: Here's one of Andersons's pdf's that might help tinyurl.com/49e7njs . You can follow the links in the pdf for more info. |
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Post by nuts on Feb 4, 2011 17:53:03 GMT -5
Nearly forgot! Regarding charcoal versus burnt to ashes... I've been mulling what you said. This is my best answer for the moment... No way to realistically say how much charcoal or ash we have obtained in relationship to what has been put into the pit. I think that we PROBABLY have some of both but I don't think it's wise to even guess at ratio at this point in time. We did some soil samples a few weeks ago but spaced out sampling the first pit and the weather has kept it to wet to sample since then. So, as soon as we can we will get some data on it. The second pit isn't going to be anything like the first because of all the animal carcasses that have gone into it as well as all the chicken poo. We didn't have the chickens when we built and burnt the first pit. As an update, the 2nd pit is going to be shut down for curing in a couple of months. The timing will work out pretty nicely. In February the first pit contents can be pulled out and spread. We'll probably modify it with the drain and pipe system we put into the 2nd pit. Then we can shut down the second pit for curing and start building the contents for the 3rd load. Jo, I think it is not such a good idea to biochar chickenmanure or such.No matter what method for charring,you will loose most,or probably all nitrogen contained in the matter. If you compost it correctly with straw or such and/or dirt,most of the nitrogen will be available for the plants. A good recycling of the nitrogen is important in organic farming,a lot of crops are hungry in nitrogen(corn,potatoes,tomatoes,etc),the amount of these crops you can cultivate,is limited by the amount of nitrogen you have available. |
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Post by grunt on Feb 4, 2011 22:17:10 GMT -5
Jo: I agree, I would not run any good nitrogen form through your TP pit. That's like using gold for fish weights = it will work, but it's awfully expensive.
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Post by garnetmoth on Feb 5, 2011 2:47:28 GMT -5
So grunt: these burners are definitely neat looking. Are you using them or something like them? What are the advantages of the type in the PDF with the air tubes (im guessing hotter burn?) Have you used any of the more primitive tin can style? Or... in titanium www.fourdog.com/index_files/bushcooker.htm mmmm projects..... |
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Post by mnjrutherford on Feb 5, 2011 7:30:34 GMT -5
Well... Fortunately there is plenty of poop to go around! So, the mistake is not terribly huge. I passed the word on to Mike. We have the test wax field already filled with the unburned stuff. Next we'll fill in the tomato field followed by the big corn field. Potatoes may have to go without this year... I really appreciate you guys bringing this to my attention!
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Post by grunt on Feb 5, 2011 12:26:39 GMT -5
Check out your local stores that stock military surplus. I seem to remember that the army pack stoves from WWII were a not so crude and very sturdy version of something like the world stove. There is a video on youtube somewhere of an older vet showing one in use.
I will be making myself a larger (55 gal drum) version as soon as I find materials (cheap) for the lid and chimney. When/if it gets completed I will post photos.
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Post by mnjrutherford on Feb 5, 2011 19:04:15 GMT -5
Great suggestion! We've got military surplus stores on every corner near bout! If I find them, I'll let you know. Good luck with your project!
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Truly though, I have started looking around which is why I think I can get one made fairly quick and easy with stuff on hand. I doing get certain terminology though, such as "gasifier" and I don't understand the issues pertaining to a fan and most important I don't understand how or if you can adjust the amount of heat administered to the pot. Being able to adjust the level of heat would be crucial.