update: My compost hot water system
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Leigh Blackall
Apr 13, 2010, 7:00:04 PM4/13/10
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Here's a video playlist outlining my compost hot water system so far. I reckon Otago Poly should set one up in L Block and put a sign up on ANZAC Ave... Kim's L Block permaculture videos on Youtube are great too!
Re Our new hotwater system: All that remains is to connect it to the existing plumbing for convenience and mixing with cold (it is very hot), and to monitor how long it lasts for. I'm expecting 3 months from it.
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This all stems from a Frenchman named Jean Pain. I discovered Jean Pain's composting method back in 2008 while browsing for info on composting toilet systems. All that existed then was a single article in the Readers Digest from 1982. So I started a Wikipedia article, defended the notability challenges, negotiated copyrights for images of Jean Pain, and watched it grow from there. A few months later, Youtube user TaranikiFarm copied and uploaded the 1980s documentary, The Power of Compost, focusing on Jean Pain's method, made back in the early 80s as well. Jean Pain drew 18 months of energy from his large compost pile. Heating and gas, 100% of his energy needs, including his truck and machines!
Now, clearly such a method is not for everyone, but it is for me. Energy rates in parts of Australia are expected to rise over 60% in the next 3 years, and I don't intend to be left out in the cold as energy poor either. My outspokeness and impatience with work always gives me a sense of precarity in regards to income, so I think its a good idea to skill up on alternative living. Besides that, its just good fun :)
Next step, getting methane gas from it for cooking...
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Posted By Leigh Blackall to Leigh Blackall at 4/14/2010 08:37:00 AM
Re Our new hotwater system: All that remains is to connect it to the existing plumbing for convenience and mixing with cold (it is very hot), and to monitor how long it lasts for. I'm expecting 3 months from it.
This all stems from a Frenchman named Jean Pain. I discovered Jean Pain's composting method back in 2008 while browsing for info on composting toilet systems. All that existed then was a single article in the Readers Digest from 1982. So I started a Wikipedia article, defended the notability challenges, negotiated copyrights for images of Jean Pain, and watched it grow from there. A few months later, Youtube user TaranikiFarm copied and uploaded the 1980s documentary, The Power of Compost, focusing on Jean Pain's method, made back in the early 80s as well. Jean Pain drew 18 months of energy from his large compost pile. Heating and gas, 100% of his energy needs, including his truck and machines!Now, clearly such a method is not for everyone, but it is for me. Energy rates in parts of Australia are expected to rise over 60% in the next 3 years, and I don't intend to be left out in the cold as energy poor either. My outspokeness and impatience with work always gives me a sense of precarity in regards to income, so I think its a good idea to skill up on alternative living. Besides that, its just good fun :)
Next step, getting methane gas from it for cooking...
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Posted By Leigh Blackall to Leigh Blackall at 4/14/2010 08:37:00 AM
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Leigh Blackall
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http://leighblackall.blogspot.com
William Lucas
Apr 14, 2010, 2:11:10 AM4/14/10
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Hi Leigh
Just don't blow yourself and the family up!
Seriously though, I admire the concept and your dedicated application. Thanks also for not forgetting about us in 'sunny' Dunedin. You haven't left us out in the cold, and no one is giving each other the cold shoulder either.
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Leigh Blackall
Apr 17, 2010, 7:46:53 AM4/17/10
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I'm trying to find out the chemical composition of Polyethylene pipe (HDPE) (as used in this video and most other compost hot water systems), and whether any toxins are released at or near 60degC.
As usual, the closest looking information is locked up in a closed access journal published by Elsevier.
This fact sheet says that HDPE will burn at 343degC, releasing "toxic gases". More searching tells me at least one of those gases is hydrochloric acid gas. But so far nothing to say it is released at the relatively low temps of composting heat (60degC) and water at that temp. Also, I've found noting about other toxic gases that come from HDPE when burning.
I think I might need to take a shower with a lonely chemist from the university, and get him/her to test it for me. It'll be a great day when open access education and research catches on...
As usual, the closest looking information is locked up in a closed access journal published by Elsevier.
This fact sheet says that HDPE will burn at 343degC, releasing "toxic gases". More searching tells me at least one of those gases is hydrochloric acid gas. But so far nothing to say it is released at the relatively low temps of composting heat (60degC) and water at that temp. Also, I've found noting about other toxic gases that come from HDPE when burning.
I think I might need to take a shower with a lonely chemist from the university, and get him/her to test it for me. It'll be a great day when open access education and research catches on...
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