Toms Von Palmer

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We have a pigeon "problem" here on our farm, they like to roost up in the roof above our bedroom and they are noisy. I know the manure is rich in nitrogen and phosphorus and has been used as manure in some cultures for a long time. However some of the locals are warning that it may carry diseases. Any advice out there for 1) building a roost that will attract them away from my roof and 2) safely using the manure in our garden? Thanks!

I think you're right, either a cob bench or unpressurized water tank might solve that.

what are your thoughts about a similar design with good insulation and a bigger casing, keeping the wood box about the same size as now?

Great stuff guys appreciate the help. Thanks too to Paul Ernie and Erica for the podcasts and the work they do, I will be paying attention and hope to get in on a workshop someday when I'm back that way.

Another question I have is about round vs square for both the inner burn chamber and riser and the outer shell itself. I know there may be an advantage with round, facilitating the spiral nature of the flow. If so how big of an advantage are we talking?

Also what do folks think about this guys design?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzc9rUq3Flc

Thanks Al, just started reading it looks great.

Thanks for your reply I appreciate it. I actually live in Chile, so I'll have to look into the specifics of the law here about getting a product approved. I know there has been some recent changes. One thing I'm interested in, and hoping someone with some experience could advise me on, is the viability of building the stove part as something package-able or portable. One video I found was pretty interesting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBWSNjvO4cc&feature=related

Here in Chile, there is a great demand for cheap and efficient home heating. There is also a LOT of people experienced in working with adobe. (esp. in the country, most houses are adobe). What I'm thinking is something along the lines of providing the core stove assembly with some type of literature on turning it into a mass heater via adobe bench etc. But something that would function with or without. Any thoughts on the performance of a standalone rocket heater made of steel or another material and how it might compare performance-wise? Thanks.

Was wondering if anyone had any specifics on the emissions of RMH's? Any tests been done with regards to NOx, CO, etc.? Also, are there any similar stoves on the market to purchase or are they being made by individuals only? What do folks think about the future prospect of something like this getting on the market (if not already) and what are the main challenges going to be? Thanks for your input.

I wanted to see if any folks out there had any experience using thermal electric fans such as the Ecofan. Anybody tried one with a rocket mass heater or have any thoughts on its possible functionality with one? Thanks.