!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Transforming a Fireplace into a Splendid Rocket Mass Heater

Hello Scientists,
In this post, I'll describe a way to transforming a fireplace in a RMH.
My house is located in an Alpine valley in northern Italy, about 600 meters above sea level. In the winter temperatures at least -5 degrees Celsius (23 degrees Fahrenheit) and little snow (the climated has changed). The heated space is about 80 m², moderately insulated.
The old heating system consisted of a fireplace insert covered with  masonry path, used a lot of wood, was heated primarily by convection with a wind turbine, and must be fed continuously.
What's the best solution? demolishing the fireplace and building a RMH!

The design began by looking for solutions to the constraints I had identified. Here are some questions I found answered on permies:
webpage

The combustion unit is 190 cm shorty, the size of the system is tied to the existing chimney (rectangular 15x30 cm), It was not possible to replace it or move it from its position without heavy demolition work.

Project continues with the design 3D on sketchup. The advice we received was fundamental, both regarding the materials and the arrangement of the various elements.

After finding the final project I started to find the materials
for the refractory bricks and mortars, here unistara
For the iron, , here easy iron
I found the cement clinker, sand, and putty lime and the rest near my house.

The first part is dedicated to preparing the metal parts, cutting and welding of metal:  T-bar,inspection, by pass, door  and combustion unit support

After that, I have the procedure for cutting the bricks for the combustion unit
here the first burn: https://youtube.com/shorts/Ow7tqGgOBzw

And here we are at the first part of work, seven days of hard work...
The first day was dedicated to wrapping the house and furniture in tarps to protect them from dust and demolishing the fireplace.
The work continued by tracing the perimeter of the bell and moving up the layers, cement clinker bonded with sand, lime, and Portland cement mortar.

Once we reached the right height, I positioned the core support and assembled and insulated it with superwhool.
The masonry work continued with a single skin up to the height of the combustion chamber. Subsequently, the inner layer will be firebrick while the outer layer will be clinker, the two layers separated by superwhool.
A bypass was installed above the riser

Finally, the bell was closed with T-bars, superwhool, and firebrick, followed by a layer of superwhool and one of clinker (an excellent way to use up offcuts).
Plastering and first lighting: what a marvel!
https://youtube.com/shorts/3t2ybOkbe3E

Work resumed a month later, when everything was completely dry.
An additional coat of lime plaster, a covering of the chimney flue outside the bell, and some metal decorations completed the job.
After a few months of use, I can only be satisfied. The house stays warm all day using half the wood! Incredible! You can't understand until you experience it for yourself.
What are you waiting for? Upgrade to an RMH!

Excellent Job, Cedric!
She looks good, and she is performing like a Peter Berg design should!
I do have a question.
In one photo, you show a plate blocking off the riser port?
Why? What was its purpose?  

thomas rubino wrote:Excellent Job, Cedric!
In one photo, you show a plate blocking off the riser port?
Why? What was its purpose?  

if you mean photo 178, it's just the bypass, the perspective is deceiving

beautiful result, cedric, also an aesthetic improvement in my opinion!

Cedric,

Excellent workmanship and attention to detail!
You said that the heated space is 80 m2. Is it an open space or just one floor of the house with interior walls?

Cristobal Cristo wrote:
Is it an open space or just one floor of the house with interior walls?

mainly an open space, just a few walls here and there, the rmh is in the center of the space

Congratulations on a job well done and thank you Cedric, for sharing it with us.

Wow! I was thinking of how to build a RMH going UP instead of OUT...and here you are doing it!
Fabulous!!!
Thank you!

Magnificent job Cedric. Great job at documenting the build too. Enjoy your radiant warmth!

Your build really illustrates the benefit of a shorty core allowing you to place the firebox high in the bell. Easy & comfortable loading and lighting. Love the plaster exterior so it blends perfectly with the rest of the room. Just magnificent!

Just noticed my watch settings for this forum were turned off..... my favourite forum too!
Anyways......Cedric the stove turned out beautiful !!!
You have my whole basket of apples as a virtual gift.
I liked the way you created corner posts as guides for the bricks without the need for levels as much.
May it keep you and all its inhabitants warm for years to come.