Brian Cady

Here're two snippet videos, one sped up, of vibrating a test block form containing a very dry, thick refractory concrete mix using a recipricating saw and a blade with a hole drilled in it, screwed to the form, that, if not informative, might be amusing.




Brian
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Lists Portugal, Bulgaria, South Korea...
https://www.npr.org/2025/01/03/nx-s1-5246186/farmers-are-abandoning-their-land-is-that-good-for-nature


Brian
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I tried a tlud dakota firepit for kicks once, and took these photos:

http://hopefulvision.blogspot.com/2021/05/make-biochar-with-merely-shovel-dakota.html

Brian
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Graham Chiu wrote:If a Walker cabin stove lacks the push to drive under floor stove pipe circuits, then what about a stratification chamber under the floor?  The ondol used a direct thermosiphon with the fire source below the floor level, and when used with coal briquettes when wood sources disappeared, was associated with significant deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning.  So, maybe you need to seal the floor with modern materials rather than clay, and tiles.

Hi Graham, I saw an ondol described in Fine Homebuilding archives. Built in USA, in CA I think, it was covered with 4 inches of concrete. While this might be the easiest wat to get it inspected, I worry that such a large thermal mass addition creats an enormous 'thermal flywheel', so that one might need to predict heating needs and fire it 9-12 hours ahead of when heat is needed. I haven't calculated how much heat or cold could be stored in that design. I do plan to only burn wood, and I am not sure that concrete bests clay for air sealing. What modern material did you have in mind?

Brian
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An advantage of Peltier (TEG) modules is that they bypass Carnot theorem efficiency limitations https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnot_cycle
so more useful power is potentially available, although 4% efficiency may be more limiting than even internal combustion engines.

Since rocket stoves provide quick intense bursts of heat and these modules might best be used with steady near-constant heat sources, let's consider the near-constant heat output of TLUDs [Top Lit Up-Draft]: ( See:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top-lit_updraft_gasifier
https://www.drtlud.com/
https://www.engineeringforchange.org/solutions/product/tlud-champion/)

Here's a related article:
https://solar.lowtechmagazine.com/2020/05/thermoelectric-stoves-ditch-the-solar-panels/

Brian
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Joylynn Hardesty wrote:So, I now have 10 gallons of chestnuts! Oh, what should I do?

Joylynn, I just hot-water-bath-treated about 50 lbs of chestnuts from two trees at a friends house. This is done to kill weevils without killing the chestnuts. One dunks the chestnuts in 120F water for 20 minutes. Here's information on this: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/biology-and-management-of-the-lesser-chestnut-weevil-in-michigan-chestnut-orchards
I found a method to quickly restore the water to 120Farenheit after putting the cool chestnuts into the 120F water. I added from a kettle boiling water to raise the temperature back up, right after adding the chestnuts to the water bath. From a friendly supermarket I got 50 lb onion bags to hold the chestnuts while treating them.

I understand that I will be able to sprout these chestnuts over winter, for spring planting.

Brian
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I understand that burnout fibers are used to provide, once burnt out, channels for steam to escape. Yet some fibers don't melt until above water boiling temperature. For example I have included polypropylene in refractory test blocks cast recently. Most polypropylene melts at 184 degrees Celcius.

I wonder if my test blocks will explode when fired, due to steam formation.

Maybe wheat or rice etc. noodles would degrade below boiling, or wax threads.

Brian
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Nissa Gadbois wrote:I... I'm curious about all of the new biologics that are delivered by tablet.  Those aren't broken down inside the body and so will be excreted in waste.

Nissa Gadbois, I'm curious: is there a source that supports that new biologics aren't broken down in our bodies? I don't actually know a whole lot about these.

Brian
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Hi Chai and folks,

I hope I can be a sounding board for folks thinking through changes like you, Chai, are going through. You, reader, are welcome to PM me through the website mail thingy, if interested in thinking aloud, getting to know each other, or dreaming together about how we can make our world better, if even only a little corner of it.

I'm 63, and am preparing to build, next spring, a little home in Colrain MA. I volunteer with the Green-Rainbow Party; the Massachusetts state affiliate of the Green Party of the US, and with the Valley Community Land Trust (vclt.org) and the Colrain Town Energy Committee, too. I hope to start an orchard featuring chestnuts ( I love them) with other  tree-crops and perennial crops, on the 2 acre VCLT-owned leasehold here, and then maybe on VCLT common land - there's 25 rocky acres attached to the three leaseholds here on my road, and other possibilities.

There's some random, hopefully encouraging stuff here:
https://hopefulvision.blogspot.com/

Brian
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ChatGPT AI on prostrate lupins for usda zones 4-6 and 1-1.5 m precip/year:

"1. Lupinus nanus (Sky Lupine): A low-growing, prostrate species native to California, it spreads along the ground and reaches only about 6-18 inches in height. This species typically thrives in open, sunny areas and blooms with blue and purple flowers.

   USDA Zones: 4-6
   Height: 6-18 inches (prostrate to low-growing)
   Precipitation: Thrives in areas with moderate rainfall and good drainage.
   Habitat: Common in open, sunny meadows and grasslands.

2. Lupinus perennis (Wild Lupine)

Lupinus perennis ssp. perennis var. occidentalis, commonly referred to as the Western Wild Lupine, typically grows to a height of around 12-24 inches (30-60 cm). It is considered a low-growing or spreading form of lupine, with a sprawling habit compared to its upright relatives.

This variety thrives in sandy or well-drained soils and is commonly found in dry, open areas, including meadows, prairies, and sandy soils near coasts. Its height can vary depending on growing conditions, but it generally stays relatively short compared to other lupine species.


   USDA Zones: 3-7
   Height: 12-24 inches (prostrate or sprawling in some varieties, like var. occidentalis)
   Precipitation: Tolerates moderate rainfall, especially in sandy or well-drained soils.
   Habitat: Prefers dry, sandy soils, often in open woodlands and prairies.
Lupinus argenteus (Silvery Lupine)

   USDA Zones: 4-7
   Height: 6-24 inches (can have a prostrate form depending on environmental conditions)
   Precipitation: Tolerates 1-1.5 meters of precipitation, often found in subalpine and mountainous regions.
   Habitat: Rocky soils and open slopes.

4. Lupinus arcticus (Arctic Lupine)

   USDA Zones: 2-6
   Height: 6-18 inches (can grow prostrate in harsh environments)
   Precipitation: Adapted to areas with variable moisture, including higher precipitation zones.
   Habitat: Subalpine, tundra, and boreal forests.

5. Lupinus lepidus (Prairie Lupine)

   USDA Zones: 4-7
   Height: 4-16 inches (prostrate and mat-forming in some conditions)
   Precipitation: Thrives in dry to moderately moist soils, often found in meadows and open forests.
   Habitat: Tolerant of poor soils and rocky outcrops.

These species tend to thrive in cooler climates and areas with moderate precipitation, making them good candidates for USDA zones 4-6 with the specified precipitation range. You might find certain regional or subspecies variations that further suit specific local conditions.

Lupinus polyphyllus (Bigleaf Lupine)

   USDA Zones: 4-7
   Height: While this species typically grows taller, some varieties or environmental conditions can lead to lower, more sprawling growth.
   Precipitation: Tolerant of higher moisture, commonly found in moist meadows and along stream banks.
   Habitat: Prefers moist, well-drained soils but can adapt to various conditions.

7. Lupinus nootkatensis (Nootka Lupine)

   USDA Zones: 4-6
   Height: Can grow from 12-24 inches with a sprawling form in tough environments.
   Precipitation: Common in areas with high rainfall, including coastal regions.
   Habitat: Found in moist soils, often near water sources, but can tolerate poor soil conditions.

8. Lupinus breweri (Brewer's Lupine)

   USDA Zones: 4-6
   Height: 4-10 inches (very low-growing, mat-forming lupine)
   Precipitation: Adapted to moderately moist to dry conditions.
   Habitat: Common in rocky or sandy soils in alpine and subalpine meadows.

9. Lupinus albifrons (Silver Bush Lupine)

   USDA Zones: 4-7
   Height: Typically low-growing and spreading, around 12-24 inches.
   Precipitation: Well-suited to moderate rainfall but prefers well-drained soils.
   Habitat: Found in dry, open habitats but can tolerate seasonal moisture.

These species have a range of adaptations for both precipitation and USDA zone tolerance, making them suitable for landscapes that experience cool to moderate climates with decent rainfall. Adaptation can vary within these species depending on local conditions and specific subspecies. For best results, it's a good idea to test local strains or check with native plant nurseries to ensure the right fit."