Spero Latchis

Hi Rebeca,

Yes we are associated with Mark at Dharmalaya, we are neighbors and he is sponsoring our work. I Was just up there the other day. We also hang out a lot at Deer Park. Mostly my job is to run the homeopathic clinic in town. The farm etc are my hobbies and other passions.
Unfortunately our landlord just broke his promise to let us build a heater inside. Now he says no wood in my house. So we are back to square one looking for a new house, since this one is about 35 degrees inside this morning, and maybe gets to 45 during the day.
We will get back to this project as soon as we can, and all the advice offered here is invaluable. I think that all the issues have been resolved. As long as we can get the metal workers to actually do the work in a timely manner that will suffice for the ducts. We have some fire bricks and can indeed get a barrel. So all looks good to go, after we find a new house!
Next time you come to Bir please visit.
Spero

Thank you Peter,

I think its a great simple solution. Yesterday I found fire bricks at a hardware store for about 60 cents each, so those will help with this stove. THis one goes in our 40 degree (indoor temperature) cement ice box house. Our idea though is eventually to take a workable design into local mud homes, where they use smoky tandoors. I think the clay/ mud construction has to be the answer, since the cost and availability of other materials is prohibitive.

By the way if anyone hears of an experienced stove builder who would like to volunteer for 6 months here building stoves, please let me know. We are in the beautiful Duladhar mountains.
spero

Im building a RMH for the first time. I live in rural northern India and finding any type of building materials here is a challenge. I am wondering if there is any other way to insulate the heat riser than to use oerlite, pumice, etc. WE do have lots of clay soil though. Is is possible to use any type of vegetative material covered with clay slip? such as cron husk, paper, bamboo. etc? . Glass bottles covered with clay? What about long thin glass strips? An engineer visiting from the city gave me a sheet of 1/4 inch Nitryle rubber foam that they claim is used for insulating rockets. I have no idea what this is really. Could this be used as the outer layer of the insulation, with a clay wood chip mixture inside? Just trying to find a solution in a difficult place.
Getting ducts is another problem. Straight lengths are easy, but t's elbows etc are not. The local metal fabricators can make straight pieces easily but not bends and angles. Again someone suggested that in the city we can get flexible lightweight duct. Is this suitable if I can obtain it?
Trying to assemble materials here for any project is always difficult. We must think very simply. Any suggestions are welcome.

spero

PS. Ive searched for the answer but cant find it, if it has been given before my apologies.

Volunteers wanted for our project in Northern India. Come for one month minimum and help with our organic farm/permaculture project. We supply room and board.
but not airfare. Please read more and apply at www.shrifreeclinic.com

Thanks for your prompt assistance. I don't actually need the stove in the barn its not all that cold where I am in north India. We do have light night frosts in the winter months. I do wonder however about how permeable the wall could be between the barn and the greenhouse. eg. should it be completely sealed, or would a few cracks allow some of the animals' heat and co2 to enter the greenhouse. How much damage would be done to the plants from a small amount of barn gasses. How much heat is transferred thought the 1/2 plastic wall? I suppose I can experiment a little when the time comes. Thanks again for your comments.

Please forgive me if this has been discussed somewhere.I am new to these things. Someone please tell me why my idea won't work. I am building a greenhouse with an attached adobe barn for a cow, two goats and some chickens. There will be a 1/2 adobe and 1/2 plastic wall between the barn and the greenhouse. Would it make sense to put a rocket mass heater in the barn to burn the methane and ammonia . (along with wood of course )from the animals and vent it into the greenhouse? Im not sure about burning gasses this way. IF it worked it would also bring some heat from the animals thought the heater into the greenhouse. Please tell me why this is a crazy idea.

We need a permaculture volunteer to help lead our project in the mountains of north India. We are introducing rocket mass heaters into local rural villages.Should have good experience with design and construction of simple heaters. Must stay for at least 6 months and have excellent cultural sensitivity. Also must help with our model community farm project. We are in the mountains, ( Himalayan foothills! ) We have about 15 ft of rain per year( most of it in 3 months) and cold winters with no central internal heating.
We provide room and board, but you must get yourself here. visit our website at www.shrifreeclinic.com. apply from there.