posted 3 years ago
Welcome to Permies, Ivan! The heat riser in a rocket mass heater does not have to be centered in the barrel, but you should have at least an inch of clearance all around, two is better. Which side will you have the manifold on? The transition from barrel to duct or whatever you will have is important and is a choke point if you do not make it big enough for free airflow. The more space between riser and barrel on that side, the better, and the exit from the barrel should be distinctly larger than the rest of the duct. If you have a 6" system size, make the barrel exit 8" diameter, or even 10" if there is less than around 3" of clearance between riser and barrel.