I want to build a 10inch batch box rocket stove with a water jacket as my bell has anyone done anything similar was wondering what dimensions needed to be and I'm going to hook it up to about 600 to 1000 gallon worth of water to heat my house it will be built in a garage where I'll place ibc totes insulated in order to plumb into my existing duct work so it will be an out side wood boiler effectively or maybe a shed so there are no insurance implications anyone who has any ideas would be great
I have read that this type of thing needs extra precautions--so I just wanted to say right off the bat: research, research, and be sure you are following all safety procedures and precautions!
Although I myself don't have any kind of rocket heater, I hope I can point you towards some helpful info around here!
An article on the Permaculture Research Institute blog: Rocket Stove--Hot Water
A 6" batch box is the size commonly used to heat an ordinary house. A 10" system would be several times as powerful, and I am concerned that a water jacket bell might not be able to transfer heat fast enough to avoid boiling over. I could see using an 8" system for location outside the heated space due to inefficiencies and wasted heat of that setup. How does your space compare to an "ordinary" one (climate, size, insulation)?
Pressure relief will be a critical safety issue, and on a system the size you are proposing could be life-threatening. A water jacket would not overrun as quickly as a coil, but on a big system could still happen fast depending on the volume of the jacketing tank.
my thoughts on a 10inch were because I live in ohio it might be 50degrees in December one day and -20 the nexted day I was thinking a 50 gallon water jacket with a pump it will be an open system with a pressure relief valve the main reason I want it so large is recovery it will heat my home and domestic hot water if and the main things I am wondering is the water jacket size large enough to transfer heat efficiently or should it be bigger I know the exhaust gas needs to be around 200 degrees just not sure what size I should make it saftey will be figured in with it being an open system there should be no concerns with it blowing up or boiling dry it will have a fill tube and have a 500 to 1000 gallon capacity so I won't have to fire it more than twice a day not sure if I want to go with tanks in my basement or outside yet any info would be great
If your house is reasonably well insulated and sealed, it should be able to coast partway through a fast temperature swing, giving you some time to build up heat.
My feeling would be that a water jacket bell for a 10" batch box would need to be at least 2' diameter by 6' tall inside for enough surface area to absorb heat, plus 3 to 6" for water all around, and the heat blast at the top would be boiling that water all the time the unit is running, necessitating a deep pool on top to absorb the heat without flashing away into escaping steam.
For storage tanks of 500-1000 gallons, they would work much better in the basement than outdoors; they will be losing heat 24/7 in winter no matter how well insulated, and far better to lose heat into the basement than into the wind.
Anybody in the PNW that wants to try using one of these to incorporate into a rocket water heater I've got two similar to this that you can have. If interested, I can send dimensions and pics. They are app 3ft tall with a water jacket app 3 inches thick, cast iron extremely heavy.
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