M-67 Immersion Heater as RMH Water-type?

Hi all,

I just ordered an M-67 Immersion heater ( as seen here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsO9N7GIfis ), that I want to use in either an 275 gal IBC tote (with lid chopped off) or a metal container, in order to heat a 7' x 16' greenhouse ( design found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DKlXs8iov0 ) on winter nights. I plan to try to use waste veggie oil as the fuel. Does anyone see any danger in doing this, or have alternative recommendations for use of the M-67? I am also curious if I can add addition flu and run it underground like an RMH to use any of the wasted heat.

Also I hear there are some kind of formulas in thermaldynamics that can help me figure out how much water, and at what temperature, would be needed to heat a space of a given size. Can anyone direct me to some information to help me calculate that?

Thanks for your insights,

Matthew

ONLY IN METAL! They will boil water in a trash can out in the wind. I suppose if you suspend further off the bottom of an IBC it should be ok.

Do you have a source for another one? They are getting hard to come by.

Your problem will be keeping the veg warm/consistent so the flow rate is consistent.

Matthew W. : Check out the " Engineers Toolbox ( .com ), look in Specific Heat(s) !

You are dealing with a given materials ability to 1 ] hold heat ,and 2 ] Transfer Heat.

These are two separate concepts so make sure you are comparing the same variables !

R. Scott : Good Catch, Yes making sure that your veg oil stays within a quite narrow band of internal
temperature will be difficult. I think I personally would cut the waste oil with #1 kerosene !

Also I have never seen one of these systems burn very cleanly, especially on start-up and in shutting off!

For the good of the Crafts ! Big AL







Big AL

R Scott: I bought it at http://www.military-tent.com/imheunco.html. This is my first time shopping with them so I can't vouch for them as I have not yet received my order. But, then again, I only ordered on Friday afternoon. I didn't even think that the oil would need heating. Definitely something to think on.

Big Al: When you say "cut the waste oil with #1 kerosene", do you mean a mix of the 2, or just avoid the veggie oil all together? Also thanks for the info on engineering toolbox.

Thanks for the link! I may be ordering one (if yours arrives). There aren't many left to be found. They also make an awesome emergency stock tank de-icer.

The tank is easy to remove. I would fill it and take it inside near the woodstove to warm up in the afternoon (making sure it won't make a mess). They have a really tiny needle valve, you need to have the fuel CLEAN--almost clean enough to pour in an engine. If not, the needle will get plugged. Al was referring to mixing fuels to get the viscosity down--great idea, just have to find the cheapest way to get it done for you. We used gasoline when it was cold--not the safest unless it was COLD.

I would take the tank out and start it directly. That way the oil flows well at the beginning. You really need to watch it as it comes up to temp and check on it often until you get the feel for it, but usually they stabilize after a half hour to an hour.

If you get really good, you should be able to calculate how much oil you need to keep the greenhouse warm for a given temperature and then only fill that much (and let it just burn out at 2 am or whenever and coast until morning).

R Scott: the M67 arrived yesterday. It had some rust spots on it, but otherwise in excellent condition. I think the rust is from poor storage over its years. So it took a week from NC to VA, and it weighed 67 lbs according to the shipping manifest.

Matt. W. : I am assuming that your water heater is set up for 4'' stove pipe, the unit is supposed to clamp down onto the side of a heavy duty garbage can
A galvanized stock tank should work just fine ! I leave to mix of Waste veg oil and Kero for your experimentation !

Have about (4) 4'' lengths of stove pipe, you can only get away with less by burning it inside a barn or garage -Which I can Not recommend expect
this unit to burn dirty until you learn its secrets ! Good luck and keep us informed of your luck ! BIG AL