Mark Heffernan

All that is good information, Marcus. I am also interested to know if any have done research on MgO and have any experience with it.

Thanks again, Neil. It is so true that we are all children of the same universe. I left one ministry becaue they did not get this basic principle.

Thank You, Warrior Neil! for all the good thoughts and recommendations. A church, hmmm. I wonder if there is a way to get church status for the "Church of What if All They Have Told You Just Aint So?" just my doubting thomas aquarian alter ego self acting up there. Thanks again.

Thanks, Josh. that may be a workable solution. We are thinking that the not for profit structure would facilitate the buildings and land use issues that local zoning ordinances seem to restrict. So we have considered calling the thing a school to obtain greater leeway from restrictions on use etc.

I went back to read the above posted article and see that I got the chemistry wrong when it comes to the use of manures in earthen structures and MgO cement. Here is a line from the article:

"Phosphates are available from many
sources ranging from phosphoric rock to animal wastes and fermented plants, which
historically were used to “react” with various oxides to produce these environmentally
friendly, non-toxic cements."

Thanks for the feedback Springtime Homes. One would think that the manure would be a good food for the mold, so I was also taken by surprise to read that it was the source of MgO in ancient cement and earthen structures. Something about the MgO assisting in moisture transfer (Kinda like wool does) seems to be the dynamics I remember reading but on the order of balancing the indoor and outdoor humidity such that indoor humidity does not get trapped. This is about the most information I have been able to find thus far: http://www.geoswan.com/assets/MgO-GENERAL.pdf I thought I would put it out there to see if more research has already been done and to ask if others are willing to share.

Lots of alternative construction and regular construction have issues with mold and black mold. I have read that the use of Magnesium Oxide (MgO) in the mortar will effectively prevent this in brick/rock wall construction and in cob and earthen materials construction. The sources for the MgO can be animal manures or commercial. 1. Does anyone know what the ratio is of manure (horses are what I have) to the rest of the blend in cob or CEB to effectively get the properties of the MgO? 2. Does anyone know whether the effectiveness for this purpose and for the purpose of reducing heat transfer using MgO is working for them?
I am familiar with the rest of the best practices stuff of good drainage and a high enough rock wall before placing the cob, etc., but I am interested to know if others have seen and found out more of the use of MgO to effectively prevent mold in alternative construction in humid climates like here in SW WI. Black mold, being a serious health concern for its neurotoxicity, is something I have seen way too much of in the alternative building sites I have seen and/or heard about.

I have a similar situation to Jerry's and also want to know about using an existing chimney. In my case the chimney has two flues that are about 8" x 12" and 30-40- feet tall from the basement ground level. The flues are surrounded by brick with an air space in between the two materials. I would like to use one of the flues that had previously been used for a wood stove, but that flue has lots of creosote from poor use of the old system. In fact, there is so much creosote that it has gotten between the flue liner and the brick, so I have not used the flue in 15 years. I was thinking that a RMH would be able to be vented to this chimney due to the elimination of the creosote forming gasses in a clean burn and due to the much lower discharge temperatures by the time it vents to the chimney. The chimney draws well right now from the room temp air (60-65 degrees) to the 20-30 degree outside temps from the 6" or the 8" flue openings into it at the basement level. Perhaps that draw is also good due to the fact that the second flue in the chimney is receiving the vent from the parlor gas heater on the second story. Any thoughts?

Thanks, guys. That answers the question and establishes a good standard.

There ae many kinds of fire brick with different densities and chamistries and heat/cold cycle capabilities. Is there a "best" brick that suits the purposes of the fire chamber of a rocket stove mass heater? thanks, Mark.