Peter Jennen

Roger,

I would not consider the Ash wood to be seasoned.

A dead tree that is standing will always be wicking moisture up out of the ground. A cut piece of the trunk, sitting on the cut surface, will wick moisture up from the ground.

Wood has to be split and piled/stacked on a dry surface that is under rain protection in order to season properly.

As Allen said, you need to give it more air.

PeterJ

Just an idea guys: Stretch large springs around the upper barrel (garage door extension springs come to mind) to increase the surface area for better heat transfer.

PeterJ

Hey Matt,

I'm from up here in MN. My father-in-law had an automotive repair business until he retired and always heated it with a small metal stove.
About 10-12 years before he retired, he decided to put a ceiling fan up with it blowing down, and he left it on 24/7 in the heating months.
The difference it made was amazing. It brought the heat down to the floor.
He said it stoped all of the aches and pains associated with the cold.

PeterJ

Allen?

Jon, your questions have to be answered by someone other than I. I know nothing - just here to learn what I can.

PeterJ

I found the Podcast!

I'm sorry, but I'm not seeing your an answer to Allen's question statement, Jon.

"Jon Carter : The 1st place I would look is at the measured distance/space between the Heat Riser top and the bottom of the barrel."

I'm very interested in this because it would directly relate to the theory I'm trying to work through. After reading your post, I see this is something I'll have to watch out for.

PeterJ

Allen,

Thanks again for all of the effort you have put into this thread.

PeterJ

LOL Allen! "If you want to take-on the challenge of making any improvement in this area you will have to be incredibly methodic, and document every step of your progress moving from the known to the unknown, otherwise the 'True Believers'
will attack you for everything, including your syntax, and grammar and spelling!" I've been there, received that, on motorcycle forums!

(What I do know is that fuel does not burn from spark or flame, it burns from heat and O2. Any surface that is below the "burn point" will inhibit a complete burn.
My objective is to get the unburned fuel (CO) to pass through the torent of fire.)
EDIT What I do know is that fuel needs heat and O2 to burn. Any surface that is below the "burn point" will inhibit a complete burn.
My objective is to get the unburned fuel (CO) to pass through the heat of the torent of fire or run into the "catalytic converter".

I've heard that rocket blast! I know what you are talking about. The draft fan is to ensure the dog and cat don't get CO'd out when the wind is from the east. It will be semi-automatic.

Peterj

Thanks for the response Allen.

The book is on my Christmas list.

My location will be outside for testing and then in an old barn that I keep my work truck in.

I don't suspect that the underside of the barrel top can obtain the temperature needed to burn all of the carbon,
hence the thought for the "catalityc converter" at the hottest point to
aggitate the gases and complete the burn. With the brake rotor not being exposed to any cooling surface,
the highest tempurature should be obtainable.

I also plan to include an exhaust fan in my system to ensure there will be no CO gases.

Hopefully this theory will be backed by good science.

PeterJ

Here is the link to the photo: http://www.google.com/imgres?start=175&num=10&hl=en&safe=off&tbo=d&biw=1536&bih=729&tbm=isch&tbnid=Y0a-0G5P5INWWM:&imgrefurl=http://www.horsepowerfreaks.com/partdetails/EBC/Brakes/Brake_Rotors/High_Carbon_Blade/19264//Ford&docid=EvTfaiAwJhDKvM&imgurl=http://www.horsepowerfreaks.com/images/products/EBC/Brake_Rotors_High_Carbon_Blade_LRG.jpg&w=500&h=333&ei=O5O1UIaEGeeujALK44CoCQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=1221&vpy=294&dur=5047&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=160&ty=98&sig=113254883483378908556&page=5&tbnh=144&tbnw=216&ndsp=46&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:200,i:7

This would lay over the riser chimney brick and the exhaust would vent out both the top and between the center disk vents to radially disperse the exhaust into the barrel.

I should add: I suspect most of the ash that accumulates up here is done at start-up from paper.

PeterJ