Walt Thornwald

Presentation is well done. Just one thought.

If the dvd's don't literally give a 100% visual of how to create each of the different designs, don't bother. Some people learn better by seeing. Some by doing. Some by reading. Those who purchase a visual aid, such as a dvd, seem to learn in a hybrid manner - by seeing others doing.

And just for future reference? DVD sets with much talk and duplicative/repetitive intros on each disc are a major bummer. Most people get a wee bit peeved when they find that they've paid for reruns...

Just sayin'...

Gravity feed assist on all tanks @ approximately 4' of head pressure to the top of RMH. UCO will move s-l-o-w-w-w-w-w-w-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-y-y-y-y-y-y-y on its own. Positive displacement pump (gear) will create further vacuum/pull.

Might have to focus a torpedo heater at the exit valve on the occasional tank to help initial flow. Maybe preheat the feed line to the RMH. Will have ~400 gallons of 90-100* F oil on hand to "get the ball rolling."

Return line will be dipped to the bottom of each tank close to the exit valve. This should heat tank's contents from the bottom up. Move upward as tank warms. Slightly defeats previous head pressure gain by doing so, but that negative comes after the pump rather than before.

Would tend to believe it to be more energy efficient to return oil to the bottom of the tank and let warm oil shed its heat upward into colder oil.

Slightly warm oil getting to the pump's intake faster and continually also cuts down the amperage being drawn.

RMH can be located almost perfectly equidistant from all tanks. Maybe 25' from the furthest two.

Increase the RMH's riser height the same as the internal height of the second barrel, yes?

Rather like the idea of longer heat exchanger pipes. 180* sweep widths definitely restrict the number of exchanger tubes around the barrel's circumference. Aluminum U- or C-channel between drum ribs would need to be tall enough to allow exchanger tubes to pass over the lock-ring used to connect the two barrels.

That could be a $100.00 + mistake before ever getting out the door...

When all is said and done (Like this is gonna' be easy?), maybe build a 48' x 32' building around the stove some year in the future, rather than move it. Move all the tanks into a properly insulated structure where the temp rise will only need to be maybe 50*F next winter, rather than 70-80*F. (Why heat what's not being used?)

Allen,

It's just an overly-over-glorified H2O heater, eh?

Location is SE Ohio. The UCO is already de-watered, filtered and ready to hit the feed line of any biodiesel plant. Unfortunately the "suits" at some of these facilities have their knickers in a knot over incoming feedstock that's not Goldilocks' "just right," and are beginning to decline shipments of UCO upon arrival.

So, in part, while this inquiry may seem to be appropriate for a "biodiesel forum," me thinks the unconventional heating experts might be more inclined to "slum" in the rocket forum.

No html embedded in your Rocket Mass Heaters link. I did find RMH books at www.rocketstoves.com by Googling a few of the words after the faulty link.

No doubt part of this will be trial & error. Only room for one or two errors. Hopefully enough variable controls are built in to quickly adjust to any "errors," such as, "what if the cold oil flow is too great a volume and too much heat is sucked away from the barrel?"

After all, this is essentially a RMH without the M, unless you consider the veg oil the "M."

So technically it's a RHE (Rocket Heat Exchanger)?

Still fielding suggestions...

Ello...,

I goht ah prahblem.

Need to heat 6,000 gallons of Used Cooking Oil (UCO) to 90*F in ~48-72 hours, then boost the temp to ~100*F in another 24 hours, all in preparation of shipping. 3.2 million btus initially, at 100% efficiency (Hah!), with a flash of 700,000 btus thereafter Hah! Hah!). Storage is ambient temp, currently approximately (~)20*F. (Final storage, as well as shipping tanker, IS insulated.)

NG is out of the question as the draw would shut down other users on the same rural line. Besides, we have tons of wood chips on the back 40 from a local line clearing service.

Would like to create a rocket similar to Ernie & Erica's Okanagan Highlands mass heater, but different, as I'd be heating liquid, and creating some conduction modifications. And I'd also like to utilize the wood chip biomass 24/7, with a continuous feed of chips...

The rough "visual" follows: Ten 550 gallon HDPE tanks, all with 2" outlets manifolded into one 2" line. Run manifold's outlet line to Rocket, through a "heat exchanger," and back to tank. Repeat for each tank until all 10 have been pre-heated to 90*F. Repeat process for ~ 10*F boost.

Would appreciate input on the following: At the rocket, split the 2" line into four 1" lines. Run one 1" line (with 180* sweeps at each end) vertically like Christmas ribbon candy on each 90*s of the 55 gallon drum's radius. Four 1" feed loops all plumbed back into to a 2" return manifold. Tighten the 1" pipe to the drum with metal banding strap. To improve conduction, put ~12" long inserts of ~1" aluminum U- or C-channel between the pipes and drum, in between each rib on the drum, before tightening with metal strap. Wrap rocket and "heat exchanger with 12" aluminum flashing (radiant barrier). Wrap with 6" of rock wool. Put a sheet metal skin on it to protect surface from clumsy persons (such as myself, upon occasion).

Utilize the 2' in diameter drum top for further heat exchange..., somehow... (keep me tea and crumpets warhm...)

This is my first go at a rocket. Can't afford expensive. Can't afford failure.

Suggestions...?