The last layers contain a much greater volume of material than the inner and outer cores. It has taken days and I’m still not done. Inner core – 28.3 cubic feet Outer core – 84.8 cubic feet Mantle – 141.3 cubic feet Crust – 197.8 cubic feet Total volume – 452.2 cubic feet or 16.7 […]
After completing the insulation work on the pipes, I began work on the last layers of the pile. Thermocouples were placed in the mantle at heights of 1’, 2’, and 3’, at a radius of about 48”. The ventilation pipe coils around the pile at a radius of about 54”. Between the outer core and
Biomeiler Crust and Mantle Read More »
The chicken coop has two 4”-diameter air vents. Each vent has an inline duct fan capable of moving air at 100 cubic feet per minute. They are arranged so one fan pulls air into the coop and one fan pushes air out. The volume of the bird quarters is a bit under 900 cubic feet.
Biomeiler-Coop Connection Read More »
The outer core was assembled in almost the same manner as the inner core. The inner core has an 18” radius, while the outer core has a 36” radius. Thus, the outer core has twice the circumference and three times the volume of the inner core. The PEX pipe was wrapped around the outer in
Biomeiler Outer Core Read More »
The aeration manifold was placed in the center of the biomeiler and the wire frame for the inner core was set over it. The distribution hoses were arranged so they will release air in 6 locations about 36” from the center, 60 degrees apart from each other. The aeration manifold is almost at the bottom
Biomeiler Inner Core Read More »
As mentioned previously, the 2024 version of the biomeiler will have an aeration system in order to keep the oxygen level of the pile high enough to maintain aerobic decomposition. Today’s task was to build the manifold that will redirect the incoming air to the proper locations in the pile. The aeration manifold receives air
Biomeiler Aeration System Read More »
The forecast was for snow and we still had not taken down the mesh tent at the farm site. So, I drove out in the morning to take care of it before a heavy snow fall collapsed it. It wasn’t too difficult except that some water had frozen in the connections of a few pieces.
This post is the first in a continuing series. My construction methods, operational procedures, and experimental results will all be posted as the experiment continues. To follow this topic separately from others, select “Biomeiler” in the categories list on the Blog page of this website. The first step in building the new version of the
The 2024 Biomeiler Project Read More »
The biomeiler I built in the summer of 2022 has been disassembled and I can soon begin building the 2024 version. The new version will have three significant changes. First, it will be 12’ in diameter, which is bigger than the 10’-diameter of the 2022 version. Second, it will have an aeration system, rather than
Deconstruction Complete Read More »
The incubator now holds the last batch of eggs we will try to hatch this year. This batch of eggs is the replacement order sent by the hatchery after the last batch was so delayed in arriving. They sent a tracking number for the box and I had been checking on it, daily. Last night,
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