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 first step in building the new version of the biomeiler was to determine the perimeter. This version will be 12’ in diameter to provide greater insulation for the composting core of the pile. The 2022 version was 10’ in diameter and had bubble foil insulation around the sides and over the top. It was
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 »
This morning, a couple we know from Church came by for some poultry manure to use in their garden. When I went to the compost pile I found that the coop litter I deposited there a few days ago has begun cooking. It was steaming, even in the summer heat (58F), and I could easily
Our Compost Pile Is Cooking Read More »
It is time to move the adult chickens to the outdoor pens for the summer and fall. Because the coop is heated, we wait until the outdoor temperatures are similar before moving the birds outdoors. We don’t want our layers to have too much adjustment to make because their laying cycle can be impacted and
Moving Day Preparations Read More »