The chart accompanying today’s post shows the temperatures measured in the biomeiler at a height of 4’ above the ground. This height marks the boundary between the pre-existing biomeiler and the recent extension. The data were collected by a thermocouple buried in the pile at that height at the very center of the inner core, another placed halfway between the inner and outer walls of the outer core, and a third similarly placed between the inner and outer walls of the mantle. The air temperature was measured on a thermometer in the open air.
During the month, the temperature in the inner core steadily declined. The outer core and mantle of the pile warmed slightly before cooling. That brief trend was likely due to the short period of warmer weather reducing heat loss from the pile. I continue to suspect that the composting action in the cores was simply following the natural trend to decrease over time as the aerobic bacteria deplete the available oxygen and the anaerobic bacteria generate heat at a lower rate.
The measurements collected on February 23 indicated the time was right to begin mechanical aeration in the pile. The next day, I began using the air compressor to pump air into the bottom of the biomeiler while I was in the coop for chores. I must admit to inconsistency because the outdoor temperature grew so cold that dealing with the air hose was rather inconvenient. Even so, I succeeded in making a measurable change in the core temperatures of the pile. With only a few minutes of aeration spread over five days, the inner core of the biomeiler increased in temperature by 30 F degrees.
Now that the air temperature has warmed up, I have been much more consistent about the aeration and I look forward to observing the effects of the treatment.
You have learned so very much with experimenting with each challenge that you qualify for the “You could write a book about it” comment oft proffered.
Is there a book on the market already? Could you/would you want to write one?
There are books available about biomeilers.
My research is about operating one in the arctic and keeping it small enough to fit in the yard.
I don’t think there is very much information available on that combination.