An ideal compost heater utilizes all the heat from a huge compost pile in order to heat up a house. In this method, you would require a huge heap with a water hose that is spiral and intertwined. When the water circulates it generates heat to a building that is then fed to the heating circuit.
For this, the heap should have a biomass of at least 8000 liters in order to maintain the temperature, especially during winter.
Chipped wood is utilized for this particular purpose. The wood is stacked up, and the water hose is run this through it. The microbiological process of degradation generates heat. This heat is generated for 24 months producing hot water that is fed to the heating circuit. When the biomass gets enough oxygen supply it degrades through aerobic decomposition. Microorganism activity can now be regulated with the content of moisture.
Heater silo
This specific composting process works in a container that is airtight within a house. Heat from within radiates throughout the house. A water pipe is built vertically that helps to warm the water.
The central segment of a compost heater is a silo. During autumn fresh biomass fills in it. When this happens, it begins to give comfortable heat all through winter.
The outlet air and inlet air give the required oxygen and outlet air automatically goes out. In this process, the moisture levels are high in comparison to the traditional compost heap. During the process of decomposition, it produces extra water that is later drained to the base. A small part of the water also goes to the top. This contributes to an efficient distribution in terms of volume. When it is periodically pumped to the top, of the silo. This makes the entire system becomes wet composting.
Compost heating
Pain Mound is basically a huge heap of biomass that is woody, it is also known as mulch. This was invented by Jean Pain, a French farmer in 1970. It was constructed from sawdust and wood chips. The entire thing was then surrounded with hay bales. It helped with insulation as well as structure. The moment pain mound begins to decompose, heat is created. This heat is harnessed with the help of the hydronic loop. Pain mound produces heat for 18 months, during this time all the remains that include earthy humus that is rich in nutrients is utilized to make soil. You can make one for yourself by following a few instructions.
- A circle should be staked with a diameter of 12 feet. Buy hay bales and gather branches and fallen trees. Keep the chip already. Plenty of sawdust will be required. You can get some of them at an economical fee.
- 15 inches perforated and 4-inch tubing carry to the base of the pain mound. Build a backstop with hay bales, that will help to hold wood chips.
- Half inch coil plastic pipe can be fixed to the base of the mound. The pipe end should be taken to the outer part of the hay bales ring.
- Connect it to a water source
- Make sure the wood is chopped into small pieces. The project will take approximately 2 days. Be sure to build the parameter of hay and loop the water pipe as you keep adding sawdust and wood chips. Add manure (if any)
- Look for hot tubs, heating systems, or greenhouses.
Be sure to find the location carefully before you can construct it. Well, that’s all for this article. I do hope that you have received more clarity on compost heaters. All the best!