Ok... the heap needs water. You are drying out the bacteria that produces the heat. Try it without the cardboard. If you watch a Jean Pain video... he actually waters in each layer. I want your project to work. Thanks for posting it.
Heap is far to small. Also feedstock must be an issue. my 1m3 heaps get to 140 in <24 hours. But will overheat and be finished in less than 4 weeks. So times that by the no. of months you want it to be active for.... And you're in the ball park.
BTW, my heaps are mostly fine shreaded woodchip, fresh, with whatever's available as well. But chip is enough, with some water and minerals (for good measure).
You are definitely killing the pile with a lack of oxygen you don't need to insulate the whole concept would work in Siberia, like what you're doing keep it up
How wet are you making your pile , areyou compacting it down at all (it looked very loose) also you should be letting it breath your killing any beneficial bact. that otherwise might take hold . Try shreding your cardboard .. Good luck !
@bret354 Hi, I am thinking that what Jean Pain had was HUGE thermal mass. Because of the size of his heap he was able to maintain the temp for such a long duration. Thanks for your input.
@marthale7 YES... thanks for the compliment. As different as it is Composting is awesome and a wonderful way to generate several types of beneficial products and bi-products ! ... Scott
It seems to me the smaller chips have broken down, but the thicker chips were still pretty solid. this is showing me the real need to have a proper chipper to chip the wood to the right size so the bacteria can chew on them. My sense of smell is not that good.
I think your pile is starved of oxygen with all of the physical wrapping you have on it. That might explain the disappearance of the fungal life.. with wood chips, you should be seeing pale mycelial hairs colonizing throughout the pile. When they're active you can see the steam on cold days. The pile is physically on the small side to hold much thermal mass in the winter. I've got the same problem with insufficient thermal mass in my pile.
@yurbs yes, it does seem to be a balancing act of getting all the factors right. In my other videos there was steam. I am wondering if I am just running out of water as welll I may try adding water at regular intervals to see if that improves things.
Ok... the heap needs water. You are drying out the bacteria that produces the heat. Try it without the cardboard. If you watch a Jean Pain video... he actually waters in each layer. I want your project to work. Thanks for posting it.
hydrogoldk 3 months ago
Heap is far to small. Also feedstock must be an issue. my 1m3 heaps get to 140 in <24 hours. But will overheat and be finished in less than 4 weeks. So times that by the no. of months you want it to be active for.... And you're in the ball park.
BTW, my heaps are mostly fine shreaded woodchip, fresh, with whatever's available as well. But chip is enough, with some water and minerals (for good measure).
enstamud 3 months ago
You are definitely killing the pile with a lack of oxygen you don't need to insulate the whole concept would work in Siberia, like what you're doing keep it up
jdun4 3 months ago
I think the tank is big for the heap, i think to have a coil of tubing full of water in the middle of the heap would be more effective.....
ChrisMeerkat 3 months ago
How wet are you making your pile , areyou compacting it down at all (it looked very loose) also you should be letting it breath your killing any beneficial bact. that otherwise might take hold . Try shreding your cardboard .. Good luck !
almab2001 1 year ago
form what i've seen and read on the net anerobic digestion stops or slows when the temperature reaches about 120 best temp is 90-100
bret354 1 year ago
@bret354 Hi, I am thinking that what Jean Pain had was HUGE thermal mass. Because of the size of his heap he was able to maintain the temp for such a long duration. Thanks for your input.
marthale7 1 year ago
Greetings, I see we have some common interests. Thanks for subscribing ! Happy motoring ......... Scott
scooterscottii 2 years ago
@scooterscottii love your motors. I have been focusing on getting plants to grow here in Florida, a whole new world for me.
marthale7 1 year ago
@marthale7 YES... thanks for the compliment. As different as it is Composting is awesome and a wonderful way to generate several types of beneficial products and bi-products ! ... Scott
scooterscottii 1 year ago
Can you describe the smell of the wood chips? Did you see any mycelium? Were the wood fibers starting to break down/get spongy?
yurbs 2 years ago
@yurbs Hi,
I don't know what mycelium look like.
It seems to me the smaller chips have broken down, but the thicker chips were still pretty solid. this is showing me the real need to have a proper chipper to chip the wood to the right size so the bacteria can chew on them. My sense of smell is not that good.
marthale7 2 years ago
I found this video /watch?v=bkylX6aJnIU on mycelium, Yes I had some growing on the top of the heap. they were going great then all died off.
marthale7 2 years ago
I think your pile is starved of oxygen with all of the physical wrapping you have on it. That might explain the disappearance of the fungal life.. with wood chips, you should be seeing pale mycelial hairs colonizing throughout the pile. When they're active you can see the steam on cold days. The pile is physically on the small side to hold much thermal mass in the winter. I've got the same problem with insufficient thermal mass in my pile.
yurbs 2 years ago
@yurbs yes, it does seem to be a balancing act of getting all the factors right. In my other videos there was steam. I am wondering if I am just running out of water as welll I may try adding water at regular intervals to see if that improves things.
marthale7 2 years ago