I am planning to build this to heat my greenhouse - actually I will build two of them - one to heat the air directly and one to run the heated air through a concrete mass (the benches in the greenhouse) so that the temperature will be more even throughout the night hours too. I'm using all Pepsi Cans and will put up a video when it is getting underway.
I never actually finished the heater. I took a job in New Jersey (where the winters are more mild than New Hampshire) so I put it on hold. I will try a few columns of cans and see what sound they make. My estimate is that the air flow through any 8 foot column of cans with the quasar holes should not exceed 300 cm per second - the turblence should slow the flow rate and reduce noise. I will get back to you in a few days.
Ok, by the way I am collecting Red bull cans they have a smaller diameter so I can make more tubes (= #more vortex) for every meter of width. maybe it will increase efficiency, but I will need also more cans....
European CocaCola can's are made of iron and they rust once opened.
I'm building one right now, and I've been cutting large holes in the bottom and top of each can. Wont the changing diameters (from the cut hole to the widest part of the can) add turbulence? Do you know if anyone has actually done a side-by-side test of the turbulence theory? If not I may just make this first one with large holes, and make a second box to compare it to with fins.
Sorry about the late reply. Yes, turbulence is what you want for most efficient heat transfer. I never finished my heater as I spent last winter in New Jersey. I will try a few 8 foot columns of cans with the quasar holes - hopefully tomorrow I will have an answer.
Notice: If I cut the slits into the bottom lips of the cans, they can get out of round when I force the flaps open (but I can usually tap them nearly back to shape if that happens).
I found you can pierce the bottom with a conventional can opener!
Place the point in the center and press straight down, do this in 3 oe four places and you have your holes. try to not deform the bottom edge when bending these in (or out).
Actually bending them may not be required. Bending them outward seems less likely to cause deformation of that bottom ridge.
I also found you can remove the tops with a "Swing away" brand gear drive can opener, seems Pepsi products work best.
Using a can opener is a good idea. I will try one and run some simulations. I am not removing the tops of the cans as this causes more turbulence in the cans. I did seem to notice that Pepsi product cans seem to cut well. I thought that all can came from the Ball Corp, and that all cans are the same thickness, but the aluminum that Pepsi uses must be an mild alloy that cuts better.
I am planning to build this to heat my greenhouse - actually I will build two of them - one to heat the air directly and one to run the heated air through a concrete mass (the benches in the greenhouse) so that the temperature will be more even throughout the night hours too. I'm using all Pepsi Cans and will put up a video when it is getting underway.
panthiere 7 months ago
I have to buld one of these and hear then breathing.
I never tried this but the "quasar edges must give a whistling noise because it has sharp edges, right?
Maybe we need another testing: making holes to test the sound design of those heaters LOL Joking...
Anyway I live in Europe and fuel prices are skyhigh so I will need to buld one to save some money
greetings
215alessio 1 year ago
@215alessio
I never actually finished the heater. I took a job in New Jersey (where the winters are more mild than New Hampshire) so I put it on hold. I will try a few columns of cans and see what sound they make. My estimate is that the air flow through any 8 foot column of cans with the quasar holes should not exceed 300 cm per second - the turblence should slow the flow rate and reduce noise. I will get back to you in a few days.
romsk22 1 year ago
@romsk22
Ok, by the way I am collecting Red bull cans they have a smaller diameter so I can make more tubes (= #more vortex) for every meter of width. maybe it will increase efficiency, but I will need also more cans....
European CocaCola can's are made of iron and they rust once opened.
Anyway I am eager to see your experiment
Thanks alot :)
215alessio 1 year ago
I'm building one right now, and I've been cutting large holes in the bottom and top of each can. Wont the changing diameters (from the cut hole to the widest part of the can) add turbulence? Do you know if anyone has actually done a side-by-side test of the turbulence theory? If not I may just make this first one with large holes, and make a second box to compare it to with fins.
bradkrit 1 year ago
@bradkrit
Sorry about the late reply. Yes, turbulence is what you want for most efficient heat transfer. I never finished my heater as I spent last winter in New Jersey. I will try a few 8 foot columns of cans with the quasar holes - hopefully tomorrow I will have an answer.
romsk22 1 year ago
try putting the can in one of those foam insulation holders...
centervilletn 2 years ago
Notice: If I cut the slits into the bottom lips of the cans, they can get out of round when I force the flaps open (but I can usually tap them nearly back to shape if that happens).
romsk22 2 years ago
I found you can pierce the bottom with a conventional can opener!
Place the point in the center and press straight down, do this in 3 oe four places and you have your holes. try to not deform the bottom edge when bending these in (or out).
Actually bending them may not be required. Bending them outward seems less likely to cause deformation of that bottom ridge.
I also found you can remove the tops with a "Swing away" brand gear drive can opener, seems Pepsi products work best.
Good Vid!!
CTOL1 2 years ago
CTOL1,
Using a can opener is a good idea. I will try one and run some simulations. I am not removing the tops of the cans as this causes more turbulence in the cans. I did seem to notice that Pepsi product cans seem to cut well. I thought that all can came from the Ball Corp, and that all cans are the same thickness, but the aluminum that Pepsi uses must be an mild alloy that cuts better.
Thanks,
Romsk
romsk22 2 years ago
Hello Viewers!
Thanks for watching and for giving me a 5star rating! There will be more videos to come as I progress with this project.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
Thanks,
Romsk
romsk22 2 years ago