Rocket Mass Heater with flue tile heat exchanger

[@sebastian.gallego]

very good project !!! greeting from argentina, from the other end of america

[@WC4DOOR]

I made one similar, but with 8" sch 80. After two years, (about six cord) it melted the burn chamber. This year it will be out of fire brick. The steel just handle the heat.

[@watchman4j]

great video, nice music! Is the back draft only when you are warming up the system?

[@Wildwoodblog]

The back draft is quite brief on start-up but the system is touchy on a windy day with frequent back draft. I think the problem is the experimental red clay pipe used as a heat exchanger. The flue ends at near top of exchanger. The pipe out starts at near the bottom. No direct connection between. It is very effective in absorbing and radiating heat but needs more work. Perhaps as simple as connecting both ends within the exchanger. Unless there is a fan assist there must be a limit as to how much heat can be extracted using a natural draw flue. My project is an experiment. It is not used to heat the building.

[@watchman4j]

Thanks! What did you make the lid out of that is on top of the red clay pipe?

[@Wildwoodblog]

The lid atop the clay pipe is an ordinary square patio stone. About $2.00 or so. Cheaper than making one. The red clay pipe is a section of traditional chimney flue liner that someone had discarded.

[@Wildwoodblog]

This is an experiment with a rocket mass heater using flue tile, a heat sink box and single "bell" type heat exhanger. So far it works well. "J tube" temps are well over 1,000 deg F, no smoke after initial warm-up, can hold hand over flue exit Still get occasional back drafts on a windy day puffing smoke back into room. Maybe need to add height to flue pipe.