Stovers (cc Su Ba)
I goofed on this address ,
Ron
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: [email protected]
To: "Su Ba" <[email protected]>, [email protected]
Cc: "Discussion of biomass" <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, October 20, 2012 6:23:06 PM
Subject: Re: [biochar] Used Tractors ...biochar on homestead
Su Ba and biochar list (and adding "stoves")
I am impressed. Thanks for the (very complete) report. Very nice to hear there
were no problems.
Could you describe a bit more technical details about your TLUDS? First use
when? Homemade? Presumably made of tin cans? Sizes? Any insulation? Any
preheating of any air? If controlling primary air - how? How many uses before
wearing/burning out? Etc.
Ron
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "Su Ba" <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Saturday, October 20, 2012 4:07:48 PM
Subject: Re: [biochar] Used Tractors ...biochar on homestead
Ron, I cannot give you the type of answer you are hoping for. I produce food,
not run experiments using various percentages of char, different formulations,
and using controls. In addition, I use a number of soil amendments including
char, mulch, compost, crushed bone, crushed coral, lava dust, and generally any
animal and green waste that comes available. None of my field is amended by
biochar alone. I also make and use foliar sprays when plants show need.
Having said that, I saw visible improvement in the areas that I started using
biochar. The plants were visibly more lush and withstood dry conditions better.
My own reasons for adding biochar is that it tends to even out the soil
moisture retention capabilities of the soil. The areas that became boggy now
drain better. The areas that moisture levels fluctuated wildly now tend to
flatten out somewhat, staying much more evenly moist. In my own situation, I
found that leaving the char chunky ( 1/4 to 1 inch) works just fine.
I had noticed that plants looked more lush when planted into ground that had a
fresh application of char. Thus it is now my routine to till in a light
application prior to each new planting.
The char I produce is made with a homemade TLUD stove adapted for cooking. I
created a series of them in a line so that I can move from one to the next in
order to cook for more than 40 minutes at a time when needed.
I use tree waste as fuel. Twigs and branches that I put through the s hredder.
I mostly burn ohia, eucalyptus, and coconut husks. But any tree trimming are
used when available.
When I started using char, I use to quench the coals in water. Just recently I
changed to using using urine, and when that is not available, then fermented
fish waste. I cannot say yet if that has made a visible difference in the
crops. But it hasn't appeared to be hurting them.
Negatives? It takes time. I have to gather and shred the fuel. But a benefit is
that I do not have to
purchase much propane. Another negative is that my TLUD stoves burn out, so I
need to improve the design and materials. I do not grind the char, so I don't
have the dust problem that others talk about. I have not noticed any negative
effectives on the crops themselves.
I hope this information helps you.
...Su Ba
__._,_.___
Reply via web post Reply to sender Reply to group Start a
New Topic Messages in this topic (13)
Recent Activity:
• New Members 3
Visit Your Group
Yahoo! Groups
Switch to: Text-Only , Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use • Send us
Feedback
.
__,_._,__________________________________________________
Stoves mailing list
to Send a Message to the list, use the email address
[email protected]
to UNSUBSCRIBE or Change your List Settings use the web page
http://lists.bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/stoves_lists.bioenergylists.org
for more Biomass Cooking Stoves, News and Information see our web site:
http://www.bioenergylists.org/
