My favourite climate scientist is asking for help

Leo_G

designing a wood burning heater for his pool. Just thought some of you people would be interested in his thoughts/design. I gave him the addy for here, but he may be too busy to actually visit, so thought I would cross-post.

<a href="http://www.drroyspencer.com/2011/02/fire-water-some-thoughts-on-wood-stove-design-and-efficiency/">http://www.drroyspencer.com/2011/02/fire-water-some-thoughts-on-wood-stove-design-and-efficiency/</a>



Go have a look and hopefully we can help him out.

Mark Eatherton

I like this guy...

He has an open mind and is a realist.



As for helping him out, need to know how large the surface area of his pool is.



I'd also recommend he look into a device called Liquid Blanket. Insulate before you Insolate :-)



It is going to require a flat plate heat exchanger because all of the woody biomass boilers I am aware of are non pressurized, ferrous construction. Depending on how he sanitizes his system, the FPHX will have to be Titanium (salt/sodium chloride resistant) or another material that is compatible with chlorine based disinfectants.



I suspect that the Canadians have even more stringent standards as it pertains to woody bio mass smoke emissions, so he is probably looking at a wood gasifying type of boiler. They burn fast, hot and clean.



Some names to look at are Garn and Tarm. Others will chime in I am sure, but need to know the load before a boiler size can be chosen.



ME

hot_rod

great advice already

It would be hard to add to the info he has already. I'd look to the Europeans for the best gasification designs, they have been at it a long time.



I'd also build a plain steel version and exchange the pool water outside the wood boiler.



Start drying the wood a couple years ago Most gasifiers like 18 months to 2 years to dry wood. Green or wet wood will not get along with gasifiers.



I did see a stainless steel wood fired pool heater at the Canadian CMX show last year. from Eastern canada somewhere, fairly basic non gasiy-ing. Maybe there is a reason for a sloppy heat exchanger? Like a water heater.



Heating with wood and tending a fire for peak efficiency is indeed a interactive sport. Buy some good leather gloves!



I especially like this response and may have to borrow the phrase "push the gelatin around' I'll credit it to Kevin ?



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