A large compost pile 14 foot diameter with materials consisting of
70% Fresh wood chips,
20% Fresh leafs,
7% Fresh horse manure
3% Spent coffee grounds
Polyethylene 1/2" pipe is laid down in a spiral and covered with material
A new layer is added every 4-6"
The heat generated from the compost process heats water in the tubing
which is pumped to the greenhouse where it is passed through a heat exchanger and heats fish tank
1/2" x 500' Poly pipe roll
Layer 1
Layer 2
Layer 3
Wood chips and Hose fittings
Bike trailer with .3 yards of horse manure, close to Max weight
Coffee grounds
24" high
Water each new layer of material thoroughly
Grass clippings mixed with leafs
55 gallon barrel on top
The barrel functions as a thermal expansion tank, make up water reservoir and a heat storage tank
Supply Lines
Pipes with Insulation
Man and Machine
Soon to be a pressure release valve and a fill valve
100 deg F water
Back up 1000w heater
In the greenhouse
Heat exchange coil at the bottom of the fish tank
Pipes with Insulation
Water flows in to the pump via gravity and is pumped up to either be sent to the tank heat exchange coil or sent back out to the pile
Water from pump to tank or bypass
Water from tank or bypass out to pile
The pump is wired to a thermostat that measures the waters temp. When the temp is lower than 80 the pump will activate and cycle the hot water in the pile to the heat exchanger in the tank.
