Rocket mass heaters use up to 80%
less wood.
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A rocket mass heater is a space heating system
developed from the rocket stove, an efficient cooking stove
invented for and introduced in developing nations in the late
80's and early 90's to decrease fuel usage and smoke emission.
The Rocket mass heater is a hybrid with elements of this
efficient wood burning stove and a masonry heater. |
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In contrast to the masonry heater, which requires
advanced masonry skills, the rocket mass heater can be built by any
enthusiast with basic masonry and engineering skills. A rocket
mass heater can usually be put together using recycled and natural
materials such as cob, bricks, rocks and a metal barrel or
cylinder.
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The wood is vertically fed by gravity into an “L or J shaped”
horizontal burn chamber [see A right], from where the hot burning gases enter a
heavily insulated vertical secondary burn chamber [see C to E], passing through
a metal cylinder or barrel which allows for direct radiant heat.
The hot gasses then pass through horizontal ducting embedded
within a massive thermal storage [see F to G] which absorbs the heat for
gradual dispersion.
Use up to 80%
less wood
The thermal storage is large enough to retain heat for many hours
or even days and typically forms part of the structure of a
building. Rocket mass heaters have proven to be popular with
natural builders within a permaculture design. They are mostly
self-built and therefore not yet recognized by all building codes. |
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The rocket mass heaters work on the same basic principles as a
masonry heater. A fast, high heat and oxygen rich fire burn up the
volatile gases and particulates, leading to a very clean
combustion and turn a large portion of the fuel into usable heat.
In a well designed system smoke is released only during the first
minutes of a burn, until the temperature in the burning chamber is
high enough to burn all gases.
The major difference in the design of a rocket mass heater in
comparison with a masonry heater is that the rocket heater has an
insulated J or L shaped combustion chamber which forces the fire
to burn horizontally. This leads the flame to a 90 degree angle at
the end of the chamber which causes a strong turbulence [between B
and C] and
secondary combustion while rising up into the insulated secondary
burn chamber also known as heat riser [C], creating a forceful draft
which enhances the intensity of the fire even further, allowing
combustion of all unburned materials and extremely clean exhaust
gases. |
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