RE: [compost_tea] Re: Vortex Brewing Question

From: Stephen Steyn <ssteyn_at_wcaccess.co.za>
Date: Sun, 9 Oct 2011 08:58:51 +0200

Hi Tim;

What I was asking about was those things not easily researched, but claimed
nevertheless by people selling the idea.

Like Steiner's concepts, like putting a concoction of weeds in a cows horn
and burying it on a full moon evening in a manure pile, muttering strange
words and then diluting it 6000 times and still be left with a concentrate.

You know what I mean?

The vortex is mean to imbue the water with special properties which science
cannot measure, yet they confer certain properties on the plants when
watered.

SS

 

 

From: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com [mailto:compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Tim Wilson
Sent: 08 October 2011 18:26
To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
Subject: [compost_tea] Re: Vortex Brewing Question

 

  

Hey Stephen;

That is why the air pump needs to be matched with the volume of water and
pipe diameter.

I'm not exactly sure what you are asking concerning vortexes. From my
standpoint a vortex is great for creating a thorough mix with no dead zones.
There may be some other unknown aspects to what it does to water structure
but that is not something I know anything about and not something easily
researched (AFAIK).

Tim

--- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com <mailto:compost_tea%40yahoogroups.com> ,
"Stephen Steyn" <ssteyn_at_...> wrote:
>
> Tim;
>
> Maybe, depending on the characteristics of the pump, one need not have the
> diffuser at the bottom of the riser, but partway up the riser. My reason
for
> adding this is that some pumps quickly run out of volume as the
backpressure
> increases - until eventually all you are creating is heat with minimal
flow.
>
> Tim, I still worry about the advantages of the Vortex route. What are your
> gut feelings or findings in this regard?
>
> SS
>
>
>
> From: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com <mailto:compost_tea%40yahoogroups.com>
[mailto:compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com <mailto:compost_tea%40yahoogroups.com> ]
On
> Behalf Of Tim Wilson
> Sent: 08 October 2011 03:05
> To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com <mailto:compost_tea%40yahoogroups.com>
> Subject: [compost_tea] Re: Vortex Brewing Question
>
>
>
>
>
> I'm replying to my own post to keep the information under the correct
> heading. I wish to point out that in Evan's post under wood chunks in
> compost he addressed what I said concerning vortexes but seemed to have
> missed the point I made stating that a vortex can be created in more
simple
> fashion using only one riser and return pipe. The water is still allowed
to
> take the vortex path which it yearns to and this can be adjusted as to
> direction and intensity by simply twisting the elbows on the PVC pipe.
>
> There may be a possibility even probability that a vortex increases the
> dissolved oxygen (DO2) in water negligibly, however in this situation,
> scientifically, applying physics, the DO2 is increased via the use of air
> lift(s). Actually up to 10 times.
>
> Concerning the use of diffusers, it has been measured by some science guys
> and by me that by using a diffuser at the base of the airlift riser pipe
one
> can considerably multiply the DO2, over using no diffusers at all. I have
> posted a couple of papers outlining some studies on airlifts in the files
> section. One details some of the math employed, the other is not great but
> does mention the diffuser issue. They will probably both make your eyes
> glaze over but this is part of what I went through determining my air lift
> diffusion chamber.
>
> I have posted some photos of efforts of some of my students to build
simple,
> relatively inexpensive airlift [one is super super cheap $10] and vortex
> brewers using only one airlift and riser/return pipe. As you can see there
> is an acceptable vortex created. They have reported outstanding results to
> me with their gardens but I'm not one to count on testimonials. Who knows
> what they are comparing it to?
>
> Just so you know, with my advice, they have all switched the air input to
> the horizontal instead of under the riser pipe.
>
> One needs to fiddle [or do the math] to get the correct diameter pipe for
> the pump. EG. I just ran some trials using 3/4 inch, 1 inch and 1.25 inch
> pipe with the same pump. The 1 inch and 1.25 inch created an identical
flow
> but the turbulence was greater with 1 inch and the flow was greatly
reduced
> with the 3/4 inch. Go figure.
>
> Salutations,
> Tim
> Get a duck
>
> --- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com <mailto:compost_tea%40yahoogroups.com>
<mailto:compost_tea%40yahoogroups.com> ,
> "Tim Wilson" <thegoodjob_at_> wrote:
> >
> > You can generally follow the instructions to building a vortex brewer
but
> save yourself a lot of extra effort by using only one riser pipe. Not only
> is the vortex pholosophy subjectively questionable but you can obtain a
> pretty good vortex with one pipe anyway. Do some research a think about
it.
> > http://www.microbeorganics.com/#So_You_Wanna_Build_A_Compost_Tea_Brewer
> > BTW, sure you can dump the compost right into the water, so long as it
> does not have big chunks.
> >
> > Salutations,
> > Tim
> >
> >
> > --- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
<mailto:compost_tea%40yahoogroups.com>
<mailto:compost_tea%40yahoogroups.com>
> , "somydi" <somydi_at_> wrote:
> > >
> > > I am new to brewing and in my research on making a 5 gallon tea
brewer,
> I am thinking of making a vortex type. The only information I am not sure
> about is if I should contain the compost in a bag or let it cycle through
> the brewer. If I let it cycle then I will need to think about pipe sizing?
> Having read so much on the benefits of compost tea, I am looking forward
to
> making my own so any helpful ideas will be welcomed.
> > > -John
> > >
> >
>





Received on Sun Oct 09 2011 - 19:16:28 EDT

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