[compost_tea] Re: Vortex Brewing Question

From: evanfolds <evan_at_progressearth.com>
Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2011 02:23:46 -0000

Sorry for blurring the lines. I didn't miss your point, I agree with you. I=
'mm not totaqlly familiar with your design, but a vortex can be created in =
many different ways. We build the Vortex Brewers with multiple uptubes simp=
ly for the symmetry involved. In our view, form matters. Same as is does wh=
en you create a musical instrument, listen to the "ocean" in a conch shell,=
 or bury a cow horn when making BD500 or BD501.

There is no doubt that diffusers encourage DO in stagnant solutions. But th=
ere are no air stones in a river?

I've observed higher DO in vortexed water many times, including the ability=
 of vortexed water to hold onto DO for longer. Does this "prove" anything? =
i suppose it is up tot he beholder. Here's a video we did a while back that=
's a bit rough, but gets the point across. Notice the vortexed water holds =
around 8ppm once its turned off. When the diffuser is removed from the stag=
nant bucket, it dives down well below 7ppm: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
=k-vx-ZxdYb0

I'm in no posiiton to prove or determine what it is about water that allows=
 it to act the way it acts. I'm also in no position to tell you how a chick=
en lays an egg every day when it doesn't eat enough calcium to do so. But I=
 like eggs.

Evan
www.VortexBrewer.com/microbe



--- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com, "Tim Wilson" <thegoodjob_at_...> wrote:
>
> I'm replying to my own post to keep the information under the correct hea=
ding. 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 us=
ing 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 d=
issolved oxygen (DO2) in water negligibly, however in this situation, scien=
tifically, 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 guy=
s 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 ha=
ve posted a couple of papers outlining some studies on airlifts in the file=
s section. One details some of the math employed, the other is not great bu=
t does mention the diffuser issue. They will probably both make your eyes g=
laze over but this is part of what I went through determining my air lift d=
iffusion chamber.
>
> I have posted some photos of efforts of some of my students to build simp=
le, relatively inexpensive airlift [one is super super cheap $10] and vorte=
x brewers using only one airlift and riser/return pipe. As you can see ther=
e is an acceptable vortex created. They have reported outstanding results t=
o 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 reduce=
d with the 3/4 inch. Go figure.
>
> Salutations,
> Tim
> Get a duck
>
> --- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com, "Tim Wilson" <thegoodjob_at_> wrote:
> >
> > You can generally follow the instructions to building a vortex brewer b=
ut save yourself a lot of extra effort by using only one riser pipe. Not on=
ly 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, "somydi" <somydi_at_> wrote:
> > >
> > > I am new to brewing and in my research on making a 5 gallon tea brewe=
r, I am thinking of making a vortex type. The only information I am not sur=
e 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 t=
o making my own so any helpful ideas will be welcomed.
> > > -John
> > >
> >
>




Received on Mon Oct 10 2011 - 02:01:06 EDT

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