RE: [compost_tea] Compressor as an aerator?

From: Ryan, Matthew <matthew.ryan_at_rodaleinst.org>
Date: Fri, 6 Dec 2002 09:16:54 -0500

Scott,

Yes, some people do use air compressors to aerate their tea. I have attached a long sting of message on the subject from previous posts. I had the same question a couple of months back.

Hope this helps.

Matthew Ryan
Research Technician
The Rodale Institute
611 Siegfriedale Road
Kutztown, PA 19530
(610) 683-1405


Matthew,

I do use an air compressor......a small 1/3 horsepower and I think Bob,
Linda and several others do as well. It doesn't hurt the organisms nearly as
much as I am quite sure the Soil Soup machine, for example, does.......In
fact, I only use an air compressor for my big brews. The little brews...
five gallons, are made with aquarium pumps.....which are like mini
compressors!

Cheers,

Jeff L

Regarding the aircompressor and pressure regulator and taking the
samples via car / truck to the lab or to customers to apply. After
breweing the TEA We use the same air compressor enroute to the
customers as we use to brew the 250 to 500 gallons. A 12 volt to
110 volt coverter drives the air compressor easily with no adjustment
in the truck electrical system. The 1/3 hp compressor puts out the
right amount of air for both systems. Because we will be setting up
the next brew while applying each rew we d use more than one
compressor. 2 at the plant brewing, one in the truck aerating the
load. We use oiless compressors that would qualify for human air
systems.
               Bob ( of Bob's Brewers )

--- In compost_tea_at_y..., "Ryan, Matthew" <matthew.ryan_at_r...> wrote:
> Jeff and Brett,
thoughts on this?
>
> Also, I was wondering if any of you have ever tried or know of
someone that
> uses an air compressor (with pressure regulator) to supply oxygen
to their
> brews? This would be along the lines of the tire pump that was
used to
> aerate the brew in the car on the way to the lab (previous
message). Can
> anyone think of a reason why not to use an air compressor if you
can control
the pressure so it does not damage the microorganisms?

:Jeff
There are alot of different types of air compressors; some need
lubricants and others don't, depending on the materials used in
constuction and the design itself. I suggest that Bob would be more
able to tell you about yours?

:Scott
'Self-lubricating' could mean it has a life-time supply of lube, or that
it doesn't need any - probably the lab could tell if there is something
there that shouldn't be there.

We use diaphragm air compressors in all models. Nno lubrication and
minimal noise. the aquarium pumps are usually near silent but put
out modest amounts of air. One we use for up to 100 gallons pumps .7
CFM. For 250 gallons we increase the air to 1.7 cfm Granger has a
good model at near $ 300. The CFM required depends on voluum and
method of application and amount of microactivity and nutrients-
all more complex thanI want to try to describe here. It took over a
year to sort it out to a reliable set of conditions / results. Bob

- In compost_tea_at_y..., "Tom Jaszewski" <tomj_at_l...> wrote:
> Aquarium pumps are designed for continuous use and are very
effective incommercial brewers. ( Bob: I agree with Tom & Jeff)





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Received on Tue Dec 10 2002 - 21:44:37 EST

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