Compost powered water heater

This is a video of a group of people testing out their compost powered water heater- which is pretty thrilling for us, as we've been chatting about an almost identical model for a while now. It's very exciting to see it working and to know that there's someone I can contact to ask about it.



Here is a diagram of the model they've based their design on, designed by Jean Pain, who was hot stuff on the composting scene.

This is a great, terrible video. It's basically a blooper reel of a fellow trying to rig up a solar shower, so it's a pretty clear "here's some of the challenges you might deal with" instructional.

Humanure: the bible

Eliminating the concept of waste is something us Emily Carr students remember from Duane's first lecture. This is the idea that in order to find balance in our lifestyles, producing waste must become something of the past. How can this be achieved? Well- part of it is re-thinking our definition of waste, and finding new ways to turn "waste" into resources. Which is what I've been reading about in the Humanure book. (Yes, it's about poop. And now you can read it online!)

"...we still find no waste in nature. One organism's excrement is another's food - it's that simple. Everything is recycled through natural systems so waste doesn't exist. Humans create waste because we insist on ignoring the natural systems that we are dependent upon."

I've been reading through it (I think I mentioned.) I'll keep providing updates- everyone should read it.

Waste Processing

Part of designing an ecosystem is considering both the input and the output- so one of the things we're going to need to think about is processing of waste. I was super excited to find the bible of human waste processing online: The Humanure Handbook.

I've started to read it (for my research, I intend to get through this, and any other waste composting resources I can get my hands on.) It was written by a man who has spent the last 24 years safely and hygienically composting his family's waste in their backyard, and using to grow food. Sounds pretty terrifying, right? That's what I thought.

I've been reading and asking more about composting toilets and waste composting in general. It will be hard to get western users to face the barrier, but I think it may be worth it to try. I'll post updates as I read more. I'll leave you with this comment from one of the book's readers.

"When I first heard about this system I was cynical, 'it must be smelly, it must have lots of flies all over it.' It isn't, it doesn't. It, for me, is the Rolls Royce of toilets. It is simple, it is humble, it is effective."

More infos!

more photos from will pederson's building of a tumbleweed tiny home here.

Zack and I are sitting around right now chatting about alternative energy sources and passive solar heating. We've been discussing different ideas for heating systems that work to both heat the house and produce hot water- things like a system which works off a tiny fireplace, channels the heat and carbon through the water heater, then into an algae container to process the carbon.

I've also thought about doing a composter that takes advantage of solar heat to reach high temperatures, then passing the water through a coil inside the composter and then though the rest of the house. That way, you get hot water and heat for the house, as well as a way of processing organic waste.