Introduction
I graduated from Southampton College of Long Island University in 1980
with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Science, Biology
concentration. Worked for over a decade in the commercial fishing
industry. Declines in fisheries and disappointment in science led
me into the landscape and tree service industry. Though the
mentality was no better their I was able to make inroads and
connections which enabled me to work according to my own standards.
After marrying into a 12th generation farm family in Water Mill I began
to apply my scientific insights into compost making and was introduced
to biodynamics in 1987. Since then the world of subtle energy and
earth healing has had my undivided attention.
Turbo-Vortex
Compost Tea Brewer
On the farm I build
hydraulic stirring machines for the biodynamic remedies and can stir
eighty gallons per machine applicable to twenty five acres at a
time. After hearing Elaine Ingham on compost teas I began to use
my knowledge of water dynamics to build compost tea brewers. [These
devices are also useful for potientiating other water based liquids.] I
continue to work and learn in these fields and incorporate the work of
Steiner, Schauberger, Riech, Pfieffer, Herbe and others into an
advanced, results oriented earth healing methodology.
I build them from stock components. From
water cooler bottle size to 5000 gallons and up. From a central
drain four lift tubes are attached with the air diffusers down each
tube. The rising air moves the water and creates a vortex.
You can manually turn the nozzles so you can go clockwise or
counter clockwise. It can be done automatically but that gets
pricey.
I had them at acres, the Miracle II booth had a conductivity meter and
the shitty water at the hotel was vastly improved by the action and
with additions of 508, 501, or basalt.
Q: Steve, this
sounds interesting. Assume that you wanted to make a small garden-sized
device. Use a plastic water cooler bottle and cut off the top?
A: Not the top, the bottom. Leave the part that
turns in and cut the center out, use a jig saw. The water cooler
bottle is polycarbonate and the best material.
Q: Or just just a 3 gal plastic bucket? Would a
nonplastic be better, like a ceramic crock?
A: These would be ok but you won't be able to do the
same style with the stone without some difficulty.
Q: How many diffuser tubes of what size?
A: For a standard water cooler bottle use inch and a
half schedule 40 pvc. The bottom piece that adapts to the bottle
has to be custom made. That is a cross piece with the top center
drilled out to fit a 1 1/2 coupling that is glued in place and the
excess on the inside is filed off. If you don't understand that
I can send that to you.
Q: How much air flow do you need?
A: You want about 100 liters per minute for the four
diffusers
Q: What are the nozzles?
A: Those are the returns where the flow comes out,
just the opening of the pipe.
Q: Do you use stock plastic for the risers?
A: Yes, 1 1/2 sch 40 pvc
Q: Is the drain also a tube?
A: The drain is where the vortex goes that feeds into
the top of the cross.
Q: Do you keep the compost in a mesh or let it float
loose?
A: I do both.
Q: Can you post a sketch?
A: I will try to post a picture, maybe Allen can put
it on his site.
Q: I guess you run it in one direction for a while
then change the nozzle, so there isn't a lot of chaos/counter flow. Is
that right?
A: It creates a beautiful vortex. If you take
off the pieces that direct the flow it tends towards chaos. If
you assist by stirring it makes a vortex, stop, goes to chaos, reverse,
etc.
Q: Where do the bubble tubes go and where do the
bubble stones sit?
A: The air diffusers drop down into the vertical legs
of the brewer, I like them to be close to the bottom of the tubes.
Q: What do you change when you reverse the direction
of spin?
A: Inside the brewer is where you can manually spin
the 45 degree elbows.
Q: Ok, so I see the
gravity flow, but it sounds like you have a stand pipe or more to
give the upthrust necessary to raise the fluid to the next level.
If this occurs then at some point the stand pipe will create suction
and the denser material will be carried down the pipe center
while the lighter is expelled along the periphery; creating its' own
vortex within the pipe flow. Is this correct?
A: The water seeks its own level in the set-up, the air displaces the
water, creating lift and suction, you will see from the photos.
For those less than handy I will build them and ship any size with a
list of components.
Stephen Storch
Natural Science Organic
P.O. Box, 467
Water Mill, NY 11976
631-726-6783
appbiodyn@aol.com
Base of Turbo-Vortex Tea Brewer
Joint Detail
Compressor and Bubbler Stone
Air Manifold and 1 1/2 schedule 40 PVC fittings that direct the flow
View of vortex in Turbo-Vortex
Tea Brewer
Another view of vortex in Turbo-Vortex Tea Brewer
Set for counter clockwise vortex (female energy)
Set for clockwise vortex (male energy)