Thursday, August 29, 2019
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Starhopper hops again
This was the second and final test for this prototype. On to bigger and better things.
Rocket equation calculator
Comment:
In order to use this, you'll need your ISP number. From there, you can calculate your Delta V, which is what you need for a mission.
For example, for 5000 ISP fission fragment rocket discussed recently, you'll need to use about 5 metric tons of reaction mass. Not bad. This would propel a 100 metric ton spacecraft to a delta v of about 2.5 km sec. Depending on where you start, this could be enough to do a mission to Mars.
The starting point would be the lagrange point between the earth and moon.
In order to use this, you'll need your ISP number. From there, you can calculate your Delta V, which is what you need for a mission.
For example, for 5000 ISP fission fragment rocket discussed recently, you'll need to use about 5 metric tons of reaction mass. Not bad. This would propel a 100 metric ton spacecraft to a delta v of about 2.5 km sec. Depending on where you start, this could be enough to do a mission to Mars.
The starting point would be the lagrange point between the earth and moon.
Rocket Equation Calculator
An ISP potential of 1.5 million?
Comment:
8.28.19:
This seems like an exciting possibility. But you know what they say-- "No bucks, no Buck Rogers". It is a political problem as much as a scientific and engineering problem. Unless you get a champion for this as a program, then it goes nowhere.
8.27.19:
This concept uses fission fragments as the reaction mass. Yes, you read that correctly. Fission fragments.
This is a scary thing to the public, and that is why it most likely will not be pursued. However, if you were to do this on the far side of the moon, well, you might be in business.
Mr. Reid, as he is known, believes that the technology to do this exists today. When he wrote that article, it was in 2012.
A bit more digging unearthed ( no pun intended ) a pdf file that had a bit more info. I found that it doesn't scale down as well as scaling up. Consequently, one could wonder if a device such as this would be practical for near Earth missions. I'm thinking of trips to Mars or Venus. Certainly a trip to Jupiter or Saturn could be more feasible. But the missions mentioned are well outside the solar system, but the thing is not practical for trips to the nearest star.
NASA studied this concept and published a paper on it here.
And more here.
8.28.19:
This seems like an exciting possibility. But you know what they say-- "No bucks, no Buck Rogers". It is a political problem as much as a scientific and engineering problem. Unless you get a champion for this as a program, then it goes nowhere.
8.27.19:
This concept uses fission fragments as the reaction mass. Yes, you read that correctly. Fission fragments.
This is a scary thing to the public, and that is why it most likely will not be pursued. However, if you were to do this on the far side of the moon, well, you might be in business.
Mr. Reid, as he is known, believes that the technology to do this exists today. When he wrote that article, it was in 2012.
A bit more digging unearthed ( no pun intended ) a pdf file that had a bit more info. I found that it doesn't scale down as well as scaling up. Consequently, one could wonder if a device such as this would be practical for near Earth missions. I'm thinking of trips to Mars or Venus. Certainly a trip to Jupiter or Saturn could be more feasible. But the missions mentioned are well outside the solar system, but the thing is not practical for trips to the nearest star.
NASA studied this concept and published a paper on it here.
And more here.
The fission-fragment rocket | https://t.co/k5c4tZXPd1 https://t.co/57U5VmnFJf— Greg Meadows (@BootsandOilBlog) August 25, 2019
Monday, August 26, 2019
How to bond new concrete to old concrete
Comment:
1. Acid wash
2. Make sure old concrete is damp
3. Mix some white glue to portland cement
4. Put the mix on the old concrete
5. Apply new concrete to this.
1. Acid wash
2. Make sure old concrete is damp
3. Mix some white glue to portland cement
4. Put the mix on the old concrete
5. Apply new concrete to this.
Sunday, August 25, 2019
Saturday, August 24, 2019
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Sensible ideas for using baking soda
Comment:
This will be useful info. That's why I'm putting it up.
It is better to use common over the counter items as opposed to spending a lot of money on stuff that doesn't do any better.
This will be useful info. That's why I'm putting it up.
It is better to use common over the counter items as opposed to spending a lot of money on stuff that doesn't do any better.
Shelving
Here's a bit of something that is hard to categorize. This trailer is pretty crowded, so the need to maximize the use of space exists.
After a lot of procrastination, the job finally got done. There is now about six square feet more of shelving.
It is still crowded in here.
Somehow, it does seem worth it. But that six feet sure doesn't go far.
Saturday, August 17, 2019
5 gallon wick buckets
Comment:
Interesting concept. There are so many ways to skin this cat that it may get confusing.
Here's another video a lot like it.
Interesting concept. There are so many ways to skin this cat that it may get confusing.
Here's another video a lot like it.
Thursday, August 15, 2019
Dream Chaser to launch on Vulcan rocket
Comment:
Spock couldn't be reached for comment.
Spock couldn't be reached for comment.
Dream Chaser spaceplanes to launch on ULA Vulcan rocket https://t.co/HkMnWlTfcw via @CBSNews— Greg Meadows (@BootsandOilBlog) August 15, 2019
Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Small trencher for geothermal concept?
Comment:
This might be somewhat useful, but I am not so sure. It only goes down to 18".
This might be somewhat useful, but I am not so sure. It only goes down to 18".
Sunday, August 11, 2019
Hydrogen peroxide & baking soda
... can help you grow your tomatoes.
It is cheap stuff and it probably works. But I wouldn't know yet, because I haven't tried it.
It is useful to stockpile videos like these because one of these days...
It is cheap stuff and it probably works. But I wouldn't know yet, because I haven't tried it.
It is useful to stockpile videos like these because one of these days...
Saturday, August 10, 2019
Another rocket stove concept
Updated,
8.10.19:
An idea has occurred to me that I could use the rocket stove concept to suck air into the geothermal tubes that I am contemplating. Air is sucked into the rocket stove by way of the combustion and expansion of the superheated air rising from the flames. It is why it is called the rocket stove, due to the air suction effect.
I was wondering if that could be substituted in place of an electric fan. The fan is using a scarce resource, such as electricity, in order to move the air through the geothermal vents. Now, the rocket stove is going to heat the hell out of it anyway, so the geothermal temperature effect is lost, I suppose.
However, the air will be heated, and the piping could be used as a chimney. I was thinking of a heat exchange device that would be employed, so as to gain heat from the pipe and transfer it to water, through which a fan would blow the heated air into the room.
Just a thought.
8.5.19:
Comment:
The Greenshorts guy is at it again with another rocket stock concept. Or am I the one at it again with these embedded videos? Either way, it is bad. I don't know rocket stoves.
This one uses a terra cotta chimney thingie as the, er, chimney thingie. The firebox thingie is made of other stuff.
Whatever.
The thing that interests me is that it may be possible to do some hacking on this in order to make it fit my plans. For instance, what about wrapping a copper tube around the chimney thingie, and heat up some water? The water can be used for space heating, and the top part can be used for cooking.
Hmm. Might be worthwhile.
8.10.19:
An idea has occurred to me that I could use the rocket stove concept to suck air into the geothermal tubes that I am contemplating. Air is sucked into the rocket stove by way of the combustion and expansion of the superheated air rising from the flames. It is why it is called the rocket stove, due to the air suction effect.
I was wondering if that could be substituted in place of an electric fan. The fan is using a scarce resource, such as electricity, in order to move the air through the geothermal vents. Now, the rocket stove is going to heat the hell out of it anyway, so the geothermal temperature effect is lost, I suppose.
However, the air will be heated, and the piping could be used as a chimney. I was thinking of a heat exchange device that would be employed, so as to gain heat from the pipe and transfer it to water, through which a fan would blow the heated air into the room.
Just a thought.
8.5.19:
Comment:
The Greenshorts guy is at it again with another rocket stock concept. Or am I the one at it again with these embedded videos? Either way, it is bad. I don't know rocket stoves.
This one uses a terra cotta chimney thingie as the, er, chimney thingie. The firebox thingie is made of other stuff.
Whatever.
The thing that interests me is that it may be possible to do some hacking on this in order to make it fit my plans. For instance, what about wrapping a copper tube around the chimney thingie, and heat up some water? The water can be used for space heating, and the top part can be used for cooking.
Hmm. Might be worthwhile.
Galvanized culvert pipe
Updated,
8.10.19:
This morning, I have been reviewing a few things, and I came across this post. It so happens that I have been thinking about this concept from time-to-time, and the idea came to mind to implement it.
But do not use a metal pipe. It could be possible with pvc piping. The idea is to use an augur drill to dig down 8 feet or so. In order to keep the sandy soil stable, I would use segments of pvc pipe one segment at a time as I drill down. As I go deeper into the soil, I would add a segment, thereby lengthen the tube one segment at a time.
This would entail cutting the tube into shorter segments, and then refastening them as the hole gets deeper.
The augur bit will be narrower than the pvc pipe. Remove the soil and use the lengthened pipe as a guide and as a soil stabilizer so that the job can get done. I hope...
It may be a challenge getting the holes dug-out. Perhaps I can think about this plan a bit more before I actually try it.
4.6.19:
Checking out what it would take to make a vertical geothermal for climate control. Since the soil is sandy out there, it may be preferable to use galvanized culvert pipe in order to support the vertical holes.
But those aren't exactly cheap. For a 12" in diameter culvert pipe of 10 feet in length, you would have to pay 150 bucks. If I were to drill several of these, the cost would be commensurate with how many of the holes dug.
I don't know that I "dig" this idea that much anymore. However, there is a certain appeal to not having to add electrical capacity in order to pay for a/c or heating.
8.10.19:
This morning, I have been reviewing a few things, and I came across this post. It so happens that I have been thinking about this concept from time-to-time, and the idea came to mind to implement it.
But do not use a metal pipe. It could be possible with pvc piping. The idea is to use an augur drill to dig down 8 feet or so. In order to keep the sandy soil stable, I would use segments of pvc pipe one segment at a time as I drill down. As I go deeper into the soil, I would add a segment, thereby lengthen the tube one segment at a time.
This would entail cutting the tube into shorter segments, and then refastening them as the hole gets deeper.
The augur bit will be narrower than the pvc pipe. Remove the soil and use the lengthened pipe as a guide and as a soil stabilizer so that the job can get done. I hope...
It may be a challenge getting the holes dug-out. Perhaps I can think about this plan a bit more before I actually try it.
4.6.19:
Checking out what it would take to make a vertical geothermal for climate control. Since the soil is sandy out there, it may be preferable to use galvanized culvert pipe in order to support the vertical holes.
But those aren't exactly cheap. For a 12" in diameter culvert pipe of 10 feet in length, you would have to pay 150 bucks. If I were to drill several of these, the cost would be commensurate with how many of the holes dug.
I don't know that I "dig" this idea that much anymore. However, there is a certain appeal to not having to add electrical capacity in order to pay for a/c or heating.
Friday, August 9, 2019
off grid post, 8.9.19
Here's a video that may be useful in marketing the northern half of the "ranch".
It isn't the greatest quality. Basically, it is a recycling of old videos and splicing them together in order to make something that might be watchable.
If it isn't, it is due to lack of practice at this. As with everything, practice makes perfect. Or less imperfect.
It isn't the greatest quality. Basically, it is a recycling of old videos and splicing them together in order to make something that might be watchable.
If it isn't, it is due to lack of practice at this. As with everything, practice makes perfect. Or less imperfect.
Monday, August 5, 2019
Review of AirFreeze
Comment:
Oh, no! Must be a Russian conspiracy! It's a Russian dude.
Just kidding.... He does a good job analyzing the thing. It is just a swamp cooler. However, for swamp coolers, it is not too shabby.
A bit pricey though. It is rather small and limited.
Oh, no! Must be a Russian conspiracy! It's a Russian dude.
Just kidding.... He does a good job analyzing the thing. It is just a swamp cooler. However, for swamp coolers, it is not too shabby.
A bit pricey though. It is rather small and limited.
Sunday, August 4, 2019
Rocket stove to cook eggs?
Comment:
This looks like a lot of work for such a modest result. As far as cooking eggs, this little egg cooker device I have uses 300 watts and a couple ounces of water, and it can boil up 4 eggs at a time. That is not very much electricity.
Sometimes, you may want to approach a problem from a different direction.
This looks like a lot of work for such a modest result. As far as cooking eggs, this little egg cooker device I have uses 300 watts and a couple ounces of water, and it can boil up 4 eggs at a time. That is not very much electricity.
Sometimes, you may want to approach a problem from a different direction.
Terra preta technique in your garden
Comment:
Rather than "slash and burn" agriculture, this guy uses ash from the barbeque pit. The ash shouldn't be allowed to get wet, as the nutrients will leach away.
Rather than "slash and burn" agriculture, this guy uses ash from the barbeque pit. The ash shouldn't be allowed to get wet, as the nutrients will leach away.
Uses for hydrogen peroxide
Comment:
It will help with root rot and is a good disinfectant. Given that it is a good disinfectant, that makes it useful for other applications as well. It is a good reminder, as I already knew that it was good as a disinfectant.
One thing I like about all these chemicals is that they are cheap. Also, they are low-impact in terms of toxicity. If you can use them on plants, then it cannot be all bad.
It will help with root rot and is a good disinfectant. Given that it is a good disinfectant, that makes it useful for other applications as well. It is a good reminder, as I already knew that it was good as a disinfectant.
One thing I like about all these chemicals is that they are cheap. Also, they are low-impact in terms of toxicity. If you can use them on plants, then it cannot be all bad.
Saturday, August 3, 2019
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