|
Some of these posts are very old and might contain outdated information. You may wish to search for newer posts instead.
|
Alan Rockefeller
Mycologist

Registered: 03/10/07
Posts: 48,276
Last seen: 4 hours, 6 minutes
|
Sierra de Quila, Jalisco, Mexico - 07.06.2016 2
#23422100 - 07/08/16 01:29 AM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
I wasn't planning on going to Mexico until September this year, because I am leading a mushroom hunt in the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve. I was going to stay in California and finish DNA barcoding all of my Mexican collections from previous years.
But Vice Magazine wanted to film some mushroom hunting and lab work, and offered to pay for my travel - so I arrived in Guadalajara yesterday.
Two days ago I heard a trump speech and he said "We're gonna build a wall and Mexico is going to pay for it!". I rolled my eyes and thought he must be crazy. But then two days later, here I am in Mexico, building a wall with materials paid for by Mexicans.
A couple tons of oak sawdust:
A large autoclave
Building a wall.
The recipe for the mortar was 2 parts sand to one part cement.
This is the burner that goes under the autoclave. It has a motor which when turned on makes the flame tiny and blue. It can supply something like one million BTU, or maybe as little as 500,000.
I am not sure what the best way to capture this heat and put it into the autoclave is - the current plan is to put the burner under the autoclave and build a wall around it with a small space in the top front.
If anyone has any ideas for how to get the most energy from the burner into the autoclave, please let me know. I was thinking that many engineers have thought about this problem in depth when designing water heaters - so the best thing to do would be to get a big, modern water heater which is rated to at least 30 PSI, and pump the water through the autoclave into the water heater and back. That way I don't have to design the water heater again from scratch. What could possibly go wrong?

Today was my first day mushroom hunting - rains have been good here, they said it rained the past 5 days out of 7.
Cymatoderma caperatum

Thelephora sp.

Ductifera pululahuana

Hypholoma subviride

Slime mold


Auriscalpium vulgare

Suillus tomentosus
Cooked up pretty slimy, flavor wasn't good. Would not eat again. The Exsudoporus frostii, Amanita muscaria and Amanita rubescens group were excellent.

Amanita polypyramis

Amanita tuza

These were extremely strange – we found hundreds of them, all on the ground under oak trees. They clearly had been attached to wood, however we didn’t see any that were attached. It was as if they only grew in the tops of the trees, and occasionally fell out in the wind. Looking up into the trees, none could be seen. The texture was flexible but tough.

The next 6 pics I took in the same place in 2013, and hadn't posted them yet.
Lactarius indigo


Amanita sect. Lepidella

Hydnum repandum group

Hexagonia hirta

Lycoperdon perlatum

Leptinotarsa rubiginosa

Centruroides sp.
|
NothingsChanged
Striving for Excellence


Registered: 05/28/11
Posts: 10,146
Loc: North/Western WA
|
Re: Sierra de Quila, Jalisco, Mexico - 07.06.2016 [Re: Alan Rockefeller]
#23422197 - 07/08/16 02:17 AM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
--------------------

|
circles

Registered: 06/15/16
Posts: 344
|
Re: Sierra de Quila, Jalisco, Mexico - 07.06.2016 [Re: NothingsChanged]
#23422241 - 07/08/16 02:47 AM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
Beautiful
like the little red ones the most
|
AIRDOG



Registered: 10/16/99
Posts: 3,493
Loc: world's shroom capital
|
Re: Sierra de Quila, Jalisco, Mexico - 07.06.2016 [Re: circles]
#23422535 - 07/08/16 06:49 AM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
invite me
|
ent
L'estasi dell'oro



Registered: 08/09/09
Posts: 710
Last seen: 11 days, 2 hours
|
Re: Sierra de Quila, Jalisco, Mexico - 07.06.2016 [Re: AIRDOG]
#23422634 - 07/08/16 07:37 AM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
I love it when you go to Mexico. Amazing photographs.
What exactly are you building? A mushroom farm?
|
Ran-D



Registered: 12/19/10
Posts: 16,313
|
Re: Sierra de Quila, Jalisco, Mexico - 07.06.2016 [Re: Alan Rockefeller]
#23422830 - 07/08/16 09:10 AM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
Hahaha oh shit Alan is going to be on Vice?! Did they send a hipster reporter down to interview you? Was it that creepy ass Hamilton guy?
Beautiful photos as usual.
|
Thayendanegea
quiet walker



Registered: 02/20/12
Posts: 7,596
Loc: 7 Lodges Nation
|
Re: Sierra de Quila, Jalisco, Mexico - 07.06.2016 [Re: Ran-D]
#23422911 - 07/08/16 09:32 AM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
beautiful photos....and sounds like a prime gig...enjoy.
-------------------- Look Deep Into Nature,and Then You Will Understand Everything Better. Albert Einstein
|
cactuforever
Stranger
Registered: 12/28/15
Posts: 3
Last seen: 5 years, 6 months
|
Re: Sierra de Quila, Jalisco, Mexico - 07.06.2016 [Re: Thayendanegea]
#23423114 - 07/08/16 10:41 AM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
looking good alan !!
|
Lucis
Nutritional Yeast

Registered: 03/28/15
Posts: 15,622
Last seen: 1 month, 29 days
|
Re: Sierra de Quila, Jalisco, Mexico - 07.06.2016 [Re: Alan Rockefeller]
#23423292 - 07/08/16 11:33 AM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
The first few pics don't work, then start showing up at L. indigo.
But yeah, great pics Alan.
How's the weather there this time of year?
-------------------- ©️
|
Ran-D



Registered: 12/19/10
Posts: 16,313
|
Re: Sierra de Quila, Jalisco, Mexico - 07.06.2016 [Re: Lucis]
#23423323 - 07/08/16 11:43 AM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
They all work for me.
|
Alan Rockefeller
Mycologist

Registered: 03/10/07
Posts: 48,276
Last seen: 4 hours, 6 minutes
|
Re: Sierra de Quila, Jalisco, Mexico - 07.06.2016 [Re: Lucis]
#23423388 - 07/08/16 12:02 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Fennario said: The first few pics don't work, then start showing up at L. indigo.
But yeah, great pics Alan.
How's the weather there this time of year?
It's something about the link....But all the photos work for me so I am not sure exactly what is going on. When I posted the exact same code on Mycotopia, they saw the same thing that you did.
Weather is very rainy right now.
|
Gilzman
Strangerthanfriction


Registered: 05/27/15
Posts: 285
Last seen: 2 years, 6 months
|
Re: Sierra de Quila, Jalisco, Mexico - 07.06.2016 [Re: Alan Rockefeller]
#23423439 - 07/08/16 12:18 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
Is the autoclave a steel casting? It looks to have sheet metal inside also.
If it is a casting, I would suggest a "wall" that allows the heat from the bottom to rise up along those sides. basically I would have a large rectangular 'chimney' on top.
I imagine you have some goal temperature? You will use a thermocouple inside to close the temp loop somehow?
-------------------- The more I see mushrooms, the more I see mushrooms. I swear it gets into you.
Edited by Gilzman (07/08/16 12:19 PM)
|
Gilzman
Strangerthanfriction


Registered: 05/27/15
Posts: 285
Last seen: 2 years, 6 months
|
Re: Sierra de Quila, Jalisco, Mexico - 07.06.2016 [Re: Gilzman]
#23423477 - 07/08/16 12:32 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
Here is a crude concept showing a structure around the autoclave so that there is an air path for the rising heat to envelope the conductive cylindrical metal walls. This might allow better heat control within the interior, and it will possibly allow a saving in fuel and also prevent scorching on the bottom of the autoclave.
-------------------- The more I see mushrooms, the more I see mushrooms. I swear it gets into you.
|
dwpineal
Psychedelic Artist



Registered: 07/20/06
Posts: 4,667
|
Re: Sierra de Quila, Jalisco, Mexico - 07.06.2016 [Re: Gilzman]
#23423686 - 07/08/16 01:51 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
Bad ass pics my brother!
|
Alan Rockefeller
Mycologist

Registered: 03/10/07
Posts: 48,276
Last seen: 4 hours, 6 minutes
|
Re: Sierra de Quila, Jalisco, Mexico - 07.06.2016 [Re: dwpineal]
#23423850 - 07/08/16 02:44 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Gilzman said: Is the autoclave a steel casting? It looks to have sheet metal inside also.
Yes, it's actually home made. We are going to fire it up soon. I wonder what precautions we should take to ensure that it does not explode. It would be cool to find some kind of valve that opens if the pressure gets too high.
The seal is actually made from string dipped in wax. It's supposed to work well, will find out soon!
Quote:
If it is a casting, I would suggest a "wall" that allows the heat from the bottom to rise up along those sides. basically I would have a large rectangular 'chimney' on top.
That is a good idea, I wonder how that would compare to circulating the water through a water heater.
Quote:
I imagine you have some goal temperature? You will use a thermocouple inside to close the temp loop somehow?
There is a pressure gauge, I don't think there is any other mechanism to regulate pressure/temperature. Might be nice to have an IR thermometer around to double check / calibrate it.
Quote:
dwpineal said: Bad ass pics my brother!
Thanks!
|
Gilzman
Strangerthanfriction


Registered: 05/27/15
Posts: 285
Last seen: 2 years, 6 months
|
Re: Sierra de Quila, Jalisco, Mexico - 07.06.2016 [Re: Alan Rockefeller]
#23423915 - 07/08/16 03:02 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
I assume the following...
Sawdust is soaked and then put on that caged/shelf (basket) device and slid into the pressure vessel.
The pressure vessel is then closed and water or steam is introduced to create a water level on the floor beneath the basket. Autoclave is now sealed tightly
Heat is supplied by the blower/fuel device (this seems to be no more than a 'leaf blower' that has some adjustment on the fuel flow to optimize the stoichiometric ratio and get an efficient burn?)
Pressure/Heat builds inside and a 30 PSI pressure goal is monitored by an instrument gauge?
Pressure is maintained for a set amount of time.
Yes, I would suggest a pop off type safety device that would whistle as an indication of overpressure. I would monitor the pressure and slowly back off the heat, perhaps the heating element will allow less air flow (stoking), and a noted setting of what fuel flow can maintain the pressure once it has reached a steady state.
A nice 'ghetto' way to use the chimney heat is to have coils of aluminum tubing right inside it. Water pumped through the coils will supply pre-heated water. I have seen this done with a 'chimney' Mexican smoker like people use outside. A small pool in the backyard can be heated up nicely.
Yes, get a IR thermometer. Cheap and accurate to a few degrees. Paint an exposed autoclave metal surface with flat black paint and you should monitor this temp surface reading after getting the 30 PSI. they read best off black surfaces. This way, you can be assured that you have a good reproducable batch. Much like a train engineer.
I would do a slow runup with just water first. It may take a great deal of heat to get that volume to pressure.
How is water put in????
-------------------- The more I see mushrooms, the more I see mushrooms. I swear it gets into you.
Edited by Gilzman (07/08/16 03:04 PM)
|
Matai


Registered: 05/04/14
Posts: 1,016
Loc: NZ
|
Re: Sierra de Quila, Jalisco, Mexico - 07.06.2016 [Re: Gilzman]
#23423943 - 07/08/16 03:13 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
Awesome photos Alan, looking forward to seeing more. Let us know what happens with the Vice collaboration!
-------------------- All that we see or seem Is but a dream within a dream
|
Gilzman
Strangerthanfriction


Registered: 05/27/15
Posts: 285
Last seen: 2 years, 6 months
|
Re: Sierra de Quila, Jalisco, Mexico - 07.06.2016 [Re: Matai]
#23423965 - 07/08/16 03:19 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
Studying the pics, it just looks like a cylinder with (large) welded pipe? The round 'end-pieces' may be cast or formed to that shape? Is that a trough inside? I assume that acts like a bath and holds the water?
-------------------- The more I see mushrooms, the more I see mushrooms. I swear it gets into you.
Edited by Gilzman (07/08/16 03:19 PM)
|
Alan Rockefeller
Mycologist

Registered: 03/10/07
Posts: 48,276
Last seen: 4 hours, 6 minutes
|
Re: Sierra de Quila, Jalisco, Mexico - 07.06.2016 [Re: Alan Rockefeller]
#23424059 - 07/08/16 03:48 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
Are some of the images broken for anyone else? They are working for me, but I can't figure out why they are working. I can fix the URL's if they are broken for some people, but it takes a few minutes so I will leave them be if they are ok for everyone.
Gilzman, your assumptions are correct, though 121 C will get us 15 psi rather than 30.
I'll suggest a pressure release safety valve, for the first try we'll probably just monitor with IR thermometer pointed at a part that is painted black.
The heating device is basically a leaf blower with a burner, it's impressive how much heat it generates.
The bottom is designed to hold water.
|
Matai


Registered: 05/04/14
Posts: 1,016
Loc: NZ
|
Re: Sierra de Quila, Jalisco, Mexico - 07.06.2016 [Re: Alan Rockefeller]
#23424071 - 07/08/16 03:52 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
All of the images work fine for me. The autoclave stuff is fine, and all of the mushrooms are fine, starting with C. caperatum and ending with that somewhat freaky scorpion.
Also, are you intending on heating the autoclave by directly firing it with the burner? I don't know how viable that method of heating is, most gas fired autoclaves have a heat exchanger, which is usually something like a fan to force the hot air through an internal heat coil. That gives you a much better efficiency and the heat is applied a lot more evenly.
If you're direct firing the autoclave from the outside, you obviously can't thermally isolate the autoclave from the heat source (or else you couldn't heat it.) This means that you'll have to heat up the entire mass of the autoclave every time you do a run. That's going to take a massive amount of time and energy.
-------------------- All that we see or seem Is but a dream within a dream
Edited by Matai (07/08/16 04:09 PM)
|
|