I was wondering if it is possible to safely harvest co2 from a natural gas burning hot water heater. Or even perhaps a natural gas burning furnace. I am assuming that there is carbon monoxide in the exhaust from these units because they are vented out side. However both are conveniently located in the basement.
Harvest co2 form water heater?
- Thread starter melius09
- Start date
racerboy71
bud bootlegger
yes, you can.. i think aslong as the flame is blue, your good.. i just read a thread on here the other week on a guy who was growing i think in his basement and he was saying that he was doing exactly what your talking about.. i don't remember what the name of the thread was or who wrote it, but i am sure if you look around on here you maybe able to find it.. it had a lot of good info on what your looking to do.. i am sorry that i can't remember the name of the thread for you, but like i said, its here somewhere...
racerboy71
bud bootlegger
i think i found the author of the thread.. his name is tat2ue.. he said he has a turorial in the diy section of riu.. hope this helps you out some m8...
bloatedcraig
Well-Known Member
The consequences of getting this wrong could be fatal, a friend of mine lost his 2 children due to a faulty boiler on holiday.
After reading all night I have decided to first invest in a meter so I can read the actual amounts of co2 and co in the exhaust from my hot water heater. This would be the safest way to procede with this projest. Untill I can afford those exspensive meters I will do no modification. Even though in tat2ue's thread it sounds like its working real good. However he currently is not checking the ppm of co which makes me a little nervous. Safety first!
tat2ue
Well-Known Member
Do a Google search on "CO2 For Free" it is an article written by David Oppenheimer detailing how to harvest CO2 from a natural gas hot water heater. I followed his instructions and have taken all the precautions to monitor my CO2 and CO levels and on the system I built that provides CO2 to my flower room and the results have been short of exceptional. But keep in mind that this system is basically meant for a "sealed" grow room and precautions have to be taken.
I wrote a thread on it called "DIY Natural Gas CO2 Generater" in the DIY section. If you have any questions just send me a PM
Natures Cure
Active Member
Yea I wouldn't fk around with exhaust gases. No part of it is smart. Specially when the right amount of sugar, yeast & water will give you all the CO2 you need and it will last 1-2 weeks. There is no downside to this method at all can can be made for under $10.
Even better you can ferment a barrel of beer in your grow room if you fk with makeing your own beer. Might be something to learn how to do since you'll never have to spend money on beer & bud again, lol.
DO NOT FK WITH YOUR EXHAUST GASES. PEOPLE DIE EVEREYDAY FROM CRACKED HEAT EXCHANGERS IN THEIR FURNACES AND BOILERS. NO NEED TO RAISE THE POTENTIAL BY FKING AROUND.
& 
Even better you can ferment a barrel of beer in your grow room if you fk with makeing your own beer. Might be something to learn how to do since you'll never have to spend money on beer & bud again, lol.
DO NOT FK WITH YOUR EXHAUST GASES. PEOPLE DIE EVEREYDAY FROM CRACKED HEAT EXCHANGERS IN THEIR FURNACES AND BOILERS. NO NEED TO RAISE THE POTENTIAL BY FKING AROUND.
& 
cowboylogic
Well-Known Member
Agreed, agreed, agreed!!!! Unless you know exactly what you are doing. I wouldnt go there. And you got it newbie. I always have a tub of beer or wine cooking alongside the ladies. So I can get them drunk and take advantage of them when the time comes!!!!!!!!
tat2ue
Well-Known Member
Sorry but I disagree, My DIY CO2 generator is basically no different than a natural gas CO2 generator that you can purchase like CAP, BlueOX, Green Air Products ect. It works on the same principles. The only difference is that mine didn't cost between $400 and $600 dollars and I'm using the byproduct of the natural gas (the CO2 gas) I've already paid for when I run my heater to wash cloths,run the dish washer or take a shower. As far as using the sugar and yeast method, thats fine if you got a couple of plants growing in your closet.....but not an 800 square foot grow room pushing 160 plants at a time in a perpetual grow. I installed my system 3 or 4 months ago and I'm still kicking and my plants are still growing but only BIGGER now.Yea I wouldn't fk around with exhaust gases. No part of it is smart. Specially when the right amount of sugar, yeast & water will give you all the CO2 you need and it will last 1-2 weeks. There is no downside to this method at all can can be made for under $10.
Even better you can ferment a barrel of beer in your grow room if you fk with makeing your own beer. Might be something to learn how to do since you'll never have to spend money on beer & bud again, lol.
DO NOT FK WITH YOUR EXHAUST GASES. PEOPLE DIE EVEREYDAY FROM CRACKED HEAT EXCHANGERS IN THEIR FURNACES AND BOILERS. NO NEED TO RAISE THE POTENTIAL BY FKING AROUND.
But I agree that it can be dangerous if you don't have a working knowledge of the principles behind the system. But that applies to all parts of indoor growing, like the person who puts to many lights in a spare room on a single 120v circuit and wonders why his house burnt down.
Peace
That 5hit
Well-Known Member
BURNING HYDROCARBON FUELS:
This has been the most common method of CO2 enrichment for many years. A number of commercial growers and greenhouses use it in their larger structures. The most common fuels are propane, butane, alcohol and natural gas. Any of these fuels that burn with a blue, white or colorless flame will produce carbon dioxide, which is beneficial. If a red, orange or yellow flame is present, carbon monoxide is being generated due to incomplete combustion. Carbon monoxide is deadly to both plants and people in any but the smallest quantities. Fuels containing sulfur or sulfur compounds should not be used, as they produce by-products which are harmful.
Most commercial CO2 generators that burn these fuels are too large for small greenhouse or indoor grow room applications. Some small ones are avai fable or a Coleman lantern, bunsen burner or small gas stove can be used. All of these CO2 generators produce heat as a by-product of CO2 generation, which is rarely needed in a controlled environment grow room but may prove beneficial in winter growing and cool area greenhouses.
The rate of CO2 production is controlled by the rate at which fuel is being burned. In a gas burning CO2 generator using propane, butane or natural gas, one pound of fuel produces approximately 3 pounds of carbon dioxide gas and about 1.5 pounds of water vapor. Approximately 22,000 BTUs of heat is also added. These figures can vary if other fuels are used.
To relate this to our standard example in an 8' X 8' X 8' growing area, if you used ethyl or methyl alcohol in a gas lamp or burner at the rate of 1.3 oz. per day, we would enhance the atmospheric concentration of CO2 to 1300 PPM if the room was completely sealed.
An enrichment standard of 1300 PPM was chosen as it is assumed that 1500 PPM is ideal, and that the plants will deplete the available CO2 supply by 100 PPM per hour. Remember, the normal atmosphere contains 300 PPM of CO2. A 100% air exchange (leakage) every two hours is assumed to be the average air exchange rate in most grow rooms and tight greenhouses. If many cracks and leaks are present, this exchange rate will increase significantly, but added CO2 (above 300 PPM) will also be lost. If a vent fan is in use, disregard CO2 enrichment, as it will be blown out as fast as it is generated.
i also dont agree wth you on thisYea I wouldn't fk around with exhaust gases. No part of it is smart. Specially when the right amount of sugar, yeast & water will give you all the CO2 you need and it will last 1-2 weeks. There is no downside to this method at all can can be made for under $10.
Even better you can ferment a barrel of beer in your grow room if you fk with makeing your own beer. Might be something to learn how to do since you'll never have to spend money on beer & bud again, lol.
DO NOT FK WITH YOUR EXHAUST GASES. PEOPLE DIE EVEREYDAY FROM CRACKED HEAT EXCHANGERS IN THEIR FURNACES AND BOILERS. NO NEED TO RAISE THE POTENTIAL BY FKING AROUND.
co2 generaters burn gas to make co2 (natural gas or propaine)
(blue you can do red will leave you dead)
look at this video- this guy on it has opened up the cover so that we can see the inner workings of a gas co2 gen. these thing cost thousands
what tat2ue has came up with is the best idea ever. its the same thing
start watching around 04:25
[youtube]_SDorIv81CA[/youtube]
this is a good idea but takes a lot of work
me, i have other things to do other then hang in my grow room
cant thank you enuff for the ideaSorry but I disagree, My DIY CO2 generator is basically no different than a natural gas CO2 generator that you can purchase like CAP, BlueOX, Green Air Products ect. It works on the same principles. The only difference is that mine didn't cost between $400 and $600 dollars and I'm using the byproduct of the natural gas (the CO2 gas) I've already paid for when I run my heater to wash cloths,run the dish washer or take a shower. As far as using the sugar and yeast method, thats fine if you got a couple of plants growing in your closet.....but not an 800 square foot grow room pushing 160 plants at a time in a perpetual grow. I installed my system 3 or 4 months ago and I'm still kicking and my plants are still growing but only BIGGER now.
But I agree that it can be dangerous if you don't have a working knowledge of the principles behind the system. But that applies to all parts of indoor growing, like the person who puts to many lights in a spare room on a single 120v circuit and wonders why his house burnt down.
Peace
you can have that pic i made if you want it
greensister
Well-Known Member
And what if you need someone to service your water heater?
IMO not a good idea all around.
IMO not a good idea all around.
I have gained a wealth of knowledge just by opening this thread and I thank you all so much for being involved with this. I have ultimately decided to not vent off of the HWH due to my lack of experience and motoring hardware. However this has so far been a proven method by another member here. He knows what he is doing and that is the difference between him and I 
. I'm currently tracking a sentinel co2 meter and a co2 gen on ebay. Wish me luck!
. I'm currently tracking a sentinel co2 meter and a co2 gen on ebay. Wish me luck!
MacGuyver4.2.0
Well-Known Member
Darwin awards coming up early this year I see. YES CO2 is an exhaust byproduct of combustion. but so is Carbon Monoxide! DOH! Carbon Monoxide is a tasteless, colorless odorless gas that WILL kill you. People die all the time from cracked heat exchangers or furnace exhaust leaks! Carbon monoxide is a product of combustion of organic matter with insufficient oxygen supply to enable complete oxidation to carbon dioxide (CO2)
On a logistical standpoint, if you are trying to raise the PPM to 1500 or above from the exhaust of a just a water heater, you are in for a big disapointment. This is one of those urban legends that needs to DIE. The ONLY people who could even take any advantage of this 'theory' are the people with newer high effeciency burn rate heaters anyways, and I know for a fact that not all of us have those.
Heres some more info on Carbon Monoxide since nobody else posted it. Someone has to save you from yourselves.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_monoxide_poisoning
On a logistical standpoint, if you are trying to raise the PPM to 1500 or above from the exhaust of a just a water heater, you are in for a big disapointment. This is one of those urban legends that needs to DIE. The ONLY people who could even take any advantage of this 'theory' are the people with newer high effeciency burn rate heaters anyways, and I know for a fact that not all of us have those.
Heres some more info on Carbon Monoxide since nobody else posted it. Someone has to save you from yourselves.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_monoxide_poisoning
That 5hit
Well-Known Member
you change it back before they come, then when they are gone reg it back up- all of this only if you have to get it service
i've lived in my hose over ten year and never had to have mine serviced and it was the one that came with the house
you know nothingDarwin awards coming up early this year I see. YES CO2 is an exhaust byproduct of combustion. but so is Carbon Monoxide! DOH! Carbon Monoxide is a tasteless, colorless odorless gas that WILL kill you. People die all the time from cracked heat exchangers or furnace exhaust leaks! Carbon monoxide is a product of combustion of organic matter with insufficient oxygen supply to enable complete oxidation to carbon dioxide (CO2)
On a logistical standpoint, if you are trying to raise the PPM to 1500 or above from the exhaust of a just a water heater, you are in for a big disapointment. This is one of those urban legends that needs to DIE. The ONLY people who could even take any advantage of this 'theory' are the people with newer high effeciency burn rate heaters anyways, and I know for a fact that not all of us have those.
Heres some more info on Carbon Monoxide since nobody else posted it. Someone has to save you from yourselves.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_monoxide_poisoning
so whats the diff. in using a water heater vs. a gas co2 gen.
and if you are thinking you have a chance CO (carbon monoxide) poisoning get a CO detector
all gas that is burnned release some levels of CO,CO2,O2 and other shit
if you have a gas stove, right now , as we read and type it is releaseing monoxide and dioxide- but at diff. level if the flame is blue it is converting the gas into dioxide which is the safer of the 2 gases and also what the pilot light on your gas stove, furnish, and water heater gives off. the science is simple- put a co tester in your grow area and thats all you need if the monoxide levels get dangerous it will start beeping like a smoke detector (which you should already have in your grow space) and you could vent it out a window - most important of all you must be comfortable with doing this rather you buy a bunson burner and a propaine tank or if you buy a expensive version online or from a store take care when playing with gas - if you look at the video i put on here of the guy whos has taken the face off of the co2 generater you can see that all they are are burnners that burn gas just like the water heater and furnishes you have in your house right now
start watching around 04:25
[youtube]_SDorIv81CA[/youtube]
go over to your gas stove and turn on an eye, notice how blue the flame is the lower you turn the dail down. but the higher the flame the more orange and red you will see. this is do to the do to the gas, air, and fire mix the small amounts of red parts of the flame is the gas burning off co , but compaired to the blue which is burning off CO2 it is small- look at the video of when he ignite the burners on both the generater this is the same flame that you water heater uses
MacGuyver4.2.0
Well-Known Member
Then please explain the following if you can:
FACT: CO 2 enrichment works BEST in a sealed, closed loop environment.
This unit came equipped later (original didn't have it) with an O2 depletion sensor. That means in a sealed environment (like you should have) the burning flames have used up the majority of available oxygen in the room. Combustion uses up oxygen, true enough. BUT as oxygen levels decrease the BURN efficiency of ANY flame decreases, releasing MORE combustion by-products, like... you guessed it, Carbon Monoxide! If you have to pump more O2 into the room you are defeating the very purpose of CO2 enrichment.
FACT: The HydroGen is basically a modified tankless water heater.
All residential/commercial water heaters have to have certifications from CSA International, Underwriters Laboratories, ETL, etc. and are properly VENTED OUTSIDE through an exhaust, NOT into a room. Show us the listings or other valid industry certifications on this 'product'. Bet you won't find one as it is NOT certified for use in a residential home without an exhaust. You cannot BY LAW run ANY gas fueled open flame combustion products in a residential home without an active exhaust. Check your local building codes for ANY gas range or water heater; they ALL require an exhaust for that very purpose. Just called my fire marshal to confirm this, in case you dispute that too.
FACT: ALL gaseous hydrocarbons when burned release several compounds into the air, many of them dangerous and/or lethal.
Every year thousands of people DIE from Carbon Monoxide poisoning. It is also one of the easiest ways to commit suicide, by sitting in your running car in an enclosed garage. Others die from cracked heat exchangers on their furnaces or faulty exhausts. Simply looking at the COLOR of a burning flame is not a way to gauge whether combustion byproducts are being emitted. I.e., a 'blue flame' is not 100% free from combustion byproducts, period!
I'm not trying to argue with you on these or any points, but I have seen WAY too many ghetto setups here on RIU(and elsewhere) and people risking life and limb, because they're stupid or cheap or both. I'm neither.
FACT: CO 2 enrichment works BEST in a sealed, closed loop environment.
This unit came equipped later (original didn't have it) with an O2 depletion sensor. That means in a sealed environment (like you should have) the burning flames have used up the majority of available oxygen in the room. Combustion uses up oxygen, true enough. BUT as oxygen levels decrease the BURN efficiency of ANY flame decreases, releasing MORE combustion by-products, like... you guessed it, Carbon Monoxide! If you have to pump more O2 into the room you are defeating the very purpose of CO2 enrichment.
FACT: The HydroGen is basically a modified tankless water heater.
All residential/commercial water heaters have to have certifications from CSA International, Underwriters Laboratories, ETL, etc. and are properly VENTED OUTSIDE through an exhaust, NOT into a room. Show us the listings or other valid industry certifications on this 'product'. Bet you won't find one as it is NOT certified for use in a residential home without an exhaust. You cannot BY LAW run ANY gas fueled open flame combustion products in a residential home without an active exhaust. Check your local building codes for ANY gas range or water heater; they ALL require an exhaust for that very purpose. Just called my fire marshal to confirm this, in case you dispute that too.
FACT: ALL gaseous hydrocarbons when burned release several compounds into the air, many of them dangerous and/or lethal.
Every year thousands of people DIE from Carbon Monoxide poisoning. It is also one of the easiest ways to commit suicide, by sitting in your running car in an enclosed garage. Others die from cracked heat exchangers on their furnaces or faulty exhausts. Simply looking at the COLOR of a burning flame is not a way to gauge whether combustion byproducts are being emitted. I.e., a 'blue flame' is not 100% free from combustion byproducts, period!
I'm not trying to argue with you on these or any points, but I have seen WAY too many ghetto setups here on RIU(and elsewhere) and people risking life and limb, because they're stupid or cheap or both. I'm neither.
That 5hit
Well-Known Member
first let me say that you are 100% rightThen please explain the following if you can:
FACT: CO 2 enrichment works BEST in a sealed, closed loop environment.
This unit came equipped later (original didn't have it) with an O2 depletion sensor. That means in a sealed environment (like you should have) the burning flames have used up the majority of available oxygen in the room. Combustion uses up oxygen, true enough. BUT as oxygen levels decrease the BURN efficiency of ANY flame decreases, releasing MORE combustion by-products, like... you guessed it, Carbon Monoxide! If you have to pump more O2 into the room you are defeating the very purpose of CO2 enrichment.
FACT: The HydroGen is basically a modified tankless water heater.
All residential/commercial water heaters have to have certifications from CSA International, Underwriters Laboratories, ETL, etc. and are properly VENTED OUTSIDE through an exhaust, NOT into a room. Show us the listings or other valid industry certifications on this 'product'. Bet you won't find one as it is NOT certified for use in a residential home without an exhaust. You cannot BY LAW run ANY gas fueled open flame combustion products in a residential home without an active exhaust. Check your local building codes for ANY gas range or water heater; they ALL require an exhaust for that very purpose. Just called my fire marshal to confirm this, in case you dispute that too.
FACT: ALL gaseous hydrocarbons when burned release several compounds into the air, many of them dangerous and/or lethal.
Every year thousands of people DIE from Carbon Monoxide poisoning. It is also one of the easiest ways to commit suicide, by sitting in your running car in an enclosed garage. Others die from cracked heat exchangers on their furnaces or faulty exhausts. Simply looking at the COLOR of a burning flame is not a way to gauge whether combustion byproducts are being emitted. I.e., a 'blue flame' is not 100% free from combustion byproducts, period!
I'm not trying to argue with you on these or any points, but I have seen WAY too many ghetto setups here on RIU(and elsewhere) and people risking life and limb, because they're stupid or cheap or both. I'm neither.
this igr8 info that you have posted - hell i will even +rep you
second i now must ask you to open your mind and understand that any co2generater that burns fuels to make co2 should all ways be placed out side the gorwroom and the co2 should be pumped in and the room should be sealed - i thought this was a no brainer ofcourse the co2 would push all the o2 out of the room effecting the combustion of the gas
i have never stated that the blue flame was 100% co2 only stated that it burned off more co2 then anything else and i have also stated the you should place a co and fire detector in rather you do a water heater or one of these fancy shamcy generators like the ones in the video and any ways thoese type of setup are for large rooms and are not for eveyone
i end with you have to be comfortable with what ever you do
co2 may not be on the top of a poison list but,. rather it is tanked or emited from a flame i will push all the O2 out of your grow room
its heavyer then o2 so if you fall to the ground you could be in a lot of danger re. keep your head up
MacGuyver4.2.0
Well-Known Member
That 5hit
Thanks for the reply, very civil and intelligent. +rep back at ya.
The posting struck a nerve with me originally as I had some friends over that read the tread with me. One is a chemical engineer with a PHD, another is a rocket fuel scientist and the other is an electrical engineer with a masters...trust me- were not short on brain power over here. I just hope that people read this thread and stop and think about what they do...so many people rush off looking for tips and tricks without considering the consequences of thier actions.
Thanks for the reply, very civil and intelligent. +rep back at ya.
The posting struck a nerve with me originally as I had some friends over that read the tread with me. One is a chemical engineer with a PHD, another is a rocket fuel scientist and the other is an electrical engineer with a masters...trust me- were not short on brain power over here.
I just hope that people read this thread and stop and think about what they do...so many people rush off looking for tips and tricks without considering the consequences of thier actions. 
Hidden Agenda
Well-Known Member
This is a great idea, but like said numerous times, this is not for the layman.
i use a propane salamander to heat my garage, which is an open flame of propane.
As long as you follow directions and are a competent individual, you could benefit from this idea.
i use a propane salamander to heat my garage, which is an open flame of propane.
As long as you follow directions and are a competent individual, you could benefit from this idea.