Can fox pooh make an ultralight ceramic refractory?
I constantly look at the remnants of hot fires to see what refractory materials survive. I am particularly interested in refractories that are very light that may be used as lightweight components of portable stoves such as heat risers.
While testing a ceramic paper clay blower stove, I was collecting small sticks and wood chips from a dry area to get the stove burning quickly when starting it with damp sticks. During my scouting around I found some very dry scats that I presumed were fox pooh (scats) or possibly owl pellets. As is my usual wont, I put them in the stove, expecting them to burn away to ash just like any other dried herbivore excrement that makes an excellent fire starter and fuel. I have even experimented with a turdbuster stove for the combustion of human excrement as a way of disposing of this waste from alpine camps, rather than carrying it home. There is no significant residue other than ash after this incineration.
When it came time to empty the ash out of the stove, I was quite surprised, even excited, to find the poohs were still there in the form of very lightweight ceramic shapes that resembled the original poohs with minute details preserved. They were amazingly light and solid with high compressional strength that I imagine would make an excellent heat riser for a rocket stove.
Practicality
According to the information in the above link, fox scats can easily be confused with small dog and seal scats. To me, this indicates that it could be the carnivore diet that may be the critical ingredient for the refractory property. I am not suggesting that we should gather fox scats or owl pellets to make stoves. “Although the bad behaviour of irresponsible dog owners in some neighbourhoods would make this easy if unpleasant if dog pooh would suffice to make ceramics!” However, understanding the chemistry what makes these excreted food remnants turn into refractories may help us find alternative ultralight refractories.
Experience of others
I would like to hear from others who have incinerated or used scats for fuel to see if there are solid refractory remains?
Tim
