Abstract: An apparatus for treating solid waste to produce a biomass product includes a cylindrical vessel includes a cylindrical vessel comprising a loading doorway and a discharge doorway at opposite ends of the cylindrical vessel. At least two drive tires are mounted on the cylindrical vessel perpendicular to the cylindrical axis. The drive tires each include a smooth exterior surface for rotating the cylindrical vessel without gear teeth and without sprocket teeth. A drive mechanism is coupled to the drive tires for rotating the cylindrical vessel around the cylindrical axis. The drive mechanism includes drive wheels that support and provide torque to the cylindrical vessel from a contact surface on each of the drive wheels that contacts the exterior surface of the drive tires.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for separating and processing solid waste, often but not necessarily from municipalities (and so will be generically referred to herein as municipal solid waste or “MSW”), into useful products, and for reducing biohazards and putrid odors derived from MSW. The MSW is loaded into an elongated, generally cylindrically shaped rotating pressure vessel and is subjected to heat and pressure by the application of steam in specified amounts to break down the organic portion of the MSW into a cellulose feedstock, or a de-manufactured paper product, of uniform particle size and density. This product is then easily separable from other constituents of MSW, such as glass, aluminum and other metals, and plastics. The recyclables are recovered and sold in the market. The waste water from the process is reduced by processing through a water vamping apparatus.