Composting Apparatus Patents (Class 435/290.1)
  • Publication number: 20130323824
    Abstract: This invention relates to a control device for a food waste disposal apparatus. The control device is comprised of a touch screen, a memory device to perform a specific function to control the food waste disposal apparatus. The touch screen of the control device displays a plurality of input button images so that a user can click them by fingers to prosecute. The main menu of the touch screen is comprised of auto working mode, total monitoring mode, manual working mode, time setting mode, alarm message mode and function setting mode. The sub-menu of function setting mode further includes cumulative weight setting and part replacement cycle setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventor: CHUN IL KOH
  • Publication number: 20130291608
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for biomass digestion and products formed thereof. The products include one or more biogases, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classified Class A Biosolids, and pathogen reduced organic liquid fertilizer. Through the digestion of waste materials using sequential phases in an efficient digestion process, enhanced biomass conversion efficiency and improved output of products (in quantity and/or quality) are obtained with a significant reduction in dwell time in each phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventor: Detlev K. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20130288326
    Abstract: The subject invention provides advantageous systems and processes for anaerobic digestion of organic waste streams, particularly agricultural waste streams. According to this invention, a new process is provided in which a liquid fraction from an organic waste stream comprising soluble compounds is segregated and incubated in a reactor separate from the solids fraction of the organic waste stream. Digestion of waste in both reactors occurs substantially simultaneously and both reactors produce biogas (thus both reactors function essentially like single stage reactors but allow for continuous or intermittent loading). According to one aspect of the invention, at least one cross-flow baffle is provided for use in an anaerobic digester to collect biogas and break up clumped solids in the reactor. In another aspect of the invention, packing media for use in an anaerobic digester is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventor: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
  • Publication number: 20130260446
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for transforming refuse into compost. The device includes a first chamber having a grinding mechanism to grind refuse. The device also includes a second chamber attached to the first chamber, and a conduit interconnecting the first chamber to the second chamber. The second chamber stores the ground refuse to promote the composting process, and the conduit allows thermal energy and moisture to be shared between the first and second chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: SUZANNE M. BERBERET, WALTER T. BLANCHARD, BRENT M. BURGESS, KRISTOPHER L. DELGADO, BRETT DIBKEY, DONALD J. HABEGGER, ANDREW KASPROWICZ, EARL W. MANN, WILLIAM L. MURCH, JACK F. PARK, WESLEY A. SONNENBERG
  • Publication number: 20130217111
    Abstract: A waste disposal device includes a grinder tank disposed within a housing and having an inner rounded surface angularly extending about an axis for loading of kitchen waste therein, and a grinder assembly rotatably mounted in the tank about the axis to stir and shred the waste and configured to force the waste to advance forward so that the shredding and drying process can be carried out efficiently. A condensing unit is disposed to cool and condense hot air in the housing into water which is drained through a drain port to thereby reduce leakage of unpleasant odor through an access opening of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: TA YA KITCHEN UTENSIL CO., LTD
    Inventor: Kuang-Nan Chang
  • Patent number: 8492134
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to systems and methods for digestion of solid waste that simplify solids handling. In certain embodiments, anaerobic methane extraction takes place for a period of time (e.g., from 1 to 4 weeks), after which an aerobic composting process begins in the same chamber. The organic waste remains in place and oxygen (e.g., in air) is forced into the chamber for an additional period of time (e.g., from 2 to 4 weeks). At the conclusion of the aerobic phase, the process yields a rough compost product that is stable and pathogen free. The rough compost can be further processed and blended to create high value engineered soils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Aikan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Christian Boggild Smed Christensen
  • Publication number: 20130171690
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the production of a fertilizer precursor or of a fertilizer. The method comprises the following method steps: a) production of an acidic source solution (05) in which at least one organic acid is present in dissolved form; b) addition of the acidic source solution (05) to at least one substance containing minerals; c) artificial weathering of the minerals present in the substance containing minerals by means of the source solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventor: Anja Enders-Douglas
  • Publication number: 20130143283
    Abstract: Methods and systems for processing organic waste material are provided. These methods and systems include integrating an anaerobic bio-digester and nutrient recovery module with a bio-production facility, which can locally provide feedstock for the bio-production facility, and can locally provide organic material for the anaerobic bio-digester. Methods and systems for integrating an anaerobic bio-digester with a gas cleaner are also provided, which can recover nutrients while cleaning the biogas produced by the anaerobic bio-digester.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: HIMARK BIOGAS INC.
    Inventor: HIMARK BIOGAS INC.
  • Publication number: 20130122575
    Abstract: A device, system, and method to produce alcohol and Bio fuels from bulky organic matter with a Sea based Fermentor with low cost per unit volume, formed from a plastic separator barrier which is flexible plastic film, a solar based distillation still with vacuum assist are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventor: Panduranga Revankar Krishna Prasad
  • Patent number: 8440437
    Abstract: A combined installation is disclosed for the production of biogas and compost, including a dry fermentation fermenter for producing biogas in a batch mode, a biogas outlet, a purging gas inlet, a biogas line connected to the biogas outlet, a waste gas line, a waste gas chimney connected to the biogas outlet via a first biogas/waste gas line, a waste gas flare connected to the biogas outlet via a second biogas/waste gas line, a fresh air line connected to the purging gas inlet, a control means for connecting the biogas outlet to the biogas line or the biogas/waste gas chimney via the first biogas/waste gas line or the waste gas flare via the second biogas/waste gas line and for connecting the purging gas inlet to the waste gas line or the fresh air line, and a measurement means connected to the control means for detecting methane and carbon dioxide concentrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Bekon Energy Technologies GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Peter Lutz
  • Publication number: 20130095546
    Abstract: A manure mixture within an anaerobic digestion tank stratifies to form a liquid effluent layer and a sludge layer. Liquid effluent from the liquid effluent layer is withdrawn from the tank through a height adjustable valve. The height adjustable valve is adapted to automatically adjust the position of its intake end within the liquid effluent layer in response to the level of the sludge layer detected by a sludge meter located within the tank. Liquid effluent withdrawn from the tank is passed through a heat exchange system including at least one heat exchanger. Heat from the heat exchanger is transferred to the liquid effluent to produce heated liquid effluent. The heated liquid effluent is reintroduced back into the digestion tank such that the temperature of the manure mixture within the tank is maintained within a suitable temperature range for anaerobic digestion of the manure mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventors: Matthew W. JOHNSON, Dennis J. JOHNSON
  • Patent number: 8409855
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the producing feeds/fertilizers containing died and fermented animal and plant residues. The apparatus includes a fermentation tank, an unobstructed circulation duct connected to the fermentation tank and a blower directly connected to the circulation duct wherein blower supplies air for advancing the residues up the circulation duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Hokkaido Tokushushiryou Kabushikikaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Onose
  • Publication number: 20130052726
    Abstract: In one example, a composter barrel includes a first panel having a first complementary structure, a second panel having a second complementary structure, and a connector element configured to connect the first and second panels together without the use of fasteners by engaging the first and second complementary structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: LIFETIME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Kent Ashby, Carl Russell Stanford, Clarissa M. Lindeman, Neil Ben Watson
  • Publication number: 20130011896
    Abstract: An anaerobic organic substrate treatment system is provided which comprises digester tubes wherein an inner bag of the digester tube is used to collect the solids content of the waste and an outer bag of the digester tube is used to collect the liquid and gas leachate from waste slurry input into the digester tubes. The inner bag is permeable to both gas and liquid while the outer bag is impermeable to both gas and liquid and allows for collection of gas and liquid leachate in the outer bag. Collected gas and liquid leachate may then be drained and collected using a drainage and collection system. Following treatment, the outer bag may opened to retrieve the inner bag for retrieval of the treated solids substrate. The substrate may then be used as needed. In one variant, the outer bag is re-sealable and may be reused in further treatment operations. The anaerobic waste treatment system may be used to carry out such treatment operations as storage/hydrolysis, methanization, and/or digestate treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventor: Benjamin Strehler
  • Patent number: 8329455
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to systems and methods for digestion of solid waste that simplify solids handling. In certain embodiments, anaerobic methane extraction takes place for a period of time (e.g., from 1 to 4 weeks), after which an aerobic composting process begins in the same chamber. The organic waste remains in place and oxygen (e.g., in air) is forced into the chamber for an additional period of time (e.g., from 2 to 4 weeks). At the conclusion of the aerobic phase, the process yields a rough compost product that is stable and pathogen free. The rough compost can be further processed and blended to create high value engineered soils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Aikan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Christian B. Christensen
  • Patent number: 8313921
    Abstract: A method of biodegrading municipal solid waste includes providing a quantity of municipal solid waste and promoting anaerobic digestion in the quantity of municipal solid waste by methanogenic organisms to produce methane. The methane production is monitored and when it is determined that production of methane from the quantity of municipal solid waste has subsided, aerobic digestion of the quantity of municipal solid waste is promoted. A gas collection system in operative association with the quantity of organic waste collects biogas and the biogas is monitored and the rate of gas collection is adjusted as necessary to maximize methane collection. A leachate collection system collects leachate from the quantity of municipal solid waste and circulates the leachate back to the quantity of organic waste during the anaerobic digestion and aerobic digestion steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: CH2M Hill, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Kraemer, Charles Kemper, Jan Allen
  • Patent number: 8298312
    Abstract: A composter device is provided including a mixer and a grinder commonly driven and commonly located in a composting chamber of the device. A large opening at the top of the composting chamber permits large objects to be inserted into the chamber to permit the object to be ground and left to decompose to produce compost material in the same chamber. The grinder includes grinding elements arranged to produce a shearing action while the mixer includes an auger to produce a churning action when the ground matter requires periodic mixing during the decomposition process to produce compost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventors: Brian A. Cruson, Pieter J. Cruson, Izaak P. J. Cruson, Ken Peakman, Trent Nichols, Michael P. Booy
  • Patent number: 8288138
    Abstract: A process and system for the conversion of biomass, such as spent brewers grain, into ethanol and other commercial products, such as pelletized fuel, biogas, fertilizer, and livestock feed, is disclosed. The method may include biomass pretreatment, hydrolysis, fermentation, distillation, and dehydration phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: NEAtech, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Birkmire, Chris Lindeman, Brian Duff, Jesse Spooner, Mark Yancey
  • Patent number: 8278087
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of degradation with hyperthermophilic organisms, and in particular to the use of hyperthermophilic degradation to produce heat and energy rich components including hydrogen and ethanol from a biomass. In some embodiments, a biomass is fermented in the presence of hyperthermophilic organisms to produce heat. The heat is used to heat a liquid which is used directly in a heat pump or radiant heat or to produce electricity or drive a steam turbine. In some embodiments, acetate is utilized as a substrate to produce energy by methanogenesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: The University of Regensburg
    Inventors: Jan Remmereit, Michael Thomm
  • Publication number: 20120244611
    Abstract: A vermicomposting device for vermicomposting organic material, comprises a casing including an annular hollow body member defining an internal cavity, a head member mounted to an upper end portion of the body member and a base member removably attached to a lower end portion of the body member, and a plurality of composting trays removably disposed within the internal cavity in a stacked relationship. Each of the composting trays is an open top tray including a circular perforated bottom wall surrounded by an annular side wall upwardly extending from the perforated bottom wall. The base member includes a support portion and a drip bucket disposed under the composting trays to receive and collect any liquid byproduct from the vermicomposting process. The head member is movable relative to the body member so as to provide an access to the internal cavity of the body member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventor: James BRANHAM
  • Publication number: 20120240832
    Abstract: A system for digesting biodigestible feed that preferably includes the steps of comminuting the feed, introducing feed, an oxygen-containing gas, an accelerant, and bacteria into a digestion zone, the bacteria being suitable for digesting the feed under aerobic, anaerobic, and anoxic conditions. The contents of the digestion zone can be changed from aerobic operation to either anoxic or anaerobic operation, or vice versa, without changing the bacteria in the digestion zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventors: William Nicholas Hiatt, Mohammed Memon, Jacob J.L. Dickinson, James DeWitt Stein, Gary L. Ailes
  • Publication number: 20120244612
    Abstract: In a rotary composter having a horizontally elongated rotatable cylindrical drum, material is fed from a hopper into the drum through an opening in a stationary end plate having an annular marginal area which overlaps, in sealing relationship, an annular intake end wall extending inward from the internal wall of the drum from a location adjacent to an intake end of the drum. At an exit end of the drum material passes through a central opening in an annular exit end wall and falls by gravity onto a cylindrical screen which is fixed to, and rotates with, the exit end wall. The annular end walls are in axial register with external trunnions on the drum which ride on pairs of supporting rollers. The exit end rollers allow for axial expansion of the drum. The interior wall the drum is lined with a rubber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: ROTARY COMPOSTERS, LLC
    Inventors: Kenton Good, Kurtis Good, Daniel Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20120231535
    Abstract: An organic forward osmosis system includes an acid treatment stage comprising an acid treatment operation configured to produce an acid treated, digester centrate stream in a forward osmosis reject loop and a fertilizer stream. A forward osmosis stage is coupled to the acid treatment stage and includes a forward osmosis operation configured to remove water from the acid treated, digester centrate stream by: diverting the acid treated, digester centrate stream to one side of at least one forward osmosis membrane; and contacting an opposite side of the at least one forward osmosis membrane with a salt brine stream in a forward osmosis draw loop and osmotically pulling water across the at least one forward osmosis membrane from the acid treated, digester centrate stream to the salt brine stream using only a concentration gradient; thereby producing a concentrated, acid treated, digester centrate stream and a diluted salt brine stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: HYDRATION SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: John R. Herron, Keith A. Lampi
  • Publication number: 20120202280
    Abstract: Provided is a treatment system whereby a wet organic waste can be effectively treated and CO2 produced in the course of the treatment can be immobilized to thereby contribute to the reduction of CO2. The treatment system is characterized by including microbiologically fermenting a wet organic waste in a fermentation device, combusting in a combustion furnace a fermented material obtained from the fermentation device and, at the same time, supplying to the combustion furnace a fermentation gas produced by the microbiological fermentation treatment in the fermentation device, and then recovering and immobilizing CO2 in a hot exhaust gas produced by the combustion treatment in the combustion furnace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventor: Takaitsu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8236554
    Abstract: A biogas plant for methanizing biomass having a high solids fraction includes a digestion tank system having a plurality of digestion tanks adapted to be closed in a gas- and liquid-tight manner, each of which includes a charging and withdrawing opening for charging with biomass and withdrawing the biomass, a biogas discharge means, a percolate reservoir, a percolate drainage means for discharging percolate from the plurality of digestion tanks and supplying the percolate to the percolate reservoir, a percolate distributing means for distributing the percolate from the percolate reservoir over the biomass in the plurality of digestion tanks, and a percolate regulating means for regulating the percolate level in the plurality of digestion tanks. The percolate reservoir includes a first and a second percolate container, and supplying and discharging of percolate to/from the first and/or the second percolate container takes place with the aid of the percolate regulating means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Bekon Energy Technologies GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Peter Lutz
  • Publication number: 20120184022
    Abstract: The present invention describes a system and method for convenient composting. The system is comprised of a door within a building that opens to the outdoors. Additionally, the system comprises a chute proximal to the door, or affixed to a portion of the door wherein the chute can transport compostable materials to a compost bin. The method disclosed in the present invention comprises the steps of composting including using a door to transport material from indoors to outdoors, placing the material on a chute, wherein the material is transported from an indoor location to a compost bin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventor: Leslie H. Power
  • Publication number: 20120174639
    Abstract: A forward osmosis system and process for producing fertilizer and recycling water from a food waste methane digester wastewater stream. The process includes: forming a residual wastewater stream from food waste using digesters; coarse filtering the residual wastewater stream; acid treating the filtered, residual wastewater stream so that ammonium is retained therein; diverting the acid treated, filtered, residual wastewater stream to one side of at least one forward osmosis membrane; and concentrating the acid treated, filtered, residual wastewater stream to form fertilizer by contacting a saturated salt brine in a forward osmosis draw loop to an opposite side of the at least one forward osmosis membrane and osmotically pulling water across the at least one forward osmosis membrane from the acid treated, filtered, residual wastewater stream to the saturated salt brine, thereby diluting the saturated salt brine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventor: John R. Herron
  • Patent number: 8202721
    Abstract: A waste material processing system includes a closed container for holding waste material having a first passage in which the waste material flows in a first direction, the first passage having first and second ends, the first end including an inlet for waste material, a second passage in which the waste material flows in a direction opposite the first direction, the second passage having first and second ends, the second end including an outlet. The first passage is separated from the second passage by a divider, the second end of the first passage being adjacent the first end of the second passage, and the first end of the first passage being adjacent the second end of the second passage. A heating device is positioned in the first passage and/or the second passage to heat the waste material with a gas and to induce the waste material to move in a corkscrew-like fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: DVO, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen W. Dvorak
  • Patent number: 8191202
    Abstract: The apparatus comprises a vacuum tank with a front-mounted collection means thereunder The collection means is a V-shaped scraper with a height adjustable suction inlet at the apex thereof. The collection means has a pair of laterally adjustable pivoting wings for varying its width to correspond to that of an alley or gutter. The suction inlet may be equipped with a snorkel to introduce a small quantity of air as an aid in entraining thick-consistency materials. A blower vac is used to both draw air into and blow air through the vacuum tank. A valve means comprising a pair of oppositely oriented check valves is used to alternate flow paths between a lowered rearward exhaust during collection and an elevated intake during tank discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Nuhn Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Dennis Nuhn
  • Publication number: 20120125062
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for producing electric power and fertiliser. The method comprises the steps of: (a) combusting biomass to produce energy for the generation of electric power and an exhaust gas; (b) producing a liquor from compounds extracted from the exhaust gas; and (c) producing a fertiliser by composting organic materials in the presence of the liquor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: Industrial Ecosystems Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Charles William Douglas Blandy
  • Publication number: 20120094363
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing non-putrescible sludge and energy, wherein said method includes the following steps: (i) producing digested sludge by means of primary sludge digestion; (ii) producing a first aqueous effluent and digested sludge, which are at least partially dehydrated by a first liquid-solid separation of the digested sludge produced in step (i); (iii) producing digested sludge at least partially dehydrated and hydrolysed by thermal hydrolysis of the at least partially dehydrated digested sludge produced in step (ii); (iv) digesting the at least partially dehydrated and hydrolysed digested sludge produced in step (iii); wherein said method further includes a step of recovering the biogases formed during said digestion and said primary digestion, and a step of producing energy from said biogas, including a first sub-step of producing the energy required for implementing said thermal hydrolysis and a sub-step of producing excess energy, the entirety of the biogas being used for
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Delphine Nawawi-Lansade, Michel Coeytaux, Stéphane Deleris
  • Patent number: 8153419
    Abstract: An Intermodal container, also known as an ISO Ocean Freight Container is suitable for the dual purposes of bio-containment and also Intermodal shipping. Provision is made for the introduction of water, oxygen or other liquids or gasses to be treated into the container, for exit of liquids or gasses generated or converted in the container, and for the monitoring of biological processes occurring within the container, all in a liquid impervious container. Improved air ducts and flow paths are provided, while the effects of shrinkage and channeling are reduced, through a strategically placed and relative percentage of openings through the floor. Further improvements in air distribution are achieved by an elimination or substantial reduction in percentage of opening through the floor in areas immediately adjacent to the container side walls. The flooring incorporates a self-cleaning hole design which increases in diameter with increasing distance from the container contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventor: James J. McNelly
  • Patent number: 8137957
    Abstract: An odiferous organic compounds cover having an inner surface and an outer surface. The cover contains a thermoplastic non-woven layer containing thermoplastic fibers having a contact angle with water greater than about 70°. The cover contains a UV barrier layer contains containing a UV blocking polymer, having a thickness of between one to three times the diameter of the thermoplastic fibers of the non-woven layer, and containing discontinuities forming microchannels through the layer thickness. The cover also contains an odor mitigation layer containing a UV translucent polymer which transmits at least about 60% of UV(C) energy and anatase titanium dioxide. The odor mitigation layer comprises discontinuities forming microchannels through the layer thickness forms the outer surface of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: David E. Wenstrup, Venkatkrishna Raghavendran
  • Publication number: 20120064618
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of producing compost tea with an elongated container having a vortex chamber, cylindrical screen, and outlet wherein compost is placed inside the vortex chamber, nozzles spray water into the compost chamber under pressure forcing nutrients and micro-organisms from the compost into the water which passes through the screen and out of the outlet into a holding tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventor: Nathan E. Winslow
  • Publication number: 20120058544
    Abstract: To include a hydrothermal decomposition unit 17 that transports a fed biomass material 11 from one side (a lower side) to the other side (an upper side) by a screw 14 in an apparatus body 13, feeds pressurized hot water 15, which is treat water, from the other side (the upper side) that is different from a feed position of the biomass material 11 into the apparatus body 13, hydrothermally decomposes the biomass material 11 while bringing the biomass material 11 into counter contact with the pressurized hot water 15, transfers hot-water soluble fractions into a hot-water effluent 16, which is pressurized hot water to be discharged, and separates a lignin component and a hemicellulose component from the biomass material 11, and also to include a biomass discharging unit 19 that discharges a biomass solid 18 from the other side (an upper side) of the apparatus body 13 under an increased pressure to put it under a normal pressure and a solid-liquid separator 20 that discharges the effluent 16 from the one side of
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Minoru Genta, Seiichi Terakura, Yasushi Kageyama, Ryosuke Uehara, Seiji Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8129177
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automated, rapid composting are disclosed. An air-tight housing prevents odors from leaking out. The housing is thermally insulated to enable the compost to achieve sufficient temperatures for rapid composting. A chambered system, generally including an optional hopper, a reactor, and a cure tray, physically shields odorous material from the external environment. A mixing wand mechanically mixes and/or breaks up the compost material and enhances air flow therethrough. A drip tray segregates liquid byproducts from the solid compost material. An air pump draws in air, while a carbon filter may absorb odors before returning the air to the external environment. A motor provides mixing, and facilitates opening and closing of the two trap doors separating the chambers. An electronic controller automates the composting process while allowing certain settings to be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Nature Mill, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell S. Cohn
  • Patent number: 8129158
    Abstract: An agricultural waste digester and biogas generation system. The system includes a digester assembly having a cylindrical body, a hollow interior, a center axis and a plurality of wheel segments within the interior of the digester assembly. A gas conduit extends from the interior of the digester assembly to a power generation device. Also included is a water vessel containing water, and each of the plurality of wheel segments have an acruate, contoured surface area which restrict biogas movement within the digester assembly to produce induced agitation of agricultural waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventor: James E. Straeter
  • Publication number: 20120034681
    Abstract: A digester with separate stages for hydrolysis and methanogenesis is disclosed. The digester includes a leachate bay reactor, which may be configured as modular, multi-bay units. Waste material is added to the leachate bay reactor. A leachate storage tank is fluidically connected to the leachate bay reactor, which facilitates hydrolysis. Leachate from the leachate storage tank is recirculated through the leachate bay reactor. A high rate methanogenic reactor is fluidically connected to the leachate storage tank to cycle the leachate in a fixed film environment for biogas production from solubilized organic matter. The reactor may be operated in an anaerobic digestion mode, or a dual aerobic-anaerobic digestion mode. The reactor may also include a struvite system having a crystallizer unit and a separation unit to reduce ammonium and phosphate accumulation during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Lucas Hans Loetscher, Sybil Sharvelle
  • Publication number: 20120021500
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing biogas by anaerobic digestion of organic matter. The method comprises: feeding organic matter suitable for biogas production to a first tank reactor 41, and in the first tank reactor, contacting the organic matter with biogas producing microorganisms for digestion under anaerobic conditions; and digesting the organic matter in the first tank reactor 41 while producing biogas. The method further comprises: providing digested sludge from an anaerobic digestion process in a second tank reactor 31; 46, which differs from the first tank reactor 41, said digested sludge containing a desired composition of nutriments; and feeding said nutriments into said first tank reactor 41. The invention also relates to a biogas producing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventor: Jörgen Ejlertsson
  • Publication number: 20120021504
    Abstract: An aerated compost and waste collection bin is disclosed. The bin includes a body portion having a bottom, at least one sidewall from the bottom, and an open top forming a container. A perforated tube extends upwards from the bottom of the body portion. At least one lateral vent tube is connected to the perforated tube and the sidewall of the body portion. The lateral vent tube allows air to circulate from outside the body portion of the bin through to the perforated tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Bradlee
  • Publication number: 20110308286
    Abstract: Disclosed is a combination of a compost receptacle and removable newspaper liner. The compost receptacle defines an opening therein. Preferably the opening comprises two side walls that join together at two wall angles on opposite ends to form a flattened cone shape, the side walls tapering into a point. The newspaper liner is arranged into a shape that is complementary to the shape of the opening. Preferably the liner has side surfaces that meet at opposite angle portions and that taper into a closed point so that when the opening receives the newspaper liner, the two wall angles and the point self-align the newspaper liner therein during use to form a disposable compost collector out of the newspaper liner. In this way, in a related disclosed method, the compost collector can collect and retain household food waste for composting and then be removed when full.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventor: Ross Lyell Cowie
  • Publication number: 20110312083
    Abstract: A composter having a downwardly open container (1) which stands on the ground (2) and has a filling opening which is arranged on the top side and can be closed by a lid (9). An unventilated upper chamber (10), which is arranged beneath the filling opening, opens laterally into a ventilated vertical shaft (13) which extends downward in the container (1) and is bounded at the lower end by a horizontally arranged lower plate (14) which is arranged between the shaft (13) and a downwardly open, ventilated lower chamber (17) which reaches down as far as the lower end of the container (1), and next to which in the container casing there is arranged a closeable lateral removal opening. The lower plate (14) can be pivoted about a horizontal pivot (15) and is coupled to a movement mechanism which is to be actuated by hand and has a handle (18) arranged on the outside of the container (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventor: HEINRICH WÜESTER
  • Publication number: 20110289992
    Abstract: A method of unturned aerated static pile composting includes providing organic matter having oversized particles and forming a pile of the organic matter on a surface. The surface has a plurality of compost pipes. The method further includes covering at least a portion of the pile with an organic and particulate layer and then providing air flow through the compost pipes such that a negative air pressure is formed through the pile causing air and fluid to be withdrawn from the pile into the compost pipes. The method further includes inserting a spike in the pile at designated areas and times in order to form air shafts in the pile. The composting system includes a compost enclosure surrounding a plurality of compost pipes, each compost pipe having an air flow control valve, and at least one fan, each fan having an air intake and an air outlet. The air intake is in fluid communication with the plurality of compost pipes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: HARVEST POWER, INC.
    Inventor: Jan Allen
  • Patent number: 8053228
    Abstract: Disclosed is a bioreactor in which a supporting wall (100) or a retaining mechanism (100) that represents pressure relief for a gas-tightly embodied flap is provided behind the flap (14) used for filling and emptying the bioreactor while percolate is prevented from accumulating between the gas-tight flap and the retaining mechanism. The gas-tightly closable flap, which has a sufficiently large size, makes it easy to fill biomass into the container and remove the remaining biomass following the methanation process. The biomass applies substantial or at least a certain amount of pressure to the retaining system when the container is closed, whereby the flap is relieved of the load and can be embodied in a light and accurately sealing manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Bekon Energy Technologies GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Peter Lutz
  • Patent number: 8048668
    Abstract: A composting aeration system is provided with a central air duct that is placed in open fluid communication with a plurality of elongated aeration strips, which form a portion of a supporting surface for composting material. One or more aeration hubs or manifolds may be used to place the aeration strips in open fluid communication with the central air duct. The aeration hubs may be provided to selectively vary the fluid flow through the system and substantially limit the passage of debris from the aeration strips to the central air duct. Components to the system are removably coupled with one another to provide ease of cleaning and maintenance between composting operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Bactee System, Inc.
    Inventors: Don V. Mathsen, Calvin R. Tininenko, Rodney J. Kleven
  • Publication number: 20110256614
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for processing organic matter that is produced in a poultry farm. The organic matter produced by the plurality of birds is removed from one or more containers that house the plurality of birds. The method further includes treating a first amount of organic matter of the organic matter in a thermal processor to produce inorganic matter. Thereafter, the inorganic matter and a second amount of organic matter of the organic matter are consumed in one or more photo bioreactors for growing one or more photosynthesis organisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: KING ABDUL AZIZ CITY FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventor: MAZEN A. BA-ABBAD
  • Patent number: 8034611
    Abstract: A sensor wand is disclosed for use in a composting apparatus. The sensor wand includes an elongated body having two opposed ends and a central axis, multiple gas inlets positioned along the body for collecting gas samples, and multiple temperature sensors positioned along the body for measuring temperatures. One of the ends of the body is positioned on one side of the central axis, and the other end is positioned on an opposite side of the central axis. A described composting apparatus includes the sensor wand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventor: Nicholas Louis Geranio
  • Publication number: 20110239716
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a compact processing apparatus which can produce useful products efficiently without producing bad odor. There is provided a useful product producing apparatus that is a decomposing apparatus of organic wastes, the decomposing apparatus comprising: a fermentation device including a plurality of processing tanks for decomposing the organic wastes; an air supply device that forcibly supplies air into the plurality of processing tanks; and a deodorizing device that deodorizes gases evacuated from each processing tank, in which useful products are produced from the organic wastes in the fermentation device by a thermoduric bacteria flora, and the gases are deodorized by passing through an acid pickling tank, a rinsing tank, and a microbial deodorizing tank, successively, the acid pickling tank, the rinsing tank, and the microbial deodorizing tank configuring the deodorizing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventor: Koji Miyanouchi
  • Publication number: 20110244560
    Abstract: A composting apparatus comprising a container for receiving material to be composted a base member in the apparatus for supporting material to be composted and the compost when formed, the base having a curved lower wall and an upper opening to define a volume for receiving a drainage medium, a leachate chamber formed in the wall so that when leachate forms, the leachate is able to flow through the medium into the chamber; and an outlet from the chamber for supplying the leachate to the outside of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventor: Michael MORRISON
  • Patent number: 8017366
    Abstract: A system for making biofuels comprising methane, ethanol, and biodiesel comprises a tank (100) with a sealable lid (120). An algae mass (105), water, and either a yeast or bacterial culture (106) is added to the tank. Under high temperature conditions, sour (CO2-containing) methane is produced and stored in a container (130). Under lower temperature conditions, ethanol and CO2 are produced. Heated or cooled water passed through a water jacket (160) that surrounds the tank maintains the proper temperature within the tank. The CO2 is stored in a second container (270). The sour methane and the CO2 are optionally passed through a scrubber. Scrubbed methane is suitable for use as a fuel and drives a generator (275) that supplies power to various parts of the system. Carbon credits will be available for CO2 that is trapped in the scrubber. A still (185) separates ethanol and water for later use. Biodiesel can also be made in the apparatus by first making ethanol, then employing a transesterification process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Inventors: Allen John Schuh, Peter Allen Schuh