Abstract: An operating method for a batch process, the batch process comprising a plurality of operating phases and within each phase there is provided at least one operating mode, one of the modes of each phase being a standby mode or its equivalent, wherein a transition from a first phase to a second phase requires that the first phase be initialised to its standby mode or equivalent and upon completion of the phase change the second phase enters its standby mode or equivalent.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of organic waste, the method comprising alternating steps of anaerobic digestion and aerobic composting conducted in a single reactor vessel, wherein at or about the completion of the anaerobic digestion step at least a portion of any free draining fluid from the reactor vessel is directed for reuse in subsequent anaerobic digestion steps, and solids remaining in the reactor vessel from the anaerobic digestion step are subjected to a dewatering step from which a liquid is obtained that is ultimately also directed, at least in part, for reuse in subsequent anaerobic digestion steps. A method for the management of biology in a batch process, wherein the batch process is an anaerobic digestion process, is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for the pressurized recirculation of organic material comprising a reactor vessel (12) capable of being pressurized and in which both anaerobic digestion and aerobic composting of organic material may occur, the reactor vessel (12) having both an inlet (14) and an outlet (16) for organic material, together with a conveyor means (18, 20, 22, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34 and 36) to convey organic material to the inlet (14) and from the outlet (16), whereby organic material may be transferred between the outlet (16) and the inlet (14) to achieve recirculation and rearrangement thereof while maintaining a pressurized state. A method for the pressurized recirculation of organic material is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for solid waste separation comprising at least two rotatable trommel sections (12, 14, 16) arranged such that solid waste to be separated can be passed through one trommel section and into the other, the trommel sections (12, 14, 16) each having provided therein screens (144, 146, 148, 150) through which screened material may pass, wherein at least two of the trommel sections (12, 14, 16) are capable of rotating at different relative speeds. Each of a trommel section transfer sealing means, a sealing arrangement for two components between which there is relative rotation, a rotating screen cleaning means, a trommel support arrangement, and a method for the separation of solid waste are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for the passage and conveyance of compressible material, the apparatus (10) comprising at least two arrays (14) of substantially parallel first screw conveyors (16) each arranged at an outlet (56) of a vessel (12) from which the material is to be conveyed such that the material is conveyed to respective second screw conveyors (18) arranged in generally transverse relation thereto, wherein the material to be conveyed bears directly on the first screw conveyors (16) from above and does not bear directly on the second screw conveyors (18). A method for the passage and conveyance of compressible material is also described.

Abstract: A method for solid waste separation and processing (10) comprising the method steps of: (a) Passing a municipal solid waste (12) to a first size based separation step (14) producing at least a fine organic fraction (16) and a coarse fraction (18); (b) Passing the fine organic fraction (16) to a digestion process (20) by way of a glass and grit separation step (24); and (c) Recirculating the coarse fraction (18) of step (a) through the first size based separation step (14) at least once.

Abstract: A dewatering method comprising the method steps of: (i) Conveying a material to be dewatered part way along the length of a housing (14) by way of a screw (12) that is driven by a motor (22); (ii) Monitoring the rate of change of power demand on the motor (22); (iii) Adjusting the level of backpressure to which the material to be dewatered is exposed based on the rate of change of power demand on the motor (22) as obtained under step (ii); and (iv) Forming a residual plug of dewatered material at an open end (20) of the housing (14). A dewatering apparatus (10) is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for the pressurised recirculation of organic material comprising a reactor vessel (12) capable of being pressurised and in which both anaerobic digestion and aerobic composting of organic material may occur, the reactor vessel (12) having both an inlet (14) and an outlet (16) for organic material, together with a conveyor means (18, 20, 22, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34 and 36) to convey organic material to the inlet (14) and from the outlet (16), whereby organic material may be transferred between the outlet (16) and the inlet (14) to achieve recirculation and rearrangement thereof whilst maintaining a pressurised state. A method for the pressurised recirculation of organic material is also described.

Abstract: A separation method (10) comprising the following method steps: (i) Passing an organic waste material to a primary washing step (16) in which a clean organic stream (18) and a fraction with a specific gravity of greater than 1 (20) are produced; (ii) Passing the clean organic stream (18) from step (i) to a drainage step (22) to remove free water therefrom; and (iii) Passing the organic material product (24) of step (ii) to a dewatering step (26) in which the water content of the organic material is reduced to a level suitable for passing to a bioconversion process. An apparatus is also described.

Abstract: A screen (10, 50) comprising at least an outer and an inner layer (12, 14) of generally rod-shaped screen members (16, 18), the screen members each extending in a parallel but laterally off-set arrangement.

Abstract: A method for solid waste separation and processing (10) comprising the method steps of: (a) Passing a municipal solid waste (12) to a first size based separation step (14) producing at least a fine organic fraction(16) and a coarse fraction (18); (b) Passing the fine organic fraction (16) to a digestion process (20) by way of a glass and grit separation step (24); and (c) Recirculating the coarse fraction (18) of step (a) through the first size based separation step (14) at least once.

Abstract: A process control method, the method comprising the steps of: (i) Passing a portion of a biomass containing liquid from a first reactor (12) in which a batch anaerobic digestion of organic material is being or has been conducted to a liquid storage vessel (14), methane being produced in both the first reactor (12) and the liquid storage vessel (14); (ii) Passing a portion of the liquid from the liquid storage vessel (14) back to a first reactor (12) that may or may not be the same reactor (12) of step (i); (iii) Passing a portion of the liquid from either or both of the first reactor (12) and the liquid storage vessel (14) to a second reactor (16); and (iv) Passing a portion of the liquid from the second reactor (16) to either the liquid storage vessel (14) or to the first reactor (12), wherein the direction of liquid to the second reactor (16) allows control of the level of volatile fatty acids (VFA) in the liquid to be returned to the first reactor (12) by way of exposure to additional anaerobic methanogeni

Abstract: A method for the inerting of vessels used in the digestion of organic waste, the method characterised by the method steps of: (i) Capturing exhaust gas (14) from a chemical conversion means (12); (ii) Directing at least a portion of the captured exhaust gas (14) from step (i) to a vessel (40) used in the digestion of organic waste; and (iii) Purging the vessel (40) using the exhaust gas (14) so as to avoid an explosive mix of gases therein, wherein the exhaust gas (14) contains sufficient oxygen to prevent substantially the production of methane by anaerobic bacteria in the vessel (40).

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for aeration of organic material, wherein the organic material undergoes an aerobic composing process, such that air is caused to evenly penetrate the organic material. The organic material is first sealed in a vessel. Air is then delivered to the contents of the vessel such that an air pressure of from about 1 to about 1000 kPa above atmospheric pressure is maintained in the vessel. A pressure differential initially forms and is then allowed to equilibrate over a period of time, in which time air flows from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure in the organic material thus ensuring that aeration is evenly distributed throughout the organic material.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus is provided for aeration of organic material, wherein the organic material undergoes an aerobic composting process, such that air is caused to evenly penetrate the organic material. The organic material is first sealed in a vessel. Air is then delivered to the contents of the vessel such that an air pressure of from about 1 to about 1000 kPa above atmospheric pressure is maintained in the vessel. A pressure differential initially forms and is then allowed to equilibrate over a period of time, in which time air flows from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure in the organic material thus ensuring that aeration is evenly distributed throughout the organic material.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for aeration of organic material, wherein the organic material undergoes an aerobic composing process, such that air is caused to evenly penetrate the organic material. The organic material is first sealed in a vessel. Air is then delivered to the contents of the vessel such that an air pressure of from about 1 to about 1000 kPa above atmospheric pressure is maintained in the vessel. A pressure differential initially forms and is then allowed to equilibrate over a period of time, in which time air flows from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure in the organic material thus ensuring that aeration is evenly distributed throughout the organic material.