Abstract: For disposing of liquid pig manure by composting same with solid carbonaceous matter. The composting material is contained in a trough, and is turned by means of an apron, which is supported in a carriage for a travelling along the trough. The apron carries moving rakes which lift and turn the material. The apron can be set to traverse both backwards and forwards. The apron is angled to a bottom-leading configuration during traversing, and the apron is capable of being lifted, to change the angle, when setting up for reversing the traverse.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for processing of material such as organic waste material by compressing and extruding the material, with subsequent optional pelletization. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a container having inlet and outlet ends. There is a first plate (70) at the outlet end and rotatable about an axis extending between the ends. There is a second plate (28, 46) axially spaced apart from the first plate having a leading radial edge and a surface facing toward the outlet end angled from the leading edge toward the outlet end for forcing material in contact therewith axially toward the outlet end so as to compress material between the first and second plates as the second plate rotates about the axis. The first plate has apertures for extrusion of material. A second embodiment apparatus includes a compression zone at the outlet end including means for exerting compressive forces on material in the zone in an axial direction toward the outlet end so as to compress the material.