Abstract: A method and apparatus for compositing putrescible waste material, the apparatus including a stationary elongated compositing chamber which is mounted to be generally horizontal in orientation or slightly inclined from an inlet end to an outlet end and includes at least one rotatable shaft therein with paddles or tines that extend therefrom in a generally helical pattern. Rotation of the shaft causes the composting material to move along the chamber. Air is injected into the compositing chamber and accumulates in a headspace above the compositing material where it is measured for flow rate, gas content and temperature and eventually removed from near an inlet end of the chamber.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of soluble proteins of high molecular weight with little or no damage to the structural integrity of the proteins. The process is economically and environmentally acceptable by virtue of the cost of reagents that are used, and the recycling of some of those reagents, and is suitable for the production of soluble proteins on a large scale. The process includes a first stage using oxidative sulfitolysis followed by a second stage using mild conditions to extract the soluble protein. In the case of wool as the protein source the process leads to the production of soluble keratin proteins fractionated into the classes S-sulfonated keratin intermediate filament proteins and S-sulfonated keratin high sulfur proteins.

Abstract: A composing system which includes a stationary and usually unheated generally horizontal composting chamber with an inlet and outlet at oposite ends of the chamber. Through the middle of the chamber may be a shaft or shafts to which are attached a series of discrete arms, appendages or flutes that extend into the outer volume of the chamber. The arms mix and agitate a composting material placed in the inlet and transport the compost material to the outlet at the other end of the chamber while the material composts and biodegrades in the chamber. The arms allow air to penetrate into the composting material and to release water through the emission of steam. A number of probes through the exterior of the chamber which extend into the headspace of the chamber, or into the copositing mix measure temperature and carbon dioxide levels with the chamber.