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 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: 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.