Abstract: An anaerobic digester and a method for treating organic waste and recovering a usable quality methane gas. A first cover of gas permeable material conducive to bacterial colonization covers the surface of a slurry of organic waste material in a containment vessel. The permeable cover acts as a media to support and encourage the growth of methanogenic bacteria. Gas collection apparatus is installed on the first cover. A second cover of gas impermeable material is installed over the gas collection apparatus. A gas collection space is formed between the two covers. Edges of the first and second covers are closed to inhibit the escape of gas from the gas collection space. Biogas produced as a result of anaerobic digestion activity permeates the gas permeable cover and enters the collection space.

Abstract: A cover assembly for an organic waste lagoon basin and a method of making and deploying such a cover assembly. A cover includes connected cover panels or sections. In one form of the invention the panels are comprised of a single layer of geotextile fabric. In another form of the invention the panels are comprised of interconnected strata including a sacrificial layer which faces the sun and protects the cover from ultraviolet light degradation; a foam layer that floats the cover; and a geotextile fabric layer. The geotextile fabric is porous and suppresses the release of malodorous gases from the lagoon basin. The cover can be constructed and deployed by laying out cover panels in fanfold fashion along a side of the basin; connecting adjacent edges of the panels; attaching flotation to the free edge of the top panel; and using deployment lines and a mandrel to move the cover across the filled basin.

Abstract: An anaerobic digester and a method for treating organic waste and recovering a usable quality methane gas. A first cover of gas permeable material conducive to bacterial colonization covers the surface of a slurry of organic waste material in a containment vessel. The permeable cover acts as a media to support and encourage the growth of methanogenic bacteria. Gas collection apparatus is installed on the first cover. A second cover of gas impermeable material is installed over the gas collection apparatus. A gas collection space is formed between the two covers. Edges of the first and second covers are closed to inhibit the escape of gas from the gas collection space. Biogas produced as a result of anaerobic digestion activity permeates the gas permeable cover and enters the collection space.

Abstract: A cover assembly for an organic waste lagoon basin and a method of making and deploying such a cover assembly. A cover includes connected cover panels or sections. In one form of the invention the panels are comprised of a single layer of geotextile fabric. In another form of the invention the panels are comprised of interconnected strata including a sacrificial layer which faces the sun and protects the cover from ultraviolet light degradation; a foam layer that floats the cover; and a geotextile fabric layer. The geotextile fabric is porous and suppresses the release of malodorous gases from the lagoon basin. The cover can be constructed and deployed by laying out cover panels in fanfold fashion along a side of the basin; connecting adjacent edges of the panels; attaching flotation to the free edge of the top panel; and using deployment lines and a mandrel to move the cover across the filled basin.

Abstract: A cover assembly for an organic waste lagoon basin and a method of making and deploying such a cover assembly. A cover includes connected cover panels or sections. In one form of the invention the panels are comprised of a single layer of geotextile fabric. In another form of the invention the panels are comprised of interconnected strata including a sacrificial layer which faces the sun and protects the cover from ultraviolet light degradation; a foam layer that floats the cover; and a geotextile fabric layer. The geotextile fabric is porous and suppresses the release of malodorous gases from the lagoon basin. The cover can be constructed and deployed by laying out cover panels in fanfold fashion along a side of the basin; connecting adjacent edges of the panels; attaching flotation to the free edge of the top panel; and using deployment lines and a mandrel to move the cover across the filled basin.

Abstract: A livestock facility exhaust system to remove a majority of the dust and other such odorous airborne particulate material from air exhausted by power ventilation equipment from a livestock confinement building and without a significant increase in static pressure within the ventilation system. This is accomplished by a free standing enclosure of high strength air permeable material supported by a hoop structure around the exhaust end of the containment building of the livestock facility. Exhausted air enters the enclosure and is temporarily contained therein. Air circulates around impaction surfaces in the enclosure that promote precipitation of airborne particulates from the air stream. A discharge opening is located at or near the top of the enclosure. Exhaust air rid of most of the airborne particulates moves upward and out through the opening. The enclosure also serves to deflect outside wind from the fan orifices which helps to maintain fan performance.

Abstract: A livestock facility exhaust system to remove a majority of the dust and other such odorous airborne particulate material from air exhausted by power ventilation equipment from a livestock confinement building and without a significant increase in static pressure within the ventilation system. This is accomplished by a free standing enclosure of high strength air permeable material supported by a hoop structure around the exhaust end of the containment building of the livestock facility. Exhausted air enters the enclosure and is temporarily contained therein. Air circulates around impaction surfaces in the enclosure that promote precipitation of airborne particulates from the air stream. A discharge opening is located at or near the top of the enclosure. Exhaust air rid of most of the airborne particulates moves upward and out through the opening. The enclosure also serves to deflect outside wind from the fan orifices which helps to maintain fan performance.

Abstract: A cover assembly for an organic waste lagoon basin and a method of making and deploying such a cover assembly. A cover includes connected cover panels or sections. In one form of the invention the panels are comprised of a single layer of geotextile fabric. In another form of the invention the panels are comprised of interconnected strata including a sacrificial layer which faces the sun and protects the cover from ultraviolet light degradation; a foam layer that floats the cover; and a geotextile fabric layer. The geotextile fabric is porous and suppresses the release of malodorous gases from the lagoon basin. The cover can be constructed and deployed by laying out cover panels in fanfold fashion along a side of the basin; connecting adjacent edges of the panels; attaching flotation to the free edge of the top panel; and using deployment lines and a mandrel to move the cover across the filled basin.

Abstract: A lagoon basin cover that may be fabricated on site from a geotextile material that floats on the lagoon. The cover is assembled from sections joined to each other at seams, then provided with floatation, deployment ropes, and tethering ropes. The cover is deployed across the lagoon surface and the lagoon basin with the tethering ropes using a system of pulleys and a single segmented mandrel. After deployment, the cover is tethered at a variety of locations around the perimeter of the cover.