Compost Tea Apparatus and Method
An apparatus and method of producing compost tea with an elongated container having a vortex chamber, filter, and outlet wherein compost is placed inside the vortex chamber, nozzles spray water into the compost chamber under pressure forcing nutrients and micro-organisms from the compost into the water which passes through the filter and out the outlet into a holding tank. The filter retains compost solids in the vortex chamber. The water is re-circulated through the apparatus until desired composition is reached.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to compost tea, and more particularly to an apparatus for producing compost tea.
2. Description of Related Art
Compost tea refers to a nutrient and microbially enriched solution used in home and commercial agriculture and horticulture environments. The solution has a diversity of uses and applications, ranging from encouraging plant growth to fighting plant pathogens. The solution is generally produced by removing beneficial nutrients and micro-organisms from existing compost material and mixing them in water. Once produced, one must use the compost tea within a short period of time to ensure that the beneficial micro-organisms, which require an aerobic environment, survive until application. Application consists of spraying the compost tea onto the foliage or the soil, depending on the intended use and desired results.
The benefits of compost tea include elimination of the use of commercially produced fertilizers and pesticides that have long-term detrimental effects on the environment. Since the beneficial ingredients of compost tea are naturally occurring, they promote the development of beneficial organisms and insects which naturally control pests while promoting plant growth. Commercially produced pesticides tend to kill both the pests and beneficial organisms and insects.
Devices and methods of producing compost tea typically involve steeping or leaching the nutrients and organisms from compost material into water. Many devices and methods also utilize an aeration means to ensure an aerobic environment and provide agitation. Simple methods include encasing compost in a cloth or filter media which is then placed in a container holding water. The beneficial nutrients and microbial organisms leach into the water producing compost tea. This method is time consuming, taking days to produce even small quantities of compost tea. Additionally, the results are unpredictable since aerobic conditions may not be maintained. As microorganisms propagate in the tea, they deplete the existing oxygen. If the oxygen is depleted, the microorganisms die making the tea ineffective.
Current practice teaches that improved results occur when the solution is aerated during the leaching process. Aeration, provided by introduction of oxygen or air bubbles into the liquid, provides a continual aerobic environment. This oxygen enriched environment aids the propagation of micro-organisms in the tea. While aeration aids in tea production, the process is still time consuming. Tea production using these methods requires 12 to 24 hours to produce a batch of tea.
Other aerated leaching processes include placing the compost in a trough. The trough may be composed of metal, pipe or similar material with holes cut in the bottom. Compost material is placed in or conveyed through the trough. Water is sprayed on top of the compost. The water leaches through the compost and exits through the holes in the trough. The water is re-circulated until the desired compost tea leachate is produced. In other methods, the compost is conveyed through the trough with an auger. The water is sprayed into the compost by nozzles on the auger. However, these systems still require hours to produce a batch of tea.
An inherent problem with existing compost tea devices and methods is production time. To achieve the most beneficial results, compost tea must be applied within a short time after production to ensure the beneficial micro-organisms survive until application. Generally, this means that the tea must be applied within a day after brewing to prevent spoilage. Such time frames present difficulties for users. Since current methods of compost tea production require almost a day of production time, with an application window of about a day, users must plan application in advance. If the user is unable to apply the tea during the application window the tea will spoil, resulting in lost product. When the product spoils, the user must expend additional resources to produce additional tea for application. Other difficulties arise if weather changes prohibit or stop the application of compost tea. The user must stop application, and if conditions do not change to allow application during the appropriate time frame, the tea will spoil.
The problem of spoilage presents disadvantages for all compost tea users, but is exacerbated for large scale operations requiring several hundred or even thousands of gallons of compost tea. If the operation is unable to use the tea within the required window, the costs of producing replacement tea can be expensive in both increased compost material and labor costs. Changes in weather have a greater impact on large operations since application over hundreds of acres takes time. Some operations try to overcome this limitation by staggering application over several days or weeks. This is also a time consuming process.
Another difficulty for large scale operations is device size and ease of use. Currently, most devices used to produce compost tea require the transfer of the tea from the device to a separate sprayer. In large scale applications, the tea must be transferred to a large sprayer or tote container for application. Until the tea is transferred, the device cannot be utilized to produce additional tea. This transfer process takes additional time and expense. Additionally, devices utilized for large quantity production of compost tea tend to be large, bulky, and are not easily mobile. This lack of mobility means the totes or containers must be hauled from the production area to the application areas. This hauling increases the expense in time, labor and equipment required for production.
Accordingly, what is needed is an invention to produce compost tea in large or small batches in a short amount of time that is portable and easy to use.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved device and method to produce compost tea.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a compost tea production device capable of producing large or small quantities of compost tea in a short duration.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a compost tea production device that is easily portable.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a compost tea production device that does not require transfer of the compost tea into another container after production.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description and in the drawings which follow, and, in part, will be obvious from the description of may be learned by practice of the invention.
To achieve the foregoing objects, and in accordance with the purpose of the invention as broadly described herein, the present invention provides a portable device that quickly produces compost tea.
The invention comprises an apparatus and method of producing compost tea. Using this method, a water source, pump, a separator container, and a holding tank (hereafter called a “tote”) are provided. In this configuration the water source is preferably the tote filled with the desired volume of water. Appropriate means of communication are provided between the water source and pump intake, between pump discharge and the container, and between at lease one container outlet and the holding tank. The container is further provided with a vortex chamber having spray nozzles in communication with the water source from the pump. The nozzles direct their spray into the vortex chamber. The vortex chamber is provided with compost material. The container further has a filter separating the vortex chamber from the outlet. The pump forces water into the vortex chamber through the nozzles under pressure. The nozzle spray soaks the compost filling the vortex chamber with water. The nozzle spray further agitates the compost and creates water and compost slurry. Water pressure forces the water toward the filter which separates the water from the slurry. The water then flows toward the outlet opening. The process of re-circulating water from the tote to the container continues until the desired compost tea is produced.
In a first aspect, the invention comprises a water filled tote container, a container having a top section and a bottom section. The bottom section's inside wall defines a vortex chamber. A plurality of spray nozzles in communication with the tote direct spray into the vortex chamber. The nozzles may be mounted on the vortex chamber wall or directly on a manifold internal to the vortex chamber. A filter is provided in the container separating the vortex chamber from the outlet. A pump having an intake communicates with the tote while a pump outlet communicates to a manifold having a plurality of ports, wherein each port is in communication with one of the plurality of spray nozzles. The top section's discharge outlet communicates with the tote. Lines providing fluid communication between the tote and the pump, and between the pump discharge outlet and the tote, are removable from the tote. In operation, compost material is provided in the vortex chamber. The top section is releasably coupled to the bottom section. When electricity is supplied to the pump, water is pumped from the tote to the spray nozzles. The water forcibly mixes with the compost material, agitating it and separating the beneficial nutrients and micro-organisms from the compost. Water pressure forces the water through the filter screen, toward the container outlet and back to the tote. The compost tea is re-circulated between the tote and the container until the desired levels of nutrients and micro-organisms are obtained. When the desired levels are obtained the pump is shut off, the lines communicating from the tote to the pump and from the top to the tote are removed or otherwise disconnected from the tote, and compost tea production is complete.
In yet another aspect of the invention, the filter comprises a cylindrically shaped screen integrally manufactured into the top section. The filter has a closed end and an open end defining an intake opening. An insert extends from the outer periphery of the intake end and engages into the open end of the container top section. The filter has an outer surface spaced inwardly from the inner surface of the top section creating a circumferential gap in communication with the outlet opening. The intake opening directs the slurry upwards into the filter which separates the water there-from and through the screen and into the circumferential gap communicating with the outlet opening. Wash nozzles are preferably provided to direct water towards the screen and keep it clean.
In another aspect of the invention, the plurality of spray nozzles is mounted on the vortex chamber wall. The filter comprises a filter element having a closed end and an open outlet end defining an outlet opening in communication with the tote. In operation, the container is rotated so that its axis is horizontal. Compost material is provided on a portion of the vortex chamber wall. Water entering the vortex chamber from the nozzles creates water and compost slurry, filling the vortex chamber. Water pressure forces the water through the filter and toward the outlet opening to the tote.
In yet another aspect, the container has a fixed bottom and a removable top. One end of the filter mounts inside the container to the fixed bottom while the removable top adapts to receive the other end of the filter to create a seal during operation. The filter outer surface is spaced slightly inwardly from the container inside wall creating a circumferential gap along the entire length of the container. An internal manifold having an open end, which communicates with a water source, mount to the fixed bottom while the other end of the manifold is capped. A plurality of spray nozzles mounts on the manifold which runs the entire length of the inside of the container. The manifold is positioned inside the filter. Compost is provided inside the filter. Nozzle spray from the manifold soaks the compost and fills the filter with water. Pressure forces water through the filter into the circumferential gap and toward a plurality of outlets communicating with the water source.
In another aspect of the invention, the vortex chamber and pump are affixed to a cart capable of steerage. The cart has wheels to allow free movement of the cart about the ground. A tongue, handle or other linkage device is attached to the cart allowing a user to steer the cart while pushing or pulling on the linkage device. Alternatively, the linkage device could be connected to a hitch of a motorized piece of equipment.
The present invention will now be described with reference to the following drawings, in which like reference numbers denote the same element throughout.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring now to
Referring now to
The bottom section 202 has a closed end formed by the bottom cap 206 adapted to receive one end of the bottom section 202. The bottom cap 206 has a wall defining a bottom 306 of the bottom section 202. The other end of the bottom section 202 is open and having the bottom flange assembly 212 affixed thereto. The container 200 has an inner surface 312 that, together with the bottom 306, defines a vortex chamber 314. The inner surface 312 is also referred to as the vortex chamber wall 312 throughout this description. A drain outlet 320 provides communication from the vortex chamber 314 to drain valve 248. A plurality of spray nozzle 322s mounts on the vortex chamber wall 312. The plurality of nozzle supply lines 252 provides communication from the manifold 250 to the spray nozzles 322, 322a, 326, 326a. The spray nozzles 322 are preferably arranged helically and directing their spray in a counter-clockwise circumferential direction so that water directed from the nozzles 322 generates a vortex within the vortex chamber 314. Also, one or more straight nozzles 326 directing spray inwardly toward the container 200 axis are provided to generate additional agitation and turbulence during operation. Two pair of spray nozzle 326a, 322a are preferably mounted on the bottom 306 wherein one pair 322a directs spray circumferentially about the container 200 axis in the same direction as the other plurality of spray nozzles 322 mounted on the vortex chamber wall 312, while the other pair are straight nozzles 326a directing spray upwardly along lines parallel to the container 200 axis. A riser clamp 222 assembly adapted to receive the container's 200 outer wall 308 secures to the container 200 just below the bottom flange assembly 212 wherein the bottom flange assembly 212 comprises an insert 350 and a ring 352. The riser clamp 222 assembly generally consists of two members secured to each other by bolts and are well known in mechanical arts. The riser clamp 222 assembly is hingedly connected to the A-Frame 228 by a hinge assembly 224. The hinge assembly 224 comprises a first barrel 330 affixed to the top outer periphery of the riser clamp 222 and a second barrel 334 affixed to the A-Frame 228. The first barrel 330 and second barrel 334 are adapted to receive the pin 226. The first barrel 330 is adapted to receive a lock screw 344 which, when screwed in, engages the end of the pin 226 inserted into the first barrel 330 coupling the pin 226 to the first barrel 330. The pin 226 rotates freely inside the second barrel 334. This arrangement facilitates rotation of the container 200 about the hinge assembly axis. The bottom flange 212 and the top flange 210 are adapted to receive a filter assembly 216 there-between. Referring now to
In addition to
Referring now to
Referring to
Referring now to
In each of the referenced drawings and embodiments, screen having perforations with a diameter of 30 thousandths of an inch (0.030″) each has been found satisfactory to allow water to pass through the filter while separating compost and retaining it in the container. The container may be constructed of 10 inch PVC pipe and fittings having a vortex chamber capable of holding approximately 30 to 40 pounds of compost material. The pump should provide a range of volumetric water flow. Flow ranging from 30 gallons per minute (gpm) and 40 gpm has been found satisfactory, although rates up to 100 gpm have been satisfactorily tested. System operating pressure is preferably 30 to 40 pounds per square inch (psi). However, depending on system materials and designs using higher pressure ratings are possible and provide similarly satisfactory results. The time interval to produce a 275 gallon volume of high quality compost tea using the devices and methods described herein is approximately 10 to 12 minutes. The pump is preferably provided with a timer, automating the recirculation cycle and providing consistency in operation between batches. Larger volumes can be produced by increasing container and compost volume and adjusting timing intervals appropriately.
As has been demonstrated, the present invention provides a novel device and method for compost tea production. The present invention provides high quality tea in much shorter times than existing methods, overcoming many of the obstacles and difficulties associated with using compost tea. The prior art does not provide a means of producing quality compost tea in approximately 10 to 12 minutes for a batch of compost tea. Nor does the prior art teach a method of separating micro-organisms and nutrients from compost in a separator container under pressure. Nor does the prior art teach highly portable devices capable of producing large scale quantities of compost tea in short durations.
While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described, additional variations and modifications in that embodiment may occur to those skilled in the art once they learn of the basic inventive concepts. Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims shall be construed to include both the preferred embodiment and all such variations and modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. An apparatus for producing compost tea comprising:
- an elongated container having a filter mounted therein, the container having a vortex chamber for holding compost therein, a plurality of spray nozzles communicating with a water source positioned to spray inside the vortex chamber to entrain nutrients and micro-organisms in the water, the container further having at least one outlet in communication with a tank for receiving the nutrient and micro-organism entrained water from the container, the filter mounted in the container to filter water flowing from the spray nozzles to the outlet.
2. The apparatus for producing compost tea of claim 1 wherein the container is formed in two separable parts comprising a bottom section and a top section and including a means of releasably joining the top section and the bottom section.
3. The apparatus for producing compost tea of claim 2 wherein the at least one outlet is positioned on the top section.
4. The apparatus for producing compost tea of claim 3 wherein the bottom section has an inner surface defining the vortex chamber wall having the plurality of spray nozzles mounted thereon, an open end having a bottom flange affixed thereto and a closed end defined by a bottom cap, the top section having an open end having a top flange affixed thereto and a closed end defined by a top cap, the bottom flange releasably joining to the top flange and having the filter disposed there-between, the filter comprising a perforated sheet disposed between a lower gasket and an upper gasket.
5. The apparatus for producing compost tea of claim 4 wherein the perforated sheet is conically shaped extending upwardly into the top section, the perforated sheet further having a flat bottom extending radially outwardly to engage between the lower gasket and the upper gasket.
6. The apparatus for producing compost tea of claim 2 wherein the bottom section has an inner surface defining the vortex chamber wall having the plurality of spray nozzles mounted thereon, an open end having a bottom flange affixed thereto and a closed end defined by a bottom cap; and
- the top section further comprises an interior surface, an open end having a top flange affixed thereto and a closed end defined by a top cap having a top wall, a filter mounted in the top cap, the filter comprising a filter insert adapted to engage one end of a cylindrical perforated screen having an outer surface, a top ring abutting the top wall and adapted to engage the other end of the perforated screen, the top flange adapted to engage the filter insert creating a watertight seal, wherein the screen outer surface is spaced inwardly from the top section interior surface defining a circumferential gap there-between in communication with the outlet.
7. The apparatus for producing compost tea of claim 2 wherein the bottom section comprises an inner surface defining the vortex chamber wall, an open end having a bottom flange affixed thereto and a closed end defined by a bottom cap having a bushing defining an inlet affixed therein wherein the inlet is in communication with the water source, an elongated manifold having an open end mounted to the bushing defining a manifold inlet and a manifold cap closing the other end, the manifold inlet in communication with the inlet, the manifold further having the plurality of spray nozzles mounted thereon, the inlet directing water into the manifold and toward the spray nozzles; and
- the top section further comprises an interior surface, an open end having a top flange affixed thereto and a closed end defined by a top cap having a top wall, a filter mounted in the top cap, the filter comprising a filter insert adapted to engage one end of a cylindrical perforated screen having an outer surface, a top ring abutting the top wall and adapted to engage the other end of the perforated screen, the top flange adapted to engage the filter insert creating a watertight seal, wherein the screen outer surface is spaced inwardly from the top section interior surface defining a circumferential gap there-between in communication with the outlet.
8. The apparatus for producing compost tea of claim 7 wherein when the top section and bottom section are releasably joined, the closed end of the manifold extends beyond the bottom flange and inwardly from the top wall of the top section, the screen has an inner surface in communication with the vortex chamber, and at least one or more of the plurality of spray nozzles directs spray toward the screen inner surface.
9. The apparatus for producing compost tea of claim 7 wherein the at least one outlet is one of a multiplicity of outlets in communication with the circumferential gap, a loop providing communication between the multiplicity of outlets, and a recirculation line providing communication between the loop and the tank.
10. The apparatus for producing compost tea of claim 6 wherein the at least one outlet is one of a multiplicity of outlets in communication with the circumferential gap, a loop providing communication between the multiplicity of outlets, and a recirculation line providing communication between the loop and the tank.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the container has a bottom cap closing one end and an open end having a flange affixed thereto, the bottom cap having a bushing therein defining the outlet, a blind flange adapted to releasably couple with the flange, a gasket adapted to provide a water-tight seal when positioned between the blind flange and the flange, a container inner surface defining the vortex chamber having compost provided therein, the plurality of spray nozzles mount on the inner surface; and
- the filter comprising an elongated cylindrical hollow filter body having a series of windows therein, a filter cap closing one end and a filter outlet end defining a filter outlet communicating with the outlet, an elongated cylindrical perforated screen adapted to engage the filter body covering the windows, wherein the windows and screen perforations provide fluid communication between the vortex chamber and the filter outlet.
12. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the container operates in a horizontal position.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the blind flange has a retainer ring affixed thereto, the retainer ring adapted to communicably receive the filter cap, securing the filter cap and filter in position during operation.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the container comprises a bottom cap closing one end and an open end having a flange affixed thereto, the bottom cap having a bushing therein communicating with the water source, a bottom wall adjacent the vortex chamber defined by the bottom cap, a blind flange adapted to releasably couple with the flange, a gasket adapted to provide a water-tight seal when positioned between the blind flange and the flange, the blind flange having a top wall adjacent the vortex chamber, a container inner surface, a manifold mounted in the container providing communication between the bushing and the plurality of spray nozzles, a plurality of outlets, a loop line communicating with the tank and providing communication between the plurality of outlets;
- the manifold further comprising an open end defining a manifold inlet and manifold cap closing the other end, the plurality of spray nozzles mount on the manifold and are in communication with the manifold inlet, the bushing adapted to engage the manifold open end wherein the inlet directs water into the manifold inlet, and the manifold directs water to the plurality of spray nozzles;
- the filter comprising an elongated hollow cylindrical filter body having one end affixed to the bottom wall and the other end open having a filter insert affixed thereto, the container open end adapted to engage the filter insert creating a water-tight seal, the filter body further having an outer surface spaced inwardly from the container inner surface defining a circumferential gap communicating with the plurality of outlets, the filter body further adapted to communicably receive an elongated cylindrical perforated screen having an inner surface defining the vortex chamber, a series of windows provided in the filter body and covered by the screen providing communication between the vortex chamber and the circumferential gap such that water flowing into the inlet of the container flows through the manifold and is sprayed from the spray nozzles into the vortex chamber and thence flows through the filter to the circumferential gap which directs the water to the container outlets.
15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of spray nozzles are positioned to direct spray in a counter-clockwise circumferential direction about the axis of the vortex chamber.
16. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the plurality of spray nozzles are positioned to direct spray in a counter-clockwise circumferential direction about the axis of the vortex chamber.
17. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the plurality of spray nozzles are positioned to direct spray in a counter-clockwise direction on a line parallel to the tangency of their mounting position on the manifold and perpendicular to the vortex chamber axis.
18. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the plurality of spray nozzles are positioned to direct spray in a counter-clockwise circumferential direction about the axis of the vortex chamber.
19. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the plurality of spray nozzles are positioned to direct spray in a counter-clockwise direction on a line parallel to the tangency of their mounting position on the manifold and perpendicular to the vortex chamber axis.
20. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the plurality of spray nozzles mount in a helical arrangement.
21. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the plurality of spray nozzles mount in a helical arrangement.
22. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the plurality of spray nozzles mount in alternately staggered linear rows.
23. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the container operates with its axis in a horizontal position and the plurality of spray nozzles further comprise three linear rows of spray nozzle assemblies, a first row positioned at approximately a 6 o'clock position, a second row positioned at approximately an 8 o'clock position, and a third row positioned at approximately a 2 o'clock position, wherein the first and second row of nozzle assemblies direct their spray in a counter-clockwise circumferential direction about the vortex chamber axis, the third row of nozzle assemblies direct spray at a ninety degree angle from their assembly, the nozzles further directing spray in a generally counter-clockwise circumferential direction about the vortex chamber axis and toward the filter, the third row assemblies mounted at an angle of approximately 22 degrees from a tangency of the assembly mounting position to the container inner surface.
24. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the plurality of outlets are arranged helically.
25. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising at least one additional spray nozzle mounted on the container inner surface directing spray radially inwardly toward the vortex chamber axis, and at least one additional spray nozzle mounted in the bottom cap directing spray along a line parallel to the vortex chamber axis, the one additional spray nozzle mounted on the container and the one additional spray nozzle mounted in the bottom cap both communicating with the water source.
26. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises:
- a moveable cart having a top surface, an A-Frame mounting the top surface, a pump mounting the top surface and having an intake and a discharge, a manifold having a plurality of ports, a feed water line provided with a feed water valve provides communication between the water source and the intake, a supply water line having a quick disconnect assembly provides communication between the discharge and the manifold, a plurality of nozzle supply lines provide communication between the plurality of manifold ports and the plurality of spray nozzles, a recirculation line provides communication between the container outlet and the tank, wherein the tank is provided with water and is the water source;
- a pair of hinge assemblies each having a first barrel affixed to a riser clamp assembly and a second barrel affixed to the A-Frame, the first barrel and second barrel align axially and are adapted to receive a pin having a stop on one end, the first barrel further comprises a lock screw adapted to engage the pin and releasably coupling the pin to the first barrel while the pin is free to rotate in the second barrel, the riser clamp further adapted to engage an outer surface of the container, the pin stop further having an elongated handle affixed thereto facilitating rotation of the container about the pair of hinge assembly axes, a tubular handle support has one end hingedly affixed to the A-Frame and the other end adapted to cooperatively support the handle so that the container is supported in an approximately horizontal position when the handle is so supported.
27. An apparatus for producing compost tea comprising:
- a water source comprising a tank provided with water,
- a moveable cart having a top surface, an A-Frame adapted to hingedly support an elongated container having an outlet mounts the top surface, a pump having an intake and a discharge also mounts the surface,
- the container having a bottom cap closing one end and a top cap closing the other end, the container having a cylindrical inner surface defining a vortex chamber provided with compost, a plurality of spray nozzles directing spray in a circumferential direction about the vortex chamber axis mount the inner surface,
- a filter mounted in the container to filter the water flowing from the spray nozzles to the container outlet, wherein the filter is cylindrical and has a closed top end and an open bottom end in communication with the vortex chamber, a filter outer surface spaced inwardly from the container inner surface defining a circumferential gap there-between that is in communication with the container outlet, so that water flowing from the vortex chamber is directed into the open end of the filter and flows through the filter into the circumferential gap which then directs the water toward the container outlet;
- a feed water line providing communication between the tank and the pump intake; a supply water line providing communication between the pump discharge and a manifold having a plurality of ports, a plurality of nozzle supply lines providing communication between the plurality of ports and the plurality of spray nozzles, a recirculation line providing communication between the container outlet and the tank, so that the pump draws water from the tank through the feed water line, pumps the water through the supply water line to the manifold which provides communication to each of the plurality of nozzle supply lines, the nozzle supply lines further providing the water to the spray nozzles which spray the water into the vortex chamber soaking and agitating the compost creating compost tea, the compost tea water flows from the vortex chamber through the filter and toward the outlet, and the recirculation line communicates the water from the outlet back to the tank.
28. The apparatus of claim 27 for producing compost tea wherein the spray nozzles mount on the container inner surface in a helical arrangement.
29. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the container is formed in two separable parts comprising a top section and a bottom section and including a means for releasably joining the top section and the bottom section.
30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the filter closed top end abuts a top wall of the top cap and the open end of the filter has a filter insert affixed thereto, the filter insert adapted to engage in the top section creating a water-tight seal so that the filter insert directs water flowing from the vortex chamber into the open end of the filter.
31. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the container has at least one spray nozzle mounted in the bottom cap and in communication with a nozzle supply line, the spray nozzle directing spray straight along a line parallel with the vortex chamber axis.
32. An apparatus for producing compost tea comprising:
- water source comprising a tank provided with water;
- a moveable cart having a top surface, an A-Frame adapted to hingedly support an elongated container having an outlet mounts the top surface, a pump having an intake and a discharge also mounts the surface;
- the container having a bottom cap closing one end and an open end having a flange affixed thereto, a blind flange releasably coupling to the flange, the container having a cylindrical inner surface defining a vortex chamber provided with compost, a plurality of spray nozzles directing spray in a circumferential direction about the vortex chamber axis mount the inner surface;
- a filter mounted in the container to filter the water flowing from the spray nozzles to the container outlet, wherein the filter is cylindrical and has a closed top end and open end defining a filter outlet in communication with the container outlet, a filter outer surface spaced inwardly from the container inner surface, so that water flowing from the vortex chamber flows through the filter toward the container outlet;
- a feed water line providing communication between the tank and the pump intake; a supply water line providing communication between the pump discharge and a manifold having a plurality of ports, a plurality of nozzle supply lines providing communication between the plurality of ports and the plurality of spray nozzles, a recirculation line providing communication between the container outlet and the tank, so that the pump draws water from the tank through the feed water line, pumps the water through the supply water line to the manifold which provides communication to each of the plurality of nozzle supply lines, the nozzle supply lines further providing the water to the spray nozzles which spray the water into the vortex chamber soaking and agitating the compost creating compost tea water, the compost tea water flows from the vortex chamber through the filter and toward the outlet, and the recirculation line communicates the compost tea water from the outlet back to the tank.
33. The apparatus for producing compost tea of claim 32 wherein the spray nozzles direct their spray in a counter-clockwise circumferential direction about the vortex chamber.
34. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein the blind flange has a top wall adjacent the vortex chamber, a filter cap defines the closed end of the filter, a retainer ring adapted to communicably receive the filter cap mounts on the top wall, so that the retainer ring secures the filter cap in position when the blind flange is coupled to the container flange.
35. The apparatus for producing compost tea of claim 32 wherein the container operates with its axis in a horizontal position and the plurality of spray nozzles further comprise three linear rows of spray nozzle assemblies, a first row positioned at approximately a 6 o'clock position relative to the container axis, a second row positioned at approximately an 8 o'clock position relative to the container axis, and a third row positioned at approximately a 2 o'clock position relative to the container axis, wherein the first and second row of nozzle assemblies direct their spray in a counter-clockwise circumferential direction about the vortex chamber axis, the third row of nozzle assemblies direct spray at a ninety degree angle from their assembly, the nozzles further directing spray in a generally counter-clockwise circumferential direction about the vortex chamber axis and toward the filter, the third row assemblies mounted at an angle of approximately 22 degrees from a tangency of the assembly mounting position to the container inner surface.
36. An apparatus for producing compost tea comprising:
- a water source comprising a tank provided with water;
- a moveable cart having a top surface, an A-Frame adapted to hingedly support an elongated container having an inlet and a plurality of outlets mounts the top surface, a pump having an intake and a discharge also mounts the surface;
- the container having a bottom cap closing one end and a open end having a flange affixed thereto, a blind flange releasably coupling to the flange, the container having a cylindrical inner surface, an elongated manifold having a manifold cap closing one end and an open end defining an inlet opening in communication with the container inlet mounts inside the container, a plurality of spray nozzles mount on the manifold directing spray in a circumferential direction;
- a filter mounted in the container to filter the water flowing from the spray nozzles to the plurality of outlets, wherein the filter is cylindrical and has a closed end and an open end and an inner surface defining a vortex chamber provided with compost, a filter outer surface spaced inwardly from the container inner surface defining a circumferential gap there-between that is in communication with the plurality of outlets, a loop line provides communication between the plurality of outlets and a recirculation line, so that the water flowing in vortex chamber flows through the filter into the circumferential gap which then directs the water toward the plurality of outlets;
- a feed water line providing communication between the tank and the pump intake; a supply water line providing communication between the pump discharge and the manifold which communicates water to the plurality of spray nozzles mounted thereon, the recirculation line providing communication between the loop line and the tank, so that the pump draws water from the tank through the feed water line, pumps the water through the supply water line to the manifold which communicates the water to each of the plurality of spray nozzles which spray the water into the vortex chamber soaking and agitating the compost creating compost tea water, the compost tea water flows from the vortex chamber through the filter and toward the plurality of outlets, and the loop line communicates the compost tea water from the plurality of outlets to the recirculation line which in turn communicates the compost tea water back to the tank.
37. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the filter comprises an elongated hollow cylindrical filter body having one end affixed to a bottom wall of the bottom cap and the other end open having a filter insert affixed thereto, the container flanged end adapted to engage the filter insert creating a water-tight seal, the filter body further having an outer surface spaced inwardly from the container inner surface defining the circumferential gap, the filter body further adapted to communicably receive an elongated cylindrical perforated screen having an inner surface defining the vortex chamber, a series of windows provided in the filter body and covered by the screen providing communication between the vortex chamber and the circumferential gap.
38. A method of producing compost tea comprising the steps of:
- providing a tank provided with water,
- providing a container having a vortex chamber, a plurality of spray nozzles mounted in the container and directing spray inside the vortex chamber, and an outlet,
- providing compost in the vortex chamber,
- providing a filter between the vortex chamber and the outlet,
- providing pump means having an intake and a discharge,
- providing a first communication means between the tank and the intake, a second communication means between the discharge and the plurality of spray nozzles, and a third communication means between the outlet and the tank,
- providing power means to the pump means to pump water from the tank to intake, from the intake to the container by the second communication means, into the container by the plurality of spray nozzles, so that water entering the vortex chamber through the plurality of spray nozzles soaks and agitates the compost filling the vortex chamber and entraining nutrients and micro-organisms from the compost into the water forming compost tea water, thence the compost tea water flows under pressure provided by the pump through the filter to the outlet and through the third communication line back to the tank,
- removing power means from the pump when the desired compost tea composition is obtained,
- disconnecting the first communication line and third communication line from the tank, and
- removing remaining compost from the vortex chamber.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 1, 2006
Publication Date: Aug 2, 2007
Inventor: Nathan Winslow (Scotland Neck, NC)
Application Number: 11/307,343
International Classification: C05F 11/08 (20060101);