Abstract: A method of separating from ruminant animal feces the undigested fibrous material that is preponderantly short pieces which consist of bundles of capillary tubes. The feces are mixed with urine, water from animal washing and preparation for milking, and with other water if needed, to form a homogeneous slurry which is run through tandem perforate drum and roller squeezers that heavily compress the short pieces to express liquid from them while continuously draining off a filtrate of liquid and fine solids which is ultimately put into a pond for use as liquid fertilizer. This leaves a filter mass which is preponderantly the short pieces. The filter mass is mixed with clean water to form a suspension which is run through tandem perforate cylinder roller pressers that compress the short pieces under several times heavier pressure to produce a cleansed filter mass and a filtrate which is combined with the original slurry.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method of producing an organic soil additive from shreaded water hyacinths and a mixture of secondary sewage combined in spaced apart heaps for aeriation and composting with subsequent steam treatment to produce a product having high moisture retention characteristics for use as a soil additive, conditioner, amendment, fertilizer ingredient and/or agent or potting soil.

Abstract: Sludge from a municipal or industrial sewage treatment facility is mixed with a mineral acid or anhydride thereof to release the entrapped water in the sludge. The remaining mixture of sludge solids and diluted acid or anhydride is then mixed with a basic material, such as ammonia, the heat generated by reaction of the base and acid evaporates the water to form either a completely dry mixture of sludge solids and a salt, or a mixture having a predetermined moisture content which may be air dried. In some applications it is preferable to recycle a portion of the end product by adding it to the reaction vessel.

Abstract: A process for dewatering sewage sludge having a water content on the order of 75% to 95% and previously untreated for the release of such water. The sludge is mixed with a chemical selected from the group consisting of urea and the common ammonium and potassium salts in relative quantities which produce a desired degree of phase separation. The hygroscopic qualities of the chemical operate to remove water from the sludge to form a separate liquid phase of the chemical dissolved in water removed from the sludge, and a solid or semi-solid phase of the sludge solids with any remaining water. The phases may then easily be separated with great simplification of subsequent handling, disposal or further processing of each.

Abstract: A method for reclaiming variegated wastes such as garbage, sewage, and saline dredging spoils includes the primary step of desalinization of the dredging spoils by draining off the salty water. The garbage is cleaned of non-organic material, and the remaining material is shredded and reduced to a slurry. The slurry is mixed with raw or primarily treated sewage and the treated spoils, and pumped through a pipe-line to a treatment and reclamation area. In transit, the clay particles within the dredging spoils adsorb suspended solids and dissolved organic and inorganic contaminants, aided by the agitation of the transit. At the treatment area, the solids are removed by settling, and composted to form rich agricultural soil. The water is treated with biological and/or chemical means until suitable for desired use or may be used directly for irrigation purposes or the like.

Abstract: The treatment of solid waste and sewage sludge with the recovery of natural resources comprising subjecting all or at least a portion of the sewage sludge to wet oxidation reaction to reduce the COD by an amount of at least 50% and preferably 50-85% and using the excess heat from the wet oxidation reaction to dry the solid waste and subjecting the combined solids from the wet oxidation reaction and the solid waste to pyrolysis under non-oxidizing conditions whereby the products from the pyrolysis reaction are readily separable into valuable constituents which are easily recovered.

Abstract: A completely integrated and automated apparatus by which liquid sewage sludge from any sewage or waste treatment plant may be processed into a completely dry, pelletized and sterilized product of an organic nature containing nutrients valuable for the support of plant life. The apparatus involves one completely integrated and automated unit together with a control center by means of which electric circuits program each component of the apparatus to automatically regulate the operation of each component, so that no labor or other manpower is required in the operation, except for observation, lubrication, maintenance and repair of the various motors and machineries involved.

Abstract: A process for treating wastes containing organic solids by composting wherein previously composted and/or otherwise partially dried organic material of the same or similar type is periodically mixed with additional wet material so as to obtain a mixture having an optimum moisture content such that natural aerobic decomposition takes place on a sustained basis.

Abstract: In reclaiming nutrients from manure, steps are taken to remove both insoluble and soluble ash components, thereby preventing their buildup to possibly dangerous levels when the reclaimed nutrients are used as recycled feed. After initial milling of the manure to a predetermined size, it is mixed with water or reflux brine to form a slurry. The manure-water slurry is released onto an inclined belt having a riffled surface moving in an upward direction while the slurry stream moves along a gravity path opposite the belt movement. The belt discharges ash at its upward side along with a small amount of fibers, feed mix, kernels, grains, and other organic matter. In this manner a major part of the undesirable inorganic, insoluble ash and a small amount of nutrient materials are removed from the manure. Alternatively, a centrifugal bowl classifier, an oscillating or pulsating jig screen, or preferably a shaking or concentrating table with riffles may be used.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a process of treating sludge filter cake and the granular product thereof which comprises reducing the particle size and moisture content of the sludge cake, sterilizing the sludge cake by contacting the sludge cake with an N-methylol-urea solution, reacting the N-methylol-urea solution with the sludge cake at a pH of 3 to 5 while agitating the sludge particles to provide a granular-reaction product, and drying the product to provide a granular, high-nitrogen, odorless fertilizer or animal feed supplement product.