# US 10,767,148 B2 · Organic matter digesting apparatus

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- Number: US 10,767,148 B2
- Document ID: US10767148B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/415,897
- Filed: 2019-05-17
- Published: 2019-09-05
- Granted: 2020-09-08
- Earliest claimed: 2015-10-23
- Applicants: Daniel Bruce; Margaret Ruhl
- Inventors: Daniel Bruce; Margaret Ruhl
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10767148B2

## CPC

- C12M 21/04: {for producing gas, e.g. biogas (digesters for manure with production of biogas A01C3/028, biological treatment of water, waste water or sewage C02F3/00, C02F11/02, preparation of natural gas or syngas C10L3/06, C10L3/10)}
- C02F 3/286: {including two or more steps}
- C02F 11/04: Anaerobic treatment; Production of methane by such processes
- C12M 23/36: {Means for collection or storage of gas; Gas holders}
- C12M 23/40: {Manifolds; Distribution pieces (fluid transfer means B01L3/563)}
- C12M 47/10: {Separation or concentration of fermentation products (bioreactors combined with means for distillation or extraction of liquid fuel C12M43/02)}
- C12P 3/00: Preparation of elements or inorganic compounds except carbon dioxide {(recovery of carbon dioxides as by-products C12F3/02)}
- C12P 5/023: {Methane}
- C02F 2203/006: details of construction, e.g. specially adapted seals, modules, connections
- Y02E 50/30: Fuel from waste, e.g. synthetic alcohol or diesel
- C12M: APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; {APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS}
- C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes)
- C12P: FERMENTATION OR ENZYME-USING PROCESSES TO SYNTHESISE A DESIRED CHEMICAL COMPOUND OR COMPOSITION OR TO SEPARATE OPTICAL ISOMERS FROM A RACEMIC MIXTURE {(brewing of beer C12C; producing vinegar C12J; producing specific peptides or proteins C07K; producing enzymes C12N9/00; DNA or RNA concerning genetic engineering, vectors, e.g. plasmids, or their isolation, preparation or purification C12N15/00; measuring or testing processes involving enzymes or microorganisms C12Q; measuring or testing processes involving nucleic acid amplification reactions C12Q1/6844; fermentation processes to form a food composition, A21 or A23; compounds in general, see the relevant compound class, e.g. C01, C07)}
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

Organic matter digesting apparatus and methods are provided that can include a digestion tank operatively coupled to a vertically aligned gas collection tower and methods that can include providing a biodigesting apparatus; inputting organic matter into the biodigesting apparatus; initiating the biodigesting apparatus; and outputting water, methane gas, and solid carbon-based material.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An organic matter digesting apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
a digestion tank defining sidewalls extending between an upper and lower end, the digestion tank in fluid communication with a gas collection tower, the gas collection tower extending vertically and directly from an upper portion of the digestion tank, and the digestion tank being aligned at an angle other than normal from the bottom of the gas collection tower, the digestion tank being configured to receive organic matter for digestion that includes processing of solid carbon-based material via gravity along a lower portion of the digestion tank and the gas collection tower configured to output methane gas;
a manifold of a plurality of conduits extending to within the digestion tank, each conduit of the plurality of conduits linearly spaced apart from each other along a sidewall of the digestion tank, the manifold configured to output water from the digestion tank; and
an auger coupled to the lower end of the digestion tank configured to output the solid carbon-based material.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an air slurry separator aligned with the gas collection tower and operatively coupled with a float gauge, the float gauge being operatively engaged with the digestion tank.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of conduits extends into and merges with a single conduit.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of conduits defines an end defining an opening within the digestion tank.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein each opening is directed downward in relation to the vertical alignment of the gas collection tower.