Compost tea system
AssigneeGrowing Solutions, Inc.
InventorsMichael Alms, Jeffrey Hilty, Gregory Van Hoesen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A compost tea system uses a water-holding tank for containing process water. Compost is immersed into the water in the tank in baskets defining a filter media. Air is pumped into membrane disk diffuser modules in the tank and the liquid is sparged with fine bubbles to thoroughly agitate the liquid, extract nutrients and microorganisms from the compost, and to ensure a high concentration of dissolved oxygen in the liquid. The high level of oxygen selects for desired aerobic organisms to produce a rich compost tea. The finished tea is drained out of the tank and the tank and its components are easily cleaned and sanitized.
Claims25
Compost tea system, comprising:
- a tank defining a tank interior for holding a quantity of liquid therein and having an outlet for draining said liquid from said tank;
- a lid for covering said tank and having an opening formed therethrough;
- a perforate compost basket extending through said opening in said lid and into said tank interior;
- at least one bubble generator located in said tank interior and fluidly connected to a source of air.
A compost tea producing apparatus comprising:
- a tank;
- a perforate compost basket extending into the interior of said tank;
- means for generating air bubbles in said tank.
A compost tea system comprising:
- a tank for holding a quantity of fluid;
- a filter basket in said fluid;
- a bubble generator;
- a supply of air fluidly connected to said bubble generator.
A method for producing compost tea, comprising the steps of:
- (a) filling a tank with a quantity of liquid;
- (b) providing a source of compost;
- (c) introducing said compost into a perforate container configured for allowing liquid to flow through said perforations but for retaining particulate matter in said compost within said container;
- (d) immersing said perforate container in said liquid;
- (e) bubbling air through said liquid by generating bubbles in said tank to thereby circulate said fluid in said tank and through said perforate container to maintain a desired dissolved oxygen concentration in said fluid and to extract microorganisms and nutrients from said compost into said liquid;
- (f) maintaining said bubbling for a period of time sufficient to allow said microorganisms to reproduce.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.