Computer controlled in-vessel composting process and apparatus
OwnerPaul E. Kerouacinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An in-vessel composting apparatus and process for continuous processing of food waste into an end product comprising a bulk organic compost material. The apparatus comprising a shredder/particle sizer feeding a horizontal drum having at least three chambers with connecting ports of sequentially increasing diameter, and through to a bulk collection container. The apparatus is further equipped with motorized drum rotation and provision for compressing and draining excess fluid from the incoming feed stock and then reintroducing it in the third chamber as needed to maintain suitable moisture level.
Claims20
An in-vessel composting apparatus for continuous processing of food waste into bulk composting material, comprising:
- a first, second and final cylindrical chamber attached one to the next along the cylindrical axis to form a rotatable horizontal drum, wherein each of said chambers has an axial input port and an axial output port on opposing faces of the cylinder and which align from one said chamber to the next;
- a conveyor belt to feed said food waste into a moisture control unit, wherein said moisture control unit compresses excess moisture from said food waste for storage in a holding tank;
- an input chute to receive said food waste from said conveyor belt after passing through said moisture control unit;
- a shredder to reduce said food waste passed through said input chute into smaller particles having diameters in the range of 3/32 inch to 3/16 inch;
- an auger to convey said food waste from said shredder into said horizontal drum;
- a sensor to detect a jam condition in said input chute;
- a ram to clear said jam condition from said input chute in response to said detected jam condition;
- and
- a motor to rotate said horizontal drum.
A continuous process for in-vessel composting of food waste into bulk composting material, comprising the steps of:
- compressing excess moisture from said food waste;
- storing said excess moisture;
- shredding said food waste into particles having a diameter in the approximate range of 3/32 to 3/16 inches;
- inserting said food waste into a first chamber of a rotatable drum comprising at least three chambers serially connected by axial ports and having means for gradual advancement of said food waste through said chambers while composting, such that a bulk composting material is deposited in the final chamber of said three chambers;
- and
- introducing a portion of said stored excess moisture into the final chamber of said chambers.
An in-vessel composting apparatus for continuous processing of food waste into bulk composting material, comprising:
- a rotatable horizontal drum with an input end having an axial input port and an output end having an axial discharge port, said drum divided in length by interior partitions into at least first, second and final chambers, each said partition having an axial port by which adjacent said chambers are connected;
- means for conveying said food waste into the apparatus;
- means for compressing excess moisture from said food waste;
- means for storing some portion of said excess moisture;
- means for shredding and inserting said food waste into said first chamber;
- means for sensing a jam condition at input to shredder;
- means for clearing said jam condition;
- means for passing remaining said food waste in incremental amounts from said first chamber to said second chamber and from said second chamber as bulk composting material into said final chamber;
- means for permitting low pressure outgassing from said drum;
- means for measuring temperature in said second chamber;
- means for incrementally rotating said drum about its axis;
- means for exchanging air in said drum for outside air;
- and
- means for reintroducing said stored excess moisture into said final chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.