# US 2013/0157346 A1 · Computer controlled in-vessel composting process and apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0157346 A1 - Document ID: US20130157346A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/716,252 - Filed: 2012-12-17 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-16 - Inventors: Paul E. Kerouac - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130157346A1 ## CPC - C05F 17/929: Cylinders or drums - C05F 17/70: Controlling the treatment in response to process parameters - C05F 17/971: for feeding or discharging materials to be treated; for feeding or discharging other material - Y02P 20/145: the feedstock being materials of biological origin - Y02W 30/40: Bio-organic fraction processing; Production of fertilisers from the organic fraction of waste or refuse - C05F: ORGANIC FERTILISERS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C05B, C05C, e.g. FERTILISERS FROM WASTE OR REFUSE - Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS - Y02W: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The in-vessel composting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an insulated shipping container to enclose said horizontal drum. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The in-vessel composting apparatus of claim 1, wherein said moisture control unit comprises a plurality of rollers through which said food waste passes, said rollers compressing said excess moisture from said food waste. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The in-vessel composting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a mechanism to reintroduce a portion of said excess moisture from said holding tank into said final chamber to maintain moisture content of final product at a desirable level. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The in-vessel composting apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a compost container to receive said final product from said final chamber. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The in-vessel composting apparatus of claim 5, wherein said insulated shipping container further comprises an automatic door to provide access to said compost container. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The in-vessel composting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of sensors to monitor conditions throughout said composting apparatus; a computer to control rotation of said horizontal drum based on said monitored conditions and to provide status to an operator. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The in-vessel composting apparatus of claim 7, wherein said sensors comprise at least one of: a moisture sensor; a pH sensor; a temperature sensor; an oxygen sensor; a carbon dioxide sensor; a nitrogen sensor; a system capacity sensor; a jamming sensor; and a maintenance sensor. ### Claim 9 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. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A continuous process for in-vessel composting according to claim 9, further comprising the steps of: permitting low pressure outgassing from said drum; measuring temperature in said second chamber; incrementally rotating said drum about its axis; and periodically exchanging air in said drum for outside air. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A continuous process for in-vessel composting according to claim 10, further comprising the conducting of said process within an insulated shipping container. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A continuous process for in-vessel composting according to claim 11, further comprising the step of using a computer controller for integrating and automating the several said steps. ### Claim 13 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. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) An in-vessel composting apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising an operator station and a controller, said controller communicating with at least: said means for shredding and inserting, said means for incrementally rotating said drum, said means for measuring temperature, said means for exchanging air, and said operator station. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) An in-vessel composting apparatus according to claim 14, said means for shredding and inserting comprising an input hopper connecting to a multi-toothed rotary shredding mechanism connecting to an auger and chute assembly connecting to said axial input port of said input end of said drum. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) An in-vessel composting apparatus according to claim 15, said axial ports being of sequentially larger diameter from said input port to said discharge port. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) An in-vessel composting apparatus according to claim 16, said chambers further comprising interior structure for tumbling contents during rotation, said structure oriented parallel to said axis of said drum. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) An in-vessel composting apparatus according to claim 17, said means for incrementally rotating said drum comprising a base frame with drum supports and drum support rollers upon which said drum rests, and a motorized drum drive system comprising a motor and gearbox attached to said base frame and coupled to said drum by at least one endless belt. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) An in-vessel composting apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising an insulated shipping container to enclose said apparatus. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) An in-vessel composting apparatus according to claim 19, said means for exchanging air in said drum for outside air comprising an exhaust fan and duct, said duct connecting to said drum in the vicinity of said input end.