Process, Apparatus and System for Treatment of Animal Effluent

The process wherein the animal effluent is mixed with the cellulosic material in a weight ratio (% w/w) of 40:60 to 60:40 animal effluent:cellulosic material.

The process, wherein the moisture content of the mixture is in a range of about 40 to 70% w/w.

The process according to any one of claims wherein subjecting the animal effluent to conditions under which at least partial aerobic digestion of the animal effluent is effected comprises storing the mixture of animal effluent and cellulosic material in the presence of oxygen or an oxygen rich atmosphere for a period of between 1 week and two months.

The process according to any one of claims, wherein the mixture attains a temperature in a range of about 60° C. to about 85° C. under said conditions.

The process according to any one of claims, wherein the process comprises treating the cellulosic material with a surfactant.

The process, wherein the cellulosic material is mixed with the surfactant in an amount of 0.5 to 5 litres surfactant per tonne of cellulosic material.

The process, wherein the mixture of cellulosic material and surfactant is formed prior to mixing the cellulosic material with the animal effluent.

The process, wherein the cellulosic material and surfactant mixture is subjected to aerobic conditions for a period of at least one month prior to mixing the treated cellulosic material with the animal effluent.

The process wherein the surfactant is mixed with the cellulosic material at or around the same time as it is mixed with the animal effluent.

The process wherein the semi-composted manure and carbon is then held under anaerobic conditions to prevent further aerobic breakdown of the sugars and sacharides to form CO2 and dissipation of ammonia.

The process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of dispersing the solid digestate in an aqueous medium comprises mixing the solid digestate with water or an aqueous solution in a weight/volume ratio in a range of 1 kg of solid digestate to about 2.5 to 50 litres water or aqueous solution.

The process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aqueous dispersion of the solid digestate further comprises one or more additives selected from a group comprising surfactants, aerobic microbial innoculants or precursors thereof, soluble silica and/or germanium, a nitrogen source, and a microbial energy source.

The process, wherein the additives are soluble silica and/or germanium.

The process, wherein the one or more additives is added at or around the same time as dispersing the solid digestate in the aqueous medium.

The process, wherein the one or more additives is added to the aqueous dispersion.

The process, wherein the one or more additives is added to the solid digestate before it is mixed with water or the aqueous solution.

The process, wherein the aqueous solution contains the one or more additives prior to mixing with the solid digestate.

The process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of aerating the aqueous dispersion comprises passing an aerating medium at a positive pressure through the aqueous dispersion at a rate in the range of 0.5 m3 to 5.0 m3 aerating medium per 100 L water per hour.

The process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of aerating the aqueous dispersion is performed for a period of up to 4 days.

An apparatus for treating animal effluent comprising a vessel for containing an aqueous dispersion of a solid digestate, wherein the solid digestate is produced by at least partially aerobically digesting the animal effluent, the vessel having a plurality of inlets for receiving an aerating medium, and a discharge outlet for discharging the aerated aqueous dispersion.

The apparatus, wherein the discharge outlet is in fluid communication with a separator, whereby the separator is arranged, in use, to separate solids from liquids in the aerated aqueous dispersion.