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US 2016/0102026 A1Published application
Composting system and method
OwnerJohn Hullsinventor
Life of this patent
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OwnerJohn Hullsinventor
Estimating the term…
This disclosure provides a composting system and method. The system comprises: (a) a container configured to contain a composition and comprising (i) insulated walls, (ii) an air intake and (iii) a vent; and (b) a composition contained in the container. The composition comprises aerobic microorganisms, a carbon source and a nutrient source sufficient to support growth of the aerobic microorganisms. The container is sufficiently insulated so that heat generated by aerobic respiration is sufficiently retained in the container to maintain a heat gradient in the container. The container is dimensioned to generate a stack effect that moves air into the air intake, through the composition and out the vent. The moving air provides oxygen to support growth of aerobic microorganisms, making the stack effect self-sustaining as long as a carbon source and nutrients last. The insulation can maintain temperatures in the composting cell sufficient to kill pathogenic microorganisms.
A device comprising:
-11. (canceled)
-17. (canceled)
A method comprising:
The method of claim 17 comprising growing the aerobic microorganisms in the composition to produce a population of predominantly thermophilic bacteria.
(canceled)
The method of claim 17 wherein the heat generated through aerobic respiration heats the composition to between 45° C. and 125° C.
(canceled)
The method of claim 17 wherein aerobic respiration generates heat, and wherein the heat produces a self-sustaining stack effect for at least 7 days.
The method of claim 17 wherein aerobic respiration generates heat, and wherein the heat produces a self-sustaining stack effect for at least 30 days.
The method of claim 17 wherein aerobic respiration generates heat in the container at a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient time to kill pathogenic microorganisms in the composition.
The method of claim 17 comprising growing the aerobic microorganisms for a time sufficient to kill substantially all pathogenic microorganisms in the composition.
The method of claim 17 wherein nutrient source comprises excrement.
-29. (canceled)
-34. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.