Two-tank wiered reservoir and method of use
AssigneeDaritech, Inc.
InventorDavid DeWaard
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for collecting agricultural manure in a confined animal feeding operation includes a separator which receives heavy manure removing particulate from suspension to produce light manure. Heavy manure is collected to a volume of heavy manure sufficient to substantially fill the first tank. Within the first tank, particulate migrates, due to the influence of gravity to form a layer containing manure comprising a lesser density of particulate than is present in the volume of heavy manure. Additional heavy manure buoys the layer such that the upper surface exceeds a height of a weir. The weir is situated in a channel communicating between the first tank and a second tank configured to receive light manure from the separator.
Claims20
A method for collecting agricultural manure in a confined animal feeding operation, the feeding operation having a separator which receives heavy manure removing particulate from suspension to produce light manure, comprising:
- collecting in a first tank a volume of heavy manure sufficient to substantially fill the first tank;
- allowing particulate to migrate due to the influence of gravity from proximity to an upper surface of the volume of heavy manure thereby to form a layer containing manure comprising a lesser density of particulate than is present in the volume of heavy manure;
- receiving an additional volume of heavy manure so as to buoy the layer containing manure such that the upper surface exceeds a height of a weir, the weir being situated between a channel and a wall of which the first tank defines, the channel communicating between the first tank and a second tank;
- and
- receiving in the second tank, a volume of the manure comprising the lesser density of particulate.
An apparatus for buffering a flow of heavy manure to a separator and receiving a flow of light manure the separator produces, the apparatus comprising:
- a first tank for receiving the flow of heavy manure to retain a volume of heavy manure;
- a second tank for receiving the flow of light manure to retain a volume of light manure;
- a channel defined by each of a wall the first tank comprises and a wall the second tank comprises;
- and
- a weir situated within the channel to regulate flow along the channel between the first tank and the second tank.
A confined animal feeding operation comprising:
- a floor surface defining floor channels for receiving urine and feces from animals;
- nozzles situated to introduce a flow of light manure to the floor surface to flush urine and feces from the floor surface, entraining the urine and feces in light manure to produce heavy manure;
- a first tank for reception of heavy manure from the floor channels and collection of the heavy manure therein;
- a second tank for storage of the light manure, the second tank including a pump to feed the nozzles with the flow of light manure;
- a communicating channel extending from the first tank to the second tank and defining a weir having a weir height;
- and
- a separator to draw manure for separation from the first tank and in operation removing particulate from the heavy manure to produce light manure conducted to the second tank.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.