Method and apparatus for processing animal waste

Abstract

This invention relates to an improved apparatus for both processing and removing animal waste products from a pit continually supplied therewith which comprises a ramp-like lid partially covering the pit and cooperating with the contents thereof to seal the latter from the atmosphere except where the waste products enter, a spray at the head of the ramp for flushing the waste materials down and off the lower end thereof into the pit, a heater buried in the material within the pit effective to maintain the temperature thereof at a level conducive to facilitate anaerobic digestion of the bio-degradable portion thereof, means for piping off the bio-gas generated underneath the lid and using a portion thereof to fire the heater, and means for draining the pit remote from the point where the fresh waste enters same, such means being adapted to maintain a near constant level of material within the pit effective to preserve the seal and discharge material therefrom without admitting air thereto. The invention also encompasses the improved method for emptying such pits which includes partially covering them with a ramp which cooperates with the material housed therein to seal off the latter from the atmosphere except where it enters, flushing the waste material deposited on the ramp off the lower end thereof into the pit, heating the contents of the pit to a temperature selected to promote anaerobic digestion of the bio-degradable portion thereof, seeding the pit with bacterial capable of breaking the bio-degradable portion down and generate a bio-gas therefrom at the selected temperature, using at least a part of the energy contained in the bio-gas thus produced to heat the digesting mass, and using the fresh waste material entering the pit to push the digested material therefrom.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.