Fermentation apparatus

A vertically oriented, multistage, multipurpose fermentation apparatus comprising:

• at least one fermentation tank including a housing of a substantially cylindrical configuration;
• a support means extending radially outwardly from a center of said fermentation tank and being rotatable about said center of said fermentation tank;
• a plurality of agitation means removably connected to and supported by said support means, each of said agitation means including a plurality of spaced apart agitation blades each of which is rotatable about a central axis of said agitation means extending vertically relative to the bottom surface of said fermentation tank, each of said agitation blades extending from one of said plurality of agitation means in a direction which is horizontal relative to the bottom surface of said fermentation tank such that each of said agitation blades is rotatable only in a plane which is horizontal relative to the bottom surface of said fermentation tank;
• a gas intake means disposed above said bottom surface of said fermentation tank and below said agitation means, said gas intake means supplying gas to said fermentation tank;
• a transfer opening means disposed in said bottom surface of said fermentation tank and arranged to be opened and closed;
• at least one filter means disposed in a top surface of the fermentation tank, said filter means filtering gas being exhausted from the fermentation apparatus;
• and
• a maturation tank disposed below said fermentation tank and being in communication with said fermentation tank through said transfer opening means.