High efficiency vermiculture process and apparatus
OwnerHarry N. Windleinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and process for the efficient vermicomposting of organic containing wastes. A continuous thin layer of biomass is formed in which worms are established and encouraged to compost and migrate. The thinness of the biomass layer increases uniformity and allows for a higher rate of worm activity. By moving the biomass upon a conveying surface a continuous open system is created. New matter is introduced, digested and withdrawn while maintaining the active worms within a portion of the biomass. Spatial efficiency is provided by creating multiple beds in a stacked configuration.
Claims20
A high efficiency vermiculture apparatus which reduces stratification of worms in the biomass being composted and increases worm density and efficacy, the apparatus comprising:
- a thin layer biomass, said thin layer biomass having a thickness in the range of about 2 to 8 inches;
- a worm mass within said thin layer biomass;
- an input end and an output end;
- a conveyor means for conveying the thin layer biomass from the input end to the output end:
- such that the thin layer biomass may be digested by the worm mass as the thin layer biomass is conveyed from the input end to the output end.
A high efficiency vermiculture apparatus which reduces stratification of worms in the biomass being composted and increases worm density and efficacy, the apparatus comprising:
- a thin layer biomass, said thin layer biomass being capable of sustaining an infiltrated worm mass;
- an input end and an output end;
- a conveyor means for conveying the thin layer biomass from the input end to the output end said conveyor means comprising:
- a movable first bed surface;
- and
- a plurality of elevated bed surfaces;
- and
- a control means for controlling the movement of said first bed surface;
- said control means being functionally connected to said first bed surface and to each of said elevated bed surfaces;
- a support structure;
- each of said elevated bed surfaces being supported by said support structure a predetermined vertical distance above said first bed surface;
- forming a stacked configuration;
- such that said thin layer biomass remains on the bed surfaces for sufficient time for the thin layer biomass to be appreciably digested before reaching the output end.
A high efficiency vermiculture apparatus which reduces stratification of worms in the biomass being composted and increases worm density and efficacy, the apparatus comprising:
- a. a plurality of conveyors, each of said conveyors comprising:
- 1. a movable continuous loop belt, said belt being formed of a woven fabric, and each belt having a bed surface;
- 2. a pair of separated rollers, said belt being supported around said rollers;
- 3. a bed pan;
- said bed pan being formed of a woven fabric and being fixedly disposed beneath said belt;
- and
- b. a support structure, said support structure being formed of wood members, each of said conveyors being supported in an inclined orientation by said structure in a vertically stacked configuration;
- c. a drive motor connected to at least one of each pair of said rollers;
- and
- d. a control device functionally connected to said drive mechanism;
- e. a thin layer biomass formed on at least one of the bed surfaces;
- said thin layer biomass being capable of sustaining an infiltrated worm mass.
A high efficiency vermiculture process in which a worm mass is moved through a biomass layer such as to digest the biomass in complete and thorough manner to form a more uniform compost, the process comprising the steps of:
- establishing a worm mass within a biomass;
- introducing undigested biomass in a distributed, substantially continuous manner, creating a substantially continuous thin layer in communication with the worm mass;
- retaining said thin layer in a substantially continuous manner such that the undigested biomass may be infiltrated by the worm mass and is thereby appreciably digested;
- moving the thin layer to allow the effectively continuous introduction of new undigested biomass;
- and
- withdrawing the digested biomass such as to create an exposed biomass surface while retaining the worm mass in communication with the undigested biomass;
- such that a continuous open process is provided whereby a continuous flow of undigested biomass may be infiltrated and digested by worm mass moving through the stream.
A high efficiency vermiculture process in which a worm mass is moved through a biomass layer such as to digest the biomass in complete and thorough manner to form a more uniform compost, the process comprising the steps of:
- a. forming a thin layer biomass;
- b. establishing a worm mass in a portion of the biomass;
- c. allowing the worm mass to migrate into an undigested portion of the biomass;
- d. moving the biomass at an average linear speed effectively equal to, and opposite in direction to, the worm mass migration through the biomass;
- and
- e. withdrawing the digested biomass, such that the worm mass is retained in substantially one location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.