# US 8,772,019 B2 · In-situ system for aerobic heat treatment of biodegradable organic waste > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,772,019 B2 - Document ID: US8772019B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/744,053 - Filed: 2008-06-27 - Published: 2010-09-30 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2007-11-20 - Assignees: Instituto Tecnologico Y De Estudios Superiores De Monterrey - Applicants: Miguel Angel Lopez Zavala - Inventors: Miguel Angel Lopez Zavala - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8772019B2 ## CPC - B09B 3/60: Biochemical treatment, e.g. by using enzymes - B09B 3/40: involving thermal treatment, e.g. evaporation (processes using mineral binders involving a melting or softening step B09B3/29; involving radiation B09B3/50) - C05F 17/60: Heating or cooling during the treatment - C05F 17/90: Apparatus therefor - C05F 17/979: the other material being gaseous - C05F 17/986: the other material being liquid - C12M 27/06: {with horizontal or inclined stirrer shaft or axis} - C12M 41/24: {inside the vessel} - C12M 43/00: {Combinations of bioreactors or fermenters with other apparatus} - F24S 90/00: Solar heat systems not otherwise provided for - F24V 99/00: Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass - Y02E 10/40: Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers - Y02P 20/145: the feedstock being materials of biological origin - Y02W 10/37: using solar energy - Y02W 30/20: Waste processing or separation - Y02W 30/40: Bio-organic fraction processing; Production of fertilisers from the organic fraction of waste or refuse - B09B: DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - C05F: ORGANIC FERTILISERS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C05B, C05C, e.g. FERTILISERS FROM WASTE OR REFUSE - C12M: APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; {APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS} - F24S: SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS (for producing mechanical power from solar energy F03G6/00) - F24V: COLLECTION, PRODUCTION OR USE OF HEAT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION - Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS - Y02W: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT ## Abstract The proposed invention is an in-situ system for aerobic heat treatment of biodegradable organic waste, comprising a bioreactor made up of a dish-shaped decomposition chamber. The decomposition chamber has a lid at the top through which an air extraction device is connected. The air extraction device enables fresh air to enter the decomposition chamber and a preparation for a device supplies the biodegradable organic waste. The decomposition chamber is also connected to a system of pipes which convey a hot fluid from the supply tank into a plurality of minitubes located longitudinally on the inner perimeter of the decomposition chamber, and into a shaft that forms part of the mixing mechanism. A centrifugal pump conveys the same fluid, which is now “cold”, from inside the minitubes and shaft to a solar collector, to heat it, before delivering it to a storage tank for subsequent recirculation. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An in-situ system for aerobic processing of biodegradable organic waste comprising: a. a bioreactor connected to an input device, a heating device and a transmission powered by a motor mechanism, wherein said bioreactor comprises a decomposition chamber formed by a parabolic shaped plate and a pair of parallel plates joined to side ends of the parabolic shaped plate, thereby closing off the decomposition chamber around its sides; b. a first lid connected to an upper part of said decomposition chamber; c. an air extraction device, wherein the air extraction device is connected to a first hole and a second hole in the first lid and the input device is connected to a third hole located in a center of the first lid; d. the extraction device located within the decomposition chamber; e. a mixing mechanism consisting of a hollow shaft, wherein said hollow shaft is placed lengthwise in the decomposition chamber and is supported by a lateral wall of the decomposition chamber, the hollow shaft being connected at one end to the transmission; f. a heat transfer mechanism located inside the decomposition chamber, wherein said heat transfer mechanism comprises the hollow shaft of the mixing mechanism; and g. a plurality of mini-tubes having lengths which are smaller than the decomposition chamber, wherein said mini-tubes are placed lengthwise and in direct contact with each other thereby adopting to a form of the decomposition chamber, further wherein said mini-tubes are embedded in a layer of insulating material attached to an inside surface of the parabolic shaped plate, such that 50% of an exterior surface of the mini-tubes is exposed to direct contact with contents of the decomposition chamber and the other 50% is embedded in the layer of the insulating material, the mini-tubes are soldered at about a 90 degree angle at one end to a curved hot fluid guide tube and at the other end to a curved cold fluid collector tube, the curved hot fluid guide tube and the curved cold fluid collector tube are embedded in the decomposition chamber and are threaded to connect to a hot fluid guide tube and a cold fluid collector tube respectively. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The in-situ system for aerobic processing of biodegradable organic waste of claim 1, wherein the side ends of the parabolic shaped plate protrude from the bottom of the parabolic shaped plate by at least 5 cm. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The in-situ system for aerobic processing of biodegradable organic waste of claim 1, wherein the first and second holes in the first lid have a same diameter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The in-situ system for aerobic processing of biodegradable organic waste of claim 1, wherein the first and second holes in the first lid have diameters of about 10 cm. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The in-situ system for aerobic processing of biodegradable organic waste of claim 1, wherein the third hole has a diameter of about 20 cm. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The in-situ system for aerobic processing of biodegradable organic waste of claim 1, wherein the third hole has a diameter greater than 10 cm and less than 20 cm. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The in-situ system for aerobic processing of biodegradable organic waste of claim 1, wherein the decomposition chamber is made of fiberglass. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The in-situ system for aerobic processing of biodegradable organic waste of claim 1, wherein the decomposition chamber is made of a polymer, which is resistant to high temperatures. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The in-situ system for aerobic processing of biodegradable organic waste of claim 1, wherein the decomposition chamber is made of galvanized iron. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The in-situ system for aerobic processing of biodegradable organic waste of claim 1, wherein the decomposition chamber is lined with epoxy or a polymer resistant to high temperatures, salt concentrations, and an elevated pH. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The in-situ system for aerobic processing of biodegradable organic waste of claim 1, wherein the first lid is connected to the decomposition chamber with screws. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The in-situ system for aerobic processing of biodegradable organic waste of claim 1, wherein the first lid is connected to the decomposition chamber with hinges.