Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology – Apparatus – Bioreactor
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-05
2001-01-09
Beisner, William H. (Department: 1744)
Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology
Apparatus
Bioreactor
C435S262000, C071S009000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06171852
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to an apparatus and method for aerobically decomposing waste material utilizing a fluid distribution system that includes at least one fluid injection member that is moveable with the waste material.
BACKGROUND ART
Waste material, and especially organic waste material, may be decomposed by various micro-organisms. The decomposition process may also be enhanced by the addition of air to the waste material. The end product is a compost material which may be used as a soil nutrient and/or additive in such activities as farming and gardening.
A number of apparatuses and methods have been developed to decompose waste material. U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,153, for example, discloses a composting apparatus that includes a plurality of lances that may be inserted into waste material for introducing air into the waste material. Each of the lances includes a rotatable inner tube, a middle tube, an outer mesh tube, and a plurality of gaskets disposed between the middle and outer tubes to control air flow. With such a configuration, the lances are relatively complex and costly to manufacture. Furthermore, the lances are connected to one or more blowers that provide a relatively high volume of air to the lances such that process costs are significant.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,846,815 discloses a continuous composter with self contained aeration zones so that air is confined to any one zone. An inlet fan and an exhaust fan are provided for each zone, and the inlet fans provide air to the zones through conveyor trays moveably disposed proximate the bottom of the composter. The conveyor trays are also adapted to support waste material thereon for moving the waste material along the composter. Such an arrangement is relatively complex and costly to manufacture. Furthermore, because air is introduced to the waste material near the bottom of the composter, rather than being injected into the waste material, portions of the waste material may experience little or no air flow. Consequently, such portions of the waste material may experience little or no aerobic activity.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,736 discloses a method for aerobic composition of organic waste material that involves high flow-rate aeration. The apparatus used in the method includes a bag for receiving the waste material, a plurality of air conduits that penetrate the bag and are adapted to extend into the waste material, and a blower connected to the air conduits for supplying air to the air conduits. The method and apparatus disclosed are undesirable for at least a couple of reasons. First, the method involves introducing a relatively high volume of air into the waste material such that process costs are significant. Second, untreated process air is discharged directly to the atmosphere through vents in the bag.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a new and improved composting system and method of decomposing waste material that utilizes a novel fluid distribution system for introducing fluid into the waste material. The fluid distribution system effectively distributes fluid throughout the waste material, while significantly reducing air treatment costs compared with prior art composting systems and methods.
Under the invention, a composting system for decomposing waste material includes a composting bay adapted to receive the waste material. A transport member extends into the composting bay and is adapted to receive the waste material thereon. The transport member is moveable with respect to the bay for transporting waste material along the bay. The composting system further includes a fluid distribution system having at least one fluid injection member adapted to extend into the waste material. The at least one fluid injection member is moveably attachable to the bay such that the at least one fluid injection member is moveable with the waste material along a portion of the bay. The at least one fluid injection member has at least one opening for introducing fluid into the waste material.
The fluid distribution system preferably comprises an air compressor in communication with the at least one fluid injection member for supplying air to the at least one fluid injection member. Advantageously, the air compressor provides relatively high pressure air so that the air effectively and efficiently permeates the waste material. Furthermore, the air compressor provides a relatively small volume of air compared with prior art systems and methods, which results in significantly lower air treatment costs.
In addition, the fluid distribution system further comprises a steam generating unit for supplying steam to the waste material. Advantageously, the steam may be used to quickly elevate the temperature of the waste material to thereby stimulate the decomposition process.
More specifically, a composting system according to the invention for decomposing waste material includes an enclosed composting bay having a bottom, a roof enclosure and first and second ends. A transport member is disposed proximate the bottom of the bay and is adapted to receive the waste material thereon. The transport member is moveable with respect to the bay for transporting waste material between the ends of the bay. A guide system is attached to the bay proximate the roof enclosure. The composting system further includes a plurality of fluid distribution cells movably attachable to the guide system such that the cells are movable with the waste material along a portion of the bay. Each of the cells has a plurality of fluid injection members adapted to extend into the waste material for injecting fluid into the waste material.
Under the invention, a method of decomposing waste material includes positioning the waste material in a composting system having a moveable transport member and a moveable fluid injection member such that the waste material surrounds a portion of the fluid injection member; moving the transport member to thereby move the waste material within the composting system; moving the fluid injection member such that the fluid injection member moves with the waste material; and introducing fluid into the waste material from the fluid injection member.
Preferably, moving the fluid injection member occurs as a result of moving the transport member.
The step of introducing fluid preferably comprises introducing air into the waste material. Additionally, the step of introducing fluid preferably comprises introducing steam into the waste material. Advantageously, the introduction of fluids into the waste material can be precisely controlled to maintain optimum conditions for continuous aerobic decomposition of the waste material.
More specifically, a method according to the invention of decomposing waste material includes providing a composting system having an enclosed composting bay and a plurality of fluid injection members moveably attached to the bay and adapted to extend into the waste material, the bay having first and second ends; introducing the waste material into the bay proximate the first end such that the waste material surrounds a portion of each of the fluid injection members; moving the waste material between the first and second ends; moving the fluid injection members such that the fluid injection members move with the waste material; and introducing fluid into the waste material from the fluid injection members.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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patent: 4483704 (1984-11-01), Easter, II
patent: 4666854 (1987-05-01), Sugiura
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patent: 5175106 (1992-12-01), Laurenson, Jr.
patent: 5258306 (1993-11-01), Go
Beisner William H.
Brooks & Kushman P.C.
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