Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology – Apparatus – Bioreactor
Patent
1994-08-11
1996-08-13
Redding, David A.
Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology
Apparatus
Bioreactor
4352904, 220484, 220908, C12M 104
Patent
active
055455590
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention concerns a compost maker.
In existing art, various container-like compost maker designs are known in which the material to be composted is introduced through an openable hatch on top, this material flowing downward in the container, and comparatively finished mould being obtained from the lower part of the container. Compost maker designs of this type are disclosed e.g. in following patents: GB 1403984, DE 3802499, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,105,412.
The greatest problem in present designs is indeterminacy of their air circulation. The containers leak rather great quantities of gas through the hatch joints, and the air passages provided in them direct the air summarily in among the material to be composted, whereby its combustion is uneven and the temperature inside the compost maker varies greatly in accordance with ambient conditions. It is also a fact that the material to be composted flows downward, and is packed, unevenly at different points in the compost maker, resulting in uneven combustion.
The object of the invention is to eliminate the drawbacks just discussed. It is particularly an object of the invention, to disclose a novel compost maker which enables closely controlled and stable conditions within the compost maker so that combustion of the material to be composted takes place uniformly and under substantially constant conditions, independent of conditions external to the compost maker.
Regarding the circumstances characterizing the invention, reference is made to the claims section.
The compost maker of the invention comprises an upright container having on its top end an openable cover for introducing the material to be composted in said container. In the lower part of the container an openable hatch is provided for removing the composted material from the container, and the container further comprises a system of air tubes for directing air in among the material to be composted residing in the container.
As taught by the invention, the air tube system comprises at least two substantially horizontal tubes extending substantially from one side of the container to the other, within the container. The tubes are at different heights in the container. The lower tube has been connected through the container wall with an air intake aperture, in order to direct air into the container. The substantially horizontal tubes are interconnected by means of a connecting tube, and the undersides of the horizontal tubes carry apertures serving as air flow holes, through which the air admitted into the tubes by a valve can flow into the material to be composted. Furthermore, the cover is fitted with an exit duct through which the air can flow out of the container.
Thus, the essential feature of the invention are at least two transverse air tubes, supporting the material, on different heights. There may, of course, be more than two tubes. For instance, in larger containers, two tubes in parallel in the same plane, and another two tubes in a second plane may be used. In high containers, tubes may also be provided in several planes.
Advantageously, the air intake aperture and/or the exit duct is provided with an adjustable valve, and the cover is fitted with packings and locking means enabling the cover to be hermetically sealed against the respective rims on the container. The air will then be made to flow with the aid of the adjustable valve in controlled and guided manner through the air flow holes of the tubes and upward through the material to be composted, and through the exit valve on the cover, out of the container. At the same time, in the course of its progressing combustion the material will run downward in guided manner, supported by the transverse tubes, toward the lower part of the container, whence it can be removed through an openable hatch. Being supported by the tubes, the matter that is being composted will not be packed to a compact clump: it stays fluffy and runs with progressing combustion downward, thus enabling thorough combustion to take place and an end product of good q
REFERENCES:
patent: 3314765 (1967-04-01), Abson et al.
patent: 3756784 (1973-09-01), Pittwood
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Redding David A.
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