Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology – Apparatus – Bioreactor
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-16
2001-06-12
Beisner, William H. (Department: 1744)
Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology
Apparatus
Bioreactor
C435S300100, C422S004000, C422S171000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06245556
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a garbage disposal apparatus, and more particularly to a garbage disposal apparatus having a garbage processing chamber adapted to decomposition using microorganisms.
2. Related Art
Garbage can be disposed of by both a dry method and a decomposition method using microorganisms. The dry method involves removing water in the garbage, and gas being generated from the garbage when the water is evaporated. The gas contains components selected from nitrogen compounds, such as ammonia and amine, sulfur compounds, such as methyl sulfide, methyl mercaptan and methyl disulfide, and aldehydes. On the other hand, the decomposition method using microorganisms is able to decompose the garbage into water, carbon dioxide and ammonia if the decomposition is completely performed. However, the adjustment of temperature, the amount of retained water and that of oxygen to control an optimum state for microorganisms to decompose the garbage, cannot easily be performed. Therefore, a malodorous gas similar to that generated with the dry method, is generated.
The malodorous components have varying thresholds for respective components. The threshold means a concentration limit at which a distinction from odorless air cannot be perceived. Gas having a threshold of 0.001 ppm cannot be distinguished from odorless air if the concentration is 0.001 ppm or lower. That is, the gas does not smelled. If a malodorous component of 1 ppm having a threshold of 0.001 ppm is contained in the gas, the component is required to have a concentration of 1/1000 or lower. The simplest method to make the gas an odorless gas is to dilute the malodorous component 1000 times.
If garbage of the foregoing type is processed by the decomposition method using microorganisms, the gas generated mixedly contains components, such as ammonia, which are contained in a large quantity and which have relatively large thresholds, and components, such as sulfur components, which are contained in a small quantity and which have significantly small thresholds. For example, ammonia contained in the generated gas at about 100 ppm has a threshold of about 10 ppm. If removal by dilution to 1/10 is performed, the odor of ammonia can be prevented. On the other hand, the overall portion of the generated gas is a large value of about 5000 (the diluting magnification at which a distinction from odorless air cannot be perceived). Therefore, dilution to 5000 times is required to make the malodorous component above be perceived as odorless.
Therefore, if garbage is processed by the decomposition method using microorganisms and gas generated during the process is made to be odorless, dilution to 5000 times is required or the malodorous component must be reduced to 1/5000 . The dilution of 5000 times requires a large scale air fan. If activated charcoal is used in the removal process, ammonia generated in a large quantity is adsorbed by the activated charcoal. Thus, the adsorption life-time is too short. If a catalyst is used in the purifying process, a large quantity of catalyst is required to purify the ammonia. Moreover, the gas must be heated to high temperatures in order to cause the catalyst to exhibit its functions. In addition, a large running cost is required. Also a purifying process using ozone requires a large size ozone generator and a large quantity of ozone decomposing catalyst.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, an object of the present invention is to provide a garbage disposal apparatus for processing garbage by decomposition using microorganisms which is capable of satisfactorily purifying malodorous components for a long time.
In an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a garbage disposal apparatus comprising a processing chamber for processing garbage; and a purifying chamber for purifying gas discharged from the processing chamber and containing malodorous components, wherein the process of garbage in the processing chamber is performed by decomposition using microorganisms, the purifying chamber has a plurality of zones, and a first purifying chamber which is connected to the processing chamber is provided with an ammonia, purifying unit for purifying ammonia, and a second purifying chamber into which gas, allowed to pass through the first purifying chamber, is introduced, is provided with a non-ammonia purifying unit for purifying non-ammonia gas. As a result of the structure above, ammonia contained in a high concentration and having a large threshold is first removed. Then, non-ammonia contained at a low concentration and having a small threshold is removed. Therefore, an excellent purifying efficiency can be realized.
In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a garbage disposal apparatus having a structure such that the first purifying chamber has a unit having a mechanism for bringing ammonia into contact with water or a water solution. As a result of the above-mentioned structure, ammonia can easily be removed.
In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a garbage disposal apparatus having a structure such that the first purifying chamber has a water storage tank for storing water or water solution and gas discharged from the processing chamber is introduced into the water storage tank.
In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a garbage disposal apparatus having a structure such that the water solution which is brought into contact with the ammonia is a water solution containing cation exchange resin. As a result, performance for solving ammonia can be improved and therefore satisfactory purifying performance can be obtained.
In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a garbage disposal apparatus having a structure such that the water solution which is brought into contact with the ammonia is acid water solution. As a result, performance for solving ammonia can be improved and therefore a satisfactory purifying performance can be obtained.
In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a garbage disposal apparatus having a structure such that a dehumidifying unit is provided in a gas-flow passage connecting the first purifying chamber and the second purifying chamber to each other. Deterioration of the function of the non-ammonia purifying unit caused from humidity can be prevented.
In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a garbage disposal apparatus having a structure such that the first purifying chamber has an adsorbent layer, and a passage for gas allowed to pass through the adsorbent layer has a catalyst layer for ammonia. As a result, ammonia can easily be purified without the necessity of supplying water and discharging water. Ammonia can be desorbed from the adsorbent layer so as to be regenerated.
In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a garbage disposal apparatus having a structure such that an introduction passage for introducing gas discharged from the processing chamber into the adsorbent layer is provided with an inlet opening, and opening/closing means for arbitrarily introducing/stopping outer air from the inlet opening and gas introduced from the introduction passage, is provided.
In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a garbage disposal apparatus having a structure such that the gas-flow passage having the catalyst layer for ammonia and a gas-flow passage connected to the second purifying chamber are branched, and opening/closing means is provided which is capable of arbitrarily introducing/stopping gas allowed to pass through the adsorbent layer to the gas-flow passages. As a result, the non-ammonia purifying unit can be protected and deterioration in function can be prevented.
In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a garbage disposal apparatus having a plurality of purifying units each consisting of the first purifying chamber and the second purifying chamber, and the purifying units are disposed in parallel. As a r
Mizobuchi Manabu
Nakagawa Takaharu
Sako Toshiharu
Beisner William H.
Matsushita Electric & Works Ltd.
Sughrue Mion Zinn Macpeak & Seas, PLLC
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