Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology – Apparatus – Bioreactor
Patent
1995-05-03
1997-10-07
Beisner, William H.
Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology
Apparatus
Bioreactor
4352902, 435818, C05F 902, C05F 1702
Patent
active
056747446
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to apparatus for making humus.
Humus is generally formed by the aerobic degradation of vegetable matter which is suitably moist, e.g. up to 40% water. To produce a suitable, fully matured, sweet smelling humus, degradation under strictly controlled conditions is preferred, whereby oxygen generates heat during the degradation and above a certain temperature no methane or other noxious effluvia are produced. This produces biologically degraded humus of the desired quality and which has a desired moisture content. Such a fully matured humus is nutrient rich, and free from pathogens and toxic elements. It is also a fact that kitchen household refuse is often left to local Authorities to take away and dispose of, usually as landfill. In the United Kingdom for example, humus is produced only on a small scale, most of the U.K.'s domestic waste going to landfill. This refuse amounts to about 90% of the total volume of refuse handled by local Authorities and is moreover environmentally unfriendly as it encourages vermin, can spontaneously combust, is unsightly, and gives off noxious effluvia. There is a need therefore for inexpensive apparatus in which a householder can produce humus, thereby taking compostable refuse out of the waste stream to landfill.
Composting may generally be defined as the aerobic production of humus from the aerobic decomposition of organic wastes by microorganisms in a warm, moist atmosphere. Interaction between the organic wastes, microorganisms and aeration produces temperature, carbon dioxide gas, water, and humus. In order to provide suitable conditions particularly for household waste such as kitchen waste, a suitable apparatus is required. Prior apparatus has not been able to produce a suitable product.
It is accordingly an object of the invention therefore to seek to provide a suitable apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided apparatus for making humus, comprising a body for containing material to be composted to humus, characterised by the body having a base, by the base having means for promoting air flow therethrough and through the body, and by a lid, whereby the base and lid promote aerobic decomposition of material to be composted.
Using the invention, it is possible to provide a readily erectable apparatus which can be distributed by local Authorities to householders.
There may be a plurality of holes through the base. This provides for efficient composting.
The base may comprise a plurality of superposed parts. This provides for a relatively simple construction and installation.
The base may comprise perforated planar members on which the material to be composted is received, a support means for receiving the perforated planar member, and support means which may have fluid passage means for fluid communication with the perforations in the planar member. This provides for passage of air into the apparatus, and water as a product of composting, from the apparatus.
The support means may comprise two parts which together may have a configuration substantially complementary to the planar member, and a surface of the parts may have radially arranged grooves alignable with radially arranged rows of perforations through the planar member. This provides for ease of assembly when the apparatus is delivered "knock-down".
A windrow device for windrowing material to be composted may be incorporated in the apparatus. This provides for keeping the perforations clear for fluid flow.
The windrow device may comprise a blade mounted on a rotatable shaft and a handle of the rotatable shaft mounted exteriorly of the apparatus. This provides for ease of operation.
The handle may be mounted exteriorly of the lid and adapted to be turned in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the lid. Again, this provides for ease of operation.
The lid may have at least one flap part which is raisable whereby to provide access to the interior of the body. This provides for ease of access.
The lid may have two ra
REFERENCES:
patent: 5036999 (1991-08-01), Bitsch
patent: 5096080 (1992-03-01), Penny
patent: 5185261 (1993-02-01), Warrington
patent: 5429945 (1995-07-01), Shain
patent: 5433524 (1995-07-01), Wuster
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