Apparatus and method for processing organic refuse
US5661031A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 10, 1992 |
| Grant date | Aug 26, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 10, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02W30/40
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An apparatus for the composting of fermentable organic refuse includes a rotating digester tube with a feed auger continuously providing refuse to the tube and a number of discharge outlets at the distal end of the tube. A number of agitating vanes extend along substantially the entire length of the interior of the digester tube, each vane including sections extending parallel to the axis of the tube and sections angled relative to the tube axis to assist in transporting the refuse along the tube. The digester tube is also provided with a number of air tubes extending along substantially the entire length of the tube and connected through a plenum to a blower at the distal end of the tube. Each of the air tubes includes a number of air openings therethrough for providing counter-flow air at each stage of the fermentation process within the tube. The air openings in each of a plurality of groups of openings are spaced at varying intervals to vary the amount of air flow from the air tubes into the tube at each of the fermentation stages. In one embodiment, the air tubes are affixed to the agitating vanes. In the use of the apparatus, the environment within the digester tube is contro…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.