Treatment of particulate biodegradable organic waste by thermal hydrolysis using condensate recycle
US7968760B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 14, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jun 28, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 8, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC02F2209/03
- WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method of treating particulate biodegradable organic waste by thermal hydrolysis. The method includes subjecting a quantity of the particulate biodegradable waste to thermal hydrolysis at a temperature above about 130° C. and a pressure at or above the saturated water vapor pressure to produce a slurry. The slurry will include solubilized organic material and unhydrolyzed residual solids. The method further includes decreasing the pressure at which the slurry is maintained. Typically, the step of decreasing slurry pressure will occur in a flash tank, which allows the separation of an organic acid-rich steam from other hydrolysis products. The method further includes capturing the steam or other condensable gases released when pressure is decreased and condensing the steam or other condensable gases into a condensate. The captured condensate may then be added to a quantity of particulate biodegradable waste prior to thermal hydrolysis. Also disclosed is an apparatus for practicing the method described above.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.