CA2276247A1 - Process and apparatus for utilizing animal excrement - Google Patents
Process and apparatus for utilizing animal excrement Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2276247A1 CA2276247A1 CA 2276247 CA2276247A CA2276247A1 CA 2276247 A1 CA2276247 A1 CA 2276247A1 CA 2276247 CA2276247 CA 2276247 CA 2276247 A CA2276247 A CA 2276247A CA 2276247 A1 CA2276247 A1 CA 2276247A1
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- reactor
- water
- aqueous mixture
- product
- electric current
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Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
- C05F—ORGANIC FERTILISERS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C05B, C05C, e.g. FERTILISERS FROM WASTE OR REFUSE
- C05F7/00—Fertilisers from waste water, sewage sludge, sea slime, ooze or similar masses
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F11/00—Treatment of sludge; Devices therefor
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
- C05F—ORGANIC FERTILISERS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C05B, C05C, e.g. FERTILISERS FROM WASTE OR REFUSE
- C05F3/00—Fertilisers from human or animal excrements, e.g. manure
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
- C05F—ORGANIC FERTILISERS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C05B, C05C, e.g. FERTILISERS FROM WASTE OR REFUSE
- C05F3/00—Fertilisers from human or animal excrements, e.g. manure
- C05F3/06—Apparatus for the manufacture
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A40/00—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production
- Y02A40/10—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in agriculture
- Y02A40/20—Fertilizers of biological origin, e.g. guano or fertilizers made from animal corpses
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P20/00—Technologies relating to chemical industry
- Y02P20/141—Feedstock
- Y02P20/145—Feedstock the feedstock being materials of biological origin
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02W—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT
- Y02W30/00—Technologies for solid waste management
- Y02W30/40—Bio-organic fraction processing; Production of fertilisers from the organic fraction of waste or refuse
Abstract
A process for the manufacture of an animal excrement based product useful as an artificial soil, soil conditioner or peat substitute, an apparatus for effecting the process and an animal excrement based product manufactured according to the process. The process including the sequential steps of: (a) providing a substantially solid feed including excrement from animals; (b) forming an aqueous mixture of said substantially solid feed with water; (c) subjecting said aqueous mixture to treatment with an alternating electric current at a frequency within a range of 5 Hz - 200 kHz, for a period of time, such that following said treatment and after subsequent process step (d), a recovered solid product is odorless, microbiologically sterile, porous and is capable if absorbing several times its own weight of water; and (d) separating excess liquid from the alternating electric current treatment in step (c) and recovering said solid product.
Description
WO 98/24729 ~ PCT/US97/21663 PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING ANIMAL EXCREMENT
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for utilizing s animal excrement and, more particularly, to a process for the manufacture of an animal excrement based product useful as an artificial soil, soil conditioner or peat substitute, an apparatus for effecting the process and an animal excrement based product useful as an aatificial soil, soil conditioner or peat substitute manufactured according to the process.
to The need for soil conditioning in alwiculture (especially in small-scale a~-iculture known as "market gardening") and in horticulture, is well known, for example, in order to lighten clayey soils, to improve the consistency of sandy soils and particularly to improve the moisture-holding capacity of many kinds of soils.
is Peat is a carbonaceous substance - probably an intermediate in the formation of lignite and coal - formed by partial decomposition of certain plants growing in bogs and swamps, and, apart from its well-known use as a fuel, is popularly used, because of its open porous texture and high water-absorptive capacity, as a soil conditioner. Additionally, peat is used as bedding material for 20 livestock, e.g., cattle and horses (including racehorses).
However, because of ecological problems, a number of counri-ies have forbidden the mining of peat; moreover, in countries where peat is not mined locally, the cost of transportation 8'0111 the countries of origin can make this product prohibitively expensive. For these reasons, there is a need in the market, 2s particularly in countries where peat is expensive, for a peat-substitute having similar properties to natural peat.
While animals have been utilized for human needs for many centuries, it is only in the modern era, with a much greater density of the human population and increasing awareness of problems associated with ecology, health and hygiene, 3o that it has been realized that animal excrement (including particularly, but not limited to, that of herbivorous animals which are customarily bred farmed and otherwise used on a large-scale), can present environmental problems such as biological pollution e.g., of the air, ground and water.
For this reason, use of raw animal excrement directly as a manure is to be 3s avoided. The removal and economic utilization of animal excrement is therefore highly desirable. While this need has been met in part by artificial composting, such a process requires, for viability. a large-scale operation using expensive WO 98/24729 ~ PCT/LJS97/21663 equipment for aerobic and anaerobic operation, and is unsuitable for relatively small-scale operations.
Natural composting, on the other hand, requires a lot of space, is labor intensive, and does not avoid environmental hazards. Thus, the need for s economic utilization of animal excrement still remains. It has surprisingly been found by the present inventors that both, the need for a peat-substitute and the need for useful and economic disposal of the excrement of animals in captivity can both be met by the process and apparatus of the present invention.
There is thus a widely recognized need for, and it would be highly to advantageous to have, (i) a process for the manufacture of an animal excrement based product useful as an artificial soil, soil conditioner or peat substitute, (ii) an apparatus for effecting the process and (iii) an animal excrement based product useful as an artificial soil, soil conditioner or peat substitute manufactured according to the process.
is SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a process for the manufacture of an animal excrement based product useful as an artificial soil, soil conditioner or peat substitute, an apparatus for effecting the process and an 2o animal excrement based product useful as an aaificial soil, soil conditioner or peat substitute manufactured according to the process.
According to further features in preferred embodiments of the invention described below, the process comprising the sequential steps of (a) providing a substantially solid feed includin~~ excrement from animals; (b) forming an 2s aqueous mixture of said substantially solid feed with water; (c) subjecting said aqueous mixture to treatment with an alternating electric current at a frequency within a range of 5 Hz -200 kHz, for a period of time, such that following said treatment and after subsequent process step (d), a recovered solid product is odorless, microbiologically sterile. porous and is capable if absorbing several 3o times its own weight of water: and (d) separating excess liquid from the alternating electric current tleam~ent in step (c) and recovering said solid product.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the steps are further characterized by at least one of the following parameters (i) in step (a) the animals are herbivorous animals; (ii) in step (b), a ratio of said 3s substantially solid feed to water falls within a range of about 1:1 to about 1:4 by volume, (iii) in step (c), said alternating electl-ic cuc-~~ent has a potential within a range of about 10 to about 1,000 volts; (iv) in step (c), said time period falls within a range of about 5 seconds to about 10 minutes; (v) said recovered solid product is capable of absorbing at least six times its own weight of water.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments said treatment is effected by flowing said aqueous mixture through a reactor, said s reactor including a mechanism for providing said alternating electric current.
According to still fiurther features in the described preferred embodiments said substantially solid feed includes raw animal excrement.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments said substantially solid feed includes a mixture of animal excrement with paper mill sludge.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments a ratio of animal excrement to paper mill sludge. falls within a range of about 1:10 to about 10:1 by volume.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments ~s provided is an odorless, microbiologically sterile and porous product capable of absorbing several times its own weight of water, useful as an artificial soil, soil conditioner or peat substitute, and which is obtainable by the above process.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments provided is a product useful as an artificial soil, soil conditioner or peat 2o substitute, comprising an electrically treated excrement from animals, the product being odorless, porous, microbiologically sterile and capable of absorbing several times its own weight of water.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the apparatus comprising a line including in sequence (a) a first mechanism for 2s providing a substantially solid feed including excrement from animals into the apparatus; (b) a second mechanism for forming an aqueous mixture of said substantially solid feed with water; (c) a reactor mechanism for subjecting said aqueous mixture to treatment with an alternating electric current at a frequency within a range of 5 Hz - 200 kHz; and (d) a third mechanism for separating 3o excess liquid from a product resulting from said reactor mechanism and for recovering the solid product.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments said reactor mechanism includes a generally elongate, tubular reactor defining a reactor space bounded by insulated wall mechanism, inlet and outlet mechanism 3s for flowing aqueous mixture through said reactor space, and phase and zero electrodes cooperatively disposed within said reactor space and connected to a supply of alternating electric current having a frequency within the range of 5 Hz WO 98/24729 ~ PCT/US97/21663 - 200 kHz, thereby providing mechanism for applying said cun-ent to said aqueous miXture when said mixture flows through said reactor space.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments provided is a reactor mechanism for use in the above apparatus comprising a s reactor defining a reactor space bounded by insulating wall mechanism, said reactor including inlet and outlet mechanisms for flowing aqueous mixture through said reactor space, and phase and zero electrodes being cooperatively disposed within said reactor space and being connected to a supply of alternating electric current having a frequency within a range of 5 Hz - 200 kHz, thereby providing mechanism for applying said cun-ent to said aqueous mixture when said mixture flows through said reactor space.
Thus, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a product useful as an artificial soil, soil conditioner or peat substitute, as well as a process and apparatus directed to the manufacture thereof.
is A fiu-ther object of the invention is to provide for the economic, useful, hygienic and ecology - friendly utilization of animal excrement.
Another object of the invention is to provide for the utilization of paper mill sludge.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a product which is 2o potentially useful as a hygienic bedding material for livestock.
Other objects of the invention will appear from the description which follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
2s The invention herein described. by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a reactor of the invention, useful in the process of the invention and which may fomn pan of the apparatus of the lnvenrion;
3u FIG. ? illustrates another embodiment of a reactor of the invention, useful in the process of the invention and which may form part of the apparatus of the invention;
FIGs. 3a-g depict illustrative embodiments arrangements of electrodes useful in the present invention;
ss FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the apparatus of the invention.
WO 98/24729 ~ PCT/L1S97/21663 s DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention is of a process and apparatus for utilizing animal excrement which can be used for the manufacture of an animal excrement based product useful as an artificial soil, soil conditioner or peat substitute.
s Specifically, the present invention can be used to provide an odorless, microbiologically sterile and porous product capable of absorbing several times its own weight of water, useful as an artificial soil, soil conditioner or peat substitute, and which is obtainable by the process of the invention.
The principles and operation of the process and apparatus according to the ~o present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and accompanying descriptions.
The "substantially solid feed" which is the starting material for the process of the invention is intended to include substantially solid excrement of animals in captivity which may be in the raw state. Moreover, it was found that the feed is may comprise a mixture of animal excrement with paper mill sludge; in this embodiment of the invention, the end-product has a coarser texture than when animal excrement is used alone, which may be more suitable for certain applications.
The term "animals" as used herein in the specification and in the claims 2o section below refers to any member of the kingdom Animalia, which includes multicellular organisms that have a well-defined shape, controlled growth, can move voluntarily, actively acquire food and digest it internally, and have sensory and nervous systems that allow them to respond rapidly to external stimuli.
The term specifically refers to animal s grown in captivity, either mammals or birds, 2s especially animals grown for commercial proposes such as, but not limited to, cows, goats, porcine, chicken, etc.
The term "herbivorous animals" as used herein is intended to include cows, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, camelids, elephants, birds grown in captivity, for example, but it will be appreciated that this is not an exhaustive list 3o and that many other animals fall within this category.
In step (b) of the process, the initial feed is mixed with water, and this may be effected in any convenient manner, e.g., by using a mechanical macerator or mixer and/or an agitator, or a combination thereof. 1n general, it is preferred that the ratio of initial solid feed to water falls within the range of about I:1 to 3s about 1:4 by volume.
In step (c) of the process, the aqueous mixture is subjected to treatment with an alternating electric current (AC) at a frequency within the range of 5 Hz -200 kHz, for a period of time (by way of example only this could fall within the C
range of about S seconds to about 10 minutes) such that following the treatment and after subsequent process step (d), the recovered solid product is odorless, microbiologically sterile, porous and is capable of absorbing several times its own weight of water. The AC preferably has a potential within the range of s about 10 to about 1,000 volts.
While the present invention is not to be regarded as limited by any theory, it has been noted that since both, the chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biological oxygen demand (BOD) have been found to be reduced in the product, compared with a similar product in which the initial mixriwe was not subjected to an alternating electric current (ride infra), there is a possibility that having regard to the fact that the product is more oxidized than the starting material, atmospheric oxygen plays a role in the process of the invention.
Moreover, it has been found by microscopic examination that the product contains plant cells, the membranes of which have been ruptured in the process.
~s The recovered solid product, after step (d), i.e., after separating excess aqueous liquid, e.g., by using a press screw separator or centrifuge, contains usually water, and is capable of absorbing at least three times, preferably at least six times (e.g., x 5-10) its own weight of water.
In a particular embodiment of the invention, the initial material comprises 2o a mixture of animal excrement with paper mill sludge, falls within the range of about 1:10 to about 10:1 by volume.
The apparatus of the invention for the manufacture of a solid product in accordance with the process defined herein, includes in operative combination four mechanism.
2s A first mechanism of the apparatus serves for providing a substantially solid feed including excrement from animals. The first mechanism may, for example, be one more hopper's as known in the art.
A second mechanism of the apparatus serves for forming an aqueous mixture of the substantially solid feed with water. As stated above, the second so mechanism may, for example, be a mechanical macerator or mixer and/or an agitator, or a combination thereof.
A third mechanism of the apparatus according to the present invention serves for separating excess liquid from the product resulting from the reactor mechanism which is described below in greater detail and for recovering the 3s desired solid product. The third mechanism may, for example, be a press screw separator or centrifuge.
A reactor mechanism, which per .se also forms part of the present invention, may include, illustratively, with reference to Figures 1 and 2 (which are not drawn to scale) of the accompanying drawings, a generally elongate, tubular reactor 2 defining a reactor space 4 bounded by an insulated wall 6, inlet 8 and outlet 10 for flowing aqueous mixture through reactor space 4 in the direction of the arrow, and phase and zero electrodes, 16 and 18, respectively, s cooperatively disposed within reactor space 4 and connected to supply of alternating electric current (e.g., via source 14 in Figure 1) having a frequency within the range of 5 Hz -200 kHz, thereby providing mechanism for applying alternating electric current to the aqueous mixture when the latter flows through reactor space 4.
io A peripheral zone 12 of reactor 2 is maintained sealed from reactor space 4 and is utilized for electric supports, electric cables, electronic feedback and so forth. By way of exemplary non-limitative illustration only, the reactor space may be 2 m in diameter, and may be manufactured from PVC, and die electrodes may be of stainless steel.
is Figures 3a-g of the accompanying drawings show a number of illustrative and largely self explanatory arrangements of the phase electrodes) 16 and the zero electrodes 18 (not necessarily drawn to scale), within the reactor space.
It will be appreciated that phase and zero electrodes are disposed parallel to each other and generally transverse to the flow of the ri~eated material flowing through zo the reactor. In general, the distance between phase electrodes is greater than between phase and zero elecri~odes, and these distances will be generally proportional to the applied voltages.
The electrical parameters can be maintained constant by elecri-ic feedback and control in known manner, while the conductivity of the flowing treated zs material may be varied according to concentt~ation and type of treated material and the temperature. However, the reactant flow is generally adequate to cool the heat generated at the electrodes and no additional cooling is usually required.
Without prejudice to the generality of the parameters of the present invention, the apparatus depicted in Figure 4 represents a presently preferred 3o embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, which enables the process of the invention to be practiced in a continuous manner. The initial feed consists of e.g., raw cow manure, or a mixture thereof with paper mill sludge, fed to mixing vessel 24 via hoppers 20 and 22 (respectively, where the feed is the stated mixture of components). Water is fed simultaneously to vessel 24 by mechanism 3s of conduit 26. The ratio manure (or its mixture with paper mill sludge) to water is e.g., about 1:2 by volume. The aqueous composition is thoroughly mixed with stirrer 28 which is rotated in the direction shown by arrow 30 about axis 32, by motor 34. In order to ensure more efficient mixing of the composition to be s treated, a portion is recirculated to vessel 24 by mechanism of pump 38 and conduit 40, - in the direction of at-~~ow 42. Simultaneously, a portion of the composition is pumped upwards via valve 44 through tubular reactor 46, the electrical supply and feedback mechanism of which is indicated schematically at s 48, electricity being supplied at e.g., 380 volts AC and 100 Hz, via cables 50.
The residence time of the mixture in reactor 46 may be varied as stated above, but is typically about 15 seconds, about 30 seconds, or about one minute. The treated mixture is conducted via conduit 58 to intermediate vessel 54 with baffle 56, to which water may be added at 52 to ensure efficient flow of the reaction to product in the direction of the long arrow to exit conduit 60 and thence to hopper 52 which supplies screw separator 64, operated by motor 66. The desired reaction product is shown at 68 after exiting from separator 64, and finally passes by gravity to 70 where it collects and may be removed by a mechanism not shown.
is The effluent liquid separated collects in vessel 72 and is removed by valve 74. If desired, it may be in part recirculated to vessel 24 by a mechanism not shown, provided that at least some fresh water is used. The effluent, which is rich in plant nutrients, may be used for irrigation or for the preparation of fertilizers. Typical data for the product (determined by the Israel Ministry of zo Agriculture and also by a private laboratory) are as follows, where raw manure was processed in the manner described:
without treatment after treatment TSS* 3640 3420 * total suspended solids, mg/1 2s The data in the above Table shows that the process of the invention is ecologically-friendly and that it is possibly an oxidative process.
While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and 30 other applications of the invention may be made.
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for utilizing s animal excrement and, more particularly, to a process for the manufacture of an animal excrement based product useful as an artificial soil, soil conditioner or peat substitute, an apparatus for effecting the process and an animal excrement based product useful as an aatificial soil, soil conditioner or peat substitute manufactured according to the process.
to The need for soil conditioning in alwiculture (especially in small-scale a~-iculture known as "market gardening") and in horticulture, is well known, for example, in order to lighten clayey soils, to improve the consistency of sandy soils and particularly to improve the moisture-holding capacity of many kinds of soils.
is Peat is a carbonaceous substance - probably an intermediate in the formation of lignite and coal - formed by partial decomposition of certain plants growing in bogs and swamps, and, apart from its well-known use as a fuel, is popularly used, because of its open porous texture and high water-absorptive capacity, as a soil conditioner. Additionally, peat is used as bedding material for 20 livestock, e.g., cattle and horses (including racehorses).
However, because of ecological problems, a number of counri-ies have forbidden the mining of peat; moreover, in countries where peat is not mined locally, the cost of transportation 8'0111 the countries of origin can make this product prohibitively expensive. For these reasons, there is a need in the market, 2s particularly in countries where peat is expensive, for a peat-substitute having similar properties to natural peat.
While animals have been utilized for human needs for many centuries, it is only in the modern era, with a much greater density of the human population and increasing awareness of problems associated with ecology, health and hygiene, 3o that it has been realized that animal excrement (including particularly, but not limited to, that of herbivorous animals which are customarily bred farmed and otherwise used on a large-scale), can present environmental problems such as biological pollution e.g., of the air, ground and water.
For this reason, use of raw animal excrement directly as a manure is to be 3s avoided. The removal and economic utilization of animal excrement is therefore highly desirable. While this need has been met in part by artificial composting, such a process requires, for viability. a large-scale operation using expensive WO 98/24729 ~ PCT/LJS97/21663 equipment for aerobic and anaerobic operation, and is unsuitable for relatively small-scale operations.
Natural composting, on the other hand, requires a lot of space, is labor intensive, and does not avoid environmental hazards. Thus, the need for s economic utilization of animal excrement still remains. It has surprisingly been found by the present inventors that both, the need for a peat-substitute and the need for useful and economic disposal of the excrement of animals in captivity can both be met by the process and apparatus of the present invention.
There is thus a widely recognized need for, and it would be highly to advantageous to have, (i) a process for the manufacture of an animal excrement based product useful as an artificial soil, soil conditioner or peat substitute, (ii) an apparatus for effecting the process and (iii) an animal excrement based product useful as an artificial soil, soil conditioner or peat substitute manufactured according to the process.
is SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a process for the manufacture of an animal excrement based product useful as an artificial soil, soil conditioner or peat substitute, an apparatus for effecting the process and an 2o animal excrement based product useful as an aaificial soil, soil conditioner or peat substitute manufactured according to the process.
According to further features in preferred embodiments of the invention described below, the process comprising the sequential steps of (a) providing a substantially solid feed includin~~ excrement from animals; (b) forming an 2s aqueous mixture of said substantially solid feed with water; (c) subjecting said aqueous mixture to treatment with an alternating electric current at a frequency within a range of 5 Hz -200 kHz, for a period of time, such that following said treatment and after subsequent process step (d), a recovered solid product is odorless, microbiologically sterile. porous and is capable if absorbing several 3o times its own weight of water: and (d) separating excess liquid from the alternating electric current tleam~ent in step (c) and recovering said solid product.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the steps are further characterized by at least one of the following parameters (i) in step (a) the animals are herbivorous animals; (ii) in step (b), a ratio of said 3s substantially solid feed to water falls within a range of about 1:1 to about 1:4 by volume, (iii) in step (c), said alternating electl-ic cuc-~~ent has a potential within a range of about 10 to about 1,000 volts; (iv) in step (c), said time period falls within a range of about 5 seconds to about 10 minutes; (v) said recovered solid product is capable of absorbing at least six times its own weight of water.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments said treatment is effected by flowing said aqueous mixture through a reactor, said s reactor including a mechanism for providing said alternating electric current.
According to still fiurther features in the described preferred embodiments said substantially solid feed includes raw animal excrement.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments said substantially solid feed includes a mixture of animal excrement with paper mill sludge.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments a ratio of animal excrement to paper mill sludge. falls within a range of about 1:10 to about 10:1 by volume.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments ~s provided is an odorless, microbiologically sterile and porous product capable of absorbing several times its own weight of water, useful as an artificial soil, soil conditioner or peat substitute, and which is obtainable by the above process.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments provided is a product useful as an artificial soil, soil conditioner or peat 2o substitute, comprising an electrically treated excrement from animals, the product being odorless, porous, microbiologically sterile and capable of absorbing several times its own weight of water.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the apparatus comprising a line including in sequence (a) a first mechanism for 2s providing a substantially solid feed including excrement from animals into the apparatus; (b) a second mechanism for forming an aqueous mixture of said substantially solid feed with water; (c) a reactor mechanism for subjecting said aqueous mixture to treatment with an alternating electric current at a frequency within a range of 5 Hz - 200 kHz; and (d) a third mechanism for separating 3o excess liquid from a product resulting from said reactor mechanism and for recovering the solid product.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments said reactor mechanism includes a generally elongate, tubular reactor defining a reactor space bounded by insulated wall mechanism, inlet and outlet mechanism 3s for flowing aqueous mixture through said reactor space, and phase and zero electrodes cooperatively disposed within said reactor space and connected to a supply of alternating electric current having a frequency within the range of 5 Hz WO 98/24729 ~ PCT/US97/21663 - 200 kHz, thereby providing mechanism for applying said cun-ent to said aqueous miXture when said mixture flows through said reactor space.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments provided is a reactor mechanism for use in the above apparatus comprising a s reactor defining a reactor space bounded by insulating wall mechanism, said reactor including inlet and outlet mechanisms for flowing aqueous mixture through said reactor space, and phase and zero electrodes being cooperatively disposed within said reactor space and being connected to a supply of alternating electric current having a frequency within a range of 5 Hz - 200 kHz, thereby providing mechanism for applying said cun-ent to said aqueous mixture when said mixture flows through said reactor space.
Thus, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a product useful as an artificial soil, soil conditioner or peat substitute, as well as a process and apparatus directed to the manufacture thereof.
is A fiu-ther object of the invention is to provide for the economic, useful, hygienic and ecology - friendly utilization of animal excrement.
Another object of the invention is to provide for the utilization of paper mill sludge.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a product which is 2o potentially useful as a hygienic bedding material for livestock.
Other objects of the invention will appear from the description which follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
2s The invention herein described. by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a reactor of the invention, useful in the process of the invention and which may fomn pan of the apparatus of the lnvenrion;
3u FIG. ? illustrates another embodiment of a reactor of the invention, useful in the process of the invention and which may form part of the apparatus of the invention;
FIGs. 3a-g depict illustrative embodiments arrangements of electrodes useful in the present invention;
ss FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the apparatus of the invention.
WO 98/24729 ~ PCT/L1S97/21663 s DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention is of a process and apparatus for utilizing animal excrement which can be used for the manufacture of an animal excrement based product useful as an artificial soil, soil conditioner or peat substitute.
s Specifically, the present invention can be used to provide an odorless, microbiologically sterile and porous product capable of absorbing several times its own weight of water, useful as an artificial soil, soil conditioner or peat substitute, and which is obtainable by the process of the invention.
The principles and operation of the process and apparatus according to the ~o present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and accompanying descriptions.
The "substantially solid feed" which is the starting material for the process of the invention is intended to include substantially solid excrement of animals in captivity which may be in the raw state. Moreover, it was found that the feed is may comprise a mixture of animal excrement with paper mill sludge; in this embodiment of the invention, the end-product has a coarser texture than when animal excrement is used alone, which may be more suitable for certain applications.
The term "animals" as used herein in the specification and in the claims 2o section below refers to any member of the kingdom Animalia, which includes multicellular organisms that have a well-defined shape, controlled growth, can move voluntarily, actively acquire food and digest it internally, and have sensory and nervous systems that allow them to respond rapidly to external stimuli.
The term specifically refers to animal s grown in captivity, either mammals or birds, 2s especially animals grown for commercial proposes such as, but not limited to, cows, goats, porcine, chicken, etc.
The term "herbivorous animals" as used herein is intended to include cows, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, camelids, elephants, birds grown in captivity, for example, but it will be appreciated that this is not an exhaustive list 3o and that many other animals fall within this category.
In step (b) of the process, the initial feed is mixed with water, and this may be effected in any convenient manner, e.g., by using a mechanical macerator or mixer and/or an agitator, or a combination thereof. 1n general, it is preferred that the ratio of initial solid feed to water falls within the range of about I:1 to 3s about 1:4 by volume.
In step (c) of the process, the aqueous mixture is subjected to treatment with an alternating electric current (AC) at a frequency within the range of 5 Hz -200 kHz, for a period of time (by way of example only this could fall within the C
range of about S seconds to about 10 minutes) such that following the treatment and after subsequent process step (d), the recovered solid product is odorless, microbiologically sterile, porous and is capable of absorbing several times its own weight of water. The AC preferably has a potential within the range of s about 10 to about 1,000 volts.
While the present invention is not to be regarded as limited by any theory, it has been noted that since both, the chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biological oxygen demand (BOD) have been found to be reduced in the product, compared with a similar product in which the initial mixriwe was not subjected to an alternating electric current (ride infra), there is a possibility that having regard to the fact that the product is more oxidized than the starting material, atmospheric oxygen plays a role in the process of the invention.
Moreover, it has been found by microscopic examination that the product contains plant cells, the membranes of which have been ruptured in the process.
~s The recovered solid product, after step (d), i.e., after separating excess aqueous liquid, e.g., by using a press screw separator or centrifuge, contains usually water, and is capable of absorbing at least three times, preferably at least six times (e.g., x 5-10) its own weight of water.
In a particular embodiment of the invention, the initial material comprises 2o a mixture of animal excrement with paper mill sludge, falls within the range of about 1:10 to about 10:1 by volume.
The apparatus of the invention for the manufacture of a solid product in accordance with the process defined herein, includes in operative combination four mechanism.
2s A first mechanism of the apparatus serves for providing a substantially solid feed including excrement from animals. The first mechanism may, for example, be one more hopper's as known in the art.
A second mechanism of the apparatus serves for forming an aqueous mixture of the substantially solid feed with water. As stated above, the second so mechanism may, for example, be a mechanical macerator or mixer and/or an agitator, or a combination thereof.
A third mechanism of the apparatus according to the present invention serves for separating excess liquid from the product resulting from the reactor mechanism which is described below in greater detail and for recovering the 3s desired solid product. The third mechanism may, for example, be a press screw separator or centrifuge.
A reactor mechanism, which per .se also forms part of the present invention, may include, illustratively, with reference to Figures 1 and 2 (which are not drawn to scale) of the accompanying drawings, a generally elongate, tubular reactor 2 defining a reactor space 4 bounded by an insulated wall 6, inlet 8 and outlet 10 for flowing aqueous mixture through reactor space 4 in the direction of the arrow, and phase and zero electrodes, 16 and 18, respectively, s cooperatively disposed within reactor space 4 and connected to supply of alternating electric current (e.g., via source 14 in Figure 1) having a frequency within the range of 5 Hz -200 kHz, thereby providing mechanism for applying alternating electric current to the aqueous mixture when the latter flows through reactor space 4.
io A peripheral zone 12 of reactor 2 is maintained sealed from reactor space 4 and is utilized for electric supports, electric cables, electronic feedback and so forth. By way of exemplary non-limitative illustration only, the reactor space may be 2 m in diameter, and may be manufactured from PVC, and die electrodes may be of stainless steel.
is Figures 3a-g of the accompanying drawings show a number of illustrative and largely self explanatory arrangements of the phase electrodes) 16 and the zero electrodes 18 (not necessarily drawn to scale), within the reactor space.
It will be appreciated that phase and zero electrodes are disposed parallel to each other and generally transverse to the flow of the ri~eated material flowing through zo the reactor. In general, the distance between phase electrodes is greater than between phase and zero elecri~odes, and these distances will be generally proportional to the applied voltages.
The electrical parameters can be maintained constant by elecri-ic feedback and control in known manner, while the conductivity of the flowing treated zs material may be varied according to concentt~ation and type of treated material and the temperature. However, the reactant flow is generally adequate to cool the heat generated at the electrodes and no additional cooling is usually required.
Without prejudice to the generality of the parameters of the present invention, the apparatus depicted in Figure 4 represents a presently preferred 3o embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, which enables the process of the invention to be practiced in a continuous manner. The initial feed consists of e.g., raw cow manure, or a mixture thereof with paper mill sludge, fed to mixing vessel 24 via hoppers 20 and 22 (respectively, where the feed is the stated mixture of components). Water is fed simultaneously to vessel 24 by mechanism 3s of conduit 26. The ratio manure (or its mixture with paper mill sludge) to water is e.g., about 1:2 by volume. The aqueous composition is thoroughly mixed with stirrer 28 which is rotated in the direction shown by arrow 30 about axis 32, by motor 34. In order to ensure more efficient mixing of the composition to be s treated, a portion is recirculated to vessel 24 by mechanism of pump 38 and conduit 40, - in the direction of at-~~ow 42. Simultaneously, a portion of the composition is pumped upwards via valve 44 through tubular reactor 46, the electrical supply and feedback mechanism of which is indicated schematically at s 48, electricity being supplied at e.g., 380 volts AC and 100 Hz, via cables 50.
The residence time of the mixture in reactor 46 may be varied as stated above, but is typically about 15 seconds, about 30 seconds, or about one minute. The treated mixture is conducted via conduit 58 to intermediate vessel 54 with baffle 56, to which water may be added at 52 to ensure efficient flow of the reaction to product in the direction of the long arrow to exit conduit 60 and thence to hopper 52 which supplies screw separator 64, operated by motor 66. The desired reaction product is shown at 68 after exiting from separator 64, and finally passes by gravity to 70 where it collects and may be removed by a mechanism not shown.
is The effluent liquid separated collects in vessel 72 and is removed by valve 74. If desired, it may be in part recirculated to vessel 24 by a mechanism not shown, provided that at least some fresh water is used. The effluent, which is rich in plant nutrients, may be used for irrigation or for the preparation of fertilizers. Typical data for the product (determined by the Israel Ministry of zo Agriculture and also by a private laboratory) are as follows, where raw manure was processed in the manner described:
without treatment after treatment TSS* 3640 3420 * total suspended solids, mg/1 2s The data in the above Table shows that the process of the invention is ecologically-friendly and that it is possibly an oxidative process.
While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and 30 other applications of the invention may be made.
Claims (11)
1. A process for the manufacture of a product useful as an artificial soil, soil conditioner or peat substitute, comprising the sequential steps of:
(a) providing a substantially solid feed including excrement from animals;
(b) forming an aqueous mixture of said substantially solid feed with water;
(c) subjecting said aqueous mixture to treatment with an alternating electric current at a frequency within a range of 5 Hz -200 kHz, for a period of time, such that following said treatment and after subsequent process step (d), a recovered solid product is odorless, microbiologically sterile, porous and is capable if absorbing several times its own weight of water; and (d) separating excess liquid from the alternating electric current treatment in step (c) and recovering said solid product.
(a) providing a substantially solid feed including excrement from animals;
(b) forming an aqueous mixture of said substantially solid feed with water;
(c) subjecting said aqueous mixture to treatment with an alternating electric current at a frequency within a range of 5 Hz -200 kHz, for a period of time, such that following said treatment and after subsequent process step (d), a recovered solid product is odorless, microbiologically sterile, porous and is capable if absorbing several times its own weight of water; and (d) separating excess liquid from the alternating electric current treatment in step (c) and recovering said solid product.
2. The process of claim 1, wherein the steps are further characterized by at least one of the following parameters:
(i) in step (a) said animals are herbivorous animals;
(ii) in step (b), a ratio of said substantially solid feed to water falls within a range of about 1:1 to about 1:4 by volume;
(iii) in step (c), said alternating electric current has a potential within a range of about 10 to about 1000 volts;
(iv) in step (c), said time period falls within a range of about 5 seconds to about 10 minutes;
(v) said recovered solid product is capable of absorbing at least six times its own weight of water.
(i) in step (a) said animals are herbivorous animals;
(ii) in step (b), a ratio of said substantially solid feed to water falls within a range of about 1:1 to about 1:4 by volume;
(iii) in step (c), said alternating electric current has a potential within a range of about 10 to about 1000 volts;
(iv) in step (c), said time period falls within a range of about 5 seconds to about 10 minutes;
(v) said recovered solid product is capable of absorbing at least six times its own weight of water.
3. The process of claim 1, wherein said treatment is effected by flowing said aqueous mixture through a reactor, said reactor including a mechanism for providing said alternating electric current.
4. The process of claim 1, wherein said substantially solid feed includes raw animal excrement.
5. The process of claim 1, wherein said substantially solid feed includes a mixture of animal excrement with paper mill sludge.
6. The process of claim 5, wherein a ratio of animal excrement to paper mill sludge, falls within a range of about 1:10 to about 10:1 by volume.
7. An odorless, microbiologically sterile and porous product capable of absorbing several times its own weight of water, useful as an artificial soil, soil conditioner or peat substitute, and which is obtainable by the process defined in claim 1.
8. A product useful as an artificial soil, soil conditioner or peat substitute comprising an electrically treated excrement from animals, the product being odorless, porous, microbiologically sterile and capable of absorbing several times its own weight of water.
9. An apparatus for the manufacture of an odorless, microbiologically sterile and porous solid product capable of absorbing several times its own weight of water, useful as an artificial soil, soil conditioner or peat substitute, the apparatus comprising a line including in sequence:
(a) a first mechanism for providing a substantially solid feed including excrement from animals into the apparatus;
(b) a second mechanism for forming an aqueous mixture of said substantially solid feed with water;
(c) a reactor mechanism for subjecting said aqueous mixture to treatment with an alternating electric current at a frequency within a range of 5 Hz - 200 kHz; and (d) a third mechanism for separating excess liquid from a product resulting from said reactor mechanism and for recovering the solid product.
(a) a first mechanism for providing a substantially solid feed including excrement from animals into the apparatus;
(b) a second mechanism for forming an aqueous mixture of said substantially solid feed with water;
(c) a reactor mechanism for subjecting said aqueous mixture to treatment with an alternating electric current at a frequency within a range of 5 Hz - 200 kHz; and (d) a third mechanism for separating excess liquid from a product resulting from said reactor mechanism and for recovering the solid product.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said reactor mechanism includes a generally elongate, tubular reactor defining a reactor space bounded by insulated wall mechanism, inlet and outlet mechanism for flowing aqueous mixture through said reactor space, and phase and zero electrodes cooperatively disposed within said reactor space and connected to a supply of alternating electric current having a frequency within the range of 5 Hz - 200 kHz, thereby providing mechanism for applying said current to said aqueous mixture when said mixture flows through said reactor space.
11. A reactor mechanism for use in an apparatus for the manufacture of an odorless, microbiologically sterile and porous solid product capable of absorbing several times its own weight of water, useful as an artificial soil, soil conditioner or peat substitute, the reactor mechanism composing a reactor defining a reactor space bounded by insulating wall mechanism, said reactor including inlet and outlet mechanisms for flowing aqueous mixture through said reactor space, and phase and zero electrodes being cooperatively disposed within said reactor space and being connected to a supply of alternating electric current having a frequency within a range of 5 Hz - 200 kHz, thereby providing mechanism for applying said current to said aqueous mixture when said mixture flows through said reactor space.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| IL11975696A IL119756A (en) | 1996-12-04 | 1996-12-04 | Process for the manufacture of a product useful as an artificial soil soil conditioner or peat substitute |
| IL119756 | 1996-12-04 | ||
| PCT/US1997/021663 WO1998024729A1 (en) | 1996-12-04 | 1997-12-01 | Process and apparatus for utilizing animal excrement |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2276247A1 true CA2276247A1 (en) | 1998-06-11 |
Family
ID=11069553
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2276247 Abandoned CA2276247A1 (en) | 1996-12-04 | 1997-12-01 | Process and apparatus for utilizing animal excrement |
Country Status (9)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0960072A4 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2001505607A (en) |
| KR (1) | KR20000069306A (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1244179A (en) |
| AU (2) | AU5363498A (en) |
| BR (1) | BR9713860A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2276247A1 (en) |
| IL (2) | IL119756A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1998024729A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6141905A (en) * | 1997-12-01 | 2000-11-07 | Supersoil Systems | Process and apparatus for utilizing animal excrement |
| FR2814461B1 (en) * | 2000-09-22 | 2003-05-23 | Ahlstrom Paper Group Res And C | SEMI-SOLID COMPOSITION FOR USE AS A SPREADING PRODUCT AND MANUFACTURING METHOD |
| CN106006915A (en) * | 2016-07-06 | 2016-10-12 | 河南恒领生物技术有限公司 | Multifunctional water production device for regulation and control of agro-ecological environment life information |
| CN108191465A (en) * | 2018-02-11 | 2018-06-22 | 西安科技大学 | A kind of automaton for the charging conversion of manure resource reclaimer |
Family Cites Families (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3336220A (en) * | 1964-07-20 | 1967-08-15 | Neidl Georg | Method of and apparatus for treating sewage containing biologically decomposable organic matter |
| US3753886A (en) * | 1971-02-11 | 1973-08-21 | R Myers | Selective destruction of bacteria |
| CH559152A5 (en) * | 1973-06-12 | 1975-02-28 | Patelhold Patentverwertung | |
| CH583404A5 (en) * | 1975-03-18 | 1976-12-31 | Patelhold Patentverwertung | |
| US5196043A (en) * | 1991-01-25 | 1993-03-23 | Willow Technology, Inc. | Delayed, exothermic, alkaline sterilization method for treating wastewater sludges |
| DE4133984A1 (en) * | 1991-10-14 | 1993-04-15 | Rudolf Prof Dr Kuerner | METHOD FOR BIOLOGICAL DIGESTION OF MINERALS |
| US5673285A (en) * | 1994-06-27 | 1997-09-30 | Electro-Pyrolysis, Inc. | Concentric electrode DC arc systems and their use in processing waste materials |
| US6395176B1 (en) * | 1995-11-02 | 2002-05-28 | D-H2O L.L.C. | Method for treating waste-activated sludge using electroporation |
| DE10242150A1 (en) * | 2002-09-05 | 2004-03-11 | Limus Umwelttechnik Gmbh | Process and assembly to condition sewage sludge by exposure to alternating current electrical field in conjunction with selected additives |
-
1996
- 1996-12-04 IL IL11975696A patent/IL119756A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1996-12-04 IL IL13004496A patent/IL130044A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1997
- 1997-12-01 KR KR1019997004980A patent/KR20000069306A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1997-12-01 EP EP97950698A patent/EP0960072A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1997-12-01 AU AU53634/98A patent/AU5363498A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1997-12-01 JP JP52565898A patent/JP2001505607A/en not_active Ceased
- 1997-12-01 WO PCT/US1997/021663 patent/WO1998024729A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1997-12-01 CA CA 2276247 patent/CA2276247A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1997-12-01 CN CN97181269A patent/CN1244179A/en active Pending
- 1997-12-01 BR BR9713860A patent/BR9713860A/en active Search and Examination
-
1999
- 1999-07-02 AU AU37962/99A patent/AU3796299A/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU3796299A (en) | 1999-09-02 |
| CN1244179A (en) | 2000-02-09 |
| EP0960072A4 (en) | 2008-07-23 |
| WO1998024729A1 (en) | 1998-06-11 |
| IL119756A0 (en) | 1997-03-18 |
| AU5363498A (en) | 1998-06-29 |
| EP0960072A1 (en) | 1999-12-01 |
| IL119756A (en) | 2000-08-31 |
| KR20000069306A (en) | 2000-11-25 |
| BR9713860A (en) | 2001-11-27 |
| JP2001505607A (en) | 2001-04-24 |
| IL130044A (en) | 2001-04-30 |
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