EP3303263A1 - Composter and method for composting in a composter - Google Patents

Composter and method for composting in a composter

Info

Publication number
EP3303263A1
EP3303263A1 EP16734410.0A EP16734410A EP3303263A1 EP 3303263 A1 EP3303263 A1 EP 3303263A1 EP 16734410 A EP16734410 A EP 16734410A EP 3303263 A1 EP3303263 A1 EP 3303263A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
disc
shaped member
zone
composter
mass
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP16734410.0A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Visa Kylänpää
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Biolan Oy
Original Assignee
Biolan Oy
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Biolan Oy filed Critical Biolan Oy
Publication of EP3303263A1 publication Critical patent/EP3303263A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
    • C05F—ORGANIC FERTILISERS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C05B, C05C, e.g. FERTILISERS FROM WASTE OR REFUSE
    • C05F9/00—Fertilisers from household or town refuse
    • C05F9/04—Biological compost
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
    • C05F—ORGANIC FERTILISERS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C05B, C05C, e.g. FERTILISERS FROM WASTE OR REFUSE
    • C05F17/00—Preparation of fertilisers characterised by biological or biochemical treatment steps, e.g. composting or fermentation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B09—DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE; RECLAMATION OF CONTAMINATED SOIL
    • B09B—DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B09B3/00—Destroying solid waste or transforming solid waste into something useful or harmless
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
    • C05F—ORGANIC FERTILISERS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C05B, C05C, e.g. FERTILISERS FROM WASTE OR REFUSE
    • C05F17/00—Preparation of fertilisers characterised by biological or biochemical treatment steps, e.g. composting or fermentation
    • C05F17/90—Apparatus therefor
    • C05F17/907—Small-scale devices without mechanical means for feeding or discharging material, e.g. garden compost bins
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
    • C05F—ORGANIC FERTILISERS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C05B, C05C, e.g. FERTILISERS FROM WASTE OR REFUSE
    • C05F17/00—Preparation of fertilisers characterised by biological or biochemical treatment steps, e.g. composting or fermentation
    • C05F17/90—Apparatus therefor
    • C05F17/95—Devices in which the material is conveyed essentially vertically between inlet and discharge means
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
    • C05F—ORGANIC FERTILISERS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C05B, C05C, e.g. FERTILISERS FROM WASTE OR REFUSE
    • C05F17/00—Preparation of fertilisers characterised by biological or biochemical treatment steps, e.g. composting or fermentation
    • C05F17/90—Apparatus therefor
    • C05F17/95—Devices in which the material is conveyed essentially vertically between inlet and discharge means
    • C05F17/955—Devices in which the material is conveyed essentially vertically between inlet and discharge means the material going from platform to platform
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
    • C05F—ORGANIC FERTILISERS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C05B, C05C, e.g. FERTILISERS FROM WASTE OR REFUSE
    • C05F17/00—Preparation of fertilisers characterised by biological or biochemical treatment steps, e.g. composting or fermentation
    • C05F17/90—Apparatus therefor
    • C05F17/964—Constructional parts, e.g. floors, covers or doors
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a composter, having on top of each other a feeding zone, a composting zone and a discharge zone, wherein the feeding zone is provided with means for feeding compostable mass into the composter and the discharge zone is provided with means for removing compost mass with a desired degree of ripeness from the composter, said composter including first separation means between the composting zone and the discharge zone.
  • the present invention relates also to a method for composting in a composter, comprising on top of each other a feeding zone, a composting zone and a discharge zone, wherein the feeding zone is provided with means for feeding compostable mass into the composter and the discharge zone is provided with means for removing compost mass with a desired degree of ripeness from the composter, said composter including first separation means between the composting zone and the discharge zone.
  • a method for composting in a composter comprising on top of each other a feeding zone, a composting zone and a discharge zone, wherein the feeding zone is provided with means for feeding compostable mass into the composter and the discharge zone is provided with means for removing compost mass with a desired degree of ripeness from the composter, said composter including first separation means between the composting zone and the discharge zone.
  • composter The purpose of a composter is to handle biowastes from institutional kitchens and restaurants for enabling the utilization thereof on site around the year in a manner as highly automated as possible, such that the staff essentially need not participate in anything else except in the unloading of a biocontainer and, if necessary, in the final disposal of composted material.
  • Patent US7863039 discloses one prior art composter solution, which has an upper section for receiving the mass to be treated and a lower section which makes up a composting zone and has at its bottom a discharge hatch and discharge means for removing the composted mass from the composter. Between the upper section and the lower section are provided size reduction means for comminuting the presently treated mass. The upper section and the lower section are further provided with agitation means for mixing and aerating the presently treated mass. The size reduction means, the agitation means and the discharge means are attached to a common drive shaft for rotating the same by means of a common motor.
  • a composter of the invention is characterized in that said first separation means comprise a first disc-shaped member which is provided with at least one through slot, said slot having a cutting edge, and said first disc-shaped member being provided with elements by means of which the first disc-shaped member is drivable for rotating the same around its center axis, whereby said first cutting edge enables some mass to be cut off of the presently treated mass present above the first disc-shaped member, said cut-off mass being conveyable through said slot into the discharge zone below the first disc-shaped member.
  • the disc-shaped member supports the composting mass on its top surface and, while rotating around its center axis, the disc-shaped member has its cutting edge cutting the mass so as to remove therefrom in a slicing manner matter which proceeds through the slot into a lower bottom section that constitutes the discharge zone.
  • Sweeper elements in the bottom section remove the mass out through the discharge hatch, e.g. into a sack or a plastic container provided with wheels.
  • the sweeper elements are preferably adapted to rotate along with the disc-shaped member, whereby the removal occurs automatically at the same time as composted mass is discharged from the composting zone into the bottom section.
  • the bottom section functions also as a seepage liquid collector from which the seepage liquid, if desired, can be recycled back into the composter automatically.
  • a method of the invention is characterized in that said first separation means comprise a first disc-shaped member which is provided with at least one through slot, said slot having a cutting edge, and that the disc-shaped member is rotated around its center axis, said cutting edge enabling mass to be cut off of the presently treated mass present above the first disc-shaped member, whereby the mass cut off of the presently treated mass present above the first disc-shaped member proceeds at the same time
  • Fig. 1 shows one embodiment for a composter of the invention in a schematic elevation view
  • fig. 2 shows one detail in the composter of fig. 1 in a plane view from above
  • fig. 3 shows the detail of fig. 2 in cross-section in the direction of an arrow III.
  • the composter 1 of fig. 1 which is presented by way of example and which is preferably a so-called foodservice composter, has on top of each other an upper section which makes up a loading zone 2, an intermediate section which makes up a composting zone 3, and a bottom section which makes up a discharge zone 4.
  • the upper section 2 is provided with an openable lid 18 for feeding compostable mass by way of a feeding hatch present in the composter's upper section.
  • the lid 18 is hinged to a fixed lid portion with a hinge 29.
  • the fixed portion is preferably provided with a valve 28 by way of which the exhaust air is adapted to be removed, preferably by mechanical suction.
  • the bottom section 4 is provided with sweeper elements 17 for removing compost mass with a desired degree of ripeness from the composter by way of a hatch 25 formed in a wall of the bottom section, e.g. into a sack 26 or into a container provided with wheels.
  • the intermediate section makes up the actual composting zone 3, the ripening of compost taking place therein.
  • the bottom section functions also as a seepage liquid collector from which the seepage liquid can be recycled, if desired, e.g. by way of a conduit 20 back into the composter's upper section automatically.
  • the composting zone 3 and the discharge zone 4 are separated from each other with first separation means.
  • the loading zone 2 and the composting zone 3 are separated from each other with second separation means.
  • the first separation means between the composting zone 3 and the discharge zone 4 comprise a first disc-shaped member 6 which is provided with one through slot 16, having a cutting edge 16' by means of which a slice is cut off of the presently treated mass overlying the first disc-shaped member 6, whereby the slice which has been cut off of the presently treated mass present above the first disc-shaped member 6 proceeds at the same time gravitationally through said slot 16 into the discharge zone 4 below the first disc-shaped member 6.
  • the second separation means between the upper section (loading zone) 2 and the composting zone 3 comprise a second disc-shaped member 5 which is provided with one through slot 10, having a cutting edge 10' by means of which a slice is cut off of the presently treated mass present above the second disc-shaped member 5, whereby the slice which has been cut off of the presently treated mass present above the second disc-shaped member 5 proceeds at the same time gravitationally through said slot 10 into the composting zone 3 below the second disc-shaped member 5.
  • What is shown as a schematic example in figs. 2 and 3 are both disc-shaped members 5, 6 in a plane view from above and in a cross-section view, respectively.
  • Both the first disc-shaped member 6 and the second discshaped member 5 have a peripheral rim thereof provided with a gear ring (not shown) and the composter has its internal space fitted with
  • gears 12, and 11 by means of which the disc-shaped members 5, 6 are drivable for rotating the same around the axial centerline thereof.
  • At least one of the gears 11, 12 associated with each disc-shaped member 5, 6 is a driving gear.
  • Each driving gear is provided with its own power source (not shown).
  • Both the first disc-shaped member 6 and the second disc-shaped member 5 are provided with a vertical agitation shaft 13 and 8 extending by way of the center axis thereof, which is adapted to rotate along with the first discshaped member 6 and the second disc-shaped member 5, respectively, and to which is connected, in a manner rotatable therewith, at least one mixing means 14 and respectively 7, which is located at a vertical distance from a top surface of the respective disc-shaped member 6, 5.
  • the mixing means comprises preferably a curved, sharpened blade whose purpose, while rotating, is to agitate the waste and to tear up biobags possibly ended up therein.
  • the lower agitation shaft 13 extends also to below the first disc- shaped member 6 into the bottom section and is provided with sweeper elements 17 rotating therewith and extending to the proximity of an internal wall of the bottom section (discharge zone 4).
  • Both the first disc-shaped member 6 and the second disc-shaped member 5 are cut so as to remove therefrom a radially directed, substantially constant- width piece, thereby forming the first disc-shaped member 6 and respectively the second disc-shaped member 5 with the aforesaid through slot 16 and 10 having respectively the cutting edges 16' and 10'.
  • This slot has a length substantially equal to the radius of the disc-shaped member 5, 6, i.e. it extends essentially from the center of the disc-shaped member 5, 6 to its outer rim.
  • Said slot has a constant width all the way except in the outer rim and center areas of the disc-shaped member 5, 6.
  • Said slot has two co- directional edges, one of which is the aforesaid cutting edge 10', 16'.
  • the slot of the disc-shaped member 5, 6 has its edge, which co-directional with the cutting edge 10', 16', located at a lower level than the cutting edge 10', 16'.
  • this entails that the surface established by the disc-shaped member 5, 6, upon which the compostable mass is resting, is not overall totally planar but more or less helical in the sense that the outer rim of the disc-shaped member 5, 6 at least roughly makes up a spiral or a shape of helical resemblance.
  • the disc-shaped member 5, 6 has a rotating direction R in fig. 2 (cf. fig.
  • the disc-shaped member 5, 6 is required to rotate around its center axis in such a way that the slot has its cutting edge 10', 16' (upper radially directed edge) rotating towards the mass to be cut and to be conveyed into the discharge zone 4, which mass, in a view from the cutting edge 10', 16', lies on the other side of the opposite radially directed edge of the slot.
  • the mass to be cut is moving over the lower edge towards the cutting edge 10', 16'.
  • the cutting edge 10', 16' and the edge co-directional therewith, yet present at a lower level, are nevertheless both in a horizontal position.
  • the cutting height is smaller than in the first disc-shaped member 6, i.e. in the uppermost disc-shaped member 5, the cutting edge 10' cuts less (thinner slices) per layer.
  • the purpose is to reduce the amount of compostable mass proceeding into the composting zone 3 and to tear up biobags.
  • the first disc-shaped member 6 there is more cutting height than in the second discshaped member 5 as the compost mass is drier (descent under its own weight from the composting zone 3 is poorer).
  • the cutting height may vary from a few cm to several cm, e.g. 1-10 cm, depending on the dimensioning of a composter.
  • the sweeper elements 17 of the discharge zone 4 are dimensioned in a view of enabling the discussed amount to emerge out of the discharge zone.
  • the second disc-shaped member 5 is preferably provided with identification elements 27 capable of identifying the height of compostable mass present in the composting zone 3 and, when the height exceeds a specific threshold value, the identification elements produce a signal for activating the first disc-shaped member 6 of the first separation means for removing mass from the composting zone 3 into the discharge zone 4 and out the hatch 25 of the discharge zone by means of the sweeper elements 17.
  • the identification elements are made up of a flap member 27, which is attached in an articulated manner to the second disc-shaped member 5 below the same and which, upon coming to contact with mass present in the composting zone 3, pivots upwards and, after exceeding a specific threshold value, gives a control signal for activating the first disc-shaped member 6 of the first separation means.
  • the composter is preferably provided with transfer means 19, which enable mass with a certain degree of ripeness to be conveyed from the composting zone 3 into the loading zone 2 for facilitating the activation of composting fresh material.
  • the transfer of mass takes place at specific intervals, depending on agitation and on the moisture and temperature of the mass.
  • the transfer means include an opening formed in a wall of the composting zone, by way of which mass is able to proceed onto conveyor elements which carry mass into the interior of the upper section by way of an opening formed in the upper section.
  • the conveyor elements preferably comprise a flight conveyor disposed inside the transfer pipe 19.
  • the composter further comprises air ducts 22, 23 arranged preferably above both separation means, which extend across the composter interior and which are connected to air supply means 21, 24 for supplying the presently treated mass with oxygen necessary for composting.
  • the air ducts are preferably triangular in cross-section, tapering in the upwards direction. There are preferably two air ducts disposed at each level, at a 90-degree angle relative to each other. The air ducts hold up the compost mass as the agitation means are rotating in order to prevent the entire mass from starting to rotate along therewith.
  • the air supply means may comprise e.g. a fan or a compressor.
  • the counter blade 9 extends across the upper space (feeding zone) 2 and the counter blade 15 respectively across the upper space (composting zone) 3.
  • the counter blade 9 is attached at its midpoint to the mixing shaft 8 and the counter blade 15 respectively to the mixing shaft 13 in a non-rotatable manner, while nevertheless allowing a vertical movement lengthwise of the mixing shaft.
  • the outermost ends of each counter blade 9, 15 are mounted on guide means, which are included in an internal wall of the composter and which allow a vertical movement of each counter blade 9, 15 along the internal wall.
  • the counter blade 9, 15 keeps clean the cutting edge 10', 16' of the second disc-shaped member 5 and the first disc-shaped member 6, respectively, and the arrangement allowing its vertical movement prevents harder objects, such as cutlery, possibly ended up in the composter, from ruining the blades as the counter blade is able to avoid such objects by moving upwards.
  • the first discshaped member 6 and the second disc-shaped member 5 are rotated around the center axes thereof by peripheral rims of the first and second disc- shaped members.
  • the drive for the first disc-shaped member 6 and the second disc-shaped member 5 in order to rotate the same around the center axes thereof can be arranged to occur by way of the center shafts thereof. Accordingly, in this case, it is the center shaft which rotates each disc-shaped member.
  • said first separation means comprise just one rotating disc-shaped member, which is that mentioned first disc-shaped member 6 provided with at least one through slot 16, said slot having a cutting edge 16'.
  • said second separation means comprise just one rotating disc-shaped member, which in turn is that mentioned second disc-shaped member 5 provided with at least one through slot 10, said slot having a cutting edge 10'.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • Biotechnology (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Microbiology (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fertilizers (AREA)
  • Processing Of Solid Wastes (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a composter (1), comprising on top of each other a feeding zone (2), a composting zone (3) and a discharge zone (4). The feeding zone (2) is provided with means for feeding compostable mass into the composter. The discharge zone (4) is provided with means (17) for removing compost mass with a desired degree of ripeness from the composter. The composter (1) includes first separation means between the composting zone (3) and the discharge zone (4). Said first separation means comprise a first disc-shaped member (6) which is provided with at least one through slot (16), said slot having a cutting edge (160. The composter is provided with elements by means of which the first disc-shaped member is drivable for rotating the same around its center axis, whereby said first cutting edge (160 enables some mass to be cut off of the presently treated mass present above the first disc-shaped member (6), said cut-off mass being conveyable through said slot (16) into the discharge zone (4) underlying the first disc-shaped member (6). The invention relates also to a method for composting in a composter.

Description

COMPOSTER AND METHOD FOR COMPOSTING IN A COMPOSTER
Object of the invention
The present invention relates to a composter, having on top of each other a feeding zone, a composting zone and a discharge zone, wherein the feeding zone is provided with means for feeding compostable mass into the composter and the discharge zone is provided with means for removing compost mass with a desired degree of ripeness from the composter, said composter including first separation means between the composting zone and the discharge zone.
The present invention relates also to a method for composting in a composter, comprising on top of each other a feeding zone, a composting zone and a discharge zone, wherein the feeding zone is provided with means for feeding compostable mass into the composter and the discharge zone is provided with means for removing compost mass with a desired degree of ripeness from the composter, said composter including first separation means between the composting zone and the discharge zone. Prior art
The purpose of a composter is to handle biowastes from institutional kitchens and restaurants for enabling the utilization thereof on site around the year in a manner as highly automated as possible, such that the staff essentially need not participate in anything else except in the unloading of a biocontainer and, if necessary, in the final disposal of composted material.
Patent US7863039 discloses one prior art composter solution, which has an upper section for receiving the mass to be treated and a lower section which makes up a composting zone and has at its bottom a discharge hatch and discharge means for removing the composted mass from the composter. Between the upper section and the lower section are provided size reduction means for comminuting the presently treated mass. The upper section and the lower section are further provided with agitation means for mixing and aerating the presently treated mass. The size reduction means, the agitation means and the discharge means are attached to a common drive shaft for rotating the same by means of a common motor.
Description of the invention
It is an objective of the present invention to provide an improved composter, which enables highly automated year-round operation of the composter. In order to attain this objective, a composter of the invention is characterized in that said first separation means comprise a first disc-shaped member which is provided with at least one through slot, said slot having a cutting edge, and said first disc-shaped member being provided with elements by means of which the first disc-shaped member is drivable for rotating the same around its center axis, whereby said first cutting edge enables some mass to be cut off of the presently treated mass present above the first disc-shaped member, said cut-off mass being conveyable through said slot into the discharge zone below the first disc-shaped member.
Preferred embodiments for a composter of the invention are presented in the dependent claims.
The disc-shaped member supports the composting mass on its top surface and, while rotating around its center axis, the disc-shaped member has its cutting edge cutting the mass so as to remove therefrom in a slicing manner matter which proceeds through the slot into a lower bottom section that constitutes the discharge zone. Sweeper elements in the bottom section remove the mass out through the discharge hatch, e.g. into a sack or a plastic container provided with wheels. The sweeper elements are preferably adapted to rotate along with the disc-shaped member, whereby the removal occurs automatically at the same time as composted mass is discharged from the composting zone into the bottom section. The bottom section functions also as a seepage liquid collector from which the seepage liquid, if desired, can be recycled back into the composter automatically. On the other hand, a method of the invention is characterized in that said first separation means comprise a first disc-shaped member which is provided with at least one through slot, said slot having a cutting edge, and that the disc-shaped member is rotated around its center axis, said cutting edge enabling mass to be cut off of the presently treated mass present above the first disc-shaped member, whereby the mass cut off of the presently treated mass present above the first disc-shaped member proceeds at the same time
gravitationally through said slot into the discharge zone below the first disc- shaped member.
Preferred embodiments for a method of the invention are presented in the dependent claims. Detailed description of the invention
The invention will now be described by way of example in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows one embodiment for a composter of the invention in a schematic elevation view, fig. 2 shows one detail in the composter of fig. 1 in a plane view from above, and fig. 3 shows the detail of fig. 2 in cross-section in the direction of an arrow III.
The composter 1 of fig. 1, which is presented by way of example and which is preferably a so-called foodservice composter, has on top of each other an upper section which makes up a loading zone 2, an intermediate section which makes up a composting zone 3, and a bottom section which makes up a discharge zone 4. The upper section 2 is provided with an openable lid 18 for feeding compostable mass by way of a feeding hatch present in the composter's upper section. In the exemplary case, the lid 18 is hinged to a fixed lid portion with a hinge 29. The fixed portion is preferably provided with a valve 28 by way of which the exhaust air is adapted to be removed, preferably by mechanical suction. The bottom section 4 is provided with sweeper elements 17 for removing compost mass with a desired degree of ripeness from the composter by way of a hatch 25 formed in a wall of the bottom section, e.g. into a sack 26 or into a container provided with wheels. The intermediate section makes up the actual composting zone 3, the ripening of compost taking place therein. The bottom section functions also as a seepage liquid collector from which the seepage liquid can be recycled, if desired, e.g. by way of a conduit 20 back into the composter's upper section automatically.
The composting zone 3 and the discharge zone 4 are separated from each other with first separation means. The loading zone 2 and the composting zone 3 are separated from each other with second separation means. In the presented exemplary embodiment, the first separation means between the composting zone 3 and the discharge zone 4 comprise a first disc-shaped member 6 which is provided with one through slot 16, having a cutting edge 16' by means of which a slice is cut off of the presently treated mass overlying the first disc-shaped member 6, whereby the slice which has been cut off of the presently treated mass present above the first disc-shaped member 6 proceeds at the same time gravitationally through said slot 16 into the discharge zone 4 below the first disc-shaped member 6.
Correspondingly, the second separation means between the upper section (loading zone) 2 and the composting zone 3 comprise a second disc-shaped member 5 which is provided with one through slot 10, having a cutting edge 10' by means of which a slice is cut off of the presently treated mass present above the second disc-shaped member 5, whereby the slice which has been cut off of the presently treated mass present above the second disc-shaped member 5 proceeds at the same time gravitationally through said slot 10 into the composting zone 3 below the second disc-shaped member 5. What is shown as a schematic example in figs. 2 and 3 are both disc-shaped members 5, 6 in a plane view from above and in a cross-section view, respectively. Both the first disc-shaped member 6 and the second discshaped member 5 have a peripheral rim thereof provided with a gear ring (not shown) and the composter has its internal space fitted with
corresponding gears 12 and 11, by means of which the disc-shaped members 5, 6 are drivable for rotating the same around the axial centerline thereof. At least one of the gears 11, 12 associated with each disc-shaped member 5, 6 is a driving gear. Each driving gear is provided with its own power source (not shown). Both the first disc-shaped member 6 and the second disc-shaped member 5 are provided with a vertical agitation shaft 13 and 8 extending by way of the center axis thereof, which is adapted to rotate along with the first discshaped member 6 and the second disc-shaped member 5, respectively, and to which is connected, in a manner rotatable therewith, at least one mixing means 14 and respectively 7, which is located at a vertical distance from a top surface of the respective disc-shaped member 6, 5. The mixing means comprises preferably a curved, sharpened blade whose purpose, while rotating, is to agitate the waste and to tear up biobags possibly ended up therein. The lower agitation shaft 13 extends also to below the first disc- shaped member 6 into the bottom section and is provided with sweeper elements 17 rotating therewith and extending to the proximity of an internal wall of the bottom section (discharge zone 4).
Both the first disc-shaped member 6 and the second disc-shaped member 5 are cut so as to remove therefrom a radially directed, substantially constant- width piece, thereby forming the first disc-shaped member 6 and respectively the second disc-shaped member 5 with the aforesaid through slot 16 and 10 having respectively the cutting edges 16' and 10'. This slot has a length substantially equal to the radius of the disc-shaped member 5, 6, i.e. it extends essentially from the center of the disc-shaped member 5, 6 to its outer rim. Said slot has a constant width all the way except in the outer rim and center areas of the disc-shaped member 5, 6. Said slot has two co- directional edges, one of which is the aforesaid cutting edge 10', 16'. The slot of the disc-shaped member 5, 6 has its edge, which co-directional with the cutting edge 10', 16', located at a lower level than the cutting edge 10', 16'. Hence, this entails that the surface established by the disc-shaped member 5, 6, upon which the compostable mass is resting, is not overall totally planar but more or less helical in the sense that the outer rim of the disc-shaped member 5, 6 at least roughly makes up a spiral or a shape of helical resemblance. The disc-shaped member 5, 6 has a rotating direction R in fig. 2 (cf. fig. 2) counterclockwise, but generally speaking the disc-shaped member 5, 6 is required to rotate around its center axis in such a way that the slot has its cutting edge 10', 16' (upper radially directed edge) rotating towards the mass to be cut and to be conveyed into the discharge zone 4, which mass, in a view from the cutting edge 10', 16', lies on the other side of the opposite radially directed edge of the slot. Thus, the mass to be cut is moving over the lower edge towards the cutting edge 10', 16'. The cutting edge 10', 16' and the edge co-directional therewith, yet present at a lower level, are nevertheless both in a horizontal position.
In the first disc-shaped member 6 and in the second disc-shaped member 5 there is difference in terms of cutting height (correlation of the cutting edge 16', 10' to the other parallel lower edge). In the second disc-shaped member 5, the cutting height is smaller than in the first disc-shaped member 6, i.e. in the uppermost disc-shaped member 5, the cutting edge 10' cuts less (thinner slices) per layer. The purpose is to reduce the amount of compostable mass proceeding into the composting zone 3 and to tear up biobags. In the first disc-shaped member 6 there is more cutting height than in the second discshaped member 5 as the compost mass is drier (descent under its own weight from the composting zone 3 is poorer). The cutting height may vary from a few cm to several cm, e.g. 1-10 cm, depending on the dimensioning of a composter. In addition, the sweeper elements 17 of the discharge zone 4 are dimensioned in a view of enabling the discussed amount to emerge out of the discharge zone.
The second disc-shaped member 5 is preferably provided with identification elements 27 capable of identifying the height of compostable mass present in the composting zone 3 and, when the height exceeds a specific threshold value, the identification elements produce a signal for activating the first disc-shaped member 6 of the first separation means for removing mass from the composting zone 3 into the discharge zone 4 and out the hatch 25 of the discharge zone by means of the sweeper elements 17. The identification elements are made up of a flap member 27, which is attached in an articulated manner to the second disc-shaped member 5 below the same and which, upon coming to contact with mass present in the composting zone 3, pivots upwards and, after exceeding a specific threshold value, gives a control signal for activating the first disc-shaped member 6 of the first separation means.
The composter is preferably provided with transfer means 19, which enable mass with a certain degree of ripeness to be conveyed from the composting zone 3 into the loading zone 2 for facilitating the activation of composting fresh material. The transfer of mass takes place at specific intervals, depending on agitation and on the moisture and temperature of the mass. The transfer means include an opening formed in a wall of the composting zone, by way of which mass is able to proceed onto conveyor elements which carry mass into the interior of the upper section by way of an opening formed in the upper section. The conveyor elements preferably comprise a flight conveyor disposed inside the transfer pipe 19. The composter further comprises air ducts 22, 23 arranged preferably above both separation means, which extend across the composter interior and which are connected to air supply means 21, 24 for supplying the presently treated mass with oxygen necessary for composting. The air ducts are preferably triangular in cross-section, tapering in the upwards direction. There are preferably two air ducts disposed at each level, at a 90-degree angle relative to each other. The air ducts hold up the compost mass as the agitation means are rotating in order to prevent the entire mass from starting to rotate along therewith. The air supply means may comprise e.g. a fan or a compressor.
In connection with both the first disc-shaped member 6 and the second discshaped member 5 is preferably arranged a counter blade 15 and respectively a counter blade 9 working in cooperation with the cutting edge 16' and the cutting edge 10', respectively. The counter blade 9 extends across the upper space (feeding zone) 2 and the counter blade 15 respectively across the upper space (composting zone) 3. The counter blade 9 is attached at its midpoint to the mixing shaft 8 and the counter blade 15 respectively to the mixing shaft 13 in a non-rotatable manner, while nevertheless allowing a vertical movement lengthwise of the mixing shaft. The outermost ends of each counter blade 9, 15 are mounted on guide means, which are included in an internal wall of the composter and which allow a vertical movement of each counter blade 9, 15 along the internal wall. The counter blade 9, 15 keeps clean the cutting edge 10', 16' of the second disc-shaped member 5 and the first disc-shaped member 6, respectively, and the arrangement allowing its vertical movement prevents harder objects, such as cutlery, possibly ended up in the composter, from ruining the blades as the counter blade is able to avoid such objects by moving upwards. In the foregoing exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first discshaped member 6 and the second disc-shaped member 5 are rotated around the center axes thereof by peripheral rims of the first and second disc- shaped members. Alternatively, the drive for the first disc-shaped member 6 and the second disc-shaped member 5 in order to rotate the same around the center axes thereof can be arranged to occur by way of the center shafts thereof. Accordingly, in this case, it is the center shaft which rotates each disc-shaped member.
In the foregoing exemplary embodiment of the invention, said first separation means comprise just one rotating disc-shaped member, which is that mentioned first disc-shaped member 6 provided with at least one through slot 16, said slot having a cutting edge 16'. Respectively, in the foregoing exemplary embodiment, said second separation means comprise just one rotating disc-shaped member, which in turn is that mentioned second disc-shaped member 5 provided with at least one through slot 10, said slot having a cutting edge 10'.

Claims

Claims
1. A composter (1), having on top of each other a feeding zone (2), a composting zone (3) and a discharge zone (4), wherein the feeding zone (2) is provided with means for feeding compostable mass into the composter and the discharge zone (4) is provided with means (17) for removing compost mass with a desired degree of ripeness from the composter, said composter (1) including first separation means between the composting zone
(3) and the discharge zone (4), characterized in that said first separation means comprise a first disc-shaped member (6) which is provided with at least one through slot (16), said slot having a cutting edge (160, and that said composter is provided with elements by means of which the first discshaped member (6) is drivable for rotating the same around its center axis, whereby said first cutting edge (160 enables mass to be cut off of the presently treated mass present above the first disc-shaped member (6), said cut-off mass being conveyable through said slot (16) into the discharge zone
(4) below the first disc-shaped member (6).
2. A composter according to claim 1, characterized in that the elements by which the first disc-shaped member (6) is drivable for rotating the same around its center axis, are disposed on a peripheral rim of the first discshaped member (6), and that the first disc-shaped member (6) is provided with its own drive.
3. A composter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first disc-shaped member (6) is provided with a vertical mixing shaft (13), which extends by way of its center axis and which is adapted to rotate along with the first disc-shaped member (6), and to which is connected, in a manner rotatable therewith, at least one mixing means (14) which is situated at a vertical distance from a top surface of the first disc-shaped member (6).
4. A composter according to claim 3, characterized in that the mixing shaft (13) extends also below the first disc-shaped member (6) into the discharge zone (4) and is provided with sweeper elements (17) rotating therewith and extending to the proximity of an internal wall of the discharge zone, said sweeper elements being adapted, while rotating, to push composted mass out of the discharge zone by way of a discharge hatch (25) formed in the discharge zone.
5. A composter according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that between the loading zone (2) and the composting zone (3) are also provided second separation means, which comprise a second disc-shaped member (5) provided with at least one through slot (10), said slot having a cutting edge (100 which enables mass to be cut off of the presently treated mass present above the second disc-shaped member (5), which cut-off mass is conveyable through said slot into the composting zone (3) below the second disc-shaped member (5).
6. A composter according to claim 5, characterized in that the second discshaped member (5) has its peripheral rim provided with elements by means of which the second disc-shaped member (5) is drivable for rotating the same around its center axis.
7. A composter according to claim 6, characterized in that the second separation means are provided with identification elements (27) identifying the height of compostable mass present in the composting zone (3) and, when the height exceeds a specific threshold value, the identification elements (27) produce a signal for activating the first disc-shaped member (6) of the first separation means for removing mass from the composting zone (3) into the discharge zone (4) and out of the discharge zone by means of the sweeper elements (17).
8. A composter according to claim 7, characterized in that the identification elements are made up of a flap member (27), which is disposed below the second separation means and attached in an articulated manner to the first separation means, and which, upon coming to contact with mass present in the composting zone (3), pivots upwards and, after exceeding a specific threshold value, gives a control signal for activating the first disc-shaped member (6) of the first separation means.
9. A composter according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that both the first and the second disc-shaped member (5, 6) has its peripheral rim provided with a gear ring and the composter has its interior wall fitted with gears (11, 12), which work in cooperation with the respective gear ring and at least one of which is a driving gear, the first and the second disc-shaped members (5, 6) being each provided with its own drive.
10. A composter according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the composter is further provided with means (19), which enable mass with a certain degree of ripeness to be transferred from the composting zone (3) into the loading zone (2) for facilitating the activation of composting fresh material.
11. A composter according to claim 10, characterized in that the transfer means (19) include an opening formed in a wall of the composting zone, by way of which mass is able to proceed onto conveyor elements which carry mass by way of an opening formed in the loading zone (2) into the interior of the loading zone.
12. A composter according to claim 11, characterized in that the conveyor elements comprise a flight conveyor.
13. A composter according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the composter comprises air ducts (22), which are arranged above the first disc-shaped member (6) of the first separation means in the composting zone (3) and which extend across the interior of the composting zone (3), and which are connected to air supply means (21) for supplying the presently treated mass with oxygen necessary for composting.
14. A composter according to claim 13, characterized in that the loading zone (2) is also provided with respective air ducts (23) in a space above the second disc-shaped member (5) of the second separation means.
15. A composter according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that in connection with both the first and the second disc-shaped members (5, 6) is arranged a counter blade (9, 15) working in cooperation with the cutting edge (10', 16 and extending across the upper space (2, 3) and is attached at its midpoint to the mixing shaft (8, 13) in a non-rotatable manner but movable lengthwise of the mixing shaft, while the outermost ends of the counter blade are mounted on guide means, which are included in an interior wall of the composter and which allow a vertical movement of the blade.
16. A method for composting in a composter (1), having on top of each other a feeding zone (2), a composting zone (3) and a discharge zone (4), wherein the feeding zone (2) is provided with means for feeding compostable mass into the composter and the discharge zone (4) is provided with means (17) for removing compost mass with a desired degree of ripeness from the composter, said composter (1) including first separation means between the composting zone (3) and the discharge zone (4), characterized in that said first separation means comprise a first disc-shaped member (6) which is provided with at least one through slot (16), said slot having a cutting edge (160, and that the first disc-shaped member (6) is rotated around its center axis; said cutting edge (160 enabling mass to be cut off of the presently treated mass present above the first disc-shaped member (6), whereby the mass cut off of the presently treated mass present above the first discshaped member (6) proceeds at the same time gravitationally through said slot (16) into the discharge zone (4) below the first disc-shaped member.
17. A method according to claim 16, characterized in that between the loading zone (2) and the composting zone (3) are also provided second separation means, which comprise a second disc-shaped member (5) provided with at least one through slot (10), said slot having a cutting edge (100, and that the second disc-shaped member (5) is rotated around its center axis, wherein, by rotating the second disc-shaped member (5), the cutting edge (100 of the disc-shaped member (5) enables mass to be cut off of the presently treated mass present above the second disc-shaped member (5), whereby the mass cut off of the presently treated mass present above the second disc-shaped member (5) proceeds at the same time
gravitationally through said slot (10) into the composting zone (3) below the second disc-shaped member (5).
EP16734410.0A 2015-05-25 2016-05-23 Composter and method for composting in a composter Withdrawn EP3303263A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FI20155383A FI126186B (en) 2015-05-25 2015-05-25 Composters and process for composting in a composter
PCT/FI2016/050350 WO2016189198A1 (en) 2015-05-25 2016-05-23 Composter and method for composting in a composter

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EP3303263A1 true EP3303263A1 (en) 2018-04-11

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EP (1) EP3303263A1 (en)
CN (1) CN107771171A (en)
FI (1) FI126186B (en)
RU (1) RU2017144301A (en)
WO (1) WO2016189198A1 (en)

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CN112473902B (en) * 2020-11-16 2022-02-08 江山华隆能源开发有限公司 Pelletizing device of caking is prevented to living beings granule

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DE2709715A1 (en) * 1977-03-05 1978-09-07 Rolf Flach DEVICE FOR COMPOSTING A MIXTURE OF SEWAGE SLUDGE AND WASTE CONTAINING WASTE
DE3034378A1 (en) * 1980-09-12 1982-04-22 Maschinenfabrik Heger GmbH & Co KG, 7033 Herrenberg Compost shredding machine - with stationary cutters between rotating cutter blades in several planes
DE3215331A1 (en) * 1982-04-24 1983-10-27 Dieter 5461 Dattenberg John Compost chopper
DE3434303C2 (en) * 1984-09-19 1986-08-14 Josef Scheppach Maschinenfabrik Gmbh & Co, 8873 Ichenhausen Device for shredding waste
DE9117084U1 (en) * 1991-05-23 1995-10-05 Diehl GmbH & Co, 90478 Nürnberg Compost chopper
AU2002951743A0 (en) * 2002-09-27 2002-10-17 Biosys Pty Ltd Organic waste treatment apparatus
CA2590365A1 (en) * 2007-05-23 2008-11-23 Donald W. Wing Organic material decomposition device
CN201822691U (en) * 2010-05-05 2011-05-11 深圳市联创三金电器有限公司 Electric food processor with snap-fit structure knife rest
US8727251B2 (en) * 2010-09-30 2014-05-20 Ingenious Marketing Llc Kitchen shredder
CN103831859A (en) * 2012-11-23 2014-06-04 郑春福 Cassava slicing machine

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WO2016189198A1 (en) 2016-12-01
FI126186B (en) 2016-08-15
FI20155383A (en) 2016-08-15
CN107771171A (en) 2018-03-06

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