FR2846962A1 - Composting procedure for organic materials uses stackable ventilated container with micro-porous linings and earthworms - Google Patents

Abstract

The procedure uses earthworms Eisenia foetida or similar to compost organic materials in stackable containers (6), each having a lid (1) and a micro-porous liner (4), especially of terracotta. The liner is in four sections (4') set parallel to the container walls with a space between. The container walls have upper and lower ventilation holes (7, 8), and each container has an inner grille (2) with handles (3) to separate the earthworms from the organic material.

Description

-1 Apparatus and method for recovering organic waste in

natural fertilizer (or vermicompost)

Description

  The present invention relates to a device for the recovery of materials

  Organic (MO) in compost or more precisely in vermicompost.

  The particularity of vermicomosting compared to traditional composting lies in the fact that we can compost Organic Matter (MO) much faster, 5. all year round. The present invention offers the additional advantage of recovering OM with a reduced relative volume and less maintenance, for a high end product.

  quality. This device avoids the production of leachate.

  This product is aimed at individuals, local communities, various organizations,

food industry...

  10. The container (6) has a cover (1) thus allowing complete closure of the plastic case (or any other material which is not very breathable or not breathable). Only ventilation openings: high (7) and low (8), allow ventilation, materialized respectively by (7 ') and (8'). By way of nonlimiting example, the container can have a

  overall dimension of: L 600 x lg 400 x h 175 mm (bin European standards).

  15. Inside the box is deposited parallel to the walls of the latter a microporous structure (4) such as terracotta or other. By way of nonlimiting example, this structure can be made up of four independent elements, detail of one of the four elements in (4 '). The element opposite to (4 ') is identical to the latter, the two others which are perpendicular to it may be different in their length, but each of the two 20. notches are opposed thereto, so that the four elements fit together form one. This breathable material, 100% opaque, has no opening and facilitates

  by its very nature a gaseous and humic exchange with the outside of the box.

  Between the walls of the microporous structure and the walls of the box is an air space which we will call negative space. It is indeed important that under normal conditions of 25. the Earthworms (V2T) do not migrate in this space.

  On the other hand, in the event of a crisis (acid substrate, pH <6 or increase in temperature> 290C) the V2Ts have the possibility of crossing the obstacle which constitutes the breathing structure, in order to temporarily take refuge in the negative space. The space between the top of the microporous structure and the cover must be at least sufficient to allow V2T -2

to pass.

  Thanks to the ventilation holes (7 & 8), the contained substrate, the microflora and fauna

  breathe, thus promoting aerobic activity.

  5. In addition, this evaporation makes it possible to considerably reduce the production of leachate or to make this quantity insignificant insofar as it does not cause the filling of this negative space nor the collection or storage of this liquid (space saving

and time).

  The absence of juice at the bottom of the box, thus making it possible to stack several boxes, 10. thus concentrates the activity of the V2Ts. The air space between the walls of the body (6) and the breathable structure (4) allows better thermal regulation, there is no thermal accumulation. Aerobic decomposition in the body prevents any

  odor nuisance or methanation.

  To start vermicomposting at zero, it is important to establish beforehand 15. a good litter located inside the breathable structure, consisting for example of paper / cardboard, MO having a high carbon / nitrogen ratio (> 16) and having already

  fermented or manure at least three weeks old.

  The biomass is then deposited on the surface of the litter.

  The MO intake can begin, slowly at first. It includes all types of OM, the 20. precautionary principle would nevertheless invite us to avoid any meaty material (meat and fish). The OM used will therefore for example consist of fruit and vegetable peelings, cellulose-based materials (paper, cardboard, etc.), garden soil and / or

  vermicompost in order to inoculate the new substrate and promote its biodiversity.

  It is important that the intake of OM is regular but progressive and follows 25. the rise of V2T as well as the increase in their biomass. After a while,

  when the level of substrate reaches approximately the level (5), a removable grid (2) having handles (3) is deposited on the surface. Over time, the level of the substrate and the V2T rising, the grid remaining at the same initial level, it is sufficient to even even partially lift the sieve regularly in order to promote better penetration of oxygen within the substrate and check that everything is going well.

  A graduation in centimeters on the breathable support may appear, this in order to know the thickness of the existing substrate and the total thickness of the bed possible. When the height of the substrate arrives a little before the top of the microporous structure, the grid comprising the vast majority of V2Ts is raised and set aside. This method allows -3 separation between the finished product (vermicompost) and the V2T. Once the box has been emptied of the substrate and the V2Ts, the latter can thanks to the grid be gently redeposited at the

  bottom of the box. The grid is set aside. Another cycle resumes.

  5. The invention is based on an increase in the interfaces / dedicated volume ratio. It therefore makes it possible, at equal volume, to optimize the quantity of OM recovered. The containers being independent of each other and in the absence of leachate it is possible to stack several containers without worrying about thermal accumulations or collecting leachate. Resistance

  mechanics of the latter being the only limit to the height of the column of the tanks.

  10. However, it is possible to use a piece of furniture with shelves, the latter distributing the load of one or more boxes thus increasing the height

of the battery (ies).

  On a larger scale we can use a pallet truck / elevator or other equipment that can move and stack containers of larger size. The containers will be 15. provided with reservations in order to facilitate the handling work.

  Some definitions - Biomass: Total mass of living organisms in a given biotope, here we will mainly talk about the biomass represented by V2T in a given container. 20. - Negative space: air space located between the walls of the breathable structure and the

body wall.

  - Interface: Surface of separation between two physically distinct states of the material, we will call interface, the surface located between the substrate and the air which circulates

  inside the container, area where the biomass is concentrated.

  25. - Leachate: Juice obtained by decomposition of OM. By percolation phenomenon we usually find this production at the bottom of V2T containers, this

  invention overcomes this drawback and independently.

  Acronyms For the sake of saving paper (reduction at source) and quick reading, we use the following acronyms: - V2T: Earthworm represented in particular by the Terreau Worm or Red worm, Latin name

Eisenia Foetida or other.

  MO: Organic materials will be preferred to Organic Waste insofar as we

enhances the material.

- 4

Claims (5)

claims   1- Device for the recovery of organic matter by vermicomposting of the container type (6) provided with a cover (1) characterized in that it comprises a microporous structure (4), in particular in terracotta, itself made up of four elements (4 ′) arranged parallel to the walls of the container, said 5. structure being 100% opaque, having no opening, and facilitating the gas exchanges with the outside.   2- Device according to claim n0l characterized in that high ventilation   (7) and lowers (8) are provided in the form of an orifice in the walls of said 10. container (6).   3- Device according to one of claims n'l and 2 characterized in that it comprises   a vacuum called "negative space" between the walls of the container and the structure   microporous (4) making it possible to reduce the production of leachate. 15.   4- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that   that different containers (6) can be stacked by stacking.   - Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the microporous structure (4) has a graduation in centimeters for measure the level of the substrate.   6- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that   that it further comprises a separation grid (2) between the V2T and the lombriocompostées MO. 7- Shelving unit characterized in that it consists of several devices according to any one of the preceding claims stacked on top of each other and   distributed in stacks on the shelves.