IT202100000509A1 - COMPOSTER - Google Patents

Description

Composter

Composters

Technical field

The present invention ? relating to the small-scale composting sector, for example referring to each single user or condominium. Pi? in particular, the invention relates to a small solar composter for the aerobic treatment of the organic fraction of waste. even more in particular, the invention relates to providing a machine for composting household waste, hereinafter referred to simply as a composter, which allows household waste to be recycled in a hygienic manner and without the emission of unpleasant odours, which is it is also easy to handle, safe and compact in size.

Known art

Composting? a biological maturation process that takes place under controlled conditions whether it is practiced at an industrial or domestic level.

with more precision with the term composting we mean a series of reactions through which there is the production of molecular chain materials more? simpler, more stable, sanitized, rich in humic compounds, ultimately useful for the fertilization of agricultural crops and for the restoration of organic matter in the soil.

These reactions take place by various strains of microorganisms operating in an aerobic environment: bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, algae, protozoa naturally present in organic biomass or artificially added with any inoculum material.

The composting process? today of great interest from several points of view:

? from an ecological-environmental point of view, why? transforms biomass from the urban cycle, from the selection of agro-food, agricultural and livestock waste, as well as sludge deriving from the purification of civil wastewater, in materials useful for the fertilization of agricultural land, why? not anymore phytotoxic, nutrient carriers and structural characteristics improvers;

? from a hygienic-sanitary point of view, why? the organic material is sanitized in the process, thanks to the high temperatures that are generated;

? from an energy point of view, given that the process is energetically self-sustaining, with the energy deriving from the demolition of the biochemical bonds characterizing the complex molecules of the organic substance.

In fact, it is always worth more? the rule: Turn waste into treasure and improve the environment.

The classification of composting plants and techniques is essentially made according to their size, therefore there are:

- Industrial composting plants that allow for the disposal of the organic or wet fraction of municipal solid waste and waste from the agricultural and agri-food industry as well as the production of fertilizer on an industrial scale;

- domestic composting plants which can be of different types depending on whether you live in the countryside or in the city.

If you live in the countryside, composting can take place in heaps:

- which are periodically turned over and therefore ? a type of composting suitable for the treatment of low fermentability matrices, such as for example green waste and those with a high cellulose component;

- ventilated statics, and therefore ? a type of composting indicated for the treatment of biomasses characterized by a different fermentability.

For city dwellers? composting must be carried out in special containers called composters.

Is composting carried out in composters? a technique particularly suitable for the treatment of domestic wet fractions, market waste and collective catering, civil and agri-food sludge.

With regard to composting carried out in composters, various types of composters are known:

- vertical where the room? divided into zones, and organic material treatment devices are provided between one zone and another;

- horizontal i.e. there ? a single composting chamber whose axis extends parallel to the support surface.

Are the so-called community composters also known? who have a capacity of treatment from 10 to 130 tons / year, and therefore they appear to be very large machines and used for numerous users, such as: condominiums, canteens, communities. These types of composters mostly? work with a so-called piston flow operation, the material is introduced from a? end? of the device and exits from the other end, stabilized by means of a horizontal displacement ensured by a screw.

In the context of domestic composters, there are revolving composters, with a rotating structure, which however? they have the disadvantage of being unsafe, especially if you have children and animals at home.

There are also composters with two chambers, side by side or overlapping, which have the disadvantage of not providing quality compost, since they are composted. are they going to mix fresh waste with products that already have? undergone some degree of decomposition.

Composters with more than two chambers are awkward to handle, bulky, absorb a lot of current and are difficult to manage, as well as producing unpleasant odors due to aerobic fermentation.

The disadvantages deriving from known composting plants, in particular at the domestic level, are:

- the formation of putrefaction reactions which produce malodorous exhalations;

- operation at a voltage of 220 V and therefore the need? connections to the electricity grid or to photovoltaic systems with inverters and modest-sized storage; - the detention times of the organic material which are very long and in the order of a few months.

AND? therefore felt the need? to have an improved machine for composting household waste, which does not produce unpleasant odors during fermentation, is clean and hygienic and can be handled safely.

The purpose of the invention? that of solving the problems posed by the prior art by supplying a machine for composting domestic waste, hereinafter simply referred to as a composter, which allows domestic waste to be recycled hygienically and without odors, which is also simple to handle, safe and contained dimensions.

Summary of the Invention

A purpose of the invention? to develop a home composter intended for use in mode? stand-alone especially in isolated users.

Another purpose of the invention? that of developing a domestic composter that is airtight and in which the air is extracted from the inside outwards, avoiding the escape of bad odors due to mixing and/or the introduction of air.

Yet another object of the invention? to develop a composter in which the composting process? faster than a known composting process.

Yet another purpose? that of developing a composter in which the activation of the composting process takes place by means of air directly from inside the composter.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from the detailed description of the invention, moreover the claims describe preferred variants of the invention, forming an integral part of the present description.

Brief description of the Figures

The purposes and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the detailed description that follows of an embodiment of the same (and of its variants) and from the accompanying drawings given for purely explanatory and non-limiting purposes, in which:

Figure 1 depicts a home composter C according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows in perspective the composter C of figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a side view of the composter C of figure 1 with the lid raised/open;

Figure 4 shows a front view of the composter C of figure 1 with the lid raised/open;

Figure 5 shows, according to a further front view, the composter C of figure 1 with the bottom cover open;

Figure 6, shows a rear view of the composter C of figure 1 in which ? the solar panel placed on the lid is visible;

Figure 7 schematically depicts the composter C in figure 1 in front view

Figure 8, schematically represents according to a further front view the composter C of figure 1;

Figure 9, schematically represents a rear view of the composter C of figure 1;

Figure 10, schematically depicts a first side view of the composter C of figure 1.

Figure 11, schematically represents a second side view of the composter C of figure 1;

Figure 12, schematically represents a plan view of the composter C of figure 1;

Figure 13A schematically depicts a detail of a first embodiment of the air extraction and distribution system;

Figure 13B schematically depicts a detail of a second embodiment of the air extraction and distribution system;

Figure 14, shows in particular the inside of a first composting chamber of the composter C of figure 1.

Figure 15 shows a temperature sensor 3 and an electrical resistance 4 placed inside the first chamber of the composter C of figure 1;

Figure 16, shows an air extraction system of the composter C of figure 1.

Figure 17 shows a collection channel 12 and a liquid collection tank 10 located outside the composter C in a special compartment 9.

In the context of this description the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be taken as indicative of relative importance, nor? a second? component implies the presence of a ?first? component. These terms are in fact used as labels to improve clarity and are not to be understood in a limiting way.

The elements and characteristics illustrated in the various preferred embodiments, including the drawings, can be combined with each other without however departing from the scope of protection of the present application as described below.

Detailed description of the invention

According to the present invention, the composter C ? a domestic composter having three chambers superimposed on each other vertically, separated by removable or extractable panels which allow the material to be treated to be transferred by gravity. This composter can be made entirely of metal, such as galvanized steel, but pu? also be made of plastic materials, composite and multilayer materials and related combinations. It ? of small dimensions, such as those of a built-in appliance, such as a washing machine and works in depression and forced draft of air, how will it come? explained in the following.

The purpose of the composter? the treatment of the organic fraction of waste, such as domestic organic waste, in order to convert it into compost with stable chemical characteristics and relevant quality? agronomic. The quantity? of refusal that can? be treated ? typically that of one or more? families, for example ? from about 1-2 kg to 5-7 kg per day.

The composter C according to the present invention comprises:

- a first chamber or upper chamber A, into which the fresh organic material to be treated is introduced;

- a second chamber or intermediate chamber B, also defined as prematuration chamber;

- a third chamber or lower chamber D, also called maturation and accumulation chamber;

- a compartment for the collection and accumulation of leachate 9 deriving from the composting process in which ? housed a leachate collection tank 10;

- a compost collection compartment;

- a ventilation system inside the composter which includes a duct and devices for extracting the air from the composter C, so that the composting processes carried out therein are conducted under depression;

- an electrical power system that can? be connected to the network or can? be a stand-alone system that includes a photovoltaic panel associated with a charge regulator with storage battery.

How does the composter work? the following (process steps (I), (II) and (III) are to be carried out in the three vertically superimposed chambers as indicated in the figures and described above).

First Process Phase or Phase (I)

The organic material (or organic matrix) to be composted is loaded into said first chamber or upper chamber A. To the organic material to be composted can? advantageously be added of the so-called structuring material, a material that is? that assists the bio-degradation why? it favors the circulation of air inside the material (moreover, in the case of organic material such as wood, it favors bio-degradation).

The movement and mixing of the organic material is ensured by a stirring system, visible in figure 8, installed on the walls of the composter C, and operable electrically or, according to a preferred embodiment, manually from the outside.

The activation phase of the organic matrix takes place in this first chamber A. The temperature at which the bio-degradation process takes place is not ? binding, but obviously how much greater? the temperature at which the first room A is located, the more? the process starts quickly and easily. For this reason ? it is preferable to insert in the first chamber A a temperature sensor, connected to a heating system which can bring said first chamber to a temperature above the ambient temperature, typically above 35°C, preferably above about 50°C. 55?C. The activation temperature? guaranteed by an electrical resistance that can be positioned in a special housing inside the first chamber and connected to a thermostat which activates the electrical circuit when it detects a temperature range below the one set as optimal for activation.

A list of compostable materials ? given in Table 1:

Table 1

A list of compostable materials and standards for composting ? given by EU directive 851/2018 of 30 May 2018, implemented in Italy by Legislative Decree 116/2020. A list of materials that can be used as structuring agents? the following: chipboard and wood pellets, woody shells and fruit seeds such as dried fruit, bones, fish bones and small sized mollusc bivalves, or other similar materials.

In the activation phase, thanks also to the high temperatures, there is a rapid decay of humidity in the organic substance inserted in the composter, which involves the reduction of the size of the organic material. The main feature of the first chamber? that of having a floor made up of a perforated panel 6. The holes can be regular openings, such as for example square, rectangular, polygonal, circular holes, etc. or irregular or be in the form of elongated grooves or openings, and combinations thereof. For example, the perforated panel pu? have mesh sizes of 5x5 cm or 3x3 cm or even in the range of 5 to 0.5 cm, preferably 5-3 cm x 5-3 cm or 3.0 to 0.5 cm x 3.0 to 0.5 cm and all combinations of measurements within these intervals.

The perforated panel 6 can? be substantially flat or even be provided with protrusions and/or protuberances and/or protruding elements suitable for making the surface in contact with the material to be composted, as well as perforated, also irregular to increase the empty spaces and increase the circulation of air inside the ?interior of the first room.

The perforated panel 6 ? advantageously removable from the top of the composter or through an opening located on one side of the composter to facilitate extraordinary cleaning operations.

Second Process Phase or Phase (II)

When the organic material, following the biological degradation, will have? reached the suitable size, sar? capable of passing through the holes in the perforated floor 6. The material is transferred by gravity to the second chamber or intermediate chamber B and is deposited on the floor 8 of said second chamber. The floor ? an inclined panel that can be removed to allow cleaning operations. The inclination is not? a fundamental parameter for the success of the process and pu? be an inclination also along two Cartesian axes identified by the panel. AND? it is only necessary that said inclination allows the liquid fraction that forms during bio-degradation to flow towards a collection element, which can? be a drainage channel, which collects the liquid and conveys it to a compartment 9 for the collection and accumulation of the leachate.

The material unsuitable for degradation will not be able to? access by fall from the first room A to the second room B, and there? Is it an advantage in terms of quality? of the compost produced. Said material? a material that can help build the structure as indicated above.

In the second chamber B, the organic material that is percolated from the first chamber A the pre-maturation phase begins. The material, substantially already? stabilized, can? stay for many days inside this compartment, for example, purely as an indication, for a period of about 15-20 days. It is constantly moistened by the bio-degradation liquids which percolate from the first chamber, this phenomenon is advantageous both for the kinetics of the composting process and for the quality of the compost. of the resulting compost.

The inclined floor connects to a collection channel 12 and its slope has the function of collecting the leachate formed in the activation phase and transferring it, thanks to said collection channel 12, to a collection bin 10 of the leachate located outside the composter in a special compartment 9, as shown in figure 17.

The main feature of the second chamber? the composted material transfer system.

Specifically, the panel representing the inclined floor 8 of the second chamber has the characteristic of being removable laterally with a guillotine closure equipped with a scraper blade so that, during extraction, said scraper blade blocks the material inside the composter C and drop it in the third chamber D.

Third Process Phase or Phase (III)

The third and last chamber D has the function of collecting and accumulating the organic material that comes from the second chamber B and which is already has undergone a phase of prematurity.

In this third chamber D, the humification processes are developed which transform the organic material into quality compost.

The final extraction of the compost? guaranteed by an?opening 16 to the front hatch that will allow? the user to collect the compost in pots or containers, preferably housed in said third chamber D. The material already? stabilized can be deposited in heaps in the open air, as, being already? was the organic substance degraded, it will not emanate? bad smells.

The process of composting the raw material ? an aerobic process, what happens? by means of oxygen, and ? summarily described with the following relationship:

Micro-organisms organic material O2 = Compost CO2 H2O NO3- SO4 heat

The quantity? of oxygen necessary to guarantee the continuation of the activity to the aerobic bacteria? microbial composting ? ensured by an aeration system of the composter as described below.

The system ? based on the presence of an extraction device? Air (or extractor 19) in itself? known and/or within the reach of the expert in the field. For example, the extraction device advantageously comprises one or even two fans (19?, 19??) which guarantees/guarantees a negative pressure difference (?P) and maintains/maintains the environment inside the composter C in depression The fan (for example with variable speed) ? the system more advantageous in terms of energy consumption. A single fan rather than two pu? be sufficient in environments/areas or cold periods of the year. Two fans (19?, 19??) or a boosted extraction system may be needed in the summer when the process may need more oxygen. In cold periods like in winter it can a single fan is enough to reduce energy consumption to a minimum.

The extraction system includes the extractor which extracts the air from inside the composter and makes it flow towards the outside of it. For this function the extractor ? operatively connected to a pipe, inside the composter, which comprises a first and a second pipe, coaxial to each other, which define a hollow cylindrical volume comprised between the first pipe or external pipe and the second pipe or internal pipe. Does the external pipe have a? end? open outside the composter and ? provided with holes to allow the air to escape inside the composter, while the internal pipe, operationally connected to the extractor, conveys the air present inside the composter to it, draining it through its end. open, positioned inside the composter. Do the two coaxial pipes have a first end? placed inside and a second extremity? placed outside the composter and are placed inside the composter, advantageously in the second chamber B.

A first end? of the external pipe extends outside the composter and channels the air from the outside into the annular compartment defined between the two coaxial pipes, air which is directed, through said first perforated pipe, inside the composter and released here through the holes placed on the walls of said first pipe or external pipe. The second end? of said first pipe? equipped with a locking element. Typically the closing element ? a cap and said second end? ? placed inside the composter.

A first end? of the second pipe or internal pipe extends to the outside of the composter in operative connection with the extraction device (or extractor) which allows the channeling of the air from the inside to the outside of the composter, conveying it to the biofilter for the deodorization treatment before that the air is released into the atmosphere. The second end? of the second pipe? open and is inside the composter. Advantageously, the second pipe can? be provided with a heating element, such as a heating sheath.

The extractor operatively connected to the biofilter and to the second pipe allows the air to be drained from the inside to the outside of the composter, conveying it to the biofilter through said second pipe. Therefore, inside the duct made up of the first and second coaxial pipes, two air currents are created, at different temperatures, which circulate in the duct. The current pi? hot circulates inside the second pipe and the current pi? cold circulates in the cylindrical volume between the first and second pipes. These two air currents that circulate inside the pipeline exchange heat during their advancement.

The air circulation obtained from the duct/extractor combination? the following. Through an? Opening placed at one? End? of the first pipe, which extends outside the composter, does the air enter the pipe and ? released inside the composter through the holes placed on the walls of said first pipe. The air is then recalled inside the second pipe, through a first end? of this placed inside the composter through the extractor, operationally connected to a second extremity? of said second pipe. In this way the air is channeled from the inside to the outside of the composter and conveyed to the biofilter for deodorization treatment before being released into the atmosphere. These two currents of air which circulate inside the pipeline exchange heat during their advancement.

The circulation of air that is obtained with the extraction system described above? natural and does not cause the thermal shock to the degradation processes which would instead be created if the external environment were cold. In fact, thanks to the arrangement of the two coaxial pipes, the air more? incoming cold exchanges heat with that inside the composter along the route of the pipeline made up of the two pipes.

During the movement of air inside the composter there is a transfer of heat from the exhaust stream which will be? at a higher temperature than the air outside the composter, more? fresh. This phenomenon is accentuated during the winter as the external temperatures can be significantly lower than the working temperature of the composter.

The activation of the air flow? ensured by the extractor which acts in depression generating a negative ?P inside the chambers of the composter. How does the extractor work? powered either by connecting the composter to the electricity grid or with the current generated by the photovoltaic panel located on the lid of the composter. The air in question is conveyed inside the biofilter to break down the load of odors present generated by the bio-decomposition.

For the sizing of the biofilter, the time required for the overall bio-decomposition process is taken into account and ? a calculation that the expert of the branch ? able to perform by combining their knowledge and technical information that ? able to deduce from the description of the present invention.

Periodically, the biofilter will be? subjected to replacement operations of the substrate used, which ? generally made up of wood chips, nut shells, hay, and other material that can be added as a structuring agent in the composter.

As can be seen in figures 6, 10-12, does the biofilter 5 ? placed outside the composter C in a special compartment that can be opened at the top for its spare/replacement/maintenance.

Still in the same figures 6, 10-12 in a room close to the one where ? placed the biofilter 5, the following are housed: the electric charge regulator of the battery 13, the thermostat with temperature sensor 14 and the storage battery 15.

At the end of the composting process, the compost can be taken from the third chamber and used.

In a simplified implementation, the conduct can? not be constituted by two coaxial pipes but simply by a single pipe which connects the composter to the extractor 19. Advantageously, one of the three chambers of the composter C, for example the intermediate chamber B, could be provided with openings. In this way the composter will work? in depression with the conveyance of the air inside it towards the biofilter 5.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention

A realization of the invention ? illustrated by way of non-limiting example with the help of the attached figures. With particular reference to the attached figures, the composter C of the invention comprises the following elements:

first chamber A or upper chamber

second chamber B or intermediate chamber or pre-maturation chamber

compost bin C

third chamber D or lower chamber or maturation and accumulation chamber

V ventilation system including a duct and air extraction devices

stand alone power supply system E

1 photovoltaic panel

1? Closing door

2 Rotary axis for mixing the material

2? Rotary axis vane

3 Temperature sensor

4 Electrical resistance

5 Biofilter

6 Perforated floor of the first room

7 Wheels

8 Removable floor in the second bedroom

9 Leachate storage compartment

10 Leachate collection tank

11 compost collection compartment 12 Leachate collection channel

13 Charge regulator

14 Thermostat with temperature sensor

15 Storage battery

16 Compost accumulation compartment opening hatch

18 second pipe or internal air circulation pipe

18? and 18? respectively first extremity? and second end? of the second pipe 18

19 Extractor

19? and 19? First and second air extraction fan

20 Crank for rotary axis 2

21 first pipe or external perforated pipe for air circulation

21? and 21? respectively first extremity? and second end? of the external pipe 21

23 holes placed on the first pipe 21

Figures 1, 2 show, according to different views, the composter C, according to the present invention, in which ? the first chamber A is visible, into which the organic fraction is introduced. The first room? closed at the top by a closing door 1? with:

- a photovoltaic panel 1 able to guarantee the electric power supply to the composter (the photovoltaic panel is of the standard type, for example from 1-50 W;

- a handle for opening the first chamber.

The presence of this photovoltaic panel 1 makes the composter C suitable for use in all those isolated users, in stand-alone or simply the user who wants to compost their waste without electricity consumption from the network.

Said tailgate 1? ? shown in figure 4 in the open position, in figure 5 ? instead shown in the closed position.

Without being bound by the size, this first room can? have a volume of about 170 liters. In said first chamber or upper chamber A, the organic material (or organic matrix) to be composted is loaded and its handling and mixing with the structuring agent are ensured by an agitation system which can comprise an internal rotary axis 2 provided with vanes 2?, as visible in figure 8, installed by means of two ball bearings welded to the walls of the composter and manually operated by means of an external crank 20.

In this first chamber A, the activation phase of the organic matrix takes place, preferably after heating the first chamber to a temperature of about 50-55°C, a temperature detectable by means of a temperature sensor 3. In the activation phase, thanks to the high temperatures , in the organic substance there is a rapid decay of? humidity? which leads to size reduction.

The activation temperature? guaranteed by an electrical resistance 4 (for example from 4 to 10 W) placed in a special housing inside the first chamber on a side wall thereof

Resistance 4? connected to a thermostat 14 which activates the electric circuit when it detects a preset temperature range, for example below 25°C.

The main feature of the first chamber? that of having a floor made up of a perforated panel 6, for example having a mesh size of 3 cm x 3 cm.

When the organic material, following the biological degradation, will have? reached the suitable size, of about 3-1 cm, sar? capable of going through the holes in the perforated floor. The material is transferred by gravity to the second chamber and is deposited on the floor of said second chamber, consisting of an inclined panel 8.

The material unsuitable for degradation will not be able to? access the second chamber, and there? Is it an advantage in terms of quality? of the compost produced.

The perforated panel 6 ? removable from above or through an opening located on one side of the composter to facilitate extraordinary cleaning operations.

Without being bound by the dimensions, said second chamber B has a volume of about 80-100 litres. In this second chamber B, the organic material that is percolated from the first upper chamber A the pre-maturation phase begins. The material already? stable can? even stay many days inside this compartment. It is constantly moistened by the reaction water which percolates from the first chamber, this phenomenon is advantageous both for the kinetics of the composting process and for the quality of the compost. of the resulting compost. The slope of the floor represented by the inclined panel 8 has the function of collecting the leachate formed in the activation phase and transferring it, thanks to a collection channel 12, to a leachate collection bin 10 located outside the composter in a special compartment 9, as visible in figure 16.

The main feature of the second chamber? the composted material transfer system.

Specifically, the panel representing the floor 8 of the second chamber has the characteristic of being extractable laterally with a guillotine closure, during extraction a scraper blade blocks the material and lets it fall into the third chamber.

In figure 7 ? represented the panel 8 in a retracted position inside the composter C, while in figure 8 ? shown said panel 8 in the extracted position.

Without being bound by the dimensions, said third and last chamber D has a volume of about 120-140 litres.

This third chamber D has the function of collecting and accumulating the organic material that comes from the second chamber B and which is already has undergone a stage of pre-maturation.

The humification processes that will transform the organic material into quality compost will take place in this chamber.

The final extraction of the compost? guaranteed by an?opening 16 to the front hatch that will allow? the user to collect the compost in pots or containers. The material already? stabilized can? however be deposited in heaps in the open air, as, being already? was the organic substance degraded, it will not emanate? bad smells.

The process of composting the raw material takes place by means of oxygen and the quantity? of oxygen necessary to guarantee the continuation of the activity to the aerobic bacteria? microbial ? ensured by the extraction system described above and detailed below.

The system ? based on the presence of an air extraction system (or extractor 19) such as for example one or even two fans (19?, 19??). The extraction system 19 makes it possible to obtain a negative pressure difference (?P) and keeps the environment inside the composter C in a vacuum.

The extractor 19 extracts the air from inside the composter C and makes it flow outwards. For this function the extractor ? operatively connected to a pipeline, inside the composter C, which comprises a first pipe or external pipe 21 and a second pipe or internal pipe 18, coaxial to each other, which define a hollow cylindrical volume between said first pipe 21 and said second pipe 18 The external pipe 21 has a? open (21? or 21?) that extends outside the composter, called pipe 21 ? also provided with holes 23 to allow the air to escape from the pipe 21 inside the composter. In turn, the internal pipe 18, operatively connected to the extractor 19 through its first end, 18?, conveys to it the air present inside the composter, draining it towards the biofilter 5 through its second end? open 18?, positioned inside the composter C.

One end? 21? (figure 13A) or 21? (figure 13B) of the external pipe 21 extends outside the composter and channels the air into the annular space defined between the two coaxial pipes 21 and 18, air which is directed, via said first perforated pipe 21, from the outside to the inside the composter C and released here through the holes 23 placed on the walls of said first pipe 21. The end? 21? (figure 13A) or 21? (figure 13B) of said first pipe 21 ? equipped with a locking element. Typically the closing element ? a cap and said second end? closed of the first pipe 21 ? placed inside the composter C.

A first end? 18? of the second pipe 18 or internal pipe and coaxial to the first pipe 21 extends outside the composter in operative connection with the extraction device (or extractor 19) so? to allow the air to be channeled from the inside to the outside of the composter, conveying it to the biofilter 5 for the deodorization treatment before the air is released into the atmosphere. The second end? 18? of the second pipe 18 ? also open and is located inside the composter C. Advantageously, the second pipe 18 can? be provided with a heating element, such as a heating sleeve (not shown).

The extractor 19, positioned inside the biofilter 5 and operatively connected to the second pipe 18, allows the air to be drained from the inside to the outside of the composter C, conveying it to the biofilter 5 through said second pipe 18. Therefore, inside the duct made up of the first pipe 21 and second pipe 18, coaxial to each other, two air currents are created, at different temperatures which circulate in the duct in co-current or counter-current, depending on the positioning of the ends? closed/open (21?, 21?) of the second line 21, as illustrated in Figures 13A and 13B . The current pi? hot circulates inside the second pipe 18 and the current pi? The cold air circulates in the annular cylindrical volume between the first pipe 21 and the second pipe 18. These two air currents which circulate inside the pipe exchange heat during their reciprocal motion in equi- or counter-current.

In a first embodiment of the invention illustrated in figure 13A the second pipe 18 is open at both ends? (the first end? 18? placed inside the biofilter and the second end? 18? placed inside the composter C). The first pipe 21, also provided with two ends? placed respectively one outside and one inside the composter, ? shaped so as to have the? extremity? 21? closed and placed inside, while the end? 21? (outside the composter) ? open and equipped with one or more? openings. The or the openings positioned on? Extremity? 21? opening of the first pipe 21 are preferably oriented downwards so as to be sheltered from the rain and can be provided with opening/closing systems per se? known for making the air flow inside the composter adjustable.

In an alternative embodiment of the first pipe 21 (illustrated in Figure 13B), the two ends placed respectively inside and outside the compost are respectively the first extremity? 21? (mail inside and closed) and the second extremity? 21? (placed outside and open). The end? 21? open and equipped with one or more? openings preferably oriented downwards so as to be sheltered from the rain and can they be provided with opening/closing systems per se? known for making the air flow inside the composter adjustable.

The incoming air, through the extractor 19 or the fans 19? and 19? it is channeled in the duct which includes the two coaxial pipes (perforated external pipe 21 and internal pipe 18). Said pipe preferably runs along the entire internal perimeter of the second chamber B of the composter C and the air is released through various holes 23 placed on the walls of the pipe 21. Inside the fresh air delivery duct ? the internal pipe 18 is present which channels the air from inside the composter to the outside and conveys it to the biofilter 5 for the deodorisation treatment before being released into the atmosphere. These two opposing air currents exchange heat as they advance.

During the movement of air that is generated inside the composter, thanks to the aid of the extractor 19 or the fans 19? and 19? there is the transfer of heat from the exhaust stream, placed at a higher temperature than that of the external fresh air. This phenomenon is accentuated during the winter as the external temperatures can be significantly lower than the working temperature of the composter.

The activation of the air flow? ensured by the extractor 19 or by the fans 19? and 19? which acts/acts in depression generating a negative ?P inside the chambers of the composter C. The extractor 19 (or the fans 19? and 19?) can? be advantageously powered with a 12 V current voltage via the mains current or the photovoltaic panel 1 placed in the end? top of the composter. The air in question is conveyed inside the biofilter 5 to reduce the load of odors present.

With the arrangement of the elements indicated above, the composter works substantially in depression as:

- does the air from outside enter the composter through the openings at the end? 21? or 21? of the pipe 21 and flows towards the inside of the composter through the openings 23 (diffusers) located along the entire length of said first pipe 21, the closure of which at the end? placed inside the composter it allows for a uniform diffusion of the air inside the composter;

- therefore, thanks to the extractor 19 operatively connected with the end? 18? of the second pipe 18, the air inside the composter flows inside said second pipe through the second end? of it 18? also open and placed inside the composter.

For sizing the biofilter 5 yes ? taking into account the contact time established by the technique, to ensure a good degree of reduction of the substances responsible for bad smells, contained in the gases produced by the composting process.

In this case, considering a contact time of 46 seconds and a flow rate of about 1 m<3>/h yes ? decided to opt for a filter volume of around 15 litres, which corresponds to a contact time of around 54 seconds.

Periodically, the biofilter must be subjected to replacement operations of the substrate used and ? generally consisting of wood chips, nut shells, hay.

As can be seen in figures 6, 10-12, does the biofilter 5 ? placed outside the composter C in a special compartment that can be opened at the top for its replacement.

Still in the same figures 6, 10-12 in a room close to the one where ? placed the biofilter 5 are housed: the 10A charge regulator 13, the thermostat with temperature sensor 14 and the storage battery 15.

Although the invention has been described with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments differing from the non-limiting embodiment described are possible, without however departing from the scope of protection of the present invention, which includes all equivalent embodiments for a person skilled in the art , to the content of the claims. From the description given above, the technician of the branch ? capable of realizing the object of the invention without having to introduce further details.

Claims (19)

1. Home composter (C) for the treatment of compostable organic waste including: - three chambers superimposed on each other vertically, separated by removable or extractable panels (6, 8) configured for the transfer by gravity of the material, in which the first chamber (A) ? adapted to receive fresh organic material, the second chamber (B) ? a pre-maturation chamber for said material and the third chamber (D) ? the maturation and accumulation chamber; - a ventilation system comprising an air channeling duct operatively connected to an extractor (19) configured to make the air flow from the inside to the outside of the composter (C) and keep the chambers of the composter under vacuum; - an electric power supply system chosen between a power supply system connected to the electric network and a stand-alone system comprising a photovoltaic panel associated with a charge regulator (13) with storage battery (15); - a biofilter (5) which houses the extractor (19) and an?end? of said pipeline. 2. Composter according to the preceding claim further comprising: - storage compartments for the compost and leachate produced during the operation of the composter; - a thermostat with temperature sensor (14). 3. A composter according to any one of claims 1-2 wherein the extraction device (19) is at least one fan. 4. Composter according to any one of claims 1-3 which? made of a material chosen from: metal, for example galvanized steel, plastic materials, composite and multilayer materials and relative combinations. 5. Composter according to any one of claims 1-4 which? exercised in depression and forced draught? air. 6. Composter according to any one of claims 1-5 in which the first chamber (A) is provided with a floor made up of a perforated panel (6) that can be removed from the top of the composter or removed through an opening located on one side of it. The composter according to the preceding claim wherein the holes in the perforated panel (6) are regular openings, such as square, rectangular, polygonal, circular, or irregular holes or are in the form of grooves or elongated openings; and related combinations. 8. Composter according to the preceding claim wherein the perforated panel (6) is further provided with ridges and/or protuberances and/or protruding elements capable of making the surface in contact with the material to be composted, as well as perforated, also irregular to increase the empty spaces between the material and the floor and increase the circulation of air inside the composter. interior of the first chamber. 9. Composter according to any one of claims 1-8 wherein the second chamber (B) is? equipped with a leachate collection channel (12) and a panel which constitutes an inclined floor (8), which can be removed laterally through a slot with guillotine closure, equipped with a scraper blade capable of blocking the material inside the composter and favoring it the fall into the third chamber (D). 10. Compost according to the preceding claim wherein the sloping floor (8) connects to the collection channel (12) which is in turn connected to a leachate collection bin (10). 11. Composter according to any one of claims 1-10 in which the air channeling duct extends from the outside to the inside of the second chamber (B) and comprises two coaxial pipes, a first pipe (21) and a second pipe (18), internal to it, the two pipes (18) and (21) having a first end? and a second end? placed inside and outside the composter, independently of each other. 12. A composter according to the preceding claim wherein the second pipe (18) is equipped with two ends both open, a first end? (18?) being operatively connected with the extractor (19) and the second extremity? (18?) being placed inside the chamber (B) of the composter (C). 13. A composter according to any one of claims 11-12 wherein the first pipe (21) is? provided with an open opening (21? or 21?) placed at one of its ends? which extends from the inside to the outside of the composter (C), the end? opposite of said first pipe (21) being closed and inside the composter (C). 14. Composter according to any one of claims 11-13 in which the extractor (19) and the end? (18?) of the second pipe (18) with which ? operatively connected the extractor (19) are positioned in the biofilter (5). 15. A composter according to any one of claims 11-14 wherein the second pipe (18) is? equipped with a heating element, such as a heating sleeve. 16. Composter according to any one of claims 11-15 in which the end? of the first pipe (21) that ? inside the composter? closed while the other end, located on the outside of the composter, is open and equipped with one or more? openings, optionally equipped with opening/closing systems to adjust the flow of air inside the composter. 17. Process for composting food and organic waste to be implemented in the composter according to any of claims 1-16 wherein the material to be composted is fed into the first chamber (A) of the composter (C), optionally with the addition of a ? rate of structuring material, the natural biological degradation is allowed to take place which leads to the reduction of the size of the material to be composted with the production of a liquid fraction and a solid fraction; the reduced size material which constitutes the solid fraction falls into the underlying second chamber (B) where it is left for a period of about 15-20 days; while the liquid fraction collects in an accumulation chamber (10); at the end of the pre-maturation phase the compost cos? obtained is transferred to the third chamber (D) to then be collected in a further accumulation chamber. 18. Air circulation process to be implemented in the composter according to any one of claims 1-16 wherein: - does the air enter the composter through the end? (21? or 21?) of the pipe (21) which extends outside the composter, ? released inside the composter coming out of the holes (23) placed on the walls of said first pipe (21); the air is then recalled inside the second pipe (18), through a second end? (18?) of this, placed inside the composter, by means of the extractor (19), operationally connected to a first end? (18?) of said second pipe (18), the air being thus channeled from the inside to the outside of the composter and conveyed to the biofilter (5) for the deodorization treatment before being released into the atmosphere. 19. Use of the composter (C) according to any one of claims 1-16 for the production of compost starting from organic waste.