WO1993010059A1

WO1993010059A1 - Process and device for biologically transforming organic materials into biomass

Info

Publication number: WO1993010059A1
Application number: PCT/EP1992/002691
Authority: WO
Inventors: Franz Böhnensieker
Original assignee: Boehnensieker Franz
Priority date: 1991-11-21
Filing date: 1992-11-20
Publication date: 1993-05-27
Also published as: PH30409A; CA2098175C; JPH06504518A; NZ245187A; MY108139A; CA2098175A1

Abstract

A process and device are disclosed for biologically transforming (composting) organic waste materials, in particular kitchen and restaurant waste. Processing is carried out in at least two mutually separated chambers (7, 8). In the first chamber (7) the introduced waste materials are processed only until their transformation into biomass has reached a determined intermediate stage. Part of this partially transformed material is then transferred into the second chamber (8) for final composting. New waste materials introduced into the first chamber (7) are processed with the remaining part of the partially transformed material. Because of the constantly high number of active microorganisms in the first chamber (7), the process of transformation of the newly introduced waste materials starts without delay. Preferably, the heat-insulated housing (1) that contains the chambers (7, 8) can be rotated in alternating directions around a horizontal axis (3), in order to mix the materials, and crushers (12, 12') are provided to finely crush the materials. If desired, the composted material may be dried and/or sterilized in a third chamber. An attachable container unit (40) receives the material composted in the second chamber (8). Once the processing device has been removed, the container unit (40) may be assembled with other such units into a transport structure that may be carried away by truck. This device allows waste materials of said type to be transformed into biomass in a quasi-continuous process in a short time, for example one to two days.

Description

Method and device for the biological conversion of organic substances into biomass

The invention relates to a method and a device for the biological conversion (composting) of organic substances into biomass, in that the organic substances are treated in a substantially closed environment for a time by fine grinding and mixing.

As is well known, organic substances, in particular waste from private households, restaurants and the like, can be converted (composted) into reusable, valuable biomass. It is known (DE-C-38 37 865) to carry out composting in a drum-shaped reaction container which is operated together with a separate processing device in which the material is comminuted to a suitable particle size before being introduced into the reaction container, so that the composting i Reaction vessel can run with a shortened start-up phase. The advantage of a rapid course of the conversion reaction is offset by a relatively complex system, which is usually not suitable for stationary use in restaurants and the like. It is also known to carry out composting in a one-stage operation (DE-C-38 44 700) with relatively compact systems, by crushing and mixing the material to be treated in one and the same reactor until extensive composting is obtained . In this context, it is also known (cf., for example, DE-A-38 19 979) to carry out the one-stage composting in a rotary drum. The rotary drum can optionally be divided into two chambers (US-A 38 37 180, DE-A-40 00 916) _r which enables mutual operation so that smaller batches can also be handled. The one-step batch-wise composting is associated with a comparatively long treatment time due to the long start-up time required for each batch, even if, as has also been proposed (GB Cl 022 127), the material to be treated is always provided with a suitable amount of microorganisms to accelerate the conversion is added. A product is therefore often obtained which is unsuitable for further use, for example in garden centers and the like, without aftertreatment. On the other hand, because of their compactness, plants of the latter type have the advantage that they are basically suitable for economical stationary use at the place where waste is generated.

The object of the invention is to provide a method and a device of the type mentioned at the outset which are suitable for carrying out the conversion of waste into usable biomass in a shortened treatment time in a quasi-continuous operation at the site of the generation of waste. The invention aims in particular at improving the biological conversion process according to DE-C-38 44 700.

To solve the problem, reference is made to the characterizing parts of claims 1 and 9. Thereafter, the material to be composted is only treated in a first chamber until the composting has reached a certain intermediate stage. Part of the material composted up to this intermediate stage is then transferred to a second chamber, where the composting is continued until the final stage, which is accompanied by the death of the microorganisms. The part remaining in the first chamber only until the intermediate stage Composted material ensures that this comb still contains a large number of active microorganisms, which are available to attack new material entered in the first comb, in order to immediately initiate the process of converting this material. The invention therefore enables a continuous or quasi-continuous composting operation without the occasional addition of microorganisms, in that after a certain start-up phase, new good is constantly introduced into the first comb and partially composted good can be transferred from the first to the second chamber for final composting. In both chambers, the material is circulated continuously or at intervals and mixed with one another, whereby this treatment can be accompanied by fine comminution of the material. This ensures that the waste materials come into contact with the ambient air and that the microorganisms are always provided with sufficient oxygen for their work. The conversion as an exothermic process is associated with the development of heat. This can be exploited for heating the fresh air introduced into the chambers can be so largely dispensed with the ^• supply of primary energy to heat the fresh air. In addition, the chambers or the housing are thermally insulated from the outside environment. This measure, together with the fact that the circulation, mixing and crushing of the material takes place in a closed environment, enables the process heat released during the conversion to be retained until the reaction is complete, that is to say for the creation of optimal conversion conditions in the individual chambers is available. If desired, excess process heat can also be used to dry the biomass obtained in the second chamber in a third chamber. The method according to the invention enables a particularly compact design of the device with which the method can be practiced. A preferred embodiment of such a device provides that the two chambers are rotatably arranged in a manner known per se and an essentially horizontal axis. The mixing and circulation of the material in the chambers can therefore be accomplished in a particularly simple manner by mutually controlled (joint) rotation of the chambers. In addition, the goods can be transferred from the first to the second comb with simple means.

According to another aspect of the invention, a device of the type in question, consisting of an essentially closed housing with an inlet and outlet, a device for fine comminution, and a device for mixing the organic substances in the housing, is characterized in that that the housing comprises at least two separate, essentially closed housing regions, a first of which has the inlet and a second of the outlet, that the housing is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation, that a connecting passage with a device for opening and closing it it is provided between the first and second housing areas that the comminution device comprises at least one grinder at least in the first housing area, and that one

A container unit for receiving the treated goods is provided with an inlet opening and a device for detachably coupling the container unit to the housing, the inlet opening in the coupled position of the container unit being aligned with an outlet passage of the housing in order to allow the treated material to rotate while the housing is rotated in to transfer the container unit. To Filling, the container unit can be removed from the housing and replaced by an empty unit, which enables a particularly economical and hygienic handling of the biomass obtained. According to a further development of the invention, a device can be provided on the container unit which enables several filled container units to be combined at a collection point to form a transport container, which can thus be transported in a particularly effective manner, for example by means of a truck.

Due to its compactness, the device is suitable for direct use at the site of waste generation, e.g. be restaurants and the like, in order to be able to process relatively large amounts of waste for biomass which does not require any further finishing.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to embodiments and the drawing. Show it:

1 is a perspective, partially schematic view of a biological conversion device according to a first embodiment of the invention,

2 shows the conversion device according to FIG. 1 i in a longitudinal sectional view together with a schematic illustration of a control device for controlling the functions of the conversion device,

3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 shows a modified conversion device with the control device omitted to simplify the illustration, 4 shows the course of the temperature and humidity in the conversion device according to FIG. 3,

Fig. 5 is a sectional fragmentary view of a conversion device similar to that of FIG. 3 according to another embodiment of the invention, and

6 is a perspective, partially schematic view of a biological conversion device according to a third embodiment of the invention.

1 and 2, which show a first embodiment of the invention, the reference numeral 1 denotes a housing and the reference numeral 2 denotes a pair of lateral frame parts, which define a horizontal axis 3 between them, around which the housing 1 is rotatable by the frame parts 2 is held.

At a suitable point along the circumference of the housing 1 ^• a pair of openings 33, 34 are provided lying axially next to each other, which can be closed by the flaps shown.

The housing 1 preferably has, as shown, a substantially non-circular outline with, for example, four substantially flat peripheral wall areas la-ld, adjacent pairs of these peripheral wall areas each forming funnel-shaped sump areas in the interior of the housing 1, in which the material to be converted can accumulate if the respective adjacent peripheral wall areas point downward when rotated. However, the invention is not limited to such a design of the housing 1. Rather can ^' This also have a round or other than quadrangular polygonal circumferential configuration.

As further shown in FIG. 2, the housing 1 is thermally insulated from the outside environment by a suitable insulation material. The interior of the housing 1 is divided by a partition wall 6, which extends in a radial plane sic with respect to the axis 3, into two housing regions or chambers 7, 8 lying side by side in axial direction. As an alternative to this, two independent housing units, which are thermally insulated from the outside environment, could also be arranged adjacent to one another on the axis 3. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to a pair of housing areas or units. Rather, other such units can also be provided, as z. B. is shown in Fig. 3.

The otherwise essentially closed housing areas 7, 8 are connected to one another via a passage or opening 9 in the partition 6. The connecting passage 9 can be opened or closed in a targeted manner by means of a locking device indicated at 10. Although other devices can be provided, the locking device shown comprises a locking element in the form of a rotary flap 10 which is arranged in the connecting passage 9 and which can be actuated by means of a suitable actuating element 11, e.g. a pneumatic piston-cylinder device, between a position in which the connecting passage 9 is closed and a position in which there is a connection between the housing areas 7 and 8.

The connecting passage 9 is, as shown, at a radially outer location of the partition 6, preferably close to an apex of two adjacent flat ones Circumferential wall regions la-ld of the housing 1, provided that the material to be treated z preferably accumulates in the region of the connecting passage 9 when the connecting passage 9 reaches a position lying below when the housing 1 rotates.

At a radially outer location, e.g. diametra opposite the connecting passage 9, a comminution device or egg grinder 12 is provided in the interior of the first housing area 7 for finely comminuting the material to be treated. The grinder 12 can have any suitable training. In the present embodiment, the grinder 12 comprises a multiplicity of cutting elements which are arranged on a shaft held inside the housing area 7 by means of a bracket 14 essentially parallel to the axis of rotation 3. Such a grinder is described in DE-U-87 14 138, to which reference can thus be made for further details. A drive motor 13 is coupled to a shaft end protruding from the housing 1, through which the shaft and thus the cutting elements of the grinder can be set in rotation.

Although the diametrical arrangement of the grinder 12 is preferred in relation to the connecting passage 9, it is understood that the grinder 12 can also be in a non-diametrical relationship to the connecting passage 9, and that more than one such grinder 12, if desired, in the Inside the first housing area 7 can be provided.

As is also shown in FIG. 2, a further grinder 16 with a drive motor 17 can be arranged in the center of the first housing area 7 with respect to the axis of rotation 3. The grinder 16 is preferably designed so that a Coarse shredding of the material entered into the housing area 7 can be carried out.

A comminution device can also be provided in the interior of the second housing region 8. The relevant grinder 12 'with drive motor 13 * can have a similar design as the grinder 12 of the first housing area 7. Although the drive of the grinder 12 * is preferably independent of that of the first housing area 7, a common drive for both grinders 12 could also be used , 12 'can be provided by arranging the cutting elements of both grinders 12, 12' on a common shaft which passes through both housing areas 7, 8.

For rotatable mounting about the axis 3, the housing 1 has bearing pins 18, 18 ′ on its opposite ends, which are held in bearings in the frame parts 2. On one of the journals 18, 18 'there is a drive device consisting of a drive motor 4 and a reduction gear 5, e.g. in the form of a chain drive, provided to cause the housing 1 to rotate.

The reference numeral 21 relates to a device for controlling one or more of the functions such as the rotary movement of the housing 1, the position of the closing element 10 of the connecting passage 9, the operation of the grinders 12, 12 * and 16, etc. Temperature sensors 19 and 20 for detecting the Temperatures prevailing in the housing regions 7 and 8 deliver corresponding signals to the control device 21 in order to control the functions mentioned as a function of the measured temperatures. The control device 21 can also be designed such that the rotation of the housing 1 or the operation of the grinders and the closing element 10 of the connecting passage 9 as a function of the time and the the housing areas 7, 8 measured temperatures.

Finally, it should be pointed out that, although not shown, a device is provided for introducing fresh air in the heated state into the interior of one or both housing areas 7, 8 and / or discharging the air therein to the outside. The fresh air is preferably heated using the process heat generated when the material is converted, so that an external energy supply can be completely or largely dispensed with. The fresh air supply / removal and heating device can be designed in accordance with DE-C-38 37 86, so that reference can be made to this document for details.

The conversion device constructed as described above works as follows:

The material to be treated, which can be biodegradable waste of all kinds, in particular waste from kitchens and restaurants, is preferably input in pre-shredded form into the first housing area 7 via the inlet opening 33. As soon as a suitable degree of filling of, for example, 60 to 70% is reached, the inlet opening 16 is closed and a command is given to the drive motor 4 to rotate the housing 1. During the rotation, the material located in the first housing area 7 is continuously circulated. If desired, this can be associated with a further coarse comminution of the material by means of the central grinder 16 in order to bring the material into a particle size which is suitable for further processing by the fine grinder 12. The input material is circulated and mixed for a while while continuously or intermittently rotating the housing 1. Since the radially outer fine grinder 12 is repeatedly moved through the input material during the rotation of the housing 1, this undergoes further comminution down to a particle size suitable for the conversion. The coarse grinder 16 can be switched off after a suitable time.

The conversion of the material in the first housing region 7 is accompanied by an increase in the temperature. Because of the insulation of the housing 1, it can be achieved that the conversion takes place essentially without heat loss to the surroundings. In order to maintain conversion conditions favorable for the activity of the microorganisms, fresh air which is heated continuously or from time to time can be introduced into the interior of the housing area 7.

According to the invention, the conversion of the material in the first housing area 7 is only continued until it is determined that the temperature no longer rises (end of the conversion start phase). Immediately afterwards or after a suitable period of time of, for example, a few hours has elapsed, the control device 21 sends a command to the actuating element 11 of the closing element 10 in order to bring the closing element 10 into a position in which there is a connection between the interior of the first and second housing areas 7, 8 comes about. The closing element 10 can act like a guide vane in that, when the housing 1 rotates in one direction, it can introduce the material located in the first housing region 7 through the connecting passage 9 into the second housing region 8 in the manner of a plow share. According to the invention, the entire amount of material from the first housing area 7 is not transferred into the second housing area, but rather only a suitable partial amount, which can be between approximately 30 and 70% of the filling of the first housing area. The proportion of transferred goods to be left behind can vary depending on the type of goods to be treated. Biodegradable waste from kitchens, catering establishments, it was found that good results are achieved with a transfer of approximately 50% of the goods located in the first housing area 7, which have been converted to an intermediate stage.

After the goods have been transferred to the second housing plant 8, the connecting passage 9 is closed again and new untreated goods up to the desired filling level can be re-entered into the interior of the first housing area 7 via the inlet opening 33, so that both untreated and partially converted good is present.

The d composting treatment is continued with further mixing and circulation and comminution d goods located in the housing areas 7, 8. In particular, second housing area 8 is used for finished composting of the partially imported composted material into biomass. A measure of the end of the conversion process in the second housing region 8 is a lowering of the temperature prevailing therein from a measured maximum. The drop in temperature indicates that the activity of the microorganisms is gradually coming to a standstill. It was found that the conversion can be regarded as essentially complete and that the goods can be removed from the second housing area 8 via the outlet opening 17 if the temperature in the second housing area 8 is reduced by approximately 20 has dropped from the measured maximum value. The measured maximum temperature in the housing areas 7 and 8 depends on the condition and the type of material to be treated and can be, for example, between 60 ° and 75 ° C.

Because the conversion in the first housing area 7 is only permitted up to an intermediate stage, there is always a sufficient amount of active microorganisms in this housing area which ensure that the process of converting the newly input material (starting phase) is started immediately becomes. An essential feature of the invention is therefore the division of the conversion process into a start and finish phase, which are essentially separate, i.e. run without mutual interference.

In some cases, it may be necessary or desirable that the biomass obtained be subjected to a subsequent drying process. According to the invention, this can be achieved by adding a further third housing region to the first and second housing regions 7, 8, as is shown in FIG. 3. The third housing area 22 can be constructed essentially like the preceding housing areas 7, 8. However, it does not need to contain a grinder. Means (not shown) are provided to introduce heated air into the third housing area 22 and to discharge the air together with the absorbed moisture to the outside, which causes the goods in the third housing area 22 to dry while simultaneously lowering their temperature.

A connecting passage 23 in a partition wall 26 with a closing device 29 similar to that between the first and second housing regions 7, 8 enables the composted material to be transferred from the second to the second in a targeted manner third housing area 22. A discharge device 24 can also be provided in order to convey the dried composted gu from the third housing area 22 to the outside. As shown, the discharge device 24 can comprise a screw conveyor 28 arranged in a cylinder housing 27 which extends concentrically to the axis of rotation 3 and which can be specifically driven by a drive motor in order to move the material from the interior of the housing region 22 to an outlet opening 30.

Fig. 3 also shows a modified embodiment of the device for rotating the housing 1 about the axis of rotation 3 by means of driven rollers 31 mounted on the side of the housing, on which wheel rims 32 connected to the housing side walls are propelled, so that a rotation of the rollers 31 results in a corresponding rotation of the housing 1 causes.

The reference numerals 12, 12 * indicate grinding mechanisms which, unlike the embodiment described above, project from the circumferential side of the housing 1 into the interior of the housing regions 7, 8. With regard to further details of the embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 3, reference can also be made to the above-described first embodiment.

4 shows the course of the temperature and the humidity of the material to be treated in the individual housing areas 7, 8, 22. As can be seen, the conversion takes place in the first and second housing areas 7 and 8, ie during the start and finishing phase, essentially without heat loss to the environment and with substantially constant moisture content of the material to be treated instead. Instead of or in addition to drying, the goods can also be sterilized in the third chamber 22.

5 shows a further embodiment of the invention. This embodiment differs from that of FIG. 3 essentially in that the third housing area is omitted and instead a unit 40 is provided which can be coupled or docked to the treatment device. For further details, reference can be made to FIG. 3 with the associated description. In Fig. 5, therefore, the same or similar components as the embodiment of Fig. 3 the same reference numerals, but provided with the index ^■ wear.

The connectable unit 40 represents a basically closed container with a circumferential configuration adapted to the housing 1 'of the treatment device with an inlet opening on one end face. The inlet opening is arranged corresponding to the outlet passage 23' of the second housing region 8 'and can thus be brought into alignment , so that when the locking device 29 is actuated accordingly, the composted material located in the second housing area 8 * can be transferred into the detachable unit 40.

Although other suitable means can be provided to temporarily connect the couplable unit 40 to the housing l ¹ , two or more sleeve-shaped elements 41, suitably arranged on the outside of the unit 40, are provided for this purpose in the present embodiment, in which one end one guide pin or mandrel 42 is held, while the opposite other end of the sleeve sen-shaped elements 41 is open. The guide pins 4 protrude from the sleeve-shaped elements 41 essentially parallel to the axis of rotation 3 'of the device and can engage in the receiving element 43 which is aligned with the housing 1 ¹ and is aligned therewith. Suitable devices (not shown) are also provided for releasably locking the guide pins 42 in the engagement position with the receiving elements 43.

As soon as the unit 40 is fixed to the housing l ¹ and positioned thereby, so that the inlet opening of the unit 40 is in an aligned relationship with the outlet passage 23 'of the second housing region 8', the housing l ¹ and the unit 40 coupled to it start to rotate and the closing device 29 'is actuated at a suitable point in time in order to open the outlet passage 23 * and to transfer the composted material located in the second housing region 8' into the unit 40. As soon as the unit 40 is filled with composted material, the operation of the treatment device is briefly interrupted in order to remove the filled unit from the housing 1 'and to replace it with an empty one. Since the composted material occupies a significantly smaller volume than the material to be treated which is introduced into the first housing region 7 ', interruptions in operation for the exchange of the unit 40 are only necessary after treatment of substantial quantities of the imported material.

For rotating the housing l ¹ , this is supported in addition to the drive-side rotating devices 31 ', 32' of the embodiment according to FIG. 3 on a roller arrangement indicated at 44, which is provided on the circumference of the housing l ¹ , so that the coupling and removal of the Unit 40 is not affected by the roller assembly.

As further indicated in FIG. 5 by dash-dotted lines, a handling device 60 with a pin can be provided, which are arranged such that they can engage in the free ends of the sleeve-shaped elements 41 of the coupling-on unit 40. The unit 40 can therefore nac decrease from the housing ¹ l by an operator by means of de handling device 60 to a collection be Move, can be transported away from the plurality of filled units 40, for example by means of a truck together for further use of the composted material. For removal, the pins 42 of a unit 40 can be brought into engagement with the free ends of the sleeve-shaped elements 41 of an adjacent unit 40, so that two or more units 40 can be combined to form a container that is particularly easy to handle for removal.

It should also be pointed out that, if desired, the coupling-on unit 40 can also be used in connection with a treatment device in which the composted material is first dried or sterilized in a third chamber according to the embodiment according to FIG. 3 before it is put into the coupled unit 40 is transferred.

The third embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 6 has a substantially vertical orientation in contrast to the aforementioned embodiment. It comprises a heat-insulated housing 100 with a closable inlet opening 116 provided on its front side, which provides access to a first housing region 107. In the first housing area 107 there is a grinder 112 for fine grinding of the entered goods. The first housing area

107 is defined by a partition wall 106, which divides the interior of the housing 100 into two separate areas 107

108 each with an essentially vertical extension.

On the lower section of each housing area 107, 108, a swamp 120 or 122 is formed, in which the material to be treated z can collect. In each housing area 107, 108 there is a conveyor in the form of e.g. a screw conveyor 121, 123 is arranged, which moves the material from the respective sump 120 or 122 upwards, so that it can be moved from a low level, essentially defined by the sump 120 or 122, to a higher level, from where in free fall it can fall back to the low level.

In particular, the higher level of the first housing area 107 lies in the area of a transfer or connection passage 109, which connects the first and second housing areas 107, 108, and that of the second housing area 108 in the area of an outlet opening 117. The connecting passage 109 and the outlet opening 117 can be closed or opened in a targeted manner by suitable locking devices, not shown.

Also not shown are devices for supplying heated fresh air into the housing areas 107, 108 and for controlling the operation of the grinder 112, the screw conveyors 121, 123, and the devices (not shown) for opening and closing the connecting passage 109 and the outlet opening 117. These devices and other details can be analogous to those of the 1 and 2 shown embodiment, so that it can be referred to.

The operation of the second embodiment of the invention corresponds essentially to that described above. In particular, the material to be treated is converted in two stages, in that it is only permitted up to a certain intermediate stage in the first housing region 107 and is only brought to a conclusion in the second housing region 108, part of the partly converted material remaining in the first housing region 107 . This ensures that there is always a sufficient amount of active microorganisms in the first housing region 107 in order to immediately start the conversion of newly input material with a corresponding reduction in the treatment time. In contrast to the aforementioned embodiment, however, the turning and mixing of the goods to be treated takes place here by moving the goods between places of higher and lower levels with an intermediate movement phase characterized by free fall.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described and shown, but also encompasses those alternatives and modifications which are available to the person skilled in the art on the basis of the teaching given.

Claims

1. A method for biological conversion (composting of organic substances into biomass, by treating the organic substances in a substantially closed environment for a period of time by grinding and mixing, characterized in that a) the treatment in at least two separate, essentially separate closed chamber is carried out, whereby b) the organic substances entered in a first chamber are only treated until their conversion i biomass has progressed to a certain intermediate stage, and c) part of the goods converted up to the intermediate stage for finished composting from the first is transferred into a second chamber, so that d) the treatment of newly introduced organic substances i in the first chamber takes place in the presence of a remaining part of the material converted up to the intermediate stage.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the transfer of the partially converted material from the first to the second chamber and the removal of biomass from the second chamber is controlled as a function of the temperatures measured in the chambers.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the transfer is carried out for a certain time after reaching a maximum temperature in the first chamber.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the removal takes place at the earliest when the temperature in the second chamber has dropped from a maximum by a certain amount.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a portion between about 30 and 70%, preferably about 50%, of the goods converted up to the intermediate stage is transferred to the second chamber.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the treatment is carried out with supply of heated fresh air.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the treatment is carried out in the presence of the process heat generated during the conversion or under substantial utilization.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the material composted in the second comb or the biomass in a third comb is subjected to a drying and / or sterilization treatment.

9. Apparatus for carrying out the method according to claim 1, consisting of an essentially closed housing with an inlet and outlet opening, a device for fine comminution and a device for mixing the organic substances in the housing, characterized in that a) that the housing ( 1.101) comprises at least two separate, essentially closed housing areas (7, 8, 107, 108), of which a first one Inlet opening (33, 116) and a second one which has outlet openings (34, 117), b) that a connecting passage (9, 109) with a device for opening and closing it is provided between the first and second housing areas, c) that the comminution device has at least one grinder (12, 112) at least in the first housing area, and d) that the mixing device (4,5,18,121,123) is designed for mixing the material located in both housing areas.

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized by a device (21) for controlling the opening and closing of the connecting passage (9, 109), the comminution device (12, 112) and the mixing device.

11. The device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the housing areas (7,8) are rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation (3).

12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that the at least one grinder (12) is arranged at a radial distance from the axis of rotation (3) in the first housing region (7).

13. The apparatus of claim 11 and 12, characterized in that a further grinder (12 ¹ ) is arranged in the second housing area (8).

14. Device according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the connecting passage (9) between the first and second housing area (7,8) is arranged at a radial distance from the axis of rotation (3).

15. The device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the connecting passage (109) and the outlet opening (117) are each at a higher level than a sump (120, 122) provided in the lower region of each housing region (107, 108), and that conveying devices ( 121, 123) are provided in order to move the goods from the sump to the higher level of each housing area.

16. Device according to one of claims 9 to 15, characterized by a third, substantially closed housing area (22) into which the material from the second housing area (8) can be inserted for drying.

17. Device according to one of claims 9 to 16, characterized in that each housing area (7,8,22,107,108) is thermally insulated.

18. Device according to one of claims 9 to 17, characterized by a device for preparing fresh air heated using the process heat and for supplying it to one or more of the housing areas (7, 8, 22, 107, 108).

19. Device for the biological conversion (composting) of organic substances into biomass, consisting of a substantially closed housing with an inlet and outlet, a device for fine comminution and a device for mixing the organic substances in the housing, characterized in that a) that the housing (l ¹ ) comprises at least two essentially closed housing regions (7 ', 8') which are separate from one another, a first of which has the inlet and a second has the outlet, b) that the housing can be rotated about an essentially horizontal axis of rotation (3), c) that a connecting passage (9 ') with a device (10 *) for opening and closing it is provided between the first and second housing regions, d) that the shredding device comprises at least one grinder (12 *) at least in the first housing area and e) that a container unit (40) for receiving the treated material with an inlet opening and a device (41, 42, 43) for detachably coupling the container unit to the housing ( l ¹ ) is provided, wherein the inlet opening in the coupled position of the container unit is aligned with an outlet passage (23 ') of the housing in order to transfer the treated material into the container unit while the housing is being rotated.

20. The apparatus according to claim 20, characterized by a device for connecting a plurality of container units (40) z a transport container.