Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
  • C05F—ORGANIC FERTILISERS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C05B, C05C, e.g. FERTILISERS FROM WASTE OR REFUSE
  • C05F7/00—Fertilisers from waste water, sewage sludge, sea slime, ooze or similar masses
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F11/00—Treatment of sludge; Devices therefor
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
  • C05F—ORGANIC FERTILISERS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C05B, C05C, e.g. FERTILISERS FROM WASTE OR REFUSE
  • C05F3/00—Fertilisers from human or animal excrements, e.g. manure
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
  • C05F—ORGANIC FERTILISERS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C05B, C05C, e.g. FERTILISERS FROM WASTE OR REFUSE
  • C05F3/00—Fertilisers from human or animal excrements, e.g. manure
  • C05F3/06—Apparatus for the manufacture
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02A40/00—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production
  • Y02A40/10—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in agriculture
  • Y02A40/20—Fertilizers of biological origin, e.g. guano or fertilizers made from animal corpses
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
  • Y02P20/00—Technologies relating to chemical industry
  • Y02P20/141—Feedstock
  • Y02P20/145—Feedstock the feedstock being materials of biological origin
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02W—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT
  • Y02W30/00—Technologies for solid waste management
  • Y02W30/40—Bio-organic fraction processing; Production of fertilisers from the organic fraction of waste or refuse

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a process and apparatus for utilizing animal excrement and, more particularly, to a process for the manufacture of an animal excrement based product useful as an artificial soil, soil conditioner or peat substitute, an apparatus for effecting the process and an animal excrement based product useful as an artificial soil, soil conditioner or peat substitute manufactured according to the process.
• the need for soil conditioning in agriculture (especially in small-scale agriculture known as "market gardening") and in horticulture, is well known, for example, in order to lighten clayey soils, to improve the consistency of sandy soils and particularly to improve the moisture-holding capacity of many kinds of soils.
• Peat is a carbonaceous substance - probably an intermediate in the formation of lignite and coal - formed by partial decomposition of certain plants growing in bogs and swamps, and, apart from its well-known use as a fuel, is popularly used, because of its open porous texture and high water-absorptive capacity, as a soil conditioner. Additionally, peat is used as bedding material for livestock, e.g., cattle and horses (including racehorses).
• animal excrement including particularly, but not limited to, that of herbivorous animals which are customarily bred farmed and otherwise used on a large-scale
• animal excrement can present environmental problems such as biological pollution e.g., of the air, ground and water.
• an animal excrement based product useful as an artificial soil, soil conditioner or peat substitute an apparatus for effecting the process and an animal excrement based product useful as an artificial soil, soil conditioner or peat substitute manufactured according to the process.
• the process comprising the sequential steps of (a) providing a substantially solid feed including excrement from animals; (b) forming an aqueous mixture of said substantially solid feed with water; (c) subjecting said aqueous mixture to treatment with an alternating electric current at a frequency within a range of 5 Hz -200 kHz, for a period of time, such that following said treatment and after subsequent process step (d), a recovered solid product is odorless, microbiologically sterile, porous and is capable if absorbing several times its own weight of water; and (d) separating excess liquid from the alternating electric current treatment in step (c) and recovering said solid product.
• the steps are further characterized by at least one of the following parameters (i) in step (a) the animals are herbivorous animals; (ii) in step (b), a ratio of said substantially solid feed to water falls within a range of about 1 : 1 to about 1 :4 by volume; (iii) in step (c), said alternating electric current has a potential within a range of about 10 to about 1,000 volts; (iv) in step (c), said time period falls within a range of about 5 seconds to about 10 minutes; (v) said recovered solid product is capable of absorbing at least six times its own weight of water.
• said treatment is effected by flowing said aqueous mixture through a reactor, said reactor including a mechamsm for providing said alternating electric current.
• said substantially solid feed includes raw animal excrement.
• said substantially solid feed includes a mixture of animal excrement with paper mill sludge.
• a ratio of animal excrement to paper mill sludge falls within a range of about 1: 10 to about 10: 1 by volume.
• an odorless, microbiologically sterile and porous product capable of absorbing several times its own weight of water, useful as an artificial soil, soil conditioner or peat substitute, and which is obtainable by the above process.
• a product useful as an artificial soil, soil conditioner or peat substitute comprising an electrically tieated excrement from animals, the product being odorless, porous, microbiologically sterile and capable of absorbing several times its own weight of water.
• the apparatus comprising a line including in sequence (a) a first mechamsm for providing a substantially solid feed including excrement from animals into the apparatus; (b) a second mechanism for forming an aqueous mixture of said substantially solid feed with water; (c) a reactor mechanism for subjecting said aqueous mixture to treatment with an alternating electric current at a frequency within a range of 5 Hz - 200 kHz; and (d) a third mechanism for separating excess liquid from a product resulting from said reactor mechanism and for recovering the solid product.
• said reactor mechamsm includes a generally elongate, tubular reactor defining a reactor space bounded by insulated wall mechanism, inlet and outlet mechanism for flowing aqueous mixture through said reactor space, and phase and zero electrodes cooperatively disposed within said reactor space and connected to a supply of alternating electric current having a frequency within the range of 5 Hz - 200 kHz, thereby providing mechanism for applying said current to said aqueous mixture when said mixture flows through said reactor space.
• a reactor mechanism for use in the above apparatus comprising a reactor defining a reactor space bounded by insulating wall mechanism, said reactor including inlet and outlet mechanisms for flowing aqueous mixture through said reactor space, and phase and zero electrodes being cooperatively disposed within said reactor space and being connected to a supply of alternating electric current having a frequency within a range of 5 Hz - 200 kHz, thereby providing mechanism for applying said cuirent to said aqueous mixture when said mixture flows through said reactor space.
• a principal object of the present invention to provide a product useful as an artificial soil, soil conditioner or peat substitute, as well as a process and apparatus directed to the manufacture thereof.
• a further object of the invention is to provide for the economic, useful, hygienic and ecology - friendly utilization of animal excrement.
• Another object of the invention is to provide for the utilization of paper mill sludge.
• Still another object of the invention is to provide a product which is potentially useful as a hygienic bedding material for livestock.
• FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a reactor of the invention, useful in the process of the invention and which may form part of the apparatus of the invention
• FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a reactor of the invention, useful in the process of the invention and which may form part of the apparatus of the invention
• FIGs. 3a-g depict illustrative embodiments arrangements of electrodes useful in the present invention
• FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the apparatus of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• the present invention is of a process and apparatus for utilizing animal excrement which can be used for the manufacture of an animal excrement based product useful as an artificial soil, soil conditioner or peat substitute.
• the present invention can be used to provide an odorless, microbiologically sterile and porous product capable of absorbing several times its own weight of water, useful as an artificial soil, soil conditioner or peat substitute, and which is obtainable by the process of the invention.
• substantially solid feed which is the starting material for the process of the invention is intended to include substantially solid excrement of animals in captivity which may be in the raw state. Moreover, it was found that the feed may comprise a mixture of animal excrement with paper mill sludge; in this embodiment of the invention, the end-product has a coarser texture than when animal excrement is used alone, which may be more suitable for certain applications.
• mammals refers to any member of the kingdom Animalia, which includes multicellular organisms that have a well-defined shape, controlled growth, can move voluntarily, actively acquire food and digest it internally, and have sensory and nervous systems that allow them to respond rapidly to external stimuli.
• the term specifically refers to animals grown in captivity, either mammals or birds, especially animals grown for commercial purposes such as, but not limited to, cows, goats, porcine, chicken, etc.
• reproductive animals as used herein is intended to include cows, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, camelids, elephants, birds grown in captivity, for example, but it will be appreciated that this is not an exhaustive list and that many other animals fall within this category.
• the initial feed is mixed with water, and this may be effected in any convenient manner, e.g., by using a mechanical macerator or mixer and/or an agitator, or a combination thereof.
• the ratio of initial solid feed to water falls within the range of about 1 : 1 to about 1 :4 by volume.
• step (c) of the process the aqueous mixture is subjected to treatment with an alternating electric current (AC) at a frequency within the range of 5 Hz - 200 kHz, for a period of time (by way of example only this could fall within the range of about 5 seconds to about 10 minutes) such that following the treatment and after subsequent process step (d), the recovered solid product is odorless, microbiologically sterile, porous and is capable of absorbing several times its own weight of water.
• the AC preferably has a potential within the range of about 10 to about 1,000 volts.
• the recovered solid product after step (d), i.e., after separating excess aqueous liquid, e.g., by using a press screw separator or centrifuge, contains usually 50 % water, and is capable of absorbing at least three times, preferably at least six times (e.g., x 5-10) its own weight of water.
• the initial material comprises a mixture of animal excrement with paper mill sludge, falls within the range of about 1: 10 to about 10: 1 by volume.
• the apparatus of the invention for the manufacture of a solid product in accordance with the process defined herein, includes in operative combination four mechanism.
• a first mechanism of the apparatus serves for providing a substantially solid feed including excrement from animals.
• the first mechanism may, for example, be one more hoppers as known in the art.
• a second mechanism of the apparatus serves for forming an aqueous mixture of the substantially solid feed with water.
• the second mechanism may, for example, be a mechanical macerator or mixer and/or an agitator, or a combination thereof.
• a third mechanism of the apparatus according to the present invention serves for separating excess liquid from the product resulting from the reactor mechanism which is described below in greater detail and for recovering the desired solid product.
• the third mechanism may, for example, be a press screw separator or centrifuge.
• a reactor mechamsm which per se also forms part of the present invention, may include, illustratively, with reference to Figures 1 and 2 (which are not drawn to scale) of the accompanying drawings, a generally elongate, tubular reactor 2 defining a reactor space 4 bounded by an insulated wall 6, inlet 8 and outlet 10 for flowing aqueous mixture through reactor space 4 in the direction of the arrow, and phase and zero electrodes, 16 and 18, respectively, cooperatively disposed within reactor space 4 and connected to supply of alternating electric current (e.g., via source 14 in Figure 1) having a frequency within the range of 5 Hz -200 kHz, thereby providing mechamsm for applying alternating electric current to the aqueous mixture when the latter flows through reactor space 4.
• a peripheral zone 12 of reactor 2 is maintained sealed from reactor space
• the reactor space may be 2 m in diameter, and may be manufactured from PVC, and the electrodes may be of stainless steel.
• Figures 3a-g of the accompanying drawings show a number of illustrative and largely self-explanatory arrangements of the phase electrode(s) 16 and the zero electrodes 18 (not necessarily drawn to scale), within the reactor space. It will be appreciated that phase and zero electrodes are disposed parallel to each other and generally transverse to the flow of the treated material flowing through the reactor. In general, the distance between phase electrodes is greater than between phase and zero electrodes, and these distances will be generally proportional to the applied voltages.
• the electrical parameters can be maintained constant by electric feedback and control in known manner, while the conductivity of the flowing treated material may be varied according to concentration and type of treated material and the temperature.
• the reactant flow is generally adequate to cool the heat generated at the electrodes and no additional cooling is usually required.
• the apparatus depicted in Figure 4 represents a presently preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, which enables the process of the invention to be practiced in a continuous manner.
• the initial feed consists of e.g., raw cow manure, or a mixture thereof with paper mill sludge, fed to mixing vessel 24 via hoppers 20 and 22 (respectively, where the feed is the stated mixture of components).
• Water is fed simultaneously to vessel 24 by mechanism of conduit 26.
• the ratio manure (or its mixture with paper mill sludge) to water is e.g., about 1:2 by volume.
• the aqueous composition is thoroughly mixed with stirrer 28 which is rotated in the direction shown by arrow 30 about axis 32, by motor 34.
• a portion is recirculated to vessel 24 by mechanism of pump 38 and conduit 40, in the direction of arrow 42.
• a portion of the composition is pumped upwards via valve 44 through tubular reactor 46, the electrical supply and feedback mechanism of which is indicated schematically at 48, electricity being supplied at e.g., 380 volts AC and 100 Hz, via cables 50.
• the residence time of the mixture in reactor 46 may be varied as stated above, but is typically about 15 seconds, about 30 seconds, or about one minute.
• the treated mixture is conducted via conduit 58 to intermediate vessel 54 with baffle 56, to which water may be added at 52 to ensure efficient flow of the reaction product in the direction of the long arrow to exit conduit 60 and thence to hopper 52 which supplies screw separator 64, operated by motor 66.
• the desired reaction product is shown at 68 after exiting from separator 64, and finally passes by gravity to 70 where it collects and may be removed by a mechanism not shown.
• the effluent liquid separated collects in vessel 72 and is removed by valve
• Typical data for the product are as follows, where raw manure was processed in the manner described:

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• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Organic Chemistry (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
• Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
• Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
• Treatment Of Sludge (AREA)
• Fertilizers (AREA)

Priority Applications (7)

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Cited By (2)

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Citations (3)

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• 1996
  • 1996-12-04 IL IL13004496A patent/IL130044A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1996-12-04 IL IL11975696A patent/IL119756A/xx not_active IP Right Cessation
• 1997
  • 1997-12-01 KR KR1019997004980A patent/KR20000069306A/ko not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1997-12-01 CA CA 2276247 patent/CA2276247A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1997-12-01 BR BR9713860A patent/BR9713860A/pt active Search and Examination
  • 1997-12-01 WO PCT/US1997/021663 patent/WO1998024729A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1997-12-01 CN CN97181269A patent/CN1244179A/zh active Pending
  • 1997-12-01 JP JP52565898A patent/JP2001505607A/ja not_active Ceased
  • 1997-12-01 EP EP97950698A patent/EP0960072A4/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 1997-12-01 AU AU53634/98A patent/AU5363498A/en not_active Withdrawn
• 1999
  • 1999-07-02 AU AU37962/99A patent/AU3796299A/en not_active Abandoned

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