WO2008022388A1 - In vessel composting - Google Patents

In vessel composting Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008022388A1
WO2008022388A1 PCT/AU2007/001203 AU2007001203W WO2008022388A1 WO 2008022388 A1 WO2008022388 A1 WO 2008022388A1 AU 2007001203 W AU2007001203 W AU 2007001203W WO 2008022388 A1 WO2008022388 A1 WO 2008022388A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
bin
liquid
floor
waste
chamber
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2007/001203
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Peter Wadewitz
Original Assignee
C S Associated Pty Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2006904537A external-priority patent/AU2006904537A0/en
Application filed by C S Associated Pty Ltd filed Critical C S Associated Pty Ltd
Publication of WO2008022388A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008022388A1/en

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Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
    • C05F—ORGANIC FERTILISERS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C05B, C05C, e.g. FERTILISERS FROM WASTE OR REFUSE
    • C05F17/00—Preparation of fertilisers characterised by biological or biochemical treatment steps, e.g. composting or fermentation
    • C05F17/90—Apparatus therefor
    • C05F17/964—Constructional parts, e.g. floors, covers or doors
    • C05F17/971—Constructional parts, e.g. floors, covers or doors for feeding or discharging materials to be treated; for feeding or discharging other material
    • C05F17/986—Constructional parts, e.g. floors, covers or doors for feeding or discharging materials to be treated; for feeding or discharging other material the other material being liquid
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
    • C05F—ORGANIC FERTILISERS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C05B, C05C, e.g. FERTILISERS FROM WASTE OR REFUSE
    • C05F17/00—Preparation of fertilisers characterised by biological or biochemical treatment steps, e.g. composting or fermentation
    • C05F17/90—Apparatus therefor
    • C05F17/964—Constructional parts, e.g. floors, covers or doors
    • C05F17/971—Constructional parts, e.g. floors, covers or doors for feeding or discharging materials to be treated; for feeding or discharging other material
    • C05F17/979—Constructional parts, e.g. floors, covers or doors for feeding or discharging materials to be treated; for feeding or discharging other material the other material being gaseous
    • 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

  • This invention relates to composting, a method of composting, results obtained from a composting method, and apparatus for composting.
  • a chamber in which there is an inlet and an outlet for the air or atmosphere and the air or atmosphere is drawn from one location from the chamber through, in the preferred example, and not necessarily in any specific order, a fan, a biological filter, and a liquid trap.
  • This in one instance can be simply a floor which is caused to slope when the compositing apparatus is on a level ground, toward an outlet.
  • One of the problems however with leachate is that this can, during the composting process, carry pathogens, materials having a high degree of odour, and be otherwise just unpleasant
  • tt is then, according to this invention, a further proposal that there be means whereby the leachate, when being extracted from the lowermost collection area, is fed into an outlet distributor where the leachate can then be distributed onto the composting material from above.
  • the composting chamber is chosen to have an openable lid or lids which would and will be lrfted from time to time to insert further material to be composted during any composting receiving period.
  • the lid or lids are preferably extending fully across an uppermost area of a chamber.
  • the difficulty therefore is that when one needs to lift such a lid to insert further material into the chamber, one immediately compromises the closed nature of the system by allowing fresh air into the recirculating air or atmosphere but furthermore, if the period at opening the lid coincides with the period during which recirculation of the leachate is occurring, there can be caused firstly a certain potential for aerosol release into the atmosphere and secondly a very unwanted potential for any person to be sprayed with such leachate.
  • lids there be a smaller lid w ⁇ ich can be used by an operator then to insert material into the composting material but, by reason of its somewhat smaller size, significantly reduces the ootential for an excess introduction of fresh air.
  • any distribution of leachate can be arranged so that, i o whereas this may not be possible with a large lid covering across the full top of the chamber, nonetheless with a smaller lid area, it now becomes possible to direct the recirculating leachate outlets so as to avoid this smaller openable area.
  • the invention therefore could be said in some senses, although this need not 0 necessarily be the only or indeed the broadest form, to reside in any apparatus being a composter chamber coupled to operate in the manner described namely providing for a predominately closed recirculation system, with a collection area beneath a floor within the chamber arranged to direct any leachate collected into an outlet and there be means to redistribute the5 leachate upon any selected volume being detected.
  • the invention could also be said to reside in a method of composting which involves maintaining at least to a substantive extent a closed recirculating system, where the recirculation is caused to occur from time to time of air through composting material, and there is a collection of leachate beneath theo composting material and means to effect a redistribution from time to time back into another area of the composting material.
  • the invention can be said to reside in a method of effecting biological breakdown and treatment of waste wherein there is an arrangement including a bin to hold the waste,
  • first floor extending across and defining a bottom of a lowermost area within the bin
  • second floor extending across a lowermost area of the bin but spaced above the said first floor so as to leave and define with the first floor and a side or sides on the bin a liquid collection chamber between the said first and second floors
  • the said second floor having a shape or being positioned or having holes therethrough to allow for passage of liquid from above the said second floor into the chamber but resist the passage there through or there past of at least most solids of the waste
  • the said first floor being shaped, and positioned so that liquid in the collection chamber, at least mainly, will be directed to a collection outlet or outlets.
  • a conduit connecting the collection outlet or outlets to a distribution outlet the bin being substantially closed by a closure arrangement including at least a first lid and a second closable lid over an aperture within the said first lid and which is thereby smaller than the first lid.
  • a liquid distribution means arranged to apply directly, liquid from the collection chamber from a position above waste in the bin onto waste within the bin, positioned to be associated with a one or more of the lids so as to effect a restriction or liquid being distributed therefrom during an opening status of such a lid, means detecting a level of liquid in the chamber and effecting a pumping of liquid upon such means detecting a level of liquid, being above a selected level which is below outlets for air or atmosphere from a distribution network, the * e being, within the bin, and immediately above the second floor the said air distribution network of conduits and outlets for air or atmosphere being recycled being introduced back into the bin and there being a plurality of outlets in spaced apart locations and through outlet apertures which are through a lower portion of a respective wall of each conduit, an air collection inlet at or close to a top of the bin and connected to a fan whereby to cause the air to be transferred from the bin to a liquid collector and through a biological filter, and then back to be distributed through
  • this can be said to reside in a method of effecting biological breakdown and treatment of waste wherein there is an arrangement including a bin to hold the waste being treated, a first floor extending across and defining a bottom of a lowermost area within the bin, a second floor extending across a lowermost area of the bin but spaced above the said first floor so as to leave and define with the first floor and a side or sides on the bin a liquid collection chamber between the said first and second floors, the said second floor having a shape or being positioned or having holes therethrough to allow for passage of liquid from above the said second floor into the chamber but resist the passage there through or there past of at least most solids of the waste, the said first floor being shaped, and positioned so that liquid in the collection chamber, at least mainly, will be directed to a collection outlet or outlets the method including the steps of effecting on a repeating basis a recirculation of atmosphere where it is taken from above the composting mass and returned into the bin through a conduit or conduits at a bottom
  • the invention can be said to reside in an arrangement for effecting biological treatment of waste through a composting process with a closed recirculation of air including a bin, a first floor extending across a lowermost a r ea of the bin, a second floor extending across a lowermost area of the bin but spaced above the said first floor so as to leave a liquid collection chamber between the said first and second floors, the said second floor having a shape or positioned or having holes therethrough interstices adapted to allow for passage of liquid from above the said first floor into the chamber but resist the passage of at least most solids therethrough, the said second floor being adapted to direct liquid in the chamber to a collection outlet, a conduit connecting the collection outlet to a distribution outlet, the bin being substantially closed by a lid closure arrangement, the arrangement including at least a first lid which extends across a full width of the bin, and a second lid which is within the said first lid, and liquid distribution means associated with a one of the lids so as to effect a restriction on liquid being
  • the invention can be said to reside in a method of effecting biological breakdown and treatment of waste in a composting process wherein there is an arrangement including a bin to hold the waste, a first floor extending across and defining a bottom of a lowermost area within the bin, a second floor extending across a lowermost area of the bin but spaced above the said first floor so as to leave and define with the first floor and a side or sides on the bin a liquid collection chamber between the said first and second floors, the said second floor having a shape or being positioned or having holes therethrough to allow for passage of liquid from above the said second floor into the chamber but resist the passage therethrough or therepast of at least most solids of the waste, the said first floor being shaped, and positioned so that liquid in the collection chamber, at least mainly, will be directed to a collect ' on outlet or outlets, a conduit connecting the collection outlet or outtets to a distribution outlet, the bin being substantially closed by a lid closure arrangement the arrangement including at least a first lid which extend
  • the invention can be said to reside in an arrangement for of effecting biological treatment of waste in a composting process including a bin, a first floor extending across a lowermost area of the bin, a second floor extending across a lowermost area of the bin but spaced above the said first floor so as to leave a liquid collection chamber between the said first and second floors, the said second floor having a shape or positioned or having holes theretnrough interstices adapted to allow for passage of liquid from above the said first floor into the chamber but resist the passage of at least most solids therethrough, the said second floor being adapted to direct liquid in the chamber to a collection outlet, a conduit connecting the collection outlet to a distribution outlet, the bin being substantially closed by a lid closure arrangement, the arrangement including at least a first lid which extends across a full width of the bin, and a second lid which is within the said first iid, and liquid distribution means associated with a one of the lids so as to effect a restriction on liquid being distributed therefrom during an opening status of such
  • Figure t is a cross sectional view showing in schematic arrangement the embodiment
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view with several of the lids of the apparatus open to show an inside view of the chamber;
  • Figure 3 is a perspective view of the same embodiment with both upper lids open;
  • Figure 4 is a perspective view with both small lids open and the two major lids closed.
  • Figure 5 is a perspective view with all lids closed.
  • a chamber or bin 1 which has across its top two lids 2 and 3 and within each of those major lids which together extend fully across the full top of the chamber 1 , are two smaller doors 4 and 5.
  • the arrangement of the chamber 1 is that there is a first floor 6 which is supported so as to be sloping toward an outlet 7 where there is a float 8 connected to a control valve and electrical switching to operate a pump 9 when a selected level of the leachate shown at 10 is reached.
  • a second floor 11 which is located above the first floor 6 so as to leave there between a collection chamber 12 and there are a plurality of apertures shown typically at 13 through the floor 2 by which any leachate from the conposting mass 14 will exude.
  • the system s a closed atmosphere recirculating system which has been found to provide significant benefits both in terms of maintained temperatures and build up of gases such as ammonia which assists both in the composting process and in particular, destroying pathogens.
  • the first of these is that recirculating atmosphere is being introduced at a bottom of the composting mass 14 through air distribution conduits 15 which in this case also have atmosphere outlet holes 16 which are positioned to be above the second floor 11 with the conduits 15 resting on an upper surface of this floor 11 but where the holes are on the lower side of each respective conduit 15.
  • Outlet holes 16 reduces any back pressure for causing the air to pass therethrough.
  • FIG. 1 in particular, there is shown in schematic detail the recirculation circuit including an air outlet conduit at 20 feeding into a fan 21 feeding into a water trap.
  • the circuit for providing the return of the leachate to the upper most outlets 18 includes an outlet conduit. There can be a selection of direction either to recirculate the leachate liquid through conduit 27 or in an alternate arrangement, it can be fed through a filter 28 a biological filter 29 and a storage 30.
  • An advantage cr the storage which has an outlet at 31 is that the quality of the leachate can be determined prior to such release or even modified while in thatstorage.
  • the container 1 also includes an end gate 32 which assists composted material is to be removed by bulk devices.

Abstract

An arrangement and method for effecting biological treatment of waste through a composting process with a dosed recirculation of its atmosphere, a bin with two floors where a lower floor collects liquid leachate passing through an upper floor, means to recirculate the liquid leachate to reinundate the waste from above from time to time, a lid over a top of the bin with a smaller lid to limit release of closed circulating gases, and conduits on the second floor with lowermost apertures to release recirculating atmosphere without being intercepted with liquid leachate.

Description

IN VESSEL COMPOSTING
TECHNICAL AREA OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to composting, a method of composting, results obtained from a composting method, and apparatus for composting.
it has been previously established that in some circumstances, there is advantage in composting by having an arrangement in which the composting materials are held in a relatively airtight container and the composting is effected by, at least in the main, recirculating air or atmosphere through the composting mass.
To do this, there is included a chamber in which there is an inlet and an outlet for the air or atmosphere and the air or atmosphere is drawn from one location from the chamber through, in the preferred example, and not necessarily in any specific order, a fan, a biological filter, and a liquid trap.
We have found that there is a distinct advantage in having a closed recirculating system in that, contrary to conventional practice, while a process builds up anaerobic bacteria, it also builds up concentrations of gases which can be beneficial in reducing or removing pathogens within the composting material.
An unfortunate result of having such a closed system however is that the composting material as it breaks down will also release liquid which will settle into the bottom of any container or chamber within which the composting occurs.
This as such, is a natural result of the breaking down process during composting, but it has been found preferable to introduce the recirculating air or atmosphere from distributed outlets so that it is introduced relatively uniformly throughout the massive composting material. It has been found best to have this introduced from below the composting mass but herein lies the problem.
If the liquid teachate builds up to any significant level within the bottom of a chamber, it is highly disadvantageous that this air should then be caused to pass through a head of leachate before being introduced into the body of the composting material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly there is proposed that there be means to hold the compost above a lowermost floor of any chamber so that there is provided thereby a collection area which will be arranged to collect and hold below any air or atmosphere returning outlet, liquid leachate from composting materials in the chamber.
The problem with this however is that, by the implicit nature of composting material, and the randomness with which the selection of materials, the rate of input into a composting chamber, and the rate of breakdown, will all be . significantly variable, the actual quantity of liquid within such a lowermost area is unable to bθ forecast with any degree of reliability.
It is costly to provide unnecessary areas or areas of unnecessarily large volume but at the same time, there needs to be some way in which the process can be to some extent controlled.
It is proposed therefore in accordance with this invention that there be provided a shape which will direct any leachate within the lowermost area of the composting chamber, toward either one or more outlets.
This in one instance can be simply a floor which is caused to slope when the compositing apparatus is on a level ground, toward an outlet.
However, in conjunction with this, there is provided an apparatus to detect a level of such leachate and there are means effective upon a selected height of such leachate being detected, to effect a release of such leachate from such an area. One of the problems however with leachate is that this can, during the composting process, carry pathogens, materials having a high degree of odour, and be otherwise just unpleasant
If the ieachatθ therefore is simply released to a conventional sewage outlet, or is released into the ground in an adjacent vicinity, this can be considered highly inappropriate in many circumstances.
What we have discovered is that it is of assistance in the composting process to keep this moist and at the least, by recirculating the leachate, the total volume of leachate that resides in a bottom area can be kept to a smaller total quantity.
tt is then, according to this invention, a further proposal that there be means whereby the leachate, when being extracted from the lowermost collection area, is fed into an outlet distributor where the leachate can then be distributed onto the composting material from above.
If this arrangement is effected, it would then be expected that from time to time, upon a selected level of leachate within the collection area being detected, that this would then be pumped from the outlet into the upper area of the composting chamber so as to be distributed across the composting material ano be therefore allowed to diffuse down through this composting mass.
One of the problems wfth this arrangement however is that, for reasons of obvious convenience, the composting chamber is chosen to have an openable lid or lids which would and will be lrfted from time to time to insert further material to be composted during any composting receiving period.
For convenience, especially for subsequent removal of the once composted material, the lid or lids are preferably extending fully across an uppermost area of a chamber.
The difficulty therefore is that when one needs to lift such a lid to insert further material into the chamber, one immediately compromises the closed nature of the system by allowing fresh air into the recirculating air or atmosphere but furthermore, if the period at opening the lid coincides with the period during which recirculation of the leachate is occurring, there can be caused firstly a certain potential for aerosol release into the atmosphere and secondly a very unwanted potential for any person to be sprayed with such leachate.
Accordingly, we propose that there be means that will reduce this possibility.
5 In one instance, we propose that within at least one of the lids, there be a smaller lid wπich can be used by an operator then to insert material into the composting material but, by reason of its somewhat smaller size, significantly reduces the ootential for an excess introduction of fresh air.
Further however, any distribution of leachate can be arranged so that, i o whereas this may not be possible with a large lid covering across the full top of the chamber, nonetheless with a smaller lid area, it now becomes possible to direct the recirculating leachate outlets so as to avoid this smaller openable area.
In a further approach, there are also means where the pump causing 15 reintroduction of leachate can be switched off during any insertion although this then allows more potential for operator error and the potential for concern for an operator who might be accidentally sprayed with pathogenic and odoriferous materials.
The invention therefore could be said in some senses, although this need not 0 necessarily be the only or indeed the broadest form, to reside in any apparatus being a composter chamber coupled to operate in the manner described namely providing for a predominately closed recirculation system, with a collection area beneath a floor within the chamber arranged to direct any leachate collected into an outlet and there be means to redistribute the5 leachate upon any selected volume being detected.
The invention could also be said to reside in a method of composting which involves maintaining at least to a substantive extent a closed recirculating system, where the recirculation is caused to occur from time to time of air through composting material, and there is a collection of leachate beneath theo composting material and means to effect a redistribution from time to time back into another area of the composting material. In one form then the invention can be said to reside in a method of effecting biological breakdown and treatment of waste wherein there is an arrangement including a bin to hold the waste,
a first floor extending across and defining a bottom of a lowermost area within the bin, a second floor extending across a lowermost area of the bin but spaced above the said first floor so as to leave and define with the first floor and a side or sides on the bin a liquid collection chamber between the said first and second floors, the said second floor having a shape or being positioned or having holes therethrough to allow for passage of liquid from above the said second floor into the chamber but resist the passage there through or there past of at least most solids of the waste, the said first floor being shaped, and positioned so that liquid in the collection chamber, at least mainly, will be directed to a collection outlet or outlets.
In preference there is further included a conduit connecting the collection outlet or outlets to a distribution outlet, the bin being substantially closed by a closure arrangement including at least a first lid and a second closable lid over an aperture within the said first lid and which is thereby smaller than the first lid.
In preference there is further provided according to this invention a liquid distribution means arranged to apply directly, liquid from the collection chamber from a position above waste in the bin onto waste within the bin, positioned to be associated with a one or more of the lids so as to effect a restriction or liquid being distributed therefrom during an opening status of such a lid, means detecting a level of liquid in the chamber and effecting a pumping of liquid upon such means detecting a level of liquid, being above a selected level which is below outlets for air or atmosphere from a distribution network, the*e being, within the bin, and immediately above the second floor the said air distribution network of conduits and outlets for air or atmosphere being recycled being introduced back into the bin and there being a plurality of outlets in spaced apart locations and through outlet apertures which are through a lower portion of a respective wall of each conduit, an air collection inlet at or close to a top of the bin and connected to a fan whereby to cause the air to be transferred from the bin to a liquid collector and through a biological filter, and then back to be distributed through the air distribution network into the bin. In a further form of this invention this can be said to reside in a method of effecting biological breakdown and treatment of waste wherein there is an arrangement including a bin to hold the waste being treated, a first floor extending across and defining a bottom of a lowermost area within the bin, a second floor extending across a lowermost area of the bin but spaced above the said first floor so as to leave and define with the first floor and a side or sides on the bin a liquid collection chamber between the said first and second floors, the said second floor having a shape or being positioned or having holes therethrough to allow for passage of liquid from above the said second floor into the chamber but resist the passage there through or there past of at least most solids of the waste, the said first floor being shaped, and positioned so that liquid in the collection chamber, at least mainly, will be directed to a collection outlet or outlets the method including the steps of effecting on a repeating basis a recirculation of atmosphere where it is taken from above the composting mass and returned into the bin through a conduit or conduits at a bottom of the composting mass.
In a further form the invention can be said to reside in an arrangement for effecting biological treatment of waste through a composting process with a closed recirculation of air including a bin, a first floor extending across a lowermost area of the bin, a second floor extending across a lowermost area of the bin but spaced above the said first floor so as to leave a liquid collection chamber between the said first and second floors, the said second floor having a shape or positioned or having holes therethrough interstices adapted to allow for passage of liquid from above the said first floor into the chamber but resist the passage of at least most solids therethrough, the said second floor being adapted to direct liquid in the chamber to a collection outlet, a conduit connecting the collection outlet to a distribution outlet, the bin being substantially closed by a lid closure arrangement, the arrangement including at least a first lid which extends across a full width of the bin, and a second lid which is within the said first lid, and liquid distribution means associated with a one of the lids so as to effect a restriction on liquid being distributed therefrom during an opening status of such a lid, means detecting a level of liquic in the chamber and effecting a pumping of liquid upon such means detecting a level of liquid, being above a selected level which is below outlets for air from a distribution network, there being within the bin and immediately above the second floor the said air distribution network of conduits and outlets for air being recycled being introduced back into the bin and there being a plurality of outlets in spaced apart locations and through outlet apertures which are through a lower portion of a respective wall of each conduit, an air collection inlet at or close to a top of the bin and connected to a fan whereby to cause the air to be transferred from the b»n to a liquid collector and through a biological fitter, and then back to be distributed through the air distribution network into the bin
In a further form the invention can be said to reside in a method of effecting biological breakdown and treatment of waste in a composting process wherein there is an arrangement including a bin to hold the waste, a first floor extending across and defining a bottom of a lowermost area within the bin, a second floor extending across a lowermost area of the bin but spaced above the said first floor so as to leave and define with the first floor and a side or sides on the bin a liquid collection chamber between the said first and second floors, the said second floor having a shape or being positioned or having holes therethrough to allow for passage of liquid from above the said second floor into the chamber but resist the passage therethrough or therepast of at least most solids of the waste, the said first floor being shaped, and positioned so that liquid in the collection chamber, at least mainly, will be directed to a collect' on outlet or outlets, a conduit connecting the collection outlet or outtets to a distribution outlet, the bin being substantially closed by a lid closure arrangement the arrangement including at least a first lid which extends across a full width of the bin, and a second lid which is within the said first lid, and liquid distribution means associated with a one of the lids so as to effect a restriction on liquid being distributed therefrom during an opening status of such a lid, means detecting a level of liquid in the chamber and effecting a pjmpiπg of liquid upon such means detecting a level of liquid, being above a selected level which is below outlets for air from a distribution network, there being within the bin and immediately above the second floor the said air distribution network of conduits and outlets for air being recycled being introduced back into the bin and there being a plurality of outlets in spaced apart locations and through outlet apertures which are through a lower portion of a respective wall of each conduit, an air collection inlet at or close to a top of the bin and connected to a fan whereby to cause the air to be transferred from the bin to a liquid collector and through a biological filter, and then back to be distributed through the air distribution network into the bin. In a further form the invention can be said to reside in an arrangement for of effecting biological treatment of waste in a composting process including a bin, a first floor extending across a lowermost area of the bin, a second floor extending across a lowermost area of the bin but spaced above the said first floor so as to leave a liquid collection chamber between the said first and second floors, the said second floor having a shape or positioned or having holes theretnrough interstices adapted to allow for passage of liquid from above the said first floor into the chamber but resist the passage of at least most solids therethrough, the said second floor being adapted to direct liquid in the chamber to a collection outlet, a conduit connecting the collection outlet to a distribution outlet, the bin being substantially closed by a lid closure arrangement, the arrangement including at least a first lid which extends across a full width of the bin, and a second lid which is within the said first iid, and liquid distribution means associated with a one of the lids so as to effect a restriction on liquid being distributed therefrom during an opening status of such a lid, means detecting a level of liquid in the chamber and effecting a pumping of liquid upon such means detecting a level of liquid, being above a selected level which is below outlets for air from a distribution network, there being within the bin and immediately above the second floor the said air distribution network of conduits and outlets for air being recycled being introduced back into the bin and there being a plurality of outlets in spaced apart locations and through outlet apertures which are through a lower portion of a respective wall of each conduit an air collection inlet at or close to a top of the bin and connected to a fan whereby to cause the air to be transferred from the bin to a liquid collector and through a biological filter, and then back to be distributed through the air distribution network into the bin.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of this invention it will now be described with reference to embodiments which shall be described with the assistance of drawings attached hereto wherein:
Figure t is a cross sectional view showing in schematic arrangement the embodiment;
Figure 2 is a perspective view with several of the lids of the apparatus open to show an inside view of the chamber; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the same embodiment with both upper lids open;
Figure 4 is a perspective view with both small lids open and the two major lids closed; and
Figure 5 is a perspective view with all lids closed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS
Referring in detail to the drawings, there is a chamber or bin 1 which has across its top two lids 2 and 3 and within each of those major lids which together extend fully across the full top of the chamber 1 , are two smaller doors 4 and 5.
The arrangement of the chamber 1 is that there is a first floor 6 which is supported so as to be sloping toward an outlet 7 where there is a float 8 connected to a control valve and electrical switching to operate a pump 9 when a selected level of the leachate shown at 10 is reached.
There is a second floor 11 which is located above the first floor 6 so as to leave there between a collection chamber 12 and there are a plurality of apertures shown typically at 13 through the floor 2 by which any leachate from the conposting mass 14 will exude.
The system s a closed atmosphere recirculating system which has been found to provide significant benefits both in terms of maintained temperatures and build up of gases such as ammonia which assists both in the composting process and in particular, destroying pathogens.
As a result o" such closed circuit system however leachate is a problem and therefore by having the concept of not having this simply sit in the bottom of the composting material but rather be allowed to pass through into a separate chamber creates several particular advantages.
The first of these is that recirculating atmosphere is being introduced at a bottom of the composting mass 14 through air distribution conduits 15 which in this case also have atmosphere outlet holes 16 which are positioned to be above the second floor 11 with the conduits 15 resting on an upper surface of this floor 11 but where the holes are on the lower side of each respective conduit 15.
This has the advantage then of not having the holes implicitly blocked by settling compost but at the same time it makes it difficult and can create significant back pressure if liquid is still in the vicinity.
By keeping the compost above the atmosphere Outlet holes 16 reduces any back pressure for causing the air to pass therethrough.
One of the significant difficulties, however, is that the leachate material itself can be relatively obnoxious.
It can carry odiferous material and it can also carry while the materia! is composting, rotting particulates as well as potential pathogens.
This is of course the case because the material during the composting will progressively reduce the level of odour and the level of pathogens but of course during the composting, these materials still are present.
If the leachate is simply discarded to the ground or into sewage systems, this can be strongly objected to in some cases by regulatory authorities or it can be of danger to the environment.
Our discovery, however, is that if there is a detection of the level from time to time and when a selected level of leachate has been reached, then this should and can be pumped through to outlets in the top of the chamber 1.
It has been found to be of advantage that these outlets are located so as to distribute the returning leachate relatively uniformly across the top of any composting -nass.
It has been found convenient therefore to have these outlets provided by a plurality of conduits shown typically at 18 which are positioned beneath the two large lids 2 and 3 and are appropriately positioned so as to avoid the smaller lids 4 and 5. This then assists in ensuring that firstly if any material is introduced into the . chamber 1 through a smaller of the doors for instance 4 or 5. then it will not matter directly if leachate is being sprayed at that time and furthermore, recirculating atmosphere or air in the system will not then experience such a release to atmosphere and therefore reduce concentration of any appropriate gas build up in the air being recirculated.
It is also an appropriate arrangement that when the two major lids 2 and 3 are opened, that there can be then an interception of any leachate being pumped through the outlets 18 either by having an electrical cut off when the lids are opened or in another case, simply having a mechanical valve which is closed therefore stopping access of leachate into these outlets when the lids are open.
In Figure 1 in particular, there is shown in schematic detail the recirculation circuit including an air outlet conduit at 20 feeding into a fan 21 feeding into a water trap.
The circuit for providing the return of the leachate to the upper most outlets 18 includes an outlet conduit. There can be a selection of direction either to recirculate the leachate liquid through conduit 27 or in an alternate arrangement, it can be fed through a filter 28 a biological filter 29 and a storage 30. An advantage cr the storage which has an outlet at 31 is that the quality of the leachate can be determined prior to such release or even modified while in thatstorage.
The container 1 also includes an end gate 32 which assists composted material is to be removed by bulk devices.
The results of these features provides for a significant improvement in composting.

Claims

1. A method of effecting biological breakdown and treatment of waste wherein there is an arrangement including a bin to hold the waste being treated, a first floor extending across and defining a bottom of a lowermost area within the bin, a second floor extending across a lowermost area of the bin but spaced above the said first floor so as to leave and define with the first floor and a side or sides on the bin a liquid collection chamber between the said first and second floors, the said second floor having a shape or being positioned or having holes therethrough to allow for passage of liquid from above the said second floor into the chamber but resist the passage there through or there past oi at least most solids of the waste, the said first floor being shaped, and positioned so that liquid in the collect" on chamber, at least mainly, will be directed to a collection outlet or outlets the method including the steps of effecting on a repeating basis a recirculation of atmosphere where it is taken from above the composting mass and returned into the bin through a conduit or conduits at a bottom of the composting mass.
2. A method of effecting biological breakdown and treatment of waste as in the immediately preceding claim further characterized in that the conduit or conduits providing a recirculation outlet or outlets of the recircuiating atmosphere have holes located so.as to release the atmosphere above any liquid leachate selected level.
3. A method of effecting biological breakdown and treatment of waste as in the immediately preceding daim further characterized in that the hole or holes are each positioned in a wall of a conduit on a lower side of the conduit and the conduit or conduits are each positioned to be immediately above the second floor.
4. A method of effecting biological breakdown and treatment of waste as in any one of the preceding claims further characterized in that that there are means detecting a level of liquid in the chamber and effecting a pumping of liquid upon such means detecting a level of liquid leachate being above a selected level, and effecting a distribution of the liquid leachate into a location within the bin and above the waste being treated.
5. A method of effecting biological breakdown and treatment of waste in a composting process wherein there is an arrangement including a bin to hold the waste being treated, a first floor extending across and defining a bottom of a lowermost area within the bin, a second floor extending across a lowermost area of the bin but spaced above the said first floor so as to leave and define with the first floor and a side or sides on the bin a liquid collection chamber between the said first and second floors, the said second floor having a shape or being positioned or having holes therethrough to allow for passage of liquid from above the said second floor into the chamber but resist the passage therethrough or therepast of at least most solids of the waste, the said first floor being shaped, and positioned so that liquid in the collection chamber, at least mainly will be directed to a collection outlet or outlets, a conduit connecting the collection outlet or outlets to a distribution outlet, the bin being substantially closed by a lid closure arrangement, the arrangement including at least a first lid which extends across a top of the bin, and a second lid which provides a closure of a smaller opening within the said first within the said first lid, and liquid distribution means associated with a one of the lids so as to effect a restriction on liquid being distributed therefrom during an open status of such a (id, means detecting a level of liquid in the chamber and effecting a pumping of liquid upon such means detecting a level of liquid, being above a selected level which is below outlets for air from a distribution network, there being within the bin and immediately above the second floor the said atmosphere distribution network of conduits and outlets for air being recycled to be introduced back into the bin, a plurality of outlets in spacec apart locations and through outlet apertures which are through a lower portion of a respective wall of a one or each conduit, an atmosphere collection inlet inside at or close to a top of the bin and connected to a fan whereby to cause the atmosphere to be transferred from the bin to a liquid collector and through a biological filter, and then back to be distributed through the air distribution network into the bin.
6. An apparatus for effecting biological breakdown and treatment of waste comprising an arrangement including a bin to hofd the waste being treated, a first floor extending across and defining a bottom of a lowermost area within the bin, a second floor extending across a lowermost area of the bin but spaced above the said first floor so as to leave and define with the first floor and a side or sides on the bin a liquid 5 collection chamber between the said first and second floors, the said second floor having a shape or being positioned or having holes therethrough to allow for passage of liquid from above the said second floor into the chamber but resist the passage there through or there past of at least most solids of the waste, the said first floor being o shaped, and positioned so that liquid in the collection chamber, at least mainly, will be directed to a collection outlet or outlets, means to effect on a repeating basis a recirculation of atmosphere where it is taken from above the composting mass and returned into the bin through a conduit or conduits at a bottom of the composting mass. 5
7. An apparatus for effecting biological breakdown and treatment of waste as in the immediately preceding daim further characterized in that the conduit or conduits providing a recirculation outlet or outlets of the recirculating atmosphere has or have holes located so as to release the atmosphere above any liquid leachate selected level.
8. An apparatus for effecting biological breakdown and treatment of waste as in the immediately preceding claim further characterized in that the hole or holes are each positioned in a wall of a conduit on a lower side of the conduit and the conduit or conduits are each positioned to be immediately above the second floor.
9. An apparatus for effecting biological breakdown and treatment of waste as in any one of the preceding claims x through y further characterized in that that there are means adapated to detect a level of liquid in the chamber and effect a pumping of liquid upon such means detecting a level of liquid leachate being above a selected level, and effect a distribution of the liquid leachate into a location within the bin and above the waste being treated.
10. An arrangement for effecting biological breakdown and treatment of waste in a composting process comprising a bin to hold the waste being treated, a first floor extending across and defining a bottom of a lowermost area within the bin, a second floor extending across a lowermost area of the bin but spaced above the said first floor so as to leave and define with the first floor and a side or sides on the bin a liquid collection chamber between the said first and second floors, the said 5 second floor having a shape or being positioned or having holes therethrough to allow for passage of liquid from above the said second floor into the chamber but resist the passage therethrough or therepast of at least most solids of the waste, the said first floor being shaped, and positioned so that liquid in the collection chamber, at least mainly, o will be directed to a collection outlet or outlets, a conduit connecting the collection outlet or outlets to a distribution outlet, the bin being substantially closed by a lid closure arrangement, the arrangement including at least a first lid which extends fully across a top of the bin, and a second lid which is within the said first lid, and liquid distribution means 5 associated with a one of the lids so as to effect a restriction on liquid being distributed therefrom during an open status of such a lid, means detecting a level of liquid in the chamber and effecting a pumping of liquid upon such means detecting a level of liquid, being above a selected level which is below outlets for air from a distribution network, there being within the bin and immediately above the second floor the said atmosphere distribution network of conduits and outlets for air being recycled to be introduced back into the bin, a plurality of outlets in spaced apart locations and through outlet apertures which are through a lower portion of a respective wall of a one or each conduit, an atmosphere collection inlet inside at or close to a top of the bin and connected to a fan whereby to cause the atmosphere to be transferred from the bin to a liquid collector and through a biological filter, and then back tc be distributed through the air distribution network into the bin.
11. An apparatus for effecting biological treatment of waste through a composting process with a closed recirculation of air including a bin, a first floor extending across a lowermost area of the bin, a second floor extending across a lowermost area of the bin but spaced above the said first floor so as to leave a liquid collection chamber between the said first and second floors, the said second floor having a shape or positioned or having holes therethrough adapted to allow for passage of liquid leachate from above the said second floor into the chamber but resist the passage of at least most composting refuse solids therethrough or therepast, the said first floor being adapted to direct liquid in the chamber to a collection outlet, a conduit connecting the collection outlet to a leachate distribution outlet, the bin being substantially closed by a IkJ closure arrangement, the arrangement including at least a first lid which extends across a full width of the bin, and a second lid which is within the said first lid, and liquid distribution means associated with a one of the lids so as to effect a restriction on liquid being distributed therefrom during an opening status of such a lid, means detecting a level of liquid in the chamber and effecting a pumping of liquid upon such means detecting a level of liquid, being above a selected level which is below outlets for air from a distribution network, there being within the bin and immediately above the second floor the said air distribution network of conduits and outlets for air being recycled being introduced back into the bin and there being a plurality of outlets in spaced apart locations and through outlet apertures which are through a lower portion of a respective wall of each conduit, an air collection inlet at or close to a top of the bin and connected to a fan whereby to cause the air to be transferred from the bin to a liquid collector and through a biological filter, and then back to be distributed through the atmosphere distribution network into the bin.
PCT/AU2007/001203 2006-08-22 2007-08-22 In vessel composting WO2008022388A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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AU2006904537 2006-08-22
AU2006904537A AU2006904537A0 (en) 2006-08-22 In vessel composting

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PT108363A (en) * 2015-04-14 2016-10-14 Wildaround Lda PROCESS OF ACCELERATED COMPOSITION OF ORGANIC MATTER WITH REUSE OF LIQUID LEIXED

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WO2014097325A1 (en) * 2012-12-17 2014-06-26 Comar S.R.L. Composting device for organic waste
PT108363A (en) * 2015-04-14 2016-10-14 Wildaround Lda PROCESS OF ACCELERATED COMPOSITION OF ORGANIC MATTER WITH REUSE OF LIQUID LEIXED
PT108363A1 (en) * 2015-04-14 2017-09-05 Wildaround Lda PROCESS OF ACCELERATED COMPOSITION OF ORGANIC MATTER WITH REUSE OF LIQUID LEIXED
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