This invention relates to a process for production of so-called alternative soil" which also optimises the biogas process. It allows for producing biogas in a novel way whereby waste residue is used and transformed into an alternative form of substrate or soil.

Background Of The Invention

A major concern facing mankind is the treatment, disposition and utilisation of an ever- increasing volume of wastewater due to growing urbanisation. The conception called „Alternative Soil Production", having won a grant in the ideas competition at the Climate-KIC SME Voucher Programme (Budapest, December 2012), provides a solution to producing humus-like, alternative soil from sewage waste. Its core concept pertains to the present intellectual product.

Theoretical overview

Biogas is a gaseous, normally combustible product composed of, apart from ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, mainly methane resulting from the digestion (biodegradation, putrefaction, fermentation) at mesophilic temperatures (30-40°C) by anaerobic organisms of organic wastes including carbohydrate, cellulose, proteins and fats.

The heating value of biogas consisting of about 60% methane that may be obtained from agricultural, industrial and municipal waste is 24-29 MJ/m3. The composition and heating value of biogas largely depend on the organic substrate and technology used. The generally accepted average heating value of biogas is 22.0 MJ/m3. Table 1 describes the typical composition of biogases.

Through the formation of biogas, organic compounds are digested into more simple compounds (acidic phase), then decompose down into their sub-units, i.e. methanogenic phase methane gas (approximately 60-70%), carbon dioxide (30-40%) and, depending on the specific substrate, to various elements (H, N, S, etc.).

In the history of mankind animal wastes were always treated and used for heating or manuring.

FIG. 1 depicts an ancient biogas plant in use in Nepal.

With fairly limited other options, biogas has long been utilised there as heating fuel. The bezel seen on the right of the picture is the so-called mixing vessel where manure is mixed with other organic waste largely manually with a wooden spoon. A pipe leads from the vessel to the fermentation tank with the tube end remaining below the level of liquid to keep the gas from escaping.

The fermentation tank is closed by a dome, as seen in the middle of the picture, with a discharge pipe on top. The digested manure is led also below the level of the fermentation tank to the front vessel and, after taking it out with a wooden plate, serves as fertiliser in the fields. The resulting gas is supplied through pipeline to the residential houses for cooking and heating.

FIG. 2 depicts the technical and technological process of the traditional Nepalese process. (Source: Nepal Biogas Plant - Construction Manual for GGC 2047 Model Biogas Plant) In case of a known solution, also seen on FIG. 3, in the biogas production system the feedstocks are collected in a large container to ensure continuous supply to the reactor (fermentation chamber). Organic substrates raising hygiene concerns (food waste, slaughterhouse waste) are first treated in containers at 70 °C. The reactor is a liquid and gas insulating container with a mixer to prevent sedimentation. Digestion time frame involving anaerobic bacteria and evolution of gas is temperature-dependent: 15-25 days at 30-40 °C or shorter at 50-60 °C.

Description Of Prior Art

Patent Number WO/201 1/156767 (Edelstern, MPitchforth, E. Astres) discloses a process and equipment restoring by a material marked BioCat+3 ™ the fibrous materials and nutrients degraded during anaerobic digestion. The advantages this process possesses are high yield of gas and ammonia decontamination. It is limited by its need for fresh drinking water. Compared to our process, it has another disadvantage, i.e. it creates no product.

Patent Number US 201 1239655 (Al) (Carin Christianne, 06/10/2011) discloses a process and equipment for the production of fertiliser from sewage sludge and manure. The process of the present patent application does not use this equipment which serves as idea only for the granulation, pelletisation or other forms for the pre-treatment of the dried end products.

The utility model protection file of registration number HU U 4188 (file number U 12 00217, 21/08/201 1) presents layout for increased efficiency biogas development. Hydrodynamic comminuting and ultrasound destructing, and also coarse and fine comminuting units, are described in the layout. The process in the present application also uses ultrasound destructor but in the 21-40 KHz frequency range, unlike description under patent number HU U 4188. In case of the present invention, ultrasound as electromagnetic radiation micro initiator plays the role in the resolution of covalent bonds. Patent Number WO/2015/101941 discloses a method and system for processing biomass whereby lignin, cellulose can be obtained from reaction catalysed by alkaline pH, iron-based nanoparticles.

The article published in ISSN 1996 0786 © 2012 (author: W. Mwegoha, source: African Journal of Enviromental Science and Technology Vol 6/8, Pp 293-299, August, 2012) teaches a method serving the anaerobic composting of chrysanthemum waste with and without EM (Effective Microorganism). It is characterised by high methane gas yield, shortened methane gas evolution time frame, i.e. reduced digestion period. C02 (carbon dioxide) sequestration may take place by chemical process, KOH (potassium hydroxide). This is one of the chemical methods applied in the solution of the present invention. In case of the solution in the present application, other than the already mentioned chemical methods are also used for fat burning, e.g. HCA (hydroxy citric acid).

Another known technology is the reduction of dioxin contamination by EM. Such solution is offered e.g. in the articles„Suppression of Dioxin Generation in the Garbage Incinerator, Using EM (Effective Micro-rganisms), EM-Z, and EM-Z Ceramics Powder" (Masato Miyajima, Narihira Nagano, and Teruo Higa, source:

:http://www.infrc.or.ip/english/KNF Data Base Web/PDF%20KNF%20Conf%20Data ZC6-7-246.pdf) and„A three-stage system to remove mercury and dioxins in flue gases", source:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/7809736 A three- stage system to remove mercury and dioxins in flue gases

Gemma-1 is a known branded microbiological product (Patent Number OTH 5175- 2/2010) developed by Linex Plus Kft and made by its contract manufacturing partner. According to the data sheet, the characteristics and composition of Gemma-1 that is used in the process and is commercially available are as follows: Gemma- 1 serves the treatment of grease traps, composts, sludge fields, liquid manure, organic fertilizers, such as poultry and cattle manure, and the treatment of sewage sludge, biomass, reclamation waste by aerator ponds and water containers.

The composition of Gemma- 1 :

- Bacillus sublitis var notlo

- Bifidobacterium animalis ssp lactis

- Bifidobacterium bifidum

- Bifidobacterium longum

- Lactobacillus acidophilus

- Lactobacillus buchneri

- Lactobacillus bulgaricus

- Lactobacillus casei

- Lactobacillus plantarum

- Lactocccus diacetylactis

- Lactococcus lactis

- Rhodopseudomonas palustris

- Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides

- Saccharomyces cerevisiae

- Streptococcus thermophilus

The composition is combined with activated dilute water solution of multi-strain aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and fungi.

The physical and chemical characteristics of Gemma- 1 :

Form: liquid dilute water suspension

Colour: russet

Smell: mild

pH: 4-7

Soil bacteria plate count: min. 1.29* 10 ⁷ cell / ml As a general characteristic, the known solutions may all be applied to partial tasks but are not widely applicable for complex utilisation of waste.

The purposes of the process of the present invention are higher yield and optimisation of biogas production, the energetic optimisation of biogas production following the proper treatment of communal and agricultural waste, e.g. ultrasound disruption, humidification, optimisation of particle size, and thereby improved quality of biogas through the microbiological reduction of possible dioxin contamination and other pollutants, e.g. hydrogen sulfide content.

Another aim to be achieved by this invention is the production of a humus-like material from sewage and other communal and agricultural waste and transforming it into alternative soil.

The aspects of biogas production

The following aspects have been considered when determining the objectives of our patent.

Mankind of the 21st century faces two options. One way is to follow the current point of view: continue producing„garbage" and using up all the fossil energy. Or, alternatively, as proposed here, clean the world from sewage and other organic waste, transform and recycle them into organic substrate to create a healthier and cleaner environment. We have chosen the latter route in order for our grandchildren to enjoy this Eden... Our Earth.

The invention is based on the recognition that a„methane producing" biogas system is a living organism whose needs for living space, environment, waste feedstock, water, right temperature, pressure, etc. must be ensured. The invention is based on six points of intervention in the technology of the previously outlined biogas digester to increase efficiency, i.e. optimise the biogas process. The composition and heating value of biogas largely depend on the original waste feedstock or organic substrate and technology.

The aims of this invention are as follows:

Alternative soil can be produces by building such a production unit next to the sewage plant, i.e. after the dewatered sludge technological line. The material balance is expected to become positive within 4-5 years for the equivalent of 100,000 inhabitants. Besides this, steady income may be achieved from the sale of product. Several solutions are available for the drying of dewatered sludge. Drying may be carried out in any drying plant, either drum dryers, but the optimum is offered by so-called conveyor sludge dryer where drying shall last 10 minutes at 130 °C. The next is the microbiological treatment unit followed by the product manufacturing plant.

The present invention is also based on the recognition that, by using the Gemma- 1 microorganism composite, significantly higher yields of biogas may be achieved.

The invention is therefore appropriate for forming alternative soil and optimising biogas production: it is an alternative process for biogas production and usage and, by transforming the residue, alternative substrate or soil may be made. It is characterised by the following six points of intervention in the known biogas process technology in order to increase efficiency and optimise biogas technology: - Intervention 1 : Selection and grouping of waste feedstock to produce equal amounts of biogas, considering the need of moisture for chemical digestion. Humidification is possible by sewage sludge or liquid manure.

- Intervention 2: Treatment of the waste feedstock with microbiological or physical method, considering the fact that the more waste feedstock is digested, the faster gas is produced.

- Intervention 3 : Preliminary treatment of waste feedstock in case slaughterhouse wastes are used apart from agricultural wastes for biogas production. The best option is then to process the waste feedstock by comminuting to optimise particle size, considering that the wider the specific surface areais, the more molecules may be involved in the methane formation reaction.

- Intervention 4: Optimising biogas production by utilising waste heat.

- Intervention 5: Gas cleaning, reduction of hydrogen sulfide and possibly dioxin content by bubbling the gas through a dilute aqueous microbiological system, thereby reducing contamination. At the same time, the inadequate gas is burned on the flare.

- Intervention 6: Transforming the residue of digestion into„products".

The advantages of our process: First intervention: The waste substrates are selected and determined for the composition and heating value of biogas largely depend on the original feedstock or organic substrates and technology. The first step of methane formation is acidification which requires also moisture. Wet waste feedstock also moisturises solid phase waste feedstock. Second intervention: The waste substrates are treated because the methane yield of biogas production depends on the waste feedstock or their treatment. The waste feedstock is treated by our Gemma- 1 or similar microbiological system. The proposed ratio is 1 :250, 1 :500, 1 : 1000, depending on the applied waste feedstock and heat. The proposed temperature frame is 30-70 °C to facilitate the processing of waste feedstock. The time frame depends on the volume and quality of organic materials. Preferably, the prepared waste feedstock are moisturised with sewage sludge, pig liquid manure or any other wet process and are mixed at a ratio of 1 : 1 to 1 : 1000 v/v% with our own Gemma- 1 specifically developed for this purpose or other similar microbiological product.

Third intervention: Treatment of waste feedstock by alternative process during which, besides agricultural waste, slaughterhouse waste is also used for biogas production. In this case the waste feedstocks are proposed to be comminuted, thereby optimising particle size to digest waste feedstock by audio frequency resonator at 20-40 kHz or other comminuting or colloid chemical process to be followed by microbiological treatment as described in the previous point.

Fourth intervention: Optimisation of gas production is achieved by waste heat and the manure and bio-waste used or by particle size reduction (as described in the previous paragraph) or by the already optimised waste feedstock which is fed into the reactor. Microbiological anaerobic digestion may be carried out here and about 40% of the resulting waste heat may be used for drying which is needed to produce the product. Furthermore, by securing anaerobic environment, the digestion time frame of the prepared waste feedstock, depending on the temperature of fermentation, may be reduced significantly from an average 45-50 days. Even 5-10 days fermentation time reduction results in significant decrease of energy costs. Fifth intervention: The produced gas is first cleaned, with inappropriate gas being burned on the flare. In case the dioxin and/or hydrogen sulfide contamination of the produced gas is higher than prescribed, it is bubbled through bacterial gas washer. The proposed bacteria is our Gemma- 1 or similar microbiological product. Much of the gas will be used by gas-fired thermal power plants which typically generates electricity by gas motor or gas turbine through CHP, while residue heat is returned in the form of technological heat to the biogas digester or led by power line to houses. The use of residue or waste heat may also be the drying of dewatered sewage sludge residue.

Sixth intervention: Product creation where anaerobic digestion cycle is applied for at least 10-15 days with a microorganism mixture comprising 3 w/v % of Streptomices albus, Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides, Lactobacillus plantarum, Propionibacterium freudenreichii, Streptococcus lactis, Aspergillus oryzae, Mucor hiemalis, Saccharomyces cerivisae, Candida utilis. The mixture includes an aqueous suspension of min. 1.0 w/v% of microorganism mixture includes actinomycetes of min. 1.20x10 CFU/ml with min. 9,7x10 pcs/ml, microfungus of min. 3,51x10 pcs/ml, together with molasses of 3 w/v % and a dried lignite-like material / biogas dried digestion residue of 4 w/v %.

In a further preferred application of the method according to the invention, 1.5 w/v % clay, 1.2 w/v % humic acid, 5.0 w/v % potassium oxide, 0.5 w/v % calcium, 0.05 w/v % magnesium, 0.10w/v % iron, 0.01 w/v % manganese and 0.005 w/v % zinc are applied.

In a further preferred application of the method according to the invention, the volume of unfilled mixture is water, with the mixture having a pH of between 3.2 and 3.9 as measured in 10% aqueous suspension and its organic substrate content digested with lactic acid fermentation using anaerobic technology. In a further preferred application of the method according to the invention, Product 1 , Product 2, Product 3, etc, may be made in the process and the resulting composition can be applied with

- agricultural liquid manure carrier, and/or

- communal sewage sludge carrier, and/or

- agricultural biomass carrier, and/or

- turf carrier, and/or

- zeolite carrier, and/or

- alginite carrier, and/or

- mineral mix carrier, and/or

- surface water sediments carrier, and/or

- energy crop residue carrier, and/or

- water carrier, and/or

- solid particles (ash, slag) formed from the combustion of plant materials, and/or alginite, and/or zeolite, and/or bentonite, and/or turf, and/or communal sewage sludge, and/or green biomass, and/or green compost, and/or any proportion of any of the above and used for the rehabilitation of surface waters and production of so-called alternative soil" to complement soil nutrients.

Enclosed are the following figures relating to the solution by our invention:

FIG. 1 shows picture of an ancient biogas power plant which has long been used e.g. in

Nepal.

FIG. 2 shows the technical-technological process of the traditional ancient Nepalese method. (Source: Nepal Biogas Plant - Construction Manual Construction Manual for GGC 2047 Model Biogas Plant)

The numbers or signs on FIG. 2:

1 - Dome, 2 - Reducing elbow, 3 - Gas tap, 4 - Curve, 5 - House wall, 6 - T-juncture and 7 - Water removal. FIG. 3 shows a well-known generally applied biogas production system.

The numbers and sign on FIG. 3: 8 - Bio waste, 9 - Preparatory tank, 10 - Hygienic tanks, 1 1 - Steam, 12 - Liquid manure, 13 - Mixing tank, 14 - Bioreactors, 15 - Torch, 16 - Gas container, 17 - Technological steam, 18 - Thermal power plant, 19 - Teleheating, 20 - Manure tanks, 21 - Manure.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a known complex metthod of biogas production and use.

FIG. 5 shows the natural carbon cycle.

FIG. 6 shows the typical composition several kinds of biogas.

FIG. 7 shows the biogas content of different organic substrates.

Detailed Description Of The Invention

There are six interventions in the technology of the biogas plant, described and shown on FIG. 3 & 4, in order to increase efficiency and optimise biogas production.

- Intervention 1 : Selection and grouping of waste feedstock for creating equal amounts of biogas formation, considering the need of moisture for chemical decomposition. Humidification is possible by sewage sludge or liquid manure.

- Intervention 2: Treatment of the waste feedstock with microbiological and/or physical and/or chemical process.

- Intervention 3: Preliminary treatment of waste feedstock in case slaughterhouse wastes are used apart from agricultural wastes for the production of biogas. The best option is then to process the waste feedstock by comminuting, i.e. decompose waste feedstock by optimising particle size.

- Intervention 4: Optimising biogas production by utilising waste heat.

- Intervention 5: Gas cleaning, reduction of hydrogen sulfide and possible dioxin contamination and burning the inadequate gas on the flare.

- Intervention 6: Transforming the fermentation residue into product. First intervention: Waste feedstock selection

Composition of the original waste feedstock:

The composition and heating value of biogas largely depends on the original waste feedstock and organic substrate and technology. The average heating value of biogas is 22.0 MJ/m3. The energy content of biogas that may be produced by several animals' daily manure equals 0.8 kg of heating oil. In practice, energy equalling heating oil of minimum 0.2 kg to maximum 1.0 kg can be produced. A cow produces about 10 and a sow 1.2 tons of manure annually, from which biogas of 160 and 320 Nm ³ , respectively, can be made. Table 2. shows the biogas content of different organic substrates. The composition of waste feedstock can be modified in a way and proportion that the yield of gas remains always almost the same. Wettability must be kept in mind.

The feedstock may also be the organic substrates of landfill sites, depositories. Plastic, stone, metal, etc. are not appropriate.

Second intervention: The treatment of waste feedstock:

The methane yield of biogas production depends on the waste feedstock or their preparation. The most important element of the formerly mentioned biogas digester is that the waste feedstock is treated by our registered Gemma- 1 or a similar microbiological system. In Gemma- 1, the enzymes and hormones produced by bacteria and microorganisms act as catalysts of methane formation. The proposed ratios are 1 :250, 1 :500 and 1 : 1000, depending on the applied waste feedstock and heat. The proposed temperature frame is 30-70 °C. This, pre-fermentor is to facilitate the decomposition of waste feedstock during preparation. Thus, the fermentation time frame of biogas production is significantly less than the current 50-60 days. Inour knowlege it may be reduced by minimum 5-10 days. The time frame depends on the volume and quality of the organic substrate used.

Third intervention: Preparation of waste feedstock by alternative process In this case, apart from agricultural waste, slaughterhouse waste is also used for biogas production. In this case the waste feedstock are proposed to be comminuted, thereby optimising particle size to decompose the waste feedstock. This may be done by audio frequency resonator at 20-40 kHz or other comminuting or colloid chemical method. This may be followed by microbiological treatment as described in the previous point.

Fourth intervention: Optimisation of gas production by using waste heat

Manure, bio-waste or particle size reduction as described before or optimised waste feedstock goes into the reactor.

It may prove a good solution and microbiological anaerobic digestion may also be carried out here. The temperature of the reactor may be regulated with heat exchanger. The organic substrate containers and reactor are mostly made of concrete and, in order to keep the temperature constant, are embedded in the ground. The novelty here is that about 40% of the created waste heat is used for the drying of product made by microbiological method.

The produced biogas can be stored in gas tank. FIG. 4. shows the generally known complex method of biogas production and usage.

Fifth intervention: The produced gas is first cleaned, with inappropriate gas being burnt on the flare.

In case the dioxin and/or hydrogen sulfide contamination of the produced gas is higher than prescribed, it is bubbled through bacterial gas washer. The proposed bacteria is our Gemma- 1 or similar microbiological product. Much of the gas will be used by gas-fired thermal power plants which typically generates electricity by gas motor or gas turbine through CHP, while residue heat is returned in the form of technological heat to the biogas digester or led by power line to houses. The use of residue heat or waste heat may also be the drying of dewatered sewage sludge residue according to Intervention 4. Heating and domestic hot water are provided by heat exchangers. Steam is recirculated to the technology to:

- heat buildings,

- operate the cooling system (trigeneration - absorption cooling),

- thermoregulate reactors,

- heat the hygienic tanks,

- dry the dewatered sewage sludge and

- dry the digestion residue.

Sixth intervention:

The sixth intervention is the production of alternative soil" from the fermented residue or ferment.

The six points of intervention aiming at optimal yield in the production of biogas production have been described above.

The possible actual beneficial uses of the solution according to the invention are the following:

Family size biogas plant, establishing energy farm:

As the family sizebiogas plant is a target market, the benefits from the supply of biogas energy accrue only if the farmers have:

- at least 10 cows,

- appropriate volume of liquid manure and storage facility for the digested manure,

- minimum 75% slurry of the manure that may be replaced by communal sewage sludge,

- liquid manure can be mixed with organic materials,

- digested manure can be used ni the farm or the farmer is willling to involve in the production of microbiological product or its outsourcing of same, - or performs microbiological treatment of the digested manure, thereby producing products.

- Much of the electricity and heat is used on site (e.g. pig and poultry farming, gardening), or for microbiological treatment (drying of sewage sludge or digested residue)

Important to know is that a family size biogas plant must be economical even without offtake or goverment subsidy.

Another target group is larger biogas plants, so-called energy farms, where liquid manure and other agricultural and organic waste are collected from several farms which then jointly operate their biogas plant, use the heat and electricity, and distribute the microbiologically treated manure among themselves.

- Another practical application and target area is to improve the energy efficiency of existing but inefficiently operating biogas plants.

Actual examples of application:

The annual maintenance cost of a sewage plant for 100,000 inhabitants is estimated at approximately HUFIOO million. As opposed to this cost, we may produce a profit of HUF 90-134 million from the sale of products (to be detailed later) deriving from sewage sludge and the reduction of operating costs, road load, carbon dioxide emission etc.

In case the alternative soil production unit is linked to the existing biogas plant then further opportunities may be given for the optimisation of the earlier outlined biogas production. Maintenance costs can be reduced by the usage of digestion residue, cleaning of „brown liquid", efficiency improvements of biogas production, e.g. by utilising waste heat for drying the dewatered sludge. Additional advantage of the invention is that a so-called environment improvement business unit" may closely be integrated to it for developing, producing and selling products, namely microbiological soil- and plant conditioner compositions, which are important primarily for environmental protection. This process is referred to as„Product creation".

Summary

Biogas yield may be increased by:

- comminuting the feedstock, i.e. particle size optimisation, by audio frequency of about 20-40 kHz or other comminuting, colloid chemical way,

- wetting the feedstock by sewage sludge, liquid manure,

- focussed optimisation of the composition of feedstock,

- mixing the feedstock with multi-strain microorganism preparation, e.g. Gemma- 1 or similar microbiological products,

- chosing the optimal factory size to reduce digestion time,

- technological optimisation of waste heat usage, e.g. drying of dewatered sewage sludge or digested residue,

- technological optimisation by product creation referred to in the previous point,

- technological optimisation: cleaning of gas, reduction of hydrogen sulfide and possibly dioxin content by bubbling the gas through a dilute aqueous microbiological system, e.g. Gemma-1 , thereby reducing contamination,

- producing fertile or alternative soil and maintaining it by Gemma-1 and/or other microorganisms madeby lactic acid digestion process.

The applied microorganism composite is the previously determined multi-strain Gemma-1, but it other similar microbiological process may also be used.

An important application aspect of this invention is that hundreds of million people are suffering from hunger in the world when it could be avoided by creating fertile soil and agriculture based on environmental protection globally. One of the uses the present patent procedure may be to optimise the operation of all the local biogas plants.

A further possibility could be to add methane gas cleaned by this invention to CNG, thereby improving low quality natural gas or perhaps bottling it.

A third area may be the utilisation of waste of full landfill sites and depositores for biogas production.

The products made by the process of this invention are as follows: Utilisation of the residue of biogas digestion:

One of the biggest problems of biogas plants built on sewage treatment plants is the high heavy metal content of residues which are therefore not appropriate for direct use in the food producing agriculture. Currently such residue material is placed in poplar groves or energy grass growing areas or often to landfills. The problem with the former option is that the soil will be saturated. The same is true in the latter case (e.g. the example of Szolnok) due to the high charge for the use of depositories and the saturation of the sites. Otherwise, landfills are not a professional solution, only superficial treatment or delaying of the problem.

Product 1 : Key to our process is that the digestion residue is stabilised microbiologically after the drying according to the technology of the invention.

Product 2: In case the heavy metal contamination of the product made by the technology according to the invention is higher than prescribed, it will be„diluted" to the required measure by natural minerals. Depending on the specific local area, such minerals may be alginite, rhyolite, bentonite and other clay mineral, etc. (See the literary reference under technology:„A three-stage system to remove mercury and dioxins in flue gases".)

Product 3 : Cleaned water of technological quality which is appropriate for irrigation or industrial usage.

Practical issues raised in the course of using the process and products according to the invention:

The circulation of C (carbon) in nature is of paramount importance (see FIG. 5).

The dried material made by the process according to the invention is characterised by high carbon content. Its heating value is the equivalent of medium brown coal's (15-17 MJ/kg, or minimum 3,500 kcal/kg). This is very important in carbon cycle.

The natural carbon cycle is upset by human civilisation. The use of fossil energy has led to carbon, specifically C02 (carbondioxide), emissions to the atmosphere and, even worse, the CH4 or methane content of the atmosphere has also grown. Even bigger problem is that, due to the burning of fossil energy, the proportion of the lighter carbon and oxygen isotopes has grown in the atmosphere. If entering the stratosphere, they may damage the continuance of the boundary layer. This may be verified by NMR spectroscope. The present patent application does not deal with the agricultural purpose qualification of products made by the process according to the invention. As due to its composition, the microorganism used in the process has in itself crop yield enhancement and substance imrprovement features, it also satisfies this criterion.

Laboratory tests by„inoculation" have shown promising results as microbial numbers

7 Q

grew hundredfold: from 10 to 10 on the plate.

A beneficial feature of the dried and microbiologically stabilised material is its over 27% humus content (meaning high buffer capacity) which plays an important role in improving the composition of soil and achieving an ideal pH.

"Product 1", "Product 2", etc. as end products made by the process of this invention are especially appropriate for improving structure less soil, e.g. sandy soil. Of paramount importance can therefore be the making of rich soil, i.e. alternative soil, in Middle East countries like Turkey or Egypt. In our view, creating such soil offers solution to problems like emigration from Africa that could be stopped by this.

The market value of residue of microbiologically treated material gained from digested biomass is expected to be HUF 30,000/ton. Based on laboratory tests, 1 ton of such material is the equivalent of 7-8 tons of ripe stable manure in terms of its P (phosphorus) and K (calium) content, only with less N (nitrogen).

The latter deficiency may however be replaced by the subsequent microbiological, 80- strain bacterial treatment of alternative soil, the nitrogen fixation from air or perhaps by some nitrogen fertiliser. The alternative soil may easily be stored, treated and fertilised by spreader.

Important part of the technology is the sludge dryer.

Sludge drying provides the following benefits:

- Over 70% weight reduction

- Lower waste removal costs

- Sludge to become hygienic

Possible other applications

The gas product from digested sewage sludge is liquid manure gas, similar to biogas. Biogas production equipment are biogas generators and gas wells established on organic waste depositories. After removal of water (condensation) and gas cleaning (removal of carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide), it may be used as energy, e.g. for heating.

Biogas from liquid pig manure has a heating value of about 23,000 kJ/m3. It occurs spontaneously, may even ignite fire in marshes, moors ("will-o ^' -the-wisps"), manure stacks, landfills.

Feedstock may be communal waste, agricultural or forest side products, lm ³ communal waste may generate 60-300 m ³ biogas. The digested manure or residue may then be treated as described to convert it into easy to use, odourless material of full value for manuring of gardens and parks.

In the course of biogas generation, pathogenic organisms are killed which is very important from public hygiene point of view. The residue, improperly referred to as compost, keeps all the valuable minerals and may be used as excellent organic manure.

Our plans are aiming at establishing at family size biogas plants in Hungary, similarly to China and India. Out of a global 9 million family size biogas plants, an estimated 7.2 million are located in China. Biogas may serve as an essential basis for future energy sources and can play highly important role in environmental protection and organic agriculture (e.g. organic manure recycling). (Source: Lexikon of Environmental Protection).

Additional advantage and, as compared to other published solutions, unique feature of our solution is that, if treated according to the description, the digested residue also undergoes a microbiological treatment whereby, in addition to biogas, alternative soil is made for use in agriculture.

Residue or waste heat generated in biogas production are uses in the production of products and drying. Utilisation of about 40% is regarded the most appropriate.

In the process of this invention, biogas yield from feedstocks by said pre-treatment may increase significantly, with growth of 6-9% is regarded as significant result.

In case dioxin were to remain in the biogas produced from household or agricultural waste by the process of this invention, then it may significantly be reduced, especially by the preferred Gemma- 1 microbiological preparation. Flowing the gas through this aqueous microbiological system may also lead to significant reduction of the contamination content of hydrogen sulphide.

After the microbiological treatment according to this invention, the "brown liquid" created by first and second generation biogas processes qualify as harmless material. Later on it can become a product for use in agriculture. The process according to the invention, in case the digested residue is utilised, produces soil or alternative soil which is maintained by Gemma- 1 and/or other microorganisms made by lactic acid fermentation.

Item list

FIG. 2.

1 - Dome

2 - Reducing elbow

3 - Gas tap

4 - Curve

5 - House wall

6 - T-juncture

7 - Water removal

FIG. 3.

8 - Biowaste

9 - Preparatory tank

10 - Hygienic tanks

11 - Steam

12 - Liquid manure

13 - Mixing tank

14 - Bioreactors

15 - Torch

16 - Gas container

17 - Technological steam

18 - Thermal power plant

19 - Teleheating

20 - Manure tanks

21 - Manure