| WO/2002/000571 | COMPOST-BOX LID |
| JP2006057885 | DRYING DEVICE |
| JP2006167548 | METHOD FOR TREATING ORGANIC WASTE |
BRESSAN, Loris (Via Rostagno 8, Imola, I-40026, IT)
| Claims 1. A unit (1) for the aerobic digestion of wastes, in particular for the digestion of solid organic wastes and sludges, comprising: - a base (2), - a pair of side walls (3, 4) facing each other and extending perpendicularly to the base (2), - a roof (5, 5') which is movable relative to the base (2) between a raised position (A), where access by mechanical waste handling means is allowed, and a lowered position (B), where, together with the base (2) and the first, lower load- bearing portion (31, 41) of the side walls (3, 4), it forms a waste containment space (6), - means (16) for blowing air into the containment space (6) to allow the wastes to be aerobically digested. 2. The unit according to claim 1, characterised in that each of the side walls (3, 4) facing each other comprises at least one lower, load-bearing portion (31, 41). 3. The unit according to claim 2, characterised in that the first, lower, load- bearing portion (31, 41) is made of masonry. 4. The unit according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the first portion (31, 41) of the side walls (3, 4) comprises at least one prefabricated cement element. 5. The unit according to any of the claims from 1 or 4, characterised in that it comprises a frame (9) designed to support the roof (5). 6. The unit according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that each of the side walls (3, 4) facing each other comprise at least one second, upper screening portion (3S, 4S) made of a plastic material. 7. The unit according to claim 6, characterised in that the second portion (3S, 4S) of the side walls (3, 4) is made of a plastic honeycomb material. 8. The unit according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the roof (5) at the open position (A) is higher than the base whilst at the second closed position it is lower than the base. 9. The unit according to any of the foregoing claims from 1 to 8, characterised in that the roof (5) is made of fibreglass. 10. The unit according to any of the foregoing claims from 1 to 7, characterised in that the roof (5') is made of flexible material and in the open position (A) is at least partly retracted to leave uncovered at least a part of the waste containment space whilst in the second closed position (B) it is extended to substantially cover all the containment space. 11. The unit according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that it comprises means (12) of actuating the roof (5, 5') between its open (A) and closed (B) positions. 12. The unit according to claim 1 1 , characterised in that the actuating means (12) comprise a linear actuator (10). 13. The unit according to claims 10 and 1 1, characterised in that the actuating means (12) comprise a device (124) for winding/unwinding the roof. 14. The unit according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the blowing means (16) comprise an air treatment unit (14) designed to produce air flow and at least one pipe (15) connected to the air treatment unit (14) for transferring the air flow into the containment space (6). 15. The unit according to the preceeding claim, characterised in that the pipe (15) is provided with a plurality of nozzles (17) for distributing air at the base (2). 16. A plant for the aerobic treatment of wastes, in particular for the treatment of solid organic wastes and sludges, characterised in that it comprises at least one unit (1 , Γ) according to any of the claims from 1 to 1 1 , a rear wall (13) and a front door (18) giving access to the waste containment space (6). 17. The plant according to claim 12, characterised in that it comprises a plurality of units (1, Γ) aligned with each other in such a way as to form, in their entirety, a row (20) of units (1) and a single waste containment space, the rear wall (13) and the access door (18) being located at opposite ends of the row (20) of units (1) in order to delimit the single containment space. 18. The plant according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of rows (20, 21) of units placed side by side. |
A waste aerobic digestion unit and an aerobic waste treatment system-
Technical Field
This invention relates to a unit for the aerobic digestion of wastes and a plant for the aerobic treatment of wastes comprising the aerobic digestion unit.
More specifically, this invention relates to a unit for making compost from wastes.
Aerobic digestion is a treatment of the wastes aimed at their "inertisation", that is, reduction of their decay by fermentation of the wastes in the presence of oxygen.
Composting is an aerobic digestion technique by which a product, known as "compost", which is manly used in farming as a fertiliser, is obtained from organic wastes.
Background Art
A strongly felt need, especially in farming areas, is that of subjecting organic wastes to aerobic treatment for producing compost and/or reducing its decay.
There are prior art aerobic digestors comprising a tubular bag of deformable, that is, non-rigid, material, forming an inner space containing the wastes.
The tubular bag is initially folded back on itself and forms a configuration of minimum dimensions corresponding with a minimum containment space; at the same time as the filling of the containment space of the bag with the wastes, the bag is progressively unrolled to increase the containment space up to a configuration of maximum dimensions.
The bag allows the wastes inside the containment space to be subjected to an aerobic digestion treatment.
The tubular bag, together with the associated accessories (connectors, pipes for blowing air, etc), may not be reused and is therefore disposed of at the end of the wastes treatment cycle and replaced by a new one.
For this reason, the digestor has high operational costs considering the frequent replacement of the tubular bag and the associated accessories. In light of this, a need is felt of providing an aerobic digester which can be used several times and which has low operational costs.
There are also variable volume prior art anaerobic digestors, comprising a waste containment chamber provided with a mobile false ceiling for reducing the volume.
These anaerobic digestors are used for producing biogas by the anaerobic fermentation of the wastes inside the chamber and they are therefore provided with a sealed containment chamber which prevents any accidental leakage of the gases formed inside.
These digestors are not suitable for aerobic fermentation, since they do not provide the change of air inside the sealed chamber.
In addition, these digestors are rather complex and costly since it is necessary to ensure and guarantee the seal of the containment chamber. Disclosure of the Invention
The aim of this invention is therefore to overcome the aforementioned shortcomings and to satisfy the requirements indicated above by providing a unit for the aerobic digestion of wastes which is simple and at the same time inexpensive.
Accordingly, this invention achieves said aim with an aerobic digestion unit comprising the technical features described in one or more of the appended claims.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The technical features of this invention, according to the above-mentioned aims, may be clearly inferred from the content of the appended claims, and the advantages of this invention are more apparent from the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a non-limiting embodiment of the invention provided by way of example only, in which:
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the unit for the aerobic digestion of wastes according to this invention;
- Figure 2 is a perspective view of a detail of the unit of Figure 1 ;
- Figure 3 is a perspective view, according to the direction of observation J 1 , of the unit of Figure 1 ;
- Figure 4 is a perspective view of a system according to this invention; - Figure 5 is a perspective view, according to the direction of observation 32, of the system of Figure 4;
- Figures 6, 7 and 8 are respective side, plan and side views of the system of Figures 4 and 5;
- Figure 9 is a front view of the of the system of Figures 4 and 5;
- Figure 10 is a perspective view of a detail of the unit of Figures 1 to 3 and of the system of Figures 4 to 9.
- Figures 1 1 and 12 are two respective perspective views, from different angles, of a second preferred embodiment of the unit for the aerobic digestion of wastes according to this invention;
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Invention
With reference to the accompanying drawings, reference numeral 1 indicates a unit for the aerobic digestion of wastes according to this invention, hereafter also indicated as unit 1.
The unit 1 is designed mainly for the treatment of solid organic wastes and/or "shovelable" sludges, that is, sludges having a consistency such that they may be handled with suitable mechanical handling means, such as shovels / buckets etc.
The unit 1 forms a plant 100 for the aerobic treatment of wastes.
The unit 1 comprises a base 2 and a pair of side walls 3, 4 facing each other, extending perpendicularly to the base 2.
Preferably, the side walls are vertically emerging from the base 2.
Still more preferably, the side walls 3, 4 are parallel to each other.
The base 2 comprises, preferably, a prefabricated element.
Still more preferably, the base 2 is made of masonry.
The term "made of masonry", referred to an element of this invention, in this description means that the element is made of cement-based materials, such as cement, concrete, reinforced concrete, lime and other materials commonly used in the field of building works for structural containment and support.
It should be noted in this regard that the technical purpose of the lower load-bearing portion is to laterally contain the waste inserted inside the unit 1.
The base 2 is shown in Figures 1 to 9 by the dashed line as the base is not visible since it is buried; however, the base 2 could also be rested on the ground without the need to bury it.
Each of the side walls 3, 4 of the unit 1 comprise a first, lower load-bearing portion 31, 41 and a second, upper portion 3S, 4S screening from air flows. The term "screening from air flows" means that the second, screening portion 3S, 4S basically performs a screening function, that is, reducing the speed of wind flows which strike the unit 1 , as described in more detail below.
Preferably, the lower portion 31, 41 of the side walls 3, 4 is made of masonry
Hereinafter, the first, lower portion 31, 41 of the side walls 3, 4 will also be referred to as lower portion 31, 41 and the second, upper portion 3S, 4S of the side walls 3, 4 will also be referred to as upper portion 3S, 4S.
Preferably, the first portion 31, 41 of the side walls 3, 4 extends in height for a height of between two and three metres.
Preferably, the second, upper portion 3S, 4S is made from plastic material, specifically from a plastic honeycomb material; advantageously the second portion 3S, 4S made from plastic material is inexpensive and light.
In addition, a further advantage of the second portion 3S, 4S made from plastic material is that the costs of reclaming the second portion 3S, 4S, connected with the complete scrapping of the unit 1 at the end of its life, are considerably lower than those of other materials, for example compared with the lower masonry portion 31, 41.
The unit 1 also comprises uprights 23 for fixing the second portion 3S, 4S to the first portion 31, 41.
Preferably, the uprights 23 are made of a metallic material.
The uprights 23 are fixed to the first portion 31, 41 and jut out from them vertically.
The second, screening portion 3S, 4S is fixed to and supported by the uprights 23; the uprights 23 therefore identify means of constraining the second portion 3S, 4S to the first portion 31, 41.
According to this invention, the unit 1 comprises a slab 22, better visible in Figure 2, positioned between the side walls 3, 4 substantially parallel to the base 2.
Preferably, the slab 22 is made of fibreglass.
The slab 22 forms a roof 5, that is, a cover for a region below the base 2. The fibreglass slab 22 has a good structural strength and is inexpensive. According to other preferred embodiments, not illustrated, the roof 5 is formed by one or more elements made from any material and having good structural strength characteristics for also resisting any snow deposits on the top surface of the roof 5. The roof 5 is movable relative to the base 2 between a raised position A and a lowered position B.
In the lowered position B the roof 5 forms with the base 2 and with the first lower portion 31, 41 of the side walls 3, 4 a space 6 containing the wastes.
The containment space 6 is designed to contain the wastes to undergo aerobic digestion.
In light of this, it should be noted that the upper end 7 of the first, lower portion 31, 41 of the side walls 3, 4 preferentialy forms a limit in height for placing the wastes inside the containment space 6.
Preferably, in the lowered position B, the fibreglass slab 22 is positioned substantially at a height equal to that of the lower portions 31, 41 of the side walls 3, 4.
The unit 1 , as illustrated by way of a non-limiting example in Figure 1 , also comprises a portal structure 8 which is prominent in an upwards direction relative to the first, lower portion 31, 41 of the side walls 3, 4 (better visible in Figure 2).
It should be noted that vertical sides 24 of the portal structure 8 allow lateral oscillations to be contained towards the outside of the second, screening portion 3S, 4S of the side walls 3, 4.
In addition, the second portion 3S, 4S may also be constrained on the vertical sides 24 by prior art fixing means not illustrated (for example, by screws etc.); this allows the deformation of the second portion 3S, 4S to be reduced when it is subjected to wind currents.
Preferably, the portal structure 8 is fixed to both the first, lower portions 31, 41 of the two side walls 3, 4.
The portal structure 8 forms a support frame 9 of the roof 5.
The unit 1 also comprises a linear actuator 10 fixed to the portal sructure 8. Preferably, the actuator 10 is a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator.
The actuator 10 is equipped with a vertically slidable rod 1 1.
The rod 1 1 is connected to the roof 5.
The actuator 10 is designed to move the rod 1 1 so as to move the roof 5 betwen the raised position A and the lowered position B.
The actuator 10 forms means 12 for actuating the roof 5 between the raised position A and the lowered position B.
The unit 1 , as illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, is closed behind by a rear wall 13 emerging from the base 2, forming part of the system 100.
Preferably, the rear wall 13 is made entirely from masonry. Still more preferably, the rear wall 13 extends for a height not less than that of the side walls 3, 4.
As shown in Figure 1, the rear wall 13 extends preferably for a height greater than that of the side walls 3, 4.
According to preferred embodiments not illustrated in the drawings, the rear wall 13 comprises a first, lower portion made of masonry and a second, upper portion having the same technical and functional features described with reference to the second, upper portions 3S, 4S of the side walls 3, 4.
The unit 1 also comprises an air treatment unit 14 designed to produce an air flow.
Preferably, the air treatment unit 14 is positioned outside the rear wall 13, as illustrated in Figure 3.
According to the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, the air treatment unit 14 is fixed to and supported by the rear wall 13.
In addition, the unit 1 comprises one, more preferably a plurality of, pipe(s)
15 connected to the air treatment unit 14 for transferring the flow of air produced by the treatment unit 14 inside the containment space 6.
The pipes 15 and the air treatment unit 14 form, together, means 16 of blowing air into the containment space 6.
Preferably, the pipes 15 are made of PVC.
As illustrated in Figure 10, the pipes 15 are provided with nozzles 17 for releasing air into the waste containment space 6.
Preferably, the nozzles 17 are located in a plurality of positions, that is, they are suitably spaced from each other for distributing air in different zones of the containment space 6.
The pipes 15 are preferably positioned at the base 2, incorporated inside or fixed below it, in such a way that the flow of air in the containment space 6 is directed substantially from the bottom upwards.
The nozzles 17 protrude from the base 2 for allowing the release of the air. Advantageously, the air released by the blowing means 16 inside the containment space 6 crosses the entire layer of waste deposited there to favour the aerobic digestion of the wastes.
A front door 18 allows access to the waste containment space 6.
The door 18 forms part of the wastes treatment plant 100.
The door 18 is facing the rear wall 13. The door 18 is opened to allow mechanical waste handling means, not illustrated, to access the containment space for discharging waste to be treated/charging treated waste.
The door 18 is generally closed during waste treatment for preventing the escape of unpleasant odours due to the waste decomposition in progress.
The door 18, for example, is openable by rotation about a horizontal axis 19 (as shown in Figure 1).
Alternatively, according to a preferred embodiment not illustrated in the drawings, the access door 18 is openable by rotation about a vertical axis.
Figures 1 1 and 12 illustrate, as mentioned above, an alternative embodiment, denoted by the reference numeral Γ, of the treatment unit 1 described above.
Units 1 and have substantial similarities both structurally and, mainly, operationally and thus, hereafter, with reference to the unit its particular elements and/or differentiation relative to the unit 1 described previously will in particular be described.
With reference to Figures 12 and 13, the two units Γ form a plant 100' for the aerobic treatment of wastes.
Each unit Γ comprises a base 2 and a pair of side walls 3, 4 facing each other and extending perpendicularly to the base 2.
A flexible sheet 122 forms for the unit Γ a roof 5', that is, a cover, for a region below the base 2.
The flexible sheet 122 is advantageously made of plastic or plasticized material.
The roof 5' is movable between an open position or configuration A, where access by mechanical waste handling means is allowed, and a closed position or configuration B where a waste containment space is formed with the base 2 and the side walls 3, 4.
The containment space is designed to contain the waste to undergo aerobic digestion.
As illustrated in Figure 12, the flexible sheet 122 has a rear projection or banner 123 designed to cover, at the rear, a mass of wastes desposited inside the unit 1 ', the mass only partly occupying the unit 1 '.
In other words, the projection or banner 123 advantageously allows the mass of wastes to be kept adequately covered and in contact with a limited volume of air even when the filling of the unit 1 ' has not been completed or it is only partial. Each unit 1 ' comprises a device 124 for winding/unwinding the roof.
More specifically, each device 124 comprises a roller 125 for winding/unwinding the sheet 122, guide members (not illustrated) designed to engage the side edges of the sheet 122 during its opening/closing movement of the unit l '.
The winding/unwinding device 124 also comprises motor means, not illustrated, designed to rotate the aforementioned roller 125 as well as suitable pulling means (illustrated partly in Figures 12 and 13) designed to pull the front part of the sheet 122 during the step of closing the unit 1 ' and unwinding the roller 125.
The aforementioned device 124 for winding/unwinding the sheet, and the aforementioned linear actuator 10 of unit 1 , form for the unit Γ means 12 of actuating the roof 5' between its open A and closed B positions.
The operation of the plant 100 for the aerobic treatment of wastes is briefly described below, with particular focus on the technical and functional effects associated with the various features of the plant.
With reference to the plant 100' illustrated in Figures 12 and 13, the same operational principles illustrated below apply with reference to the plant 100, with the obvious differences due to the diverse features of the covering elements, which are raisable/lowerable in the one and windable in the other.
The unit 1 allows an aerobic treatment of wastes, that is, it allows treatment by the addition of oxygen, to obtain compost and/or reduce the decay of the wastes.
The containment space 6 is accessible by mechanical waste handling means, such as graders or machines with waste loading/unloading buckets.
To allow access by the mechanical handling means to the containment space 6, the door 18 of the unit 1 is opened and the roof 5 is moved to the raised position A, as illustrated in Figure 1.
When it is positioned in the raised position A the moveable roof 5 is higher than the first, lower portion 31, 41 of the side walls 3, 4.
This advantageously allows the mechanical means to have a sufficient manouvering space for loading / unloading the wastes from / into the containment space 6 up to the maximum loading height.
The first, lower portions 31, 41 of the side walls 3, 4 made of masonry apply an action for containing the mass of wastes.
The second, upper portion 3S, 4S of the side walls 3, 4 screens the wastes from wind and from air currents, in particular when the roof 5 is located in the raised position A and the door 18 is open; this advantageously prevents the spread, due to wind currents, of unpleasant odours released by the wastes even at a certain distance from the digestion unit 1.
It should be noted that, advantageously, only the first, lower portion 31, 41 of the side walls 3, 4 is made of masonry; this considerably reduces the costs of the unit 1 as the upper portion 3S, 4S of the side walls 3, 4 may be advantageously made of a lighter and less costly material, designed to screen the unit 1 from the air currents.
The movable roof 5 is located in the lowered position B when it is not necessary to access the containment space 6; advantageously the roof 5 covers the containment space 6, preventing the escape of unplesant odours to the outside.
The wastes remain in the containment space 6 of the unit 1 for a so-called "digestion" period, generally for a few weeks and preferably for three weeks, during which time the wates are rendered inert.
During the "digestion" period the blowing means 16 introduce into the containment space 6 the air necessary for the aerobic digestion of the wastes, thereby obtaining an efficient digestion of the wastes.
An advantage of this invention is to provide a unit for the aerobic digestion of wastes which is simple and at the same time inexpensive.
In addition, the unit 1 has a very long life time, that is, service life; in effect, the unit is designed for being used for a long period of time for treating in succession large volumes of wastes.
Summing up, it should be noted that the unit 1 comprises the following basic elements, already illustrated: the base 2; the pair of side walls 3, 4 facing each other; the roof 5 movable relative to the base between the raised position A and the lowered position B at which it forms a space 6 for containing the wastes; the means 16 for blowing air into the containment space 6.
The plant 100 comprises, basically, the following elements: the unit 1 ; the rear wall 13; and the front door 18 for access to the space 6 for containing the wastes.
It should also be noted that the plant 100 is of the modular type: the module of the plant, that is, the essential and replicable unit, to increase the dimensions of the containment space is the unit 1.
With reference in particular to Figures 5 to 9, a plant 100 for the treatment of wastes is shown comprising four units 1 , denoted individually for clarity by 1A, IB, 1 C, and ID. In this regard, it should be noted that a first 1A and a second unit IB are aligned with each other and form a first row 20 of unit 1.
The first waste containment space 6 A of the first unit 1A and the second containment space 6B of the second unit 1 B are in communication with each other so as to form, in its entirety, a single containment space.
This single containment space is formed by the sum of the single containment spaces 6 A, 6B of the units 1A and IB.
The row 20 of unit 1 is closed behind by the rear wall 13 and has the access door 18 on the front, as described above.
The rear wall 13 and the access door 18 are positioned at opposite ends of the first row 20 so as to delimit the containment space.
In addition, the first row 20 of the unit has means 16 of blowing air, with the technical and functional features described above with reference to the plant 100 with the single unit 1.
Figures 4 to 9 also illustrate a third unit 1C and a fourth unit ID, aligned with each other so as to form in its entirety a single containment space.
This single containment space is formed by the sum of the single containment spaces 6C, 6D of the units 1C and ID.
The third 1C and the fourth ID unit form a second row of units 21 having the same technical and functional features described above with reference to the first row 20.
For this reason, the plant 100 illustrated in Figures 5 to 9 comprises four units 1, denoted individually by 1A, IB, 1C, ID, which form two rows 20, 21 of unit 1 located alongside each other.
It should be noted that it is possible to carry out an aerobic treatment of wastes in each row 20, 21 of unit 1 of the plant 100.
In addition, it should also be noted that the two rows 20, 21 located alongside each other share one of the two side walls and this therefore advantageously allows a further reduction in the costs of the plant 100.
The plant 100 is advantageously configurable on the basis of the specific needs for treating wastes; in effect, the units 1 may be positioned to make up a row of units 20, 21 with a containment space as large as one likes or several rows of units 20, 21.
The above description also defines a method for making a unit 1 , comprising the following steps:
- preparing a base 2 - making a pair of facing side walls 3, 4, where each of the side walls 3, 4 comprises a first, lower load-bearing portion 31, 41 and a second, upper portion 3S, 4S screening air flows;
- preparing a roof 5 which is movable between a raised position A where it allows access by mechanical waste handling means and a lowered position B where, together with the base 2 and the first, lower load-bearing portion 31 41 of the side walls 3, 4, it forms a waste containment space 6;
- preparing means 16 for blowing air into the containment space 6.
The invention described herein is susceptible of industrial application and may be modified and adapted in several ways without departing from the scope of the inventive concept. Moreover, all the details of the invention may be substituted by technically equivalent means
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