TECHNICAL FIELD

The present subject matter generally relates to waste disposal and composting, and more particularly, relates to a waste management system for composting waste material and related method for composting waste material. BACKGROUND

Waste management is presently one of the most significant unsolved problems the world is facing today. With increase in population, the management of waste produced is a challenge which is presently not being handled in an efficient and effective manner. This in turn has led to a host of other problems.

The present manner in which garbage is managed or disposed is the practice of land filling. However, this has been causing irreparable damage to the environment and raising various health and safety concerns. The other solution that is presently employed for this purpose is that of centralized waste management via techniques such as composting or converting waste to energy by collecting it at a central location. However this is unsustainable and difficult to manage as segregation at a centralised place is laborious and expensive. It also poses various health hazards as heavy metals and toxic elements if present in the waste can enter the food chain causing various health problems and diseases. This technique also has a detrimental environment impact, for example, at the stage of transporting waste from the city to the outskirts where it is processed. The present products for waste management are also cumbersome to use and entail high maintenance and user intervention.

Now since this issue has become a primary concern and the global focus has shifted to climate change, pollution control and waste disposal, new ways are needed to address this problem which have a minimum impact on the environment, have maximum resource recovery and are yet easy to implement. There is need for a device or a system which is low cost, user friendly, requires minimal user processing and is an independent and easy to use solution which is usable at different sources of waste generation.

CA2272493A describes a kitchen waste composter. It discloses a composter for kitchen waste comprising vegetable matter has waste entering an outer drum through an inlet hole in its cylindrical wall and passing into and out of an inner drum through openings in its end walls. However, the disclosed technology suffers from lump formation in the waste which leads to an inefficient composting process KR201 1 102587A describes a food waste drying apparatus capable of improving the efficiency of a drying operation by detecting the temperature of food waste and controlling the emission of microwave. It has a drying machine for drying food waste at home to recycle food waste as fodder for animal, has steam processing unit cooling steam generated in drying room and ejecting heat to exterior of drying room. However, it has restrictions as it only dries the food waste and does not compost it.

WO2013/163362A1 describes a composting appliance. It comprises a container capable of containing compostable materials and an odour sensor which is configured to sense malodour emitted from the container. However, the process of composting involves mixing of elements which is fairly inefficient. It also involves keeping the compost in a single container throughout the course of the composting phase and processing the waste in a batch process. This turns out to be energy inefficient and also results in over processing of waste.

Therefore, there is a need to provide a solution to the aforementioned problems in existing systems and provide a better, more efficient and low energy consuming technology for composting waste.

SUMMARY It is an object of the present subject matter to provide a hassle free and automatic technique of organic waste management and garbage disposal. It is another object of the present subject matter to accept different kinds of organic waste on a periodic basis and digest it into a smell-free and stabilized organic matter in a fixed period of time.

It is another object of the present subject matter to convert high quantities of organic waste into manure.

The present subject matter relates to a pre-compost receptacle for treating waste material comprising one or more different compartments for receiving or storing one or more different kinds of waste, and an amalgamator for shredding the waste while mixing one or more kinds of bulking agent to the waste.

In an embodiment, said waste material comprises of one or more different kinds of organic waste material.

In another embodiment, the different compartments indicate the kind of waste they are for.

In yet another embodiment, the mixer is configured to add bacterial inoculum to the waste material.

In yet another embodiment, the pre-compost receptacle comprises one or more refillable cartridges for a bulking agent and/or the inoculum dispersion.

Further, described herein is a composting unit for converting pre-treated waste material to stabilized organic matter is provided. The composting unit comprises four or more compartments to hold waste, each compartment holds a single batch of waste throughout the entire cycle, a drive motor to rotate the composting unit about a central axis, a heating unit to regulate the temperature of each compartment and an aeration unit to regulate, aerate and control moisture levels of each compartment.

In an embodiment, the heating unit comprises one or more heating pads or one or more heaters and is configured to set the temperature by placing the heaters or heating pads in between partition walls to heat two or more different compartments simultaneously. In another embodiment, the aeration unit comprises of a fan configured to suck out air from the composting unit and/or inject fresh air from outside.

In yet another embodiment, the aeration unit comprises of a controlled door configured to be opened in conjunction with the fan for expelling excess moisture within the composting unit.

In yet another embodiment, the drive motor is configured to agitate the waste in a compartment by rotating the compartment to produce a tumbling action. In yet another embodiment, the composting unit comprises of four compartments.

In yet another embodiment, each compartment has a different temperature and aeration setting depending on which cycle the waste is in. In yet another embodiment, temperature and aeration of each compartment can be controlled in reference to the outside conditions.

In yet another embodiment, parameters of the composting unit can be controlled through a mobile device.

In yet another embodiment, the frequency of rotation and aeration, and the temperature of a compartment in a cycle is controlled conjointly to avoid lumping in the waste due to rotary motion. In yet another embodiment, the outside condition includes one or more of humidity, temperature, pressure, and the like. ·

In yet another embodiment, the parameters can be one or more of cycle of the compartments, estimated time to finish a cycle, moisture level of the waste, and the like.

In yet another embodiment, the frequency of rotation is dependent on the temperature to avoid burning the waste. In yet another embodiment, each cycle progresses to the next cycle when the waste is of a predefined weight.

In yet another embodiment, each cycle progresses to the next cycle after a pre-determined time period for that cycle.

In yet another embodiment, a waste management system for composting waste material comprises a pre-compost receptacle configured to treat waste material and a composting unit configured to convert pre-treated waste material to stabilized organic matter coupled to the pre-compost receptacle.

In yet another embodiment, the composting unit is configured to perform aerobic in-vessel composting to digest waste.

In yet another embodiment, the composting unit is configured to use specially designed microbes in powder or capsule form for composting.

In yet another embodiment, the waste management system comprises an odour control unit configured to control the odour produced by using odour controlling bacteria or odour masking aromas.

In yet another embodiment, the waste management system is operatively connected to a post processing compartment configured to dry and / or cure the composted waste. In yet another embodiment, the post processing compartment comprises of a heater or a bag with one or more holes to dry the excess moisture in the composted waste.

The present subject matter also relates to a waste management system for composting waste material comprising a composting unit configured to convert pre-treated waste material to stabilized organic matter and a pre-compost receptacle configured to treat waste material, coupled to the composting unit. The present subject matter further relates to a method for pre-treating waste material comprising the steps of receiving or storing one or more different kinds of waste, and shredding the waste while mixing one or more kinds of bulking agent to the waste.

The present subject matter also relates to a method for composting waste material comprising the steps of pre-treating the waste material, receiving or storing the pre-treated waste material in a compartment, aerating the waste by Injecting fresh air and/or removing excess moisture for varying time periods in one or more cycles, heating the waste at varying degrees and / or for varying time periods in one or more cycles while agitating the waste for uniform heating and aeration throughout all the cycles and receiving the composted waste material at the end of all the cycles.

In an embodiment, the pre-treated waste is stored in the compartment for a cycle of 3 days.

In another embodiment, the method includes using specially designed microbes in powder or capsule form for composting.

In yet another embodiment, the method comprises heating the waste and comprises the step of using heater pads or placing heaters in between partition walls to heat two or more different compartments simultaneously.

In yet another embodiment, the method includes agitating the waste and comprises the step of rotating the composting unit about an axis by a motor to produce a tumbling action.

In yet another embodiment, each cycle has corresponding temperature and/or aeration settings and/or time period.

In yet another embodiment, the method includes controlling the frequency of agitation and aeration and the temperature of the compartment in each cycle conjointly, to avoid lumping in the waste.

In yet another embodiment, the frequency of agitation is dependent on the temperature to avoid burning the waste. In yet another embodiment, each cycle progresses to the next cycle when the waste is of a predefined weight.

In yet another embodiment, each cycle progresses to the next cycle after a pre-determined time period for that cycle.

In yet another embodiment, the method includes controlling the odour produced by using odour controlling bacteria or odour masking aromas.

In yet another embodiment, the method includes drying and / or curing the composted waste. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The foregoing and further objects, features and advantages of the present subject matter will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals are used to represent like elements.

It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter, and are therefore, not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the subject matter may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

Figure la illustrates a pre-compost receptacle including shredder and amalgamator in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Figure lb illustrates an exploded view of the shredder in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Figure lc illustrates processing of waste in the pre-compost receptacle in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the composter in accordance with a primary embodiment of the present subject matter.

Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the composting unit. Figure 4 illustrates a flowchart showing the conversion of wet waste to manure in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following presents a detailed description of various embodiments of the present subject matter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments of the present subject matter are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present subject matter is not limited to these embodiments which are only provided to explain more clearly the present subject matter to a person skilled in the art of the present disclosure. In the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals are used to indicate like components.

The specification may refer to "an", "one", "different" or "some" embodiment(s) in several locations. This does not necessarily imply that each such reference is to the same embodiment(s), or that the feature only applies to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments.

As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "includes", "comprises", "including" and/or "comprising" when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "attached" or "connected" or "coupled" or "mounted" to another element, it can be directly attached or connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations and arrangements of one or more of the associated listed items.

The figures depict a simplified structure only showing some elements and functional entities, all being logical units whose implementation may differ from what is shown. Described herein is a waste management device comprising of a pre-compost receptacle which is specially designed for accepting organic waste material of different kinds. In a preferred embodiment, this unit is physically separate from the other components of the device and in another embodiment it is physically integrated within the device. In the embodiment where this unit is physically separate from the other components of the device, is preferably kept or installed near the spot of maximum generation of organic waste such as the kitchen countertop. In an embodiment, the pre-compost receptacle comprises a shredder, an amalgamator and a collection bin as shown in Figure l a. Wet waste and dry waste is introduced into said receptacle from the two separate openings in top surface of said receptacle. Organic waste is then passed through the shredder to decrease the particle size of the waste materials. A bulking agent is then added in an amalgamator which is mixed with the shredded waste. The bulking agent mixes with the shredded waste (organic waste) and finally collected into the collection. The bulking agent reduces the cohesion between the organic waste particles thereby avoiding lump formation which hinders decomposition. The organic waste is further utilized to make the compost and the inorganic waste is collected separately and disposed immediately.

In a preferred embodiment, the pre-compost receptacle comprises of a shredder as illustrated in Figure lb and the processing of aforementioned waste is shown in Figure l c. The organic waste collected is passed through this shredder. As an example, the organic waste after coming out from the shredder has a particle size of but not limited to about 4mm X 4 mm.

In another preferred embodiment, the pre-compost receptacle comprises of a mixer. The mixer adds a bulking agent to the shredded waste to ensure proper blending. This shredded and mixed organic waste is collected as one combined output of treated organic waste. Mixing the organic waste in the pre-compost receptacle with the bulking agent during shredding reduces the cohesion between them thereby avoiding lump formation which hinders decomposition. In an embodiment, the waste management device only comprises of the pre-compost bin and is an independent device. As an example, this waste management device can be installed in a house for easy and efficient waste collection and disposal. It has been observed that the maximum generation of waste is during the process of cooking. While cooking, people tend to store food scraps and leftovers in a vessel or a plastic container on the kitchen top. This container is emptied either after every meal or once at the end of the day, as people don't like to touch the dustbin at the time of cooking. Generally, about 90% of the waste in the container is only organic waste. The problem arises once the user dumps the contents of this container in the common dustbin and the segregated organic waste is again mixed with the other inorganic waste material.

In this embodiment, the pre-compost receptacle is preferably placed at the kitchen counter top or at a place where it can effectively enable collection of waste and aid in better segregation. It contains separate compartments for organic, inorganic waste and other kinds of waste. Preferably, the different compartments would be represented such that they can be differentiated and it will also be clear as to what kind of waste they are meant for through visual aid, color, local language use etc.

Figure la illustrates a depiction of a preferred embodiment of the pre-compost receptacle. In this preferred embodiment, the pre-compost receptacle essentially includes a shredder and an amalgamator. The shredder is configured to shred the waste into smaller particles in order to increase the surface area of the waste. Bulking agent is added to the shredded waste in the amalgamator. In an embodiment, the bulking agent can be added to the waste during the shredding of the waste as well. After this step, pretreated waste matter is collected in the collection bin as shown in Figure la.

Figure 2 illustrates the composting unit 100 in accordance with a primary embodiment of the present subject matter. In a preferred embodiment the composting unit 100 is configured to convert pre-treated organic waste material to stabilized organic matter and comprises four or more compartments (105), each holding a single batch of organic waste through all the cycles, a drive motor (104) to rotate the composting unit 100 about a central axis, a heating unit (103) to regulate the temperature of each compartment and an aeration unit (102) to regulate/aerate the organic waste and control moisture levels of each compartment. Additionally, the pre-treated organic waste is fed to the composting unit 100 through the feeding lid 101. The compost bin 106 is provided to collect the stabilized organic matter received from various compartments. The control panel 107 is configured to control agitation, temperature and aeration cycles depending on the undergoing phase of the organic waste. Further, the control panel 107 can also be used as a display which shows status of each compartment (105) of the composting unit 100.

Further, Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the composting unit 100. the temperature and aeration of each compartment can be controlled in reference to the outside conditions such as humidity, temperature, pressure, and the like. For instance, 90 - 100% relative humidity requires more frequent aeration and higher temperatures and vice- versa. On the other hand, higher ambient temperatures require lesser heat from pad heaters as there is a lesser loss of heat from system. Further, the parameters of the composting unit 100 such as cycle of the compartments, estimated time to finish a cycle, moisture level of the organic waste can be controlled through a mobile device, for example, which cycle a particular compartment is in currently, estimated time to finish cycle, in case the organic waste has a lack of moisture, user can get alert to add water etc.

In a preferred embodiment, the composting unit 100 has 4 compartments (105), each with its own individual capacity to accept organic waste allowing for compartmentalization of organic waste on a daily basis from the stage of waste generation itself.

The composting unit 100 uses aerobic in-vessel composting to digest the organic waste matter in a fixed number of cycles, which in a preferred embodiment is 4 cycles. Each cycle progresses to the next cycle when the organic waste is of a predefined weight or a predetermined time period for that cycle. In a preferred embodiment, the composting unit 100 has 4 compartments, one corresponding to each cycle. Each cycle has corresponding temperature and/or aeration settings and/or time period. Multiple factors including the agitation of the organic waste, aeration and heating are controlled to perform efficient composting at each cycle. The frequency of rotation and aeration, and the temperature of a compartment in a cycle are controlled conjointly to avoid lumping in the organic waste. Also, the frequency of rotation for agitation is dependent on the temperature to avoid burning the organic waste. In an embodiment, the above process can be accelerated using specially designed consortium of microbes in powder or capsule form. In another embodiment, the digestion of the organic waste may also be artificially controlled to provide optimum conditions for efficient and fast decomposition.

In a preferred embodiment, the aeration unit or vent (102) comprises of a fan to control the aeration in each compartment (105) by either injecting in fresh air or by removing excess moisture. For this, in an embodiment, the aeration unit (102) comprises of a fan which provides suction to suck out air from inside the compartment. This creates a low pressure which results in an immediate injection of fresh air from the atmosphere. In another embodiment, the aeration unit (102) has a controlled door which is to be opened in conjunction with the fan for expelling excess moisture within the composting unit 100.

A particular temperature needs to be maintained in the composting bin for optimum performance by the microbes used for composting. Heating is also required to increase removal of moisture, killing pathogens and has to be done in such a way that there is minimum amount of energy utilized without burning the mixture or killing the microbes. Further, during the tumbling action there is a uniform spread of heat via a heating unit (103). The uniform spread of heat is required for prevention of burning of the compost. This can be done, for example, by using heater pads or heaters. These can set the temperature for either a single compartment or two or more different compartments simultaneously when they are placed between partition walls. Since composting is an aerobic reaction, in order to ensure that the organic matter is continuously exposed to air while being composted in the compartment (105), the matter is agitated for example, via a tumbling action. In an embodiment, the composting bin is a cylinder run by a drive motor (104) and the organic waste in all compartments is agitated by the tumbling action produced by the motor (104). In another embodiment, there is provided a cam actuated door or hatch which is shut except when directly beneath the fan. This allows for energy conservation by maintaining a closed system inside the compartment (105) and giving a timed opening when required. The timed opening of the fan and poppet valve allow for expelling of excess moisture within the compartment (105) while conserving heat and energy. However, since the tumbling process is closely related to the heating, the process is highly controlled to reduce power consumption and also allow maximum moisture removal. The tumbling frequency is kept to optimum such that it is low enough to avoid lump formation and high enough to prevent burning in the mixture or lack of aeration.

The output of the composting unit 100 is stabilized organic matter which is smell-free and doesn't attract any pests but still needs to undergo a curing phase.

The odour produced while the composting happens may also be controlled using either odour controlling bacteria or odour masking aromas as a part of the inoculum or even in some cases by passing outbound air through a lime bath or char filter to extract any volatiles with unfavourable aromas.

Figure 4 illustrates a flowchart showing the conversion of wet waste to manure in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Wet waste is added in the pre-compost bin and bulking agent is mixed with the wet waste inside a pre-compost bin. Mixture of shedding waste and bulking agent obtained from the pre-composed when his then added to the composter, following which, said mixture remains in the composter for three days. After this step, semi-decomposed organic waste is obtained from the composter. The semi-decomposed waste so formed added to the dryer and after five days manure is obtained as the output.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. It is therefore, contemplated that such modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention as defined