The subject of the invention is an arrangement for drying or aerating organic materials. Aerating landfills of wood chips or wood shavings with hot air dries them for more efficient combustion. On the other hand, aeration of the wet fraction of municipal waste accelerates the composting process.

In the article titled " Wtasciwosci drewna w hatdzie paliwa znajdujqcej si§ na wolnym powietrzu" in the journal Energetyka i Ekologia, July 2008, p. 536 presents, among other things, a description of the biomass heap and the processes occurring in it.

Composting (organic recycling) is a natural method of waste disposal and management, involving the decomposition of organic matter by microorganisms - aerobic bacteria, nematodes, fungi, etc. It is a process of converting substances under controlled conditions in the presence of oxygen (air), at the proper temperature and humidity. The products of the process are heat, carbon dioxide and ammonium compounds assimilable by plants (which, under the influence of nitrifying bacteria, can be converted into nitrates). Compost, as a substrate rich in components easily assimilated by plants, is used as a substance that improves the properties of soil in urban green spaces, horticulture, agriculture. It can act as a fertilizer, a source of humic acids, and is a natural pesticide. Composting is the controlled decomposition of organic matter. Instead of allowing nature to slowly decompose biomass, composting provides an optimal environment in which composting organisms can best thrive.

From the description of patent application PL402232A1 redrying device it is known. It is used for drying and aerating grain and other crops, and is intended for farms and agricultural and food industries. The redrying device contains an electrically driven fan, an air heating module, a tubular connector, a flexible air supply tube, a multi-way air distributor, flexible output tubes, and after-drying probes which sink into the material undergoing the drying process. It is characterized in that the fan is connected to at least two after-drying probes through the following connected in series: heating module, tubular connector, flexible air supply tube, multi-way air distributor and at least two flexible output air tubes. Each flexible output air line is connected with the after-drying probes via quick-connect rings.

From the description of patent application W02009001136A2, a device for drying particulate biomass material such as wood shavings is known. It consists of a container with a floor defined by a number of longitudinally movable parallel slats shaped to allow air flow between adjacent slats, but to inhibit the passage of particulate material between them. There is an outlet at one end of the slats, and ratchet elements protrude from the top surface of the slats. The slats move back and forth, and the ratchet elements cause a net movement of fine material toward the outlet. Ratchet elements closer to the outlet may protrude further from the slats than those further from the outlet.

From the description of patent application JP2017132146, a container for drying wood chips is known, in which a hot blast inlet opening is connected inside a box-like container body, the inner space of which is configured as a dry room, and a hot blast delivery device is prepared in the container body. The hot-blast delivery device comprises a plurality of tubes on whose peripheral surface a plurality of holes are formed. The drying container is configured to set a non-essential part of the wood on fire, deliver the heat thus generated to the container and dry the chips in the container.

In order to protect the dried material from rain and snow, the woodchip should be piled into a steep and high heap so that when it rains, the water runs off quickly causing only moisturizing a thin outer layer. Piling mounds or piles in this way is a well-known and long-established way in agriculture to keep crops and materials from getting wet.

The problem to be solved is that when large amounts of natural waste are stored, there is destruction due to effects of weather conditions. In the composting process its efficiency is reduced in areas where there is not enough air. In the case of storing wood offcuts, rotting occurs due to water retention inside the heaps and sometimes spontaneous combustion occurs due to increasing temperature inside the heaps.

The purpose of the invention is to provide an adequate supply of air to a large volume of stored materials, especially organic materials, for its proper processing and cyclic collection of the processed material.

The object of the invention is an arrangement for drying or aerating materials, especially organic materials, a method for drying materials, especially organic materials, and a method for aerating materials, especially organic materials.

An arrangement for drying or aerating materials, especially organic materials, has an air-feed pump connected through a manifold to aeration tubes having holes in the walls.

The essence of the arrangement in the first variant is that it consists of aeration tubes with holes in the walls laid horizontally on the yard, and each aeration tube is connected by its first end and through the first valve, to the manifold, to whose inlet the first connecting tube is connected by its first end. Its other end is connected to the first divider. The first inlet of the first divider is connected through the second connecting tube and the second valve to the air feeding pump. The second inlet of the first divider is connected through the third valve to the compressed air tank connected to the compressor. The other end of each aeration tube is blanked off. The aeration tubes are placed in the ground of the yard is a such way that their top surface does not protrude above the plane of the yard.

An optional blanking of the aeration tubes is a ball valve.

In a variation of the solution, a pressure switch is connected to the connecting tube.

It is desirable that the hole in the aeration tube has on the side of the interior of the tube a first zone and a second zone in which the cross-sectional area of the hole is larger than the cross-sectional area of the hole in the first zone.

It is also possible when between the second valve and the air feeding pump there is a heat exchanger, connected to the heat source. It is also possible to have a solution in which a humidifier is placed between the second valve and the air feeding pump. In addition, in this solution it is possible to have a composting bacteria inlet connected to the second connecting tube or to the humidifier.

The essence of the arrangement in the second variant is that it consists of aeration tubes with holes in the walls laid horizontally on the yard, and each aeration tube is connected by its first end and through the first valve, to a manifold, to whose inlet the first connecting tube is connected by its first end. Its other end is connected to the first divider. The first inlet of the first divider is connected through the second valve and the second connecting tube to the air feeding pump. The second inlet of the first divider is connected through a third valve to a compressed air tank connected to a compressor, while each second end of each aeration tube is connected through a fourth valve to a connector. The aeration tubes are placed in the ground of the yard so that their upper surface does not protrude above the plane of the yard.

In a variation of the solution, a pressure switch is connected to the connecting tube.

It is advisable that that the hole in the aeration tube has on the side of the interior of the tube a first zone and a second zone in which the cross-sectional area of the hole is larger than the cross-sectional area of the hole in the first zone.

It is advisable when between the second valve and the air feeding pump there is a heat exchanger, connected to the heat source.

It is advisable to have a humidifier between the second valve and the air feeding pump. In addition, in this solution, it is possible that a composting bacteria inlet is connected to the second connecting tube or to the humidifier.

The essence of the arrangement in the third variant is that it consists of aeration tubes with holes in the walls laid horizontally on the yard, and each aeration tube is connected by its first end and through the first valve, to a manifold, to whose inlet the first connecting tube is connected by its first end. Its second end is connected through the second valve to the air feeding pump. The second inlet of each aeration tube is connected through the fourth valve, with the second manifold, which is connected via the third valve to the compressed air tank connected to the compressor. The aeration tubes are placed in the ground of the yard so that their upper surface does not protrude above the plane of the yard.

In a variation of the solution, a pressure switch is connected to the connecting tube .

It is advisable that that the hole in the aeration tube has on the side of the interior of the tube a first zone and a second zone in which the cross-sectional area of the hole is larger than the cross-sectional area of the hole in the first zone.

It is advisable when between the second valve and the air feeding pump there is a heat exchanger, connected to the heat source.

It is advisable to have a humidifier between the second valve and the air feeding pump. In addition, in this solution, it is possible that a composting bacteria inlet is connected to either the second connecting tube or the humidifier. The essence of the method in the first variant of aeration of materials, especially organic materials using the arrangement according to any variant is that on aeration tubes with holes in the walls laid horizontally on the yard, organic material is poured and brought to a state in which, the first valve, the second valve and the third valve are closed. Then the sequence is started, which consists of: opening one of the first valves and the third valve of the compressed air tank and pumping compressed air into the aeration tube, causing the holes in tube to be unblocked. After the pressure in the tube drops to the limit pressure p _m m, the second valve is opened and the air feeding pump is started, and then the second valve is closed and the air in the compressed air tank is compressed with a compressor. After a preset time of aeration of the organic material located above the active aeration tube, the open first valve and the second valve are closed. The above-described sequence is then repeated forthe next aeration tube. Optionally, the discharge air from the air feeding pump is heated to a temperature in the range of 20 to 80°C.

Alternatively, the air from the air feeding pump is humidified to a maximum of 100% relative humidity.

It is possible for composting bacteria to be introduced into the air feeding pump.

The essence of the method in the second variation of aeration of materials, especially organic materials using the arrangement in the second or third variation of the arrangement, is that on aeration tubes with holes in the walls laid horizontally on the yard, organic material is poured and brought to a state in which the first valves, the second valve, the third valve and the fourth valves, are closed. Then the sequence is started, which consists of: opening one of the first valves and the corresponding fourth valve as well as the second valve of the compressed air tank and pumping compressed air into the aeration tube, causing the holes in tube to be unblocked. When the pressure in the tube drops to the limit pressure p _m m, the second valve is opened and the air feeding pump is started. The second valve is closed and the air in the compressed air tank is compressed using a compressor. After a preset time of aeration of the organic material located above the active aeration tube, the open first valve and the fourth valve and the second valve are closed. The above-described sequence is then repeated for the next aeration tube.

Optionally, the discharge air from the air feeding pump is heated to a temperature in the range of 20 to 80°C.

Alternatively, the air from the air feeding pump is humidified to a maximum of 100% relative humidity.

It is possible for composting bacteria to be introduced into the discharge pump air.

A beneficial effect of the arrangement for drying materials, especially organic materials, is that it enables the process of drying large batches of materials directly on the heap. As a result, material such as wood chips or sawdust can be optimally used, for example, to power a combined heat and power plant. The dried sawdust is also used to produce wood pellets. The rotting of organic materials is avoided, avoiding material losses. Thanks to forced air circulation, the material also dries quickly in the inner parts of the heaps, which perfectly protects the woodchip from spontaneous combustion. In addition, the dried biomass has a much higher calorific value, and its further transportation is cheaper due to its lower weight. It is possible to use the arrangements both in yards without roofs and under roofs or in halls. The use of an arrangement to aerate and moisten organic materials forming compost accelerates their decomposition by aerobic composting bacteria. It is also possible to feed and distribute bacteria to the entire volume of the heap.

Benefits of using the woodchip drying process :

- Reducing the moisture content of fresh woodchip (about 50%) to a level of about 20%, which increases its energy value by about double.

- Reducing the moisture content of fresh woodchip to about 20% reduces its weight by about 30% making the cost of transporting the material much lower.

- Possibility of using furnaces with high energy efficiency (the wood gasification method requires dry material below 20% moisture content).

- Beneficial impact on environmental protection - reduced smoke, less ash, less hazardous substances produced in the combustion process.

- Possibility of storing dry woodchip for a longer period of time without significant losses due to rotting of wet material.

The object of the invention is presented is illustrated in embodiments and in the drawing in which, individual figures represent: fig. 1 - perspective view of the arrangement in the first embodiment, fig. 2 - perspective view of the arrangement in the second embodiment, fig. 3a - perspective view of a section of the laid aeration tube, fig. 3b - top view of a section of the laid aeration tube, fig. 3c - cross-section along line A-A of a section of the laid aeration tube, fig. 4a - top view of a section the aeration tube, fig. 4b - cross-section along line B-B of a section of an aeration tube, fig. 4c - detail C of the first variation of the embodiment of the hole in the aeration tube, fig. 4d - detail D of the second variation of the embodiment of the hole in the aeration tube.

The arrangement for drying or aerating materials, especially organic materials in the embodiment intended for drying woodchips is shown in fig. 1 of the drawing and comprises six circular aeration tubes 1 with holes 1a in the walls which are horizontally arranged in the yard. The aeration tubes 1 are located in ducts 21 dug into the yard and raised by concrete slabs 25. The aeration tubes 1 do not extend above the surface of the concrete slabs 25. The ducts 21 are covered by a protective grid 22 (fig. 3 - 5 of the drawing). The aeration tubes 1 are grouped in pairs, in which each aeration tube 1 is connected by its first end through the first valve 2a, 2b, 2c to the manifold 3, to whose inlet the first connecting tube 4 is connected by its first end. The second end of each aeration tube 1 is blanked through the ball valve 12. The second end of the first connecting tube 4 is connected to the arrangement located in the container 23. This arrangement consists of the first divider 5 in the form of a tee. The first inlet of the first divider 5 is connected via a second valve 7 and a second connecting tube 7 to a heat exchanger 17, which is connected to an air feeding pump 8. The heat exchanger 17 is connected to the furnace 18 with a container for solid material 24. The second inlet of the first divider 5 is connected through the third valve 9 to the compressed air tank 10 connected to the compressor 11. A pressure switch 15 is connected to the second connecting tube. The pressure switch 15 is connected to the arrangement, which controls the position of the first valves 2a, 2b, 2c, the second valve 7 and the third valve 9. All the valves mentioned in this example are electro valves.

The arrangement for aeration of materials, especially organic materials with humid air in the embodiment intended for aeration of compost is shown in fig. 2 of the drawing and comprises six circular aeration tubes 1 with holes 1 a in the walls which are horizontally arranged in a yard. The aeration tubes 1 are located in ducts 21 dug into the yard and raised by concrete slabs 25. The aeration tubes do not extend above the surface of the concrete slabs 25. The ducts 21 are covered by a protective grid 22 (fig. 3 - 5 of the drawing). The aeration tubes 1 are grouped in pairs, in which each aeration tube 1 is connected by its first end through the first valve 2a, 2b, 2c to the manifold 3, to whose inlet the first connecting tube 4 is connected by its first end. Its second end is connected through the second valve 7 to the air feeding pump 8. The air intake duct through the air feeding pump 8 is connected to a humidifier having an inlet 19 of compost bacteria. The other end of each aeration tube 1 is connected through the fourth valve 13a, 13b, 13c with the second manifold 14, the inlet of which is connected through the third valve 9 with the compressed air tank 10 connected to the compressor 11 . The compressed air tank 10, compressor 11 , air feeding pump 8 and humidifier 18 are located in the container 23. A pressure switch 15 is connected to the first connecting tube 4. The pressure switch 15 is linked with a control system that controls the position of the first valves 2a, 2b, 2c, the second valve 7, the third valve 9 and the fourth valves 13a, 13b, 13c. All the valves mentioned in this example are electro valves.

In both embodiments, aeration tubes 1 have two types of holes 1a, 1a' in the wall. The first type of holes 1a has a first zone I on the side of the interior of the tube in which the hole has a cylindrical shape, while in the second zone II the hole has a cylindrical shape with a larger diameter than hole in the first zone I. The second type of holes 1a' has a first zone I' on the side of the interior of the tube in which the hole has the shape of a cylinder, while in the second zone II' the hole has the shape of a truncated cone with a smaller base coinciding with the base of the cylinder in the first zone I'.

The method of aeration - drying of organic material in the form of woodchip was made using the arrangement shown in the embodiment designed for drying organic materials. It relied on that, that on the aeration tubes 1 which have got holes 1a in the walls and are laid horizontally on the yard, organic material 20 in the form of fresh woodchip was poured, arranging it in the form of a heap. The arrangement was then brought to a state in which the first valves 2a, 2b, 2c, the second valve 6 and the third valve 9 were closed. The sequence was then started, whereby the first valve 2a of the first pair of aeration tubes 1 and the third valve 9 of the compressed air tank 10 have been opened compressed air has been pumped into the aeration tubes 1 of the first pair, causing the holes 1 a in them to be unblocked. When the pressure switch 15 detected a pressure drop in the connecting tube 6 to the limit pressure Pmin= 1bar, the control system started the air feeding pump 8 and opened the second valve 7. Thus, the pumping of air heated to 80°C into the heap of woodchips in the first pair of aeration tubes 1 began. Subsequently, the control system closed the third valve 9 and compressed the air in the compressed air tank 10 with the compressor 11. Aeration was carried out for a time of 5 hours. Subsequently, the air feeding pump 8 was turned off and the second valve 7 was closed, the first valve 2a for the first pair of aeration tubes 1 was closed and the analogous sequence as described above was started for the second pair of aeration tubes 1. Later, the drying procedure described above was realized for the third pair of aeration tubes 1 connected to the common first valve 2c. During the drying of the woodchip located above the last pair of aeration tubes 1 , the transport of the woodchip from above the first pair of tubes to the combusting part of the heat and power plant began.

The limit pressure drop p _m m and the drying time are selected depending on the amount of material to be dried and the expected level of the set final moisture content.

The method of aeration - humidification of organic material in the form of wood chips was carried out using the arrangement shown in the embodiment intended for aeration of compost. It relied on that, that organic material 20 in the form of organic waste collected by the city's municipal services was poured onto the aeration tubes 1 with holes 1 a in the walls and which were laid horizontally on the yard. Organic material 20 was arranged on the yard in the form of a heap. The arrangement was then brought to a state in which the first valves 2a, 2b, 2c, the second valve 6, the third valve 9 and the fourth valves 13a, 13b, 13c were closed. A sequence was then started, whereby the fourth valve 13a in the first pair of aeration tubes 1 and the second valve 6 of the compressed air tank 10 were opened and compressed air has been pumped into the aeration tubes 1 of the first pair, causing the holes 1a in them to be unblocked. After the pressure switch 15 detected the pressure drop in the connecting tube 4 to the limit pressure pmin= 1 bar, the control system turned on the air feeding pump 8 and opened the second valve 7 and the first valve 2a. This started the pumping of air with 100% humidity and containing composting bacteria into the organic waste heap in the first pair of aeration tubes 1. Subsequently, the control system closed the third valve 9 and compressed the air in the compressed air tank 10 using the compressor 11. Aeration was carried out for a time of 168 hours. Subsequently, the air feeding pump 8 was turned off and the second valve 7, the first valve 2a and the fourth valve 13a were closed for the first pair of aeration tubes 1 and the analogous sequence as described above was started for the second pair of aeration tubes 1 connected to the common first valve 2b and the fourth common valve 13b. Subsequently, the drying procedure described above was realized for the third pair of aeration tubes 1 connected to the common first valve 2c and the fourth common valve 13c. During the aeration and humidifying of organic waste located above the last pair of aeration tubes 1 , transport of organic waste from above the first pair of aeration tubes 1 to the farm was started.

The limit pressure drop p _m m and the drying time is selected depending on the amount of material to be dried and the expected level of the set final moisture content. List of designations

1. Aeration tube

1a. Hole 2a, 2b, 2c. First valve

3. Manifold

4. First connecting tube

5. First divider

6. Second connecting tube 7. Second valve

8. Air feeding pump

9. Third valve

10. Compressed air tank

11. Compressor 12. Ball valve

13a, 13b, 13c. Fourth valve

14. Second manifold

15. Pressure switch

16. Heat exchanger 17. Furnace

18. Humidifier

19. Composting bacteria inlet

20. Organic material

21. Duct 22. Safety grid

23. Container

24. Container for solid material

25. Concrete slab