Closed loop fermentation liquid circulation self-cleaning breeding cage and excrement treatment method thereof

Abstract

This invention discloses a closed-loop fermentation liquid circulation self-cleaning livestock cage and its manure treatment method. The cage includes a cage body, a slatted screen, a manure collection hopper, a spray device, a circulation pump, and a fermentation collection container. The circulation pump transports the fermentation liquid from the collection container to the spray device, flushing the manure along the inner wall of the collection hopper into the hopper. The manure undergoes fermentation treatment within the hopper, and the fermentation liquid is recycled. The circulation pump can be an external pipeline type or a submersible pump, and the spray device can be a nozzle or a slit waterfall type. This invention features a simplified structure, employing hydraulic non-contact flushing, allowing for flushing at any frequency and 24-hour manure removal without the need for external tap water, eliminating the need for long-term manual cleaning. It also provides an application method for large-scale livestock farming with circulating flushing and external discharge. It is suitable for manure cleaning in cages of various small livestock and poultry such as laying hens, pigeons, ducks, and rabbits.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of livestock and poultry breeding equipment technology, specifically to a self-cleaning breeding cage that uses fermentation liquid for closed-loop circulation rinsing, suitable for automatic cleaning and resource utilization of livestock and poultry manure in small-scale family breeding and large-scale breeding farms. Background Technology

[0002] The current methods of manure removal in livestock and poultry farming mainly have the following problems: Small household breeding cages often use trays to collect manure and add bedding, which requires frequent manual cleaning, is cumbersome, produces strong odors, and has poor hygiene. Some simple water-flushing cages require a continuous connection to tap water, consume a lot of water, and are prone to problems such as uncontrolled water levels and sewage overflow, making it impossible to achieve long-term maintenance-free operation.

[0003] Large-scale farms mostly use mechanical manure removal processes. The mainstream conveyor belt manure removal system requires multiple conveyor belts, a power transmission system, and external fermentation facilities, resulting in high equipment investment and a large footprint, making it unsuitable for home farms. Traditional scraper-type systems suffer from blind spots in manure removal and high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Both solutions operate intermittently, limited by noise and mechanical wear, typically running only 2 to 3 times a day. During the intervals, manure continues to accumulate and decompose, failing to achieve immediate manure removal.

[0004] Existing wastewater recycling solutions all require independent solid-liquid separation and purification devices, making the systems complex and unable to be integrated into small cages.

[0005] In summary, existing equipment cannot simultaneously achieve the integrated functions of automatic fecal collection, direct recycling of flushing liquid without purification, 24-hour fecal cleaning, and long-term manual cleaning-free operation. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a closed-loop fermentation liquid circulation self-cleaning breeding cage and its manure treatment method. It adopts a closed-loop circulation spray design of fermentation liquid, which eliminates the need for external solid-liquid separation and purification equipment, and does not require continuous external tap water connection. It can start flushing at any frequency, clean manure at any time 24 hours a day, and eliminate the need for long-term cleaning.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A closed-loop fermentation liquid circulation self-cleaning breeding cage includes a cage body, a manure slatted screen, a manure collection hopper, a spray device, a circulation pump, and a fermentation collection container; The manure-leaking net is fixedly installed at the bottom of the cage, serving as a support surface for the livestock and poultry to stand on. The manure collection hopper is located directly below the manure leakage net, and its inner wall is a converging surface that gradually narrows from top to bottom, guiding the leaked manure to the bottom discharge port; The spraying device is located in the upper part of the manure collection hopper, with the spray nozzle facing the inner wall of the manure collection hopper, and is used to flush the attached manure into the bottom of the manure collection hopper by liquid flow. The fermentation collection container is connected to the discharge port of the manure collection hopper and is used to contain manure and carry out fermentation treatment. The circulating pump is used to transport the fermentation liquid in the fermentation collection container to the spraying device, forming a closed-loop circulation circuit for the fermentation liquid.

[0008] Furthermore, the spraying direction of the spraying device is from top to bottom along the inner wall of the manure collection hopper, so that the spraying liquid forms a continuous downward liquid film along the hopper wall.

[0009] Furthermore, the manure collection hopper can be configured with a structure that is vertical on three sides and inclined on one side, with the spraying device located at the top of the inclined side. This structure further simplifies the pipeline layout and reduces manufacturing costs.

[0010] Furthermore, it also includes a timer controller, which is electrically connected to the circulating pump and can set the flushing cycle to any frequency, enabling manure removal at any time, 24 hours a day.

[0011] Furthermore, the cage, manure slatted screen, manure collection hopper, and fermentation collection container are connected sequentially from top to bottom. The upper end of the manure collection hopper is connected to the cage space through the manure slatted screen, and the opening at the upper end of the manure collection hopper serves as a gas circulation channel.

[0012] The present invention also provides a method for treating manure based on the above-mentioned breeding cages, comprising the following steps: Step 1, Initial Start-up: Inject start-up liquid into the fermentation collection container until the liquid level reaches a height that can be pumped out by the circulation pump; at the same time, carbon source materials and microbial agents can be added to promote fermentation; Step 2, Daily Operation: Livestock and poultry manure falls into the manure collection hopper through the manure slatted screen. The circulating pump starts according to the set cycle, extracts the fermentation liquid in the fermentation collection container, and uses the liquid flow to directly flush the inner wall of the manure collection hopper, flushing the manure into the fermentation collection container. Step 3: Fermentation treatment: The feces undergo microbial fermentation and decomposition in the fermentation collection container. The resulting liquid products are mixed with the original liquid to form a fermentation liquid that can be reused. Step 4: Recycling: The fermentation broth is recycled as a rinsing medium, forming a closed loop of rinsing → reflux → fermentation → re-rinsing; Step 5, Product Cleaning: Periodically remove the fully fermented organic fertilizer residue and replenish the starting liquid to the initial water level. Beneficial effects

[0013] By using fermentation broth as a rinsing medium, a closed-loop circulation system is constructed, eliminating the need for external tap water throughout the process and greatly saving water resources.

[0014] The fermentation collection container integrates storage, fermentation, and liquid supply functions, eliminating the need for solid-liquid separation and purification equipment, and has an extremely simplified structure.

[0015] It adopts hydraulic non-contact flushing, which is noiseless and can be started at any frequency, truly achieving 24-hour manure cleaning at any time, and inhibiting the generation of harmful gases from the source.

[0016] The specific shape of the manure collection hopper can be flexibly set according to needs, and the spraying device can be adapted accordingly. The structure is flexible and can be adapted to different costs and application scenarios.

[0017] The living space for livestock and poultry is physically separated from the fermentation gas passage through a manure collection hopper, ensuring animal welfare.

[0018] During system operation, the water level is automatically maintained by circulation balance, truly achieving long-term operation without human intervention. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a front view schematic diagram of the overall structure under the family farming model of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the circulating flushing and external discharge structure under the large-scale breeding mode of the present invention.

[0021] Numbering in the diagram: 1-Cage, 2-Leaky wire mesh, 3-Manure collection hopper, 4-Spraying pipe, 5-Circulating water pump, 51-Liquid extraction pipe, 52-Water delivery pipe, 6-Manure fermentation collection bucket. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, a closed-loop fermentation liquid circulation self-cleaning breeding cage includes a cage body 1, a manure-leaking wire mesh 2, a manure collection hopper 3, a spray pipe 4, a circulating water pump 5, and a manure fermentation collection bucket 6.

[0024] The cage body 1 is a frame structure, with a manure-leaking wire mesh 2 laid flat and fixed at the bottom of the cage body 1, serving as the standing support surface for livestock and poultry. The mesh size is determined according to the breed of livestock and poultry being raised, ensuring that manure can fall smoothly and that the livestock and poultry can stand comfortably.

[0025] The manure collection hopper 3 is made of stainless steel or engineering plastic and has a bucket-shaped structure that is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom, with smooth guide slopes on all four inner walls. Its shape can be flexibly designed as needed, for example, a conical structure with all four sides inclined, or a simplified structure with three vertical sides and one inclined side. In this embodiment, a structure with three vertical sides and one inclined side is used as an example: the vertical walls allow the manure to fall directly to the bottom, while the inclined surface guides the manure into the discharge port. The slope should be such that the manure slides smoothly down without residue under the flushing action of the fermentation liquid.

[0026] The spray pipe 4 is located in the upper part of the manure collection hopper 3. The spray device can use commercially available direct-flow nozzles, with the spray direction directed towards the inner wall of the manure collection hopper; alternatively, a narrow slit can be directly opened in the spray pipe to allow the fermentation liquid to evenly cover the inner wall of the manure collection hopper in the form of a waterfall-like water curtain. Both methods can form a continuous downward liquid film along the hopper wall, flushing the attached manure to the bottom with concentrated force and no atomization or dispersion.

[0027] The manure fermentation collection bucket 6 is connected to the discharge port at the bottom of the manure collection hopper 3. The bucket body is detachable and has a discharge port at the bottom. The connection between the fermentation collection bucket and the manure collection hopper can be either sealed or open, depending on the needs. The system is not completely airtight; the upper end of the manure collection hopper is connected to the cage space through a manure slatted screen, and the opening at the upper end of the manure collection hopper serves as a gas flow channel, allowing gases produced during natural fermentation to escape. Users can also add a gas collection and purification device to the outside of the cage as needed, to centrally treat and discharge the escaped gases; in this case, the opening can be used as a suction port for gas collection.

[0028] The circulating water pump 5 can be a miniature self-priming pump, connected to the fermentation collection tank 6 via the liquid extraction pipe 51; or it can be a submersible pump, placed directly inside the fermentation collection tank 6, and connected to the spray pipe 4 via the water delivery pipe 52. The circulating water pump is equipped with a timer control switch, which can set the flushing cycle, for example, flushing once every 15 to 30 minutes, to achieve immediate cleaning of feces and continuous cleanliness for 24 hours.

[0029] For initial use, fill the fermentation collection tank 6 with clean water until the liquid level is high enough for the circulation pump to draw and maintain stable circulation. Simultaneously, add appropriate amounts of carbon sources such as rice bran and straw powder, as well as EM (Effective Microorganisms) solution, to promote the establishment of the fermentation microbial community. During normal farming, livestock and poultry manure falls into the manure collection hopper 3. The timer starts the circulating water pump 5, pumping the fermentation liquid from the tank to the spray pipe 4, flushing the manure back into the tank along the hopper wall. The mixture flowing back into the tank continues to ferment under the action of microorganisms, and the fermentation liquid is pumped out again, forming a closed loop. The water level in the tank automatically maintains balance. Every few months, remove the fully fermented organic fertilizer and replenish it with clean water to the initial level.

[0030] like Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the discharge port at the bottom of the manure collection hopper 3 is directly connected to the centralized treatment facility outside the farmhouse via a pipeline. The circulating water pump 5 draws fermentation liquid from the external storage tank, and sprays it through the spray pipe 4 to flush the inner wall of the manure collection hopper 3, flushing the manure to the bottom. The manure is then hydraulically transported outside the farmhouse for centralized treatment through the discharge port and pipeline. This mode eliminates the need for an in-situ fermentation tank, utilizing the hydraulic power of the fermentation liquid to achieve efficient manure removal and transportation, making it suitable for large-scale farms.

[0031] It should be noted that although the above embodiments use egg-laying hen farming as an example, the present invention is also applicable to the cleaning of manure from caged small livestock and poultry such as pigeons, quails, ducks, geese, broilers, and rabbits. Only the mesh size and cage size need to be adjusted accordingly.

[0032] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the scope of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A closed loop fermentation broth circulation self-cleaning rearing cage characterized in that, Includes cage, slatted screen, manure collection hopper, sprinkler system, circulating pump, and fermentation collection container; The manure-leaking net is fixedly installed at the bottom of the cage, serving as a support surface for the livestock and poultry to stand on. The manure collection hopper is located directly below the manure leakage net, and its inner wall is a converging surface that gradually narrows from top to bottom, guiding the leaked manure to the bottom discharge port; The spraying device is located in the upper part of the manure collection hopper, with the spray nozzles facing the inner wall of the manure collection hopper. The fermentation collection container is connected to the discharge port of the manure collection hopper and is used to contain manure and carry out fermentation treatment. The circulating pump is used to transport the fermentation liquid in the fermentation collection container to the spraying device, forming a closed-loop circulation circuit for the fermentation liquid.

2. A closed loop fermentation broth circulation self-cleaning aquaculture cage according to claim 1, wherein, The spraying direction of the spraying device is from top to bottom along the inner wall of the manure collection hopper, so that the spraying liquid forms a continuous downward liquid film along the hopper wall.

3. The closed loop fermentation broth circulating self-cleaning aquaculture cage according to claim 1, wherein, The manure collection hopper has a structure with three vertical sides and one inclined side, and the spraying device is located at the top of the inclined side.

4. The closed loop fermentation broth circulating self-cleaning aquaculture cage according to claim 1, wherein, It also includes a timer controller, which is electrically connected to the circulating pump and is used to set the start and stop cycle of the circulating pump.

5. The closed loop fermentation broth circulating self-cleaning aquaculture cage according to claim 1, wherein, The cage, manure slatted screen, manure collection hopper, and fermentation collection container are connected sequentially from top to bottom, with the upper end of the manure collection hopper connected to the cage space through the manure slatted screen.

6. A method for feces treatment based on the rearing cage according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step 1, Initial Start-up: Inject start-up liquid into the fermentation collection container until the liquid level reaches a height that can be pumped out by the circulation pump; Step 2, Daily Operation: Livestock and poultry manure falls into the manure collection hopper through the manure slatted screen. The circulation pump starts according to the set cycle, extracts the liquid in the fermentation collection container, and uses the liquid flow to directly flush the inner wall of the manure collection hopper, flushing the manure into the fermentation collection container. Step 3: Fermentation treatment: The feces undergo microbial fermentation and decomposition in the fermentation collection container. The resulting liquid products are mixed with the original liquid to form a fermentation liquid that can be reused. Step 4: Recycling: The fermentation broth is recycled as a rinsing medium, forming a closed loop of rinsing, reflux, fermentation, and re-rinsing.

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