Device and method for utilizing food waste

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for the growing of insect larvae, comprising a breeding container (1), wherein in the breeding container (1) pressure-reducing elements (12) are provided and at least one air supply tube (11) is provided near the floor (2) of the breeding container (1), through which air supply tube air can be pumped into the breeding container (1). The invention also relates to a method for the growing of insect larvae using a device of this type, wherein first the breeding container (1) of the device is filled with feed for the insect larvae at less than 10% and subsequently insect larvae are added.

Description

[0001] Device and method for recycling food waste

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to a device and a method for rearing insect larvae.

[0004] Insect larvae, such as the black soldier fly, can utilize moist food. Insect larvae can grow on vegetables, pasta, meat, or feces, for example. Therefore, insect larvae can be fed on food waste and then used as animal feed, for example.

[0005] The object of the invention is to breed insect larvae efficiently.

[0006] The problem can be solved by a device having the features of the first claim and by a method having the features of the dependent claim. The dependent claims relate to advantageous embodiments.

[0007] A device is designed to solve the problem of growing insect larvae. The device is particularly designed to allow insect larvae to be bred using biomass such as food waste. In particular, the device is designed to allow the utilization of wet feed for the insect larvae, which has a high water content of, for example, at least 40% by weight or at least 50% by weight. This can be a sludge-like feed mass that can be processed by the device.

[0008] For example, food waste with a water content of at least 40% or at least 50% by weight can be used to raise insect larvae. The water content can be approximately 60% by weight, for example.

[0009] The device can comprise a breeding tank in which insect larvae can grow. The device can be configured such that first feed, for example in the form of wet food waste, and then insect larvae can be introduced into the breeding tank, preferably in an automated manner using an electronic control device. The insect larvae introduced into the breeding tank can, for example, already be three, four, five, six, or seven days old. The insect larvae can feed on the feed and thus grow. Once the insect larvae have reached a desired size, they can be harvested and used, among other things, as animal feed. The insect larvae can, for example, be 8 to 12 days old at the time of harvest.

[0010] Black soldier fly larvae are preferred as insect larvae because they are particularly efficient at utilizing moist or wet biomass, such as food waste. Food waste can include, for example, vegetable waste and / or pasta waste.

[0011] The device can be set up so that wet feed can first be added to the breeding container until the breeding container is partially full. Insect larvae can then be added. At a later time, more wet feed can be added as needed. Wet feed can be added periodically. For example, new wet feed can be added daily. The amount of feed added daily can be increased daily to meet the growing food requirements of the larger insect larvae. The device can be set up so that feed and / or insect larvae are automatically added to the breeding container in this way. The time interval between two feedings can be chosen so that at least 70%, at least 80%, or at least 90% of the feed has been consumed before new feed is added.

[0012] Once the insect larvae have reached a desired size, the addition of additional feed can be stopped. The system can then wait until the contents of a breeding container are no longer wet and therefore dry. This ensures that the feed is almost completely utilized. Furthermore, further processing of the contents of the breeding container can be facilitated. To achieve this, for example, the supply of wet feed can be stopped on the last day before the insect larvae are to be harvested. Harvesting can then take place the following day. The device can be configured to automatically stop the periodic supply of wet feed.

[0013] For example, the usable volume of the breeding container available for filling can be filled with wet food to between 5% and 15% automatically. The height of the wet food in the container can initially be limited to a maximum of 15 cm, 10 cm, or 5 cm. However, the bottom can be completely covered by the wet food after the initial addition. Insect larvae can then be added automatically, for example. Once the insect larvae have largely digested the wet food waste, more wet food waste is added. Depending on requirements, wet food waste can therefore be added gradually. The initially mostly empty breeding container can therefore be filled gradually. The usable volume of the breeding container can thus be at least 80% or 90% full by the time the insect larvae are removed. With usable volume orUsable volume refers to the maximum volume of the container available for filling with free-flowing feed. For example, the volume above the feed inlet nozzle is not included in the usable volume.

[0014] Gradually adding wet food prevents water from accumulating in the substrate, which could drown insect larvae. This also allows for very good efficiency.

[0015] The breeding container may have one or more inlet openings and / or one or more feed supply tubes on its top, through which moist food waste and / or insect larvae can be introduced into the breeding container. The one or more inlet openings and / or the one or more feed supply tubes may be closable. Thus, one or more closures, for example, metal covers, may be present, with which the one or more openings can be closed. The one or more feed supply tubes may include valves for closure.

[0016] A breeding tank can be a module that is at least predominantly closed on its bottom and at least predominantly open on its top. A module means a structural unit that has been manufactured separately from other parts of the device. A module can comprise one or more pipes for the supply of feed. One module of the device can be placed on top of another module of the device. The device then comprises two breeding tanks. The bottom of the upper breeding tank can then close the top of the lower breeding tank. A separate cover can be provided for the upper breeding tank in order to also close the top of the uppermost breeding tank and thus protect it from external influences.

[0017] The device can comprise multiple breeding containers to allow for parallel breeding of insect larvae. The age of insect larvae in a first breeding container can differ from that of insect larvae in a second breeding container. The age of insect larvae in a third breeding container can differ from the age of the insect larvae from the first and second breeding containers. This allows insect larvae to be harvested at different times. A quasi-continuous production of insect larvae is thus possible.

[0018] The breeding containers can be arranged side by side and / or one behind the other. The device can, for example, comprise 4 to 20 breeding containers.

[0019] The device may comprise a pump or a compressor for pumping wet feed, such as wet food waste, into a breeding tank. A side channel compressor may be provided as the compressor. The wet food waste may be so viscous or sludge-like that it can be pumped into a breeding tank using a pump or a compressor. Wet feed may be pumped into a breeding tank via the aforementioned one or more pipes. The water supply device may comprise an electronic control device for controlling the pumping.

[0020] The device may comprise a water supply device with which water can be added to the feed before the feed is brought into the breeding tank, for example by pumping it into the breeding tank. The water supply device may comprise an electronic control device with which the supply of water to the feed can be controlled, for example as a function of the feed volume and / or as a function of a sensor with which the water content in the feed can be determined. The device may comprise a feeding station in which feed and water can be mixed to provide wet feed. From the feeding station, the wet feed can be brought into the breeding tank. It may be a feeding station such as is provided for pig fattening, for feeding pigs with liquid feed.

[0021] The device can comprise a removal device. The contents of a breeding container can be removed using the removal device. Towards the end of a breeding period, the contents can consist predominantly or even almost entirely of insect larvae and feces. The removal device can then be used to remove insect larvae and feces from the breeding container. The removal device can be configured so that it can automatically remove the contents, such as insect larvae and feces, from the breeding container. By removing insect larvae and feces, the breeding container can be emptied in order to harvest insect larvae that have reached a desired size. This can be the case, for example, with black soldier fly larvae 6 to 10 days after the start of breeding.

[0022] The breeding container can have one or more outlet openings on its underside through which insect larvae and feces can be removed from the breeding container. An outlet opening can be closed, for example, by a closure such that the closure must be opened sufficiently wide for removal. One or more closures, such as metal covers, can be provided to suitably close the one or more outlet openings. The one or more outlet openings on the underside are considered to be suitably closed if this prevents wet food from falling or flowing out of the breeding container.

[0023] The removal device can comprise one or more conveyor screws. The one or more conveyor screws can be arranged adjacent to the bottom of a breeding tank. The one or more conveyor screws can be configured such that they can convey the contents of a breeding tank to an outlet opening. The provision of conveyor screws is particularly preferable for reasons of installation space, as this allows the usable volume of a breeding tank to be optimized. The one or more conveyor screws can be part of the aforementioned module. The contents conveyed by conveyor screws for removal ideally consist at least almost entirely of mature insect larvae and feces. Furthermore, the contents are ideally dry, i.e. no longer a sludge-like mass.

[0024] A breeding tank may contain at least 3 augers, or at least 5 augers, or at least 8 augers. A breeding tank may contain no more than 20 augers, or no more than 15 augers, or no more than 12 augers.

[0025] A screw conveyor can be coupled at one end to a neighboring screw conveyor so that the two screws can only rotate together. In this case, a single drive is sufficient to rotate all the screws. Two neighboring screws can be coupled together by gears and / or one or more chains and / or belts.

[0026] The removal device can comprise one or more slides, which can be arranged at the bottom of the culture tank. The slides can be used to push the contents of a culture tank to one or more outlet openings. However, slides are less suitable than screw conveyors.

[0027] The extraction device may include a base that is inclined towards the outlet opening.

[0028] An outlet opening can be located in or near a side wall and / or in the base, i.e. the floor, of a breeding container. The contents can reach a removal shaft via the outlet opening. The outlet opening can lead into a ramp or be provided at the end of a ramp. The lower end of the ramp can lead into the removal shaft in order to be able to transport the contents from the outlet opening to the removal shaft using gravity. The contents can be removed at the lower end via the removal shaft. The removal shaft can be part of the aforementioned module. The removal shaft can be arranged on the outside of a side wall of the breeding container. One or more outlet openings can be closed, for example, by one or more closures, such as one or more slide valves. A drive for the one or more closures can be arranged on the underside of the floor of the breeding container.Closures and / or drive mechanisms can be part of the module. A closure can be located at the top of the ramp. The contents of a culture container can then only slide down the ramp after the closure is opened.

[0029] The one or more closures can close the one or more outlets in such a way that no feed can flow through a closed outlet. However, a small gap can be present through which water can drain. For example, the gap can be no wider than 5 mm, no wider than 3 mm, or no wider than 1 mm. The width of the gap can be at least 0.4 mm. This effectively prevents water from accumulating at the bottom of a breeding container, in which insect larvae could drown.

[0030] For example, a separating device can be provided on the underside of a shaft to separate insect larvae from feces. The separating device can be a sieve, or the separating device can comprise a sieve. The sieve can separate insect larvae from feces.

[0031] A breeding container can comprise a flat floor, or at least a substantially flat floor, which borders a slope on one side. The slope can bend downwards at an angle toward an outer wall of the breeding container. The bend or slope can form the ramp mentioned. The top of the breeding container can run in the same direction as the bottom of the breeding container. The top then also has a flat profile, which slopes downwards toward the outer wall mentioned. It is then easily possible to place or stack two breeding containers designed as modules on top of each other.

[0032] The withdrawal device may comprise other means for withdrawal, such as a plurality of inclined gutters or nozzles through which the contents can be led out of the breeding container. Viewed in plan view, each gutter or nozzle may be arranged between pressure reducing elements. An opening through which the contents can leave the withdrawal device may be provided with a cover. Within a breeding container, one or more pressure reducing elements may be present to prevent excessive pressure from being exerted on insect larvae. A pressure reducing element is a component installed in the breeding container to regulate and stabilize the pressure within a filled breeding container. A pressure reducing element serves to prevent damage to the insect larvae. The one or more pressure reducing elements may be part of the aforementioned module.

[0033] A pressure reducing element can be an elongated component whose ends can be attached to two opposite side walls of the breeding tank. A pressure reducing element can be angled within the breeding tank so that feed can slide or flow off the pressure reducing element due to gravity. A pressure reducing element can be a bar. A pressure reducing element can be shaped like a V rotated by 180° or a U rotated by 180°. A pressure reducing element can run horizontally within the breeding tank. A pressure reducing element can be a perforated component. The holes can be adapted to the size of insect larvae so that insect larvae can migrate through the holes to reach food as quickly as possible. Excessively large holes should be avoided so that pressure can be reduced appropriately.The maximum size of the holes can therefore be adapted to the maximum size of insect larvae. For example, the holes can be a maximum of 10 mm wide or a maximum of 5 mm wide. For example, the holes can be a maximum of 30 mm long, a maximum of 20 mm long, a maximum of 10 mm long, or a maximum of 5 mm long. For example, the holes can be a minimum of 10 mm wide or a minimum of 5 mm wide and / or long. The holes are preferably circular. However, they can also be elongated.

[0034] Pressure-reducing elements can be arranged one above the other and / or next to each other within a culture tank to suitably reduce pressure. Pressure-reducing elements arranged one above the other can be arranged overlapping when viewed from above to suitably reduce pressure evenly.

[0035] Pressure reducing elements can be arranged within a breeding tank in such a way that one or more shafts remain through which food can fall unhindered. The one or more shafts can run exactly vertically. Food can then reliably reach the bottom of a breeding tank, which is advantageous for the cultivation of insect larvae. In particular, it is possible for food to quickly fill the space below pressure reducing elements by flowing, which can have a positive effect on the growth of insect larvae. One or more inlet openings or pipe openings, through which food can and should be brought into the breeding tank, can be arranged on top of the breeding tank directly above the one or more shafts to enhance this effect.

[0036] Preferably, pressure-reducing elements are arranged in a first plane, pressure-reducing elements in a second plane, and pressure-reducing elements in a third plane, etc. The planes can be arranged parallel to each other. The distances between two adjacent planes can be equal. The distances between two adjacent pressure-reducing elements in a plane can be equal. This makes it possible to uniformly protect insect larvae in the breeding container from excessive pressure.

[0037] Preferably, the pressure-reducing elements of one level are arranged offset relative to pressure-reducing elements of a level below and / or above. This arrangement has proven advantageous for counteracting excessive pressures. Pressure-reducing elements of two levels, between which a level with pressure-reducing elements is located, cannot be arranged offset relative to one another.

[0038] A pressure reducing element can be a maximum of 4 m or a maximum of 3 m long. The maximum width of a pressure reducing element can be 1000 mm. The minimum width of a pressure reducing element can be 10 mm. The maximum height of a pressure reducing element can be 1000 mm. The minimum height of a pressure reducing element can be 10 mm. The maximum thickness of each wall of the pressure reducing element can be at least 20 mm. The minimum thickness of each wall of the pressure reducing element can be at least 0.5 mm.

[0039] The device can comprise an evaporation device for cooling, with which the liquid present in the breeding container can be controlled and evaporated when food and insect larvae are present in the breeding container. The evaporation device is configured such that cooling can be achieved by evaporation, i.e., a temperature can be maintained or lowered. The evaporation device can be configured such that cooling is carried out, preferably automatically, to a desired preset temperature as needed. The desired preset temperature can be at least 27°C or at least 33°C. The desired preset temperature can be less than 40°C or less than 37°C.

[0040] The evaporation device can be configured so that evaporated liquid can be directed upwards out of the culture container. The evaporation device can be configured so that the degree of evaporation and thus the degree of cooling can be controlled.

[0041] Evaporation via an air stream is preferable. The evaporation device then comprises a device for generating an air stream that is passed through the culture container. The device for generating an air stream can include a pump, a blower, a compressor, and / or a fan. The evaporation device can prevent insect larvae from excessively heating the substrate and thus jeopardizing the success of the culture. Furthermore, with an air stream, gases such as CO2 can be reliably and completely removed from the culture container. The culture container can therefore be degassed by an air stream.

[0042] The breeding tank may include one or more air outlets at its top. A blower or fan may be adjacent to each air outlet to expel air through the air outlet. An air outlet may be provided in a side wall of the breeding tank. A corresponding fan may be mounted on the inside of the side wall. The one or more blowers or fans may be part of the module. Providing one or more fans prevents the formation of a detrimental humid space above the mixture consisting of insect larvae, food, and / or feces.

[0043] Compressors, pumps, blowers, and fans differ in their performance. A compressor can pump air at higher pressure than a pump, blower, or fan. A pump can pump air at higher pressure than a blower or fan. A blower can pump air at higher pressure than a fan.

[0044] An air outlet opening can be covered by louvers to prevent the ingress of contaminants. Slits can be left between the louvers to allow air to escape. The louvers can be arranged overlapping to provide particularly good protection against contaminants. The louvers can be part of the module.

[0045] At the bottom of the breeding tank, there may be one or more air inlets through which air can enter the breeding tank. These may be one or more air inlet pipes. The one or more air inlet pipes may be arranged above one or more conveyor screws. The one or more air inlet pipes may be arranged adjacent to one or more pressure reducing elements, preferably the lowest pressure reducing elements. The one or more air inlet pipes may be arranged adjacent to the underside of one or more pressure reducing elements. The one or more pressure reducing elements of a breeding tank may be arranged above the one or more air inlet pipes.

[0046] The one or more air supply tubes can be porous to ensure that air can be distributed particularly evenly across the outer surface of the one or more air supply tubes. The one or more air supply tubes can be manufactured by pressing beads to create a porous outer surface. The one or more air supply tubes can be made of metal. The one or more air supply tubes can be part of the module. This advantageously achieves a uniform oxygen supply for the insect larvae and / or uniform drying and / or uniform loosening of the contents of the breeding container and / or uniform cooling of the larvae through evaporation.

[0047] Preferably, air is only supplied into the culture container adjacent to the bottom and / or only discharged from the culture container adjacent to the top. It is also possible that the primary purpose of an air flow, directed, for example, by a pump from an air inlet through the culture container to an air outlet, is degassing.

[0048] For small insect larvae, it may be necessary to supply heat, for example, by supplying heated air or by supplying heat via a heat exchanger arranged in the breeding container. A control device of the device can be configured to regulate heat supply depending on the size of the insect larvae.

[0049] Alternatively or additionally, the control device can regulate the air supply and thus the cooling through evaporative cooling to a culture container of the device. This can be done depending on a determined cooling requirement.

[0050] If air is circulated through the breeding tank, this usually occurs continuously during the breeding process, for example, to continuously remove gases from the breeding tank. However, ventilation can also occur at intervals of a few seconds to a few minutes. This can be particularly beneficial when the larvae are still small, as it minimizes disturbance and prevents excessive movement of the substrate. Once the larvae have grown larger, continuous ventilation is preferred.

[0051] The device can comprise a plurality of breeding containers. The device can comprise a heat exchanger device with which heat can be exchanged between breeding containers. If there are a plurality of breeding containers, a first breeding container can contain small insect larvae and a second breeding container can contain large insect larvae. It can be the case that the first breeding container with the small insect larvae needs to be heated and the second breeding container with the large insect larvae needs to be cooled. The heat exchanger can then exchange heat between the first and second breeding containers in such a way that the first breeding container is heated and the second breeding container is cooled. In this way, the energy required for breeding can be kept to a minimum. Basically, two breeding containers between which heat is exchanged are arranged next to one another.A breeding tank may include a cleaning device for cleaning the breeding tank with water. A breeding tank may include a spraying device for spraying water for cleaning. The spraying device may include a spray ball, via which water can be sprayed in many different directions. It has been found that such non-sterile cleaning with water, preferably with sprayed water, can retain beneficial bacteria in the breeding tank, which can promote the growth of insect larvae. The cleaning device may be part of the module.

[0052] A breeding tank can be a maximum of 2 m or a maximum of 1.5 m or a maximum of 1 m high to avoid the risk of insect larvae drowning when using wet food. A breeding tank can be at least 0.5 m or at least 0.8 m high to maximize usable volume. A breeding tank can, for example, be at least 1 m wide and / or at least 1 m deep. A breeding tank can, for example, be at least 2 m wide and / or at least 2 m deep. A breeding tank can, for example, be a maximum of 4 m wide and / or a maximum of 4 m deep. A breeding tank can, for example, be a maximum of 3 m wide and / or a maximum of 3 m deep.

[0053] With a breeding container measuring 2m x 2m x 1m, approximately 2.6 tons of insect larvae can be produced per month.

[0054] A breeding tank can be made entirely or partially of metal, such as corrosion-resistant steel. A breeding tank can be made entirely or partially of plastic. Pressure-reducing elements in the breeding tank can be made entirely or partially of metal or plastic.

[0055] A culture tank can contain one or more temperature sensors. These one or more temperature sensors can be used to control the temperature of the culture tank.

[0056] The invention also relates to a method for rearing insect larvae using a device as described above.

[0057] Additives such as minerals and / or amino acids can be added to the feed. The facility may include a biogas plant that can produce a gas such as methane from the insect larvae's feces. It has been shown that this can achieve a high level of efficiency for the production of gas from biomass. In some cases, the efficiency can be even higher than when gas is produced directly from biomass such as food waste in a biogas plant. A biogas plant is a facility that can convert organic waste such as manure, corn, or other plant residues into biogas. Waste can be fermented in a closed container (digester) of the biogas plant under anaerobic conditions (without oxygen), releasing biogas from the organic substances. Biogas consists mainly of methane (CH) and carbon dioxide (CO2) and can be used as fuel for electricity and heat generation.

[0058] The device can be configured so that the insect larvae's excrement, separated from the insect larvae, can be fed into the biogas plant. Biogas can be generated from the excrement in the biogas plant.

[0059] The facility may include a biodiesel plant that can produce biodiesel from the insect larvae's fat. Biodiesel is a fuel that can be made from animal fats. Unlike fossil fuels like gasoline or diesel, which are derived from crude oil, biodiesel is a renewable fuel derived from natural sources such as animal fats. Biodiesel has higher flammability and lower pollutant emissions compared to conventional diesel, making it a more environmentally friendly alternative. A biodiesel plant is a facility where biodiesel can be produced. Biodiesel can be derived from vegetable oils or animal fats, which react with alcohol and a catalyst in a chemical process to form a compound called biodiesel.

[0060] The device can comprise a separator for insect larvae to separate the fat of the insect larvae from other components of the insect larvae. The separator for insect larvae can comprise a press with which insect larvae can be pressed to separate the fat of the insect larvae from other components of the insect larvae. The fat of the larvae can be used, for example, for or as animal feed, for or as food, in pharmaceutical products, or in cosmetic products. The device can comprise a feed device for fat with which the separated fat can be automatically conveyed to the biodiesel plant, for example. The other components can be used, for example, as animal feed.

[0061] The invention therefore enables waste to be converted into combustible gas, liquid fuel and animal feed with high efficiency and low technical effort.

[0062] They show:

[0063] Figure 1 : Section through a breeding container;

[0064] Figure 2: Side view of the breeding container from Figure 1;

[0065] Figure 3: Pressure reducing element;

[0066] Figure 4: Device with two stacked breeding containers.

[0067] Figure 1 shows a section through a breeding container 1 which may have been manufactured separately from the other parts as a structural unit to form a module. The breeding container 1 may comprise a base 2 and surrounding side walls 3. An outlet opening 4 may be provided in the base 2 adjacent to a side wall 3. The outlet opening 4 may extend over the entire depth or almost the entire depth of the breeding container 1. Alternatively, there may be a plurality of outlet openings 4 arranged next to one another to cover the entire depth. Each outlet opening 4 can be closed with a slide 5. A drive 6, for example an electric one, may be attached to the underside of the base 2, with which the slide or slides 5 can be moved back and forth between an open position and a closed position. In the open position of the slide or slides.The slide 5 allows contents from the breeding container 1 to fall through the one or more outlet openings 4 onto a ramp 7 and then slide along the ramp 7 towards a removal shaft 8. The ramp 7 can extend over the entire depth or almost the entire depth of the breeding container 1. Alternatively, there can be a plurality of ramps 7 arranged next to one another in order to cover the entire depth. For example, there can be five to fifteen, such as ten, conveyor screws 9 next to one another. Any contents that have slipped down can be removed via the removal shaft 8. The removal shaft 8 is particularly useful when an identical breeding container is placed on top of the breeding container 1. The contents of the same breeding container can then be led out via the removal shaft 8 of the breeding container located below.

[0068] Adjacent to the base 2 there can be one or more conveyor screws 9, with which the contents in the breeding container 1 can be conveyed towards the outlet opening 4. A plurality of conveyor screws 9 is preferable in order to cover the entire depth of the breeding container 1. Each conveyor screw 9 can be located in a groove that is open at the top in order to be able to convey the contents of the breeding container along the groove to the outlet opening 4. At one end of each conveyor screw 9 there can be an outlet opening 4. The other opposite end of each conveyor screw 9 can be coupled to a drive. Each conveyor screw 9 can extend from one side wall 3 to an opposite side wall 3 and thus across the entire width of the breeding container 1. A drive shaft 10 of each conveyor screw 9 can lead through a side wall 3.The drive shaft 10 can be connected to a drive, for example, an electric drive. There can be equal spacing between adjacent conveyor screws 9 to ensure uniform conveying.

[0069] One or more pipes 11 for supplying air can be arranged above the one or more conveyor screws 9. The casings of the one or more air supply pipes 11 can be porous. Air can be pumped into the breeding tank 1 via the one or more air supply pipes 11. Each air supply pipe 11 can extend over the entire depth or almost the entire depth of the breeding tank 1. One end of each air supply pipe 11 can be closed. The other end of each air supply pipe 11 can open into a shared air supply pipe, via which air can be pumped into the air supply pipes 11.

[0070] The air supply pipes 11 can be arranged below pressure reducing elements 12. The air supply pipes 11 can be arranged laterally adjacent to the underside of the lowest pressure reducing elements 12.

[0071] The pressure-reducing elements 12 of one level can be arranged offset and / or overlapping with pressure-reducing elements 12 located in an adjacent level. Each pressure-reducing element 12 can extend from one side wall 3 to an opposite side wall 3 and thus across the entire depth of the culture container 1. The ends of each pressure-reducing element 12 can be attached to the two opposite side walls 3.

[0072] Pressure reducing elements 12 and / or air supply pipes 11 can be arranged such that one or more shafts 13 remain within the breeding container through which feed can fall down onto the floor 2.

[0073] At the top, above the pressure reduction elements 12, there can be at least one pipe 14 for supplying feed, through which wet feed can be pumped into the breeding tank 1. Pipe sockets 15 can, for example, branch off vertically from the feed supply pipe 14 and be directed downwards. The pipe sockets 15 can end above the shafts 13. Wet feed can then fall through the one or more shafts 13 in order to reliably reach the bottom of the breeding tank 1. The feed supply pipe 14 can comprise a valve 16 in order to be able to open and close the feed supply pipe 14. The feed supply pipe 14 can be attached to one or more rods, which can be attached to one or two opposite side walls 3. The one or more rods can be arranged perpendicular to the one or more feed supply pipes 14.Exactly one feed supply pipe 14 may be sufficient, which can preferably run centrally between two side walls 3 and parallel to the two side walls 3.

[0074] Above the ramp 7, there can be a slope 17 running in the same way as the ramp 7. The slope can be closed or formed only by sloped areas on the side walls 3. The course of the upper side can correspond to the lower side such that two breeding containers 1 can be stacked on top of one another. The upper side can be limited to the upper side of the side walls 3, so that a single, i.e. modular, breeding container 1 can initially be completely open and accessible from above. The base 2 of the upper breeding container 1 can then close the upper side of the lower breeding container 1. A separate cover can then be provided for the uppermost breeding container 1.

[0075] Figure 2 shows a side view of the breeding container 1 from Figure 1. On the top side of a side wall 3, there may be an air outlet opening 18, which may be protected by slats. A fan or blower may be arranged behind the air outlet opening 18. On the bottom side, there may be an air inlet opening 19, through which air can be pumped into the one or more air supply pipes 11. There may also be an air outlet opening 19 on the opposite side wall 3. The air outlet openings may be arranged diagonally opposite one another.

[0076] Figure 3 shows a pressure-reducing element 12. This element may, for example, have three rows of holes 20 on each side. A row of holes 20 may be offset from an adjacent row of holes to optimize the desired effect. The diameter of each hole 20 may be less than 10 mm or less than 5 mm.

[0077] Figure 4 shows two breeding containers 1 stacked on top of each other. The removal shafts 8 of the two breeding containers 1 combine to form a single shaft. A separating device 21, which can separate feces from insect larvae, can then be provided only on the underside of the lowest removal shaft 8. For example, if the uppermost slide 5 has been moved into the open position as shown, the contents of the uppermost breeding container 1 can pass through the removal shaft 8 of the breeding container 1 located below it to the separating device 21.

Claims

Claims 1 . Device for growing insect larvae with a breeding container (1), wherein pressure reducing elements (12) are present in the breeding container (1) which are arranged one above the other and next to one another, and at least one air supply pipe (11) at the bottom (2) of the breeding container (1), via which air can be pumped into the breeding container (1).

2. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a pump or a compressor is connected to the breeding container (1) in such a way that air can be pumped into the breeding container via the at least one air supply pipe (11).

3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one air outlet opening (18) is provided at the top of the breeding container (1).

4. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a fan or blower is arranged at the air outlet opening (18) in order to be able to blow air out of the breeding container through the air outlet opening (18).

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a feed supply pipe (14) is provided at the top of the breeding container (1), through which feed can be pumped into the breeding container (1).

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that vertically extending shafts (13) between pressure reducing elements (12) are present within the breeding container.

7. Device according to the two preceding claims, characterized in that a nozzle (15) of the feed supply pipe (14) ends above a shaft (13) in such a way that feed can fall from the nozzle (15) into the shaft (13).

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one conveyor screw (9) is arranged between the bottom (2) of the breeding container (1) and the pressure reducing elements (12) which can convey contents from the breeding container (1) to an outlet opening (4).

9. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the outlet opening (4) can be closed by a closure (5) of the device.

10. Device according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that adjacent to the outlet opening there is a ramp (7) over which the contents of the breeding container (1) can slide down.

11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on an outer side of a side wall (3) of the breeding container (1) there is a removal shaft (8) into which contents from a second breeding container (1) of the device can be conveyed.

12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two breeding containers (1) stacked one above the other.

13. A method for growing insect larvae using a device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that firstly the breeding container (1) of the device is filled with food for the insect larvae to less than 10 cm and then insect larvae are added, the breeding container (1) being at least 0.5 m high.

14. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the feed is a flowable biomass.

15. Method according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that after the addition of the insect larvae, feed is added periodically until the useful volume of the breeding container (1) has been filled to at least 80%.

16. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the periodic addition of feed is stopped and after stopping the contents in the breeding container (1) are only removed when the contents are dry.

17. A method according to any one of the four preceding claims, characterized in that insect larvae of the black soldier fly are bred.

18. A method according to any one of the five preceding claims, characterized in that a combustible gas or natural fertilizer is produced from the excrement of the insect larvae.

19. A method according to any one of the six preceding claims, characterized in that a liquid fuel is produced from the insect larvae.

20. Method according to one of the seven preceding claims, characterized in that at least parts of the insect larvae are used as feed for animals.

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