Device and method for treating organic and inorganic waste to produce reusable materials

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for treating waste by bacterial digestion, notable in that it comprises: - a tank (2) with an opening (2a) for the introduction of waste; - waste inside the tank (2), mixed with bacterial strains and stabilized hydrogen peroxide; - heating means (3) for the tank (2); - mixing means (4) for the waste; - means for removing the treated waste; - an air outlet (11) equipped with filters (12) that absorb odors and moisture. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Device and method for treating organic and inorganic waste for the production of reusable materials. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of waste management and treatment, more specifically the treatment of organic and non-organic waste for the production of reusable materials.

[0002] The invention relates to the field of waste recovery by bacterial digestion. More specifically, it applies to the treatment of food waste, similar organic waste, as well as non-organic waste such as used diapers, incontinence pads, and cardboard to generate substrates that can be used respectively as compost and as thermal insulation. Previous art

[0003] The prior art in the field of waste treatment by bacterial digestion includes various methods and devices using microorganisms to decompose organic matter.

[0004] These methods are commonly used to reduce the volume and weight of waste, and to transform waste into valuable products such as compost.

[0005] However, existing devices have several drawbacks. First, the proposed treatments are often lengthy, sometimes requiring several weeks to achieve sufficient decomposition.

[0006] Secondly, these treatments are generally ineffective in terms of weight and volume reduction, rarely achieving more than 50% reduction.

[0007] Thirdly, current systems are not always able to efficiently process non-organic waste such as used diapers or cardboard.

[0008] Existing methods generally include traditional composting and various types of anaerobic digesters, but these are often limited by their size, high operating cost, and need for continuous monitoring to maintain optimal conditions for bacterial digestion.

[0009] Moreover, although some processes make it possible to treat non-organic waste, they do not succeed in transforming it into useful materials, such as thermal insulators, with significant efficiency or within reasonable timeframes.

[0010] Examples of these prior art devices are illustrated in documents WO2013 / 128390 A1, JP2014008491 A and CN105906397B. Description of the invention

[0011] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a device and a process which allow not only rapid and efficient digestion of organic and inorganic matter, but also transformation into useful products while respecting environmental standards, in particular by eliminating any pathogenic risk and reducing the weight and volume of treated waste by nearly 90%, all in a rapid cycle.

[0012] For this purpose, a waste treatment device by bacterial digestion, in particular aerobic and anaerobic, has been developed, remarkable in that it comprises: - a tank with an opening for the introduction of waste; - organic or inorganic waste inside the tank, mixed with bacterial strains and with stabilized hydrogen peroxide; - means of heating the tank; - means of mixing waste; - means of evacuating treated waste; - an air outlet equipped with filters that absorb odors and humidity.

[0013] From the above, the device makes it possible to transform organic waste and certain non-organic waste into valuable products while significantly reducing their volume and weight.

[0014] The presence of stabilized hydrogen peroxide, for example with silver ion salts, or silver salts, or quaternary ammonium, or biguanidine, or with peracetic acid, or any other stabilizing agent, accelerates the bacterial digestion process. The device thus enables a reduction of nearly 90% in the weight and volume of waste in a cycle of approximately 10 hours.

[0015] The device of the invention makes it possible to valorize organic biofood waste into compost if free of pollutants, and non-organic waste such as diapers, paper, and cardboard into thermal insulating material, free of any pathogenic risk.

[0016] Preferably, the tank includes a semi-cylindrical bottom, and the stirring means include an axis equipped with stirring blades, aligned with a generatrix of the semi-cylindrical bottom of the tank, and the blades are spaced from the bottom of the tank by a distance of between 20-25 mm to leave, for example in the case of digestion of biofood waste, a residue of bacteria at the bottom of the tank after removal of the treated waste.

[0017] This makes it possible in particular to reintroduce biofood waste and restart a treatment cycle, without needing to reintroduce bacterial strains.

[0018] According to a particular embodiment, and in order to provide a simple and effective device, particularly for waste disposal, the axis of the mixing means is connected to a geared motor configured to rotate the shaft in one direction to stir the waste and in the opposite direction to evacuate the treated waste, and the tank includes a side window equipped with a ramp for waste evacuation.

[0019] According to a particular embodiment, the means for heating the tank are in the form of heating mats, resistances and / or heating blankets with insulation surrounding the outer bottom of the tank, in particular to transmit heat directly and efficiently to the tank.

[0020] In order to ensure that the tank is kept at the correct temperature and not to waste energy, the device includes means of thermal insulation of the tank, preferably in the form of rock wool or any other similar insulation, held in place by blades surrounding the bottom of the tank.

[0021] Advantageously, and to increase the efficiency of the heating and promote the maintenance of temperature inside the tank, the device includes hot air blowing means with heat exchangers positioned downstream of the blowing means to heat the air before entering the tank, noting that the bacterial strains used already raise the temperature of the organic matter during the digestion of waste.

[0022] The invention also relates to a method of treating waste by bacterial digestion, remarkable in that it includes at least steps consisting of: - introducing the waste into a tank containing bacterial strains; - mix the waste with the bacterial strains, preferably while hot; - inject stabilized hydrogen peroxide into the tank during stirring; - remove the waste once the treatment is complete, preferably in semi-automatic mode. Brief description of the drawings

[0023] Other features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the description given below, by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

[0024] [Fig-1] is a perspective view of the device according to the invention.

[0025] [Fig.2] is a longitudinal sectional view of the device of [Fig.1].

[0026] [Fig.3] is a cross-sectional view of the device in [Fig.1].

[0027] [Fig.4] is a view similar to that of [Fig.1], of the housings and a side wall having been masked to illustrate the tank.

[0028] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of the rear of the device, with masked housings.

[0029] [Fig.6] is a view similar to that of [Fig.4], illustrating the heat exchanger associated with blowing equipment

[0030] [Fig.7] is a perspective view of the device, with masked housings for illustrate the geared motor

[0031] [Fig-8] is a view similar to that of [Fig.7], rear view. Detailed description of the invention

[0032] With reference to figures 1 to 8, the invention relates to a device (1) for treating all organic and / or food waste, and non-organic types such as wadding, cardboard, foam, used diapers and incontinence protection, by bacterial digestion, which is rapid and efficient in order to transform waste into useful products, while respecting environmental standards, in particular by eliminating any pathogenic risk and reducing the weight and volume of the treated waste by nearly 90%.

[0033] The device (1) comprises a tank (2), preferably made of stainless steel, equipped with an opening (2a), for example top, allowing the introduction of waste, and closable with a door (2b) or hatch preferably mounted on a jack.

[0034] With reference to figures 2 to 4, the tank (2) has a semi-cylindrical bottom (2c) and is equipped with heating means (3) in the form of heating mats surrounding its bottom, as well as stirring means (4) comprising an axis (4a) aligned with a generatrix, i.e. the axis of revolution of the semi-cylindrical bottom (2c) of the tank (2).

[0035] The heating mats, resistors and / or the heating blanket with insulation are, for example, attached to the tank (2) by springs and hooks to facilitate placement and maintenance in contact with the tank. The shaft (4a) is equipped with stirring blades (4b), for example four blades evenly distributed along the length and circumference of the shaft (4a), and spaced from the bottom of the tank (2) by a distance of between 20 and 25 mm, for example, so as to leave a residue of bacteria after the removal of the treated biofood waste, as will be described below.

[0036] According to an embodiment not illustrated, the upper opening (2a) can receive a grinder, for example on a hopper, so as to allow the grinding of waste before introduction into the tank (2), and this in order to reduce the size of the waste, increase its surface area for exchange with the bacteria, and homogenize its size to facilitate bacterial digestion.

[0037] The mixing means (4) are connected to a geared motor (5) configured and controllable to drive the shaft (4a) in rotation in one direction to mix the waste and in the other direction to remove it, particularly in semi-automatic mode. For this purpose, the tank (2) also includes a side window (6), which can be closed by a door, and is equipped with a ramp (7) facilitating the removal of the treated waste.

[0038] Thermal insulation means are positioned under the tank (2) and surround its semi-cylindrical bottom (2c) to prevent heat loss. These means are, for example, in the form of rock wool, thermal insulation panels, or any other equivalent systems, not shown, held in place by curved blades (8).

[0039] During a treatment cycle, the waste is stirred hot or cold in the dark and mixed with bacterial strains that digest the waste. To increase the efficiency of digestion, several different strains are used, which work synergistically.

[0040] When hot mixing is performed, it is carried out at a temperature between 70° and 120°C. This temperature can be stabilized with means for blowing air (9) into the tank (2), for example one or more fans depending on the volume of waste, and heat exchangers (10), see [Fig. 6], positioned downstream of the blowing means (9) to preheat the air before it enters the tank (2). In the illustrated embodiment, the device comprises two fans and two heat exchangers positioned on either side of the tank (2).

[0041] Temperature probes, not shown, can also measure the temperature inside the tank (2) and be subjected, for example, to the heating means (3) and / or heat exchangers, to decrease or increase the heating temperature if necessary, noting that bacterial action itself releases heat.

[0042] The Applicant discovered that injecting stabilized hydrogen peroxide during brewing accelerated the digestion process and made it more efficient.

[0043] This injection can be carried out manually, by pouring the stabilized hydrogen peroxide through the opening (2a) of the tank (2), or automatically, for example by means of dedicated injection means, not shown, which for example collect or pump the stabilized hydrogen peroxide from a storage container.

[0044] Stabilized hydrogen peroxide is injected in an amount between 10 and 20 ppm regardless of the volume of waste.

[0045] The hydrogen peroxide used can be stabilized with agents such as peracetic acid, silver ion salts, silver salt, quaternary ammonium, or bi-guanidine, in an amount of 10 to 80% to improve the efficiency of bacterial digestion.

[0046] The tank (2) also includes an air outlet (11) connected to filters (12), such as carbon filters (12), for example made from coconut, and / or with ceramic beads to absorb odors and moisture, thus ensuring a operation without nuisances. At the end of the treatment cycle, the residual moisture level in the tank (2) should be around 8-10%.

[0047] Preferably, the device (1) includes a tray positioned under the filters (12) which allows the water to be recovered, possibly connected, via a lifting pump, to means of reinjecting the water, such as spray / misting nozzles, into the volume of stirred waste in order to avoid water discharges.

[0048] The device (1) may also include pH measurement means for precise, real-time monitoring of the treatment conditions. These measurement means include pH sensors integrated into the tank (2), providing continuous data on the acidity or alkalinity of the mixture undergoing bacterial digestion. Furthermore, the tank (2) may include weighing means, for example by being equipped with scale feet, for measuring the weight of the waste introduced and treated.

[0049] The device (1) is also equipped with a programmable logic controller (PLC) and / or a control panel, which records and analyzes data on weight, pH, humidity, and temperature. This PLC allows for the automatic control and adjustment of treatment conditions based on the collected data, thus ensuring maximum efficiency of the bacterial digestion process. For example, it can adjust heating and stirring cycles according to the actual needs of the microorganisms, ensuring optimal waste decomposition and consistent quality of the resulting substrate.

[0050] These improvements not only enhance the efficiency and reliability of the device (1) of the invention, but also provide complete traceability of the treatment process, which is particularly important for industrial and environmental applications where compliance with standards is essential. Thanks to these measurement means and automation, the device (1) offers an advanced and integrated solution for the management and recovery of organic and inorganic waste.

[0051] The waste treatment process by bacterial digestion according to the invention therefore comprises the following steps: - introduction of waste into the tank (2) containing specific bacterial strains; - mixing of waste with bacterial strains, using heating (3) and mixing (4) means of the tank (2); - injection of stabilized hydrogen peroxide during mixing - Disposal of treated waste after the bacterial digestion period.

[0052] When the treatment cycle is finished, in practice 100, the waste is removed.

[0053] For bio-food waste transformed into compost, given that the blades (4b) do not scrape the bottom of the tank (2) and leave a space of 20-25 mm between the blades (4b) and the bottom of the tank (2), a residue of compost remains, and therefore of Live bacteria allow for the reintroduction of waste without the need to add new bacterial strains. In practice, the bacteria reproduce at a rate of approximately 20 million every 20 minutes.

[0054] In the case of waste such as cardboard, diapers, etc., the bacterial strains die at the end of the cycle, and the blades (4b) effectively remove all of the treated waste due to their composition. To restart a treatment cycle, it is therefore necessary to reintroduce other bacterial strains into the tank (2).

[0055] The device (1) and the method of the invention enable rapid and efficient waste treatment, transforming organic waste into compost and inorganic waste into a material usable as thermal insulation. It overcomes the limitations of prior devices by offering a significant reduction in the weight and volume of waste in a considerably reduced cycle time.

Claims

Demands

1. Device (1) for treating waste by bacterial digestion characterized in that it comprises: - a tank (2) with an opening (2a) for the introduction of waste; - waste inside the tank (2), mixed with bacterial strains and with stabilized hydrogen peroxide; - means for heating (3) the tank (2); - means for stirring (4) the waste; - means for evacuating the treated waste; - an air outlet (11) equipped with filters (12) which absorb odors and moisture.

2. Device (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that the tank (2) comprises a semi-cylindrical bottom (2c), and the stirring means (4) comprise an axis (4a) equipped with stirring blades (4b), aligned with a generatrix of the semi-cylindrical bottom (2c) of the tank (2), and the blades (4b) are spaced from the bottom of the tank (2) by a distance of between 20-25 mm to possibly leave a residue of bacteria at the bottom of the tank (2) after removal of the treated waste.

3. Device (1) according to claim 2 characterized in that the shaft (4a) of the stirring means (4) is connected to a geared motor (5) configured to drive the shaft (4a) in rotation in one direction to stir the waste and in the opposite direction to evacuate the treated waste, and the tank (2) includes a side window (6) equipped with a ramp (7) for the evacuation of waste.

4. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the heating means (3) of the tank (2) are in the form of heating mats, resistances and / or heating blankets with insulation, surrounding the outer bottom of the tank (2).

5. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises means for thermal insulation of the tank (2), preferably in the form of rock wool, held in place by blades surrounding the bottom of the tank (2).

6. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for blowing air (9) into the tank (2) and heat exchangers (10) positioned downstream means of blowing to heat the air before entering the tank (2).

7. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that hydrogen peroxide is stabilized with silver ion salts, or silver salts, or quaternary ammonium, or bi-guanidine, or with peracetic acid.

8. A waste treatment process by bacterial digestion characterized in that it comprises at least the steps of: - introducing the waste into a tank (2) containing bacterial strains; - stirring the waste with the bacterial strains; - injecting stabilized hydrogen peroxide into the tank during stirring; - removing the waste once the treatment is complete.

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