Apparatus for fermenting and homogenizing a non-sticky or non-uniform mass of material and method for operating the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing, mixing, and thus homogenizing non-cohesive or heterogeneous masses of material, comprising at least one trench silo having an inlet opening and divided into longitudinal compartments. The top layer of material present in a compartment is scraped off by a scraper and deposited in the next compartment. This scraping operation is repeated until the previous compartment is completely emptied. After a compartment has been completely filled in this way, the option of processing the material present therein is given. The completely emptied compartment is refilled with material from the previous compartment. After processing, the material present in the end compartment is removed by a discharge conveyor belt. The present invention also focuses on the operation of such an apparatus.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for the treatment of non-cohesive or inhomogeneous masses of material (2), such as biological materials such as biodegradable waste (vegetable, fruit and garden waste), OWF (wet organic fraction of household waste) or shredded biowaste, for example for composting, by leaving them to stand for a period of time or else conditioning, mixing, homogenizing them. In many processes it is important to perform the conditioning, mixing and thus the homogenization in a highly controlled manner. [Background technology]

[0002] It is well known that silos can be accessed by transport vehicles, in particular excavators. The excavators deposit the material to be processed from the temporary pile into the silo. To mix and homogenize the material, the excavators repeatedly remove parts of the temporary pile and mix them back together, so that a certain amount of mixing and homogenization of the temporary pile material is performed.

[0003] Furthermore, automated fermentation equipment exists for the treatment of chunks of non-sticky or non-uniform material, examples of which are described below. - Systems in which material is piled up on top of a pile, the so-called turners. Such systems are used both in open-air composting (uncovered composting) and in so-called tunnel composting, which is composting especially in halls. - Systems using large paddle wheels, e.g. 5m in diameter, such as those used in lignite mining. Such paddle wheels throw the compost material forward a given distance. - A system that processes a group in a sealed room.

[0004] In these and similar systems, the filling and emptying operations are carried out, for example, by a backhoe, but automated systems are also suitable. Such automated systems, for example equipped with an impeller, deposit the material onto a discharge belt. The material is transported via a conveyor system to the next enclosed space.

[0005] These known methods have several drawbacks. Firstly, they are labour intensive and require a lot of energy and maintenance. The excavator driver is busy for long hours with mixing and homogenizing operations. Heavy-duty excavator motors consume a significant amount of fuel. The use of excavators has a significant impact on CO2, NO x This involves significant emissions of smoke, soot, and dust, which is environmentally undesirable. Moreover, it does not prevent substantial dust formation due to lifting and reloading of non-sticky materials of certain material types. A further disadvantage is that homogenization is not very precise and effective, and is partly dependent on the skill of the operator.

[0006] More automated systems use shovels or other systems to dig up the material, which involves significant wear and high energy consumption, and usually require an extensive network of conveyor systems to move the material from one trench silo to the next. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Based on the shortcomings of the prior art methods discussed above, it would be desirable to provide an apparatus that does not have, or has substantially fewer, such shortcomings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In view of the above, the present invention provides an apparatus for the treatment of non-sticky or heterogeneous masses of material, e.g. biodegradable waste (vegetable, fruit and garden waste), OWF (wet organic fraction of household waste) or biological material such as shredded biowaste, for example for composting, by homogenizing, e.g. by leaving for a period of time, otherwise conditioning, mixing. This device is a) freely accessible from the outside to supply raw, unprocessed material, e.g. An inlet which is an opening for the mouth, two side walls which are parallel to each other, and an end wall which extends across the side walls; At predetermined intervals, for example at equal intervals, along the length of the trench silo from the inlet opening to the end wall. The space between the side walls at intervals and bounded by the inlet opening, the side walls, and the end wall into a plurality of compartments, the plurality of compartments being in particular an entrance compartment or A first section, a number of intermediate sections, e.g., a second section and a third section, and an end section or and a fourth section, in which material is processed at least in the middle section and the end section. at least one trench silo in which the wastewater is mixed and thus homogenized; b) Processed and mixed materials In order to expel a discharge means, such as a conveyor belt, abutting the end wall; c) Moving the material from the first compartment through all intermediate compartments and partitions to the end compartments The final processed and mixed material is forced out of the end section and over the end wall. and depositing the material continuously on a discharge means, where mixing and discharging occur as a result of the movement of the material. a means of transportation configured to cause the homogenization and d) A screw that runs alongside the side walls of the trench silo and fits between the side walls at intervals. -Per The scraper is supported by at least two spaced support arms. A means of movement that is part of a carriage, about a pivot axis effected by a hinge. The carriage is supported by one of the hinges so that it can rotate up and down. The lifting motor forms a rotation means for rotatably supporting the support arm together with the hinge. There are The carriage is moved along a fixed horizontal guide rail by a drive means including a moving motor. The scraper is movable in the direction of movement so that the scraper is always continuously present in the compartment. The top layer of the material stack is scraped off, which corresponds to the vertical thickness of the scraper. and capable of being picked up and moved to a next compartment or to a discharge means; The pivot axis is located downstream in the scraper movement direction and always moves to the top layer at that time. The paint is peeled off and scraped off, The scraper is pivotable partly under the influence of gravity and partly under the influence of an effective pivoting means. The rotation before scraping in the direction of travel ensures that the scraper follows the shape of the free surface of the stack of material. The rotation can be at least partially caused by gravity so that the rotation automatically follows the A scraper and e) controlling the moving means and the rotating means to carry out the following steps in the proper order: a control means for regulating the operation of the device, e1) of raw or fermented material deposited in the first or inlet compartment; The top layer is repeatedly scraped off and fed through the first partition into the next or second compartment at a given transferring and depositing in a pattern; e2) allowing the material to stand in the second compartment for a period of time, and optionally with a liquid and / or a gas; e3) The material accumulated in the second compartment is similarly scraped off layer by layer and passed through the second partition. moving the second compartment to the next compartment or to a third compartment and emptying the second compartment; e4) a redepositing step of redepositing the unprocessed material from the first compartment into the second compartment; e5) During continued operation of the device, the compartment thus emptied is filled with the fluid from the previous compartment. continuously replenishing the material; e6) depositing masses of material continuously in the end section and allowing said masses of material to stand, e.g. for a rest period and after a processing period such as above, moving the material over the end wall to a discharge means. e7) each time, consecutively, especially after emptying the compartment, at a predetermined position opposite the direction of movement the scraper returning to the position, in particular to the inlet area of ​​the previous section, This return is performed by the moving means in the raised position of the scraper and is effectively Under the influence of the step action, the scraper can smoothly return to its designated position. A control means having a recursive step; Equipped with.

[0009] The control means may comprise a processor having software. The scraper continuously scrapes off the current top layer of the material stack in the compartment and slides it into the next compartment, respectively the discharge means, in an operation consuming relatively little energy while producing very limited dust.

[0010] The control according to the invention can be defined as a series of cycles. A cycle consists of two periods: the first period is a processing period during which the material remains in the compartment, and the second period is a transition period during which the material is moved from one compartment to the next using a scraper, each time moving from the end compartment and being discharged by the discharge means.

[0011] For example, for composting biological materials such as wet organic fraction (OWF), it is important to allow the material to sit in the compartment for a period of time. For other materials, the sitting period may be important, for example in connection with aeration to dry the material.

[0012] The partition may have areas that retain no or little material. If there is no material in the partition, the partition between successive compartments is good and improves the controllability of the treatment process. If there is overlap between successive stacks in adjacent compartments, at least some contamination may occur and the process may become less controllable.

[0013] For best separation between adjacent compartments, in the device according to the invention the partition is preferably formed by a partition wall. In this way, good separation is ensured. In some cases, due to air currents moving over the partition walls between the compartments, contamination, although limited, occurs mutually. In order to exclude such contamination as much as possible, a curtain or divider can be hung over the relevant or each partition wall during the settling period during which the mass of material in the compartment is settling. In this embodiment, it is important that the lower edge of the curtain at least substantially abuts the upper edge of the relevant partition or end wall.

[0014] The partitions, e.g. partition walls, serve to achieve the best possible separation between the compartments, which is especially important for regulating, e.g. separating air flows that may differ in each compartment, e.g. flow rate, temperature, moisture content, etc., and to prevent cross-contamination of materials in the different compartments.

[0015] European Patent Publication No. 0882390 discloses a potting soil dosing unit in which a scraper is used with a longitudinal movement across a moving vehicle. This document does not relate to a treatment device. The dosing device according to said European patent relates to the accumulation of bulk material in a silo and further to the transfer into containers for further treatment and transport. The function of this device is therefore substantially different from that of the device according to the invention. More specifically, the present invention focuses on specific systematic steps defined by a control means which, based on appropriate software accepted by the installer or user, ensures that the systematic steps are carried out to ensure that the apparatus processes, mixes and therefore homogenizes non-sticky or non-uniform masses of material.

[0016] The materials to be treated in the device according to the invention are generally bulk materials, such as, for example, biomass, wood chips, lignite, potting soil, grain, fertilizer, fibrous materials, sawdust, bark, cocoa beans, coffee beans, sludge, paper residues, recycled plastics, RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel) / SRF (Solid Recovered Fuel). Biodegradable wastes (vegetable, fruit, and garden waste) can be composted using OWF (wet organic fraction of household waste) or shredded biowaste.

[0017] Composting requires a total turnaround time of approximately several weeks.

[0018] The first compartment is filled, for example, by a backhoe, but it is also possible for the filling to take place directly from a truck. In such a situation, the truck is driven in reverse into the first compartment. Alternatively, the first compartment may be filled from a pre-processing line, for example using a conveying system based on one or more belt or chain conveyors, optionally one or more cyclones etc. may be used as an alternative, either in combination or alone. In that case, for example, the material may be poured from above into the first compartment, where the front of the compartment is preferably closed by an outer wall, a door or a partition. Such automatic filling may take place from a pre-processing line. Materials supplied thereto from outside can be broken down using a shredder. Additionally, iron may be removed, for example by magnetic means. Additionally, a pre-sieving operation may be used to remove larger pieces, for example above 400 mm. The material may also be separated using an airflow separator into heavier pieces, such as stones, which are to be removed, and cleaned material fractions, which are fed to the apparatus for further processing.

[0019] The material may be processed in the first compartment or in each compartment, including the inlet compartment. It is also possible to choose to use the first compartment exclusively for material supply, for example for a week, and then send the material to the second compartment. This is not possible for vegetable, fruit and garden waste and wet organic fraction (OWF), because conditioning would already have started in the first compartment, requiring the administration of a larger amount of excess material than the processed material.

[0020] According to one aspect of the invention, the device according to the invention is embodied in such a way that the inlet compartment is freely accessible to transport vehicles capable of depositing the material to be treated therein. In the first or inlet compartment, the material can undergo an initial treatment, for example conditioning. In such a situation, the material deposited therein can be treated for a certain period of time.

[0021] If conditioning is carried out in air, it is preferable that the first compartment is filled as quickly and completely as possible. This avoids the risk of causing preferential air flows, especially in areas where there is no material. The air passes through these areas easily, since there the resistance is minimal. This first compartment is therefore not always freely accessible and, in this situation, must be closed after filling.

[0022] To obtain the most complete separation during operations in the various compartments, curtains can be used which can then be hung over the corresponding partitions and end walls at the beginning of the resting or conditioning period after the mass from the previous compartment has been conveyed to the relevant compartment.

[0023] It must be understood that the compartments do not have to be of the same volume. It is noted that during conditioning, for example composting or drying, the volume of material contained in the compartments can be significantly reduced, up to 30-40%. At the same time, the height of the stack of material in the compartment is reduced. In other words, it is possible to limit and reduce the dimensions in the direction of movement while keeping the height of the stack more or less the same between each partition wall, the last partition wall and the end wall. In the final processed material, there may be large-sized material that exceeds the prescribed screen size. In this composting, for example, sizes greater than 10 mm for consumer compost and 18 mm for horticultural compost. In many cases, intermediate sizes, for example 10-40 mm, and oversized materials, for example 40-80 mm, are returned to the start of the process, for example the first compartment, where they are mixed with new untreated material to start the composting process. This is possible because the regenerated material involved is rich in beneficial bacteria and acts as a structural material that increases the breathability of the stack. The scraper moves the top layer of the section to the next section or to the discharge means. It is also conceivable that the scraper is attached to a tilting mechanism so that the scraper acts as a paddle. Such a paddle is filled with material that is moved to the next section by a pulling action in the direction of the scraper's movement.

[0024] In one embodiment of the device, the device is placed under a roof, for example in a hall or shed, which hall is optionally substantially airtight to prevent extreme temperatures and undesirable environmental influences such as precipitation, and also to prevent the device from emitting dust. This latter feature ensures control of the process conditions, including temperature, humidity and gas concentrations occurring during operation, in particular the balance between gas supply and gas release by the air.

[0025] According to a particular aspect of the invention, the device may be characterized by a slope on the front side of each partition and end wall to reduce dust generation during scraping and to ensure substantially complete emptying.

[0026] According to another aspect of the invention, the device may feature a ramp on the rear side of each partition to ensure substantially complete emptying.

[0027] According to another aspect of the invention, the device is characterized in that at the bottom of each compartment there are perforations for the passage of liquids and gases, for example for the evacuation of water and, optionally, for the blowing in of humidified air or for the evacuation of gases.

[0028] In an important aspect of the invention, the device is characterized in that the scraper has a generally concave cross-section with a straight lower portion and a concave upper portion adjacent to the lower portions, generally at an angle of about 90 degrees to 140 degrees, with the straight lower portion being in the bottom region of the silo, the lower portion extending generally parallel to the floor.

[0029] In another aspect of the invention, the device may have a lower tip with a shape suitable for the material to be processed, for example, a length in the scraping direction and / or a straight shape or with sharp or blunt teeth. When the scraper is in its lowest position and its straight part is in the bottom area of ​​the corresponding compartment, the straight lower part of the scraper runs approximately parallel to the floor. The scraper allows the movement of a larger volume of material in one spatula-like movement by making the length of this straight bottom part longer in the direction of movement.

[0030] In a practical embodiment of the invention, the scraper has a side edge provided with a freely rotatable roller to prevent the scraper side edge from coming into rubbing or abrasive contact with the side wall during scraping. Wear-resistant plastic strips may be used in combination with the contoured side wall.

[0031] Similar to the previous embodiment, in order to prevent frictional contact between the scraper tip and the surface of the ramps, the device may be characterized in that a sliding piece is provided on the side edge of each ramp to provide sliding contact between the scraper tip and the sliding piece, and such a sliding piece may also be provided on the upper end of each wall.

[0032] In another embodiment of the invention, a pushing means may be added to the first compartment to move the material deposited in the first compartment in the direction of movement.

[0033] The advantage of a vertically extending push plate or other pressing means is that the scraper does not have to move over its entire length in the direction of movement to empty the first or inlet compartment layer by layer, but only a limited distance is required.

[0034] To prevent undesirable frictional contact between the bottom of the compartment and the scraper, the apparatus may comprise isolation means for keeping the scraper at a predetermined distance, for example a few millimetres, from the bottom of the compartment.

[0035] It is also possible to use a number of self-propelled rollers or sliders attached to the scraper. However, an arrangement in which the isolating means is part of the active pivoting means is preferred. When using such an active pivoting means control, the active pivoting means is activated, for example on the basis of a proximity signal by a mechanical, optical or ultrasonic sensor, in order to maintain at least the defined minimum distance when the predefined minimum distance is reached. In particular, the upper and lower positions of said pivoting arms and the corresponding position of the scraper are determined by a switch or said sensor on the basis of the angular position of the arms.

[0036] In a practical embodiment, a specific control unit of the device is configured to control the movement means and the effective rotation means so that when the scraper is in a raised position beyond the discharge means, it may temporarily place the scraper in a parking position outside the operating position in order to carry out cleaning operations, such as for example spraying with high-pressure water and / or treatment with a disinfectant.

[0037] To prevent damage to the bottom of the compartment and the scraper, the bottom of the compartment of the device may be provided with a top coating of a plastic, such as polyethylene (PE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), etc., to prevent corrosion and / or wear of the bottom.

[0038] In an important embodiment of the device according to the invention, the carriage is equipped with a lifting motor, which when activated may wind up at least one flexible tensioning member, for example a steel cable or a tensile lifting strap. The tensioning member or each of the tensioning members is connected to a support arm, and by activating the lifting motor, the tensioning member pivots the support arm upwards and lifts the scraper to a raised position. After stopping or at least reducing the activation of the lifting motor, the residual lifting force of the lifting motor is reduced so that the scraper can, under the influence of gravity, descend from its raised position and scrape off the top layer from the stack of material, and during the movement of the scraper can automatically follow the surface of the stack in the direction of movement. In order to obtain the desired effective downward load force of the scraper, an additional weight can also be added to the pivoting arm.

[0039] In a particular embodiment of the device according to the invention, the control means is adapted to stack material scraped from the previous section layer by layer within the section, thereby creating a layered stacking pattern.

[0040] In a further embodiment the device is characterized in that the control means is configured to deposit a first material scraped from a previous compartment in the inlet area of ​​the compartment, and then deposit material scraped from the previous compartment to form a partial stack, successively until the previous compartment is completely empty, thereby creating a spatially continuous stacking pattern.

[0041] According to a further aspect of the invention, the means for moving the device may comprise: -carriage, - a guide rail supporting the carriage in a longitudinal direction coinciding with the direction of movement; - A movement motor that moves the carriage longitudinally when energized.

[0042] In order to prevent undesired contact between the support arm and the upper end of the corresponding partition wall, the device may preferably have a sloped portion having a convex longitudinal cross-section, or a sloped portion having a discontinuous generally convex shape with at least two straight portions joining together.

[0043] The invention further relates to the operation of an apparatus (1) for the treatment of a mass (2) of non-cohesive or heterogeneous material (3), e.g. biological material such as biodegradable waste (vegetable, fruit and garden waste), OWF (wet organic fraction of household waste) or shredded biowaste, e.g. for composting, by leaving it to rest for a period of time, otherwise conditioning, mixing and thus homogenizing. This device is a) freely accessible from the outside to supply raw, unprocessed material, e.g. The inlet is a mouth opening (5), and two side walls (6, 7) are parallel to each other. A transversely extending end wall (8) and a trench silo extending along the length of the trench silo from the inlet opening to the end wall. The inlet openings are arranged at predetermined intervals, for example at equal intervals, between the side walls (6, 7). (5), the space divided by the side walls (6, 7) and the end wall (8) is divided into several compartments. The compartments are provided with a plurality of partitions (9a, 9b, 9c) which divide the compartments, in particular the entrance compartment. or a first compartment (10) and a second compartment (14) and a third compartment (15), for example. and an end section or fourth section (16), with at least the intermediate section In the (14, 15) and end sections (16) the material (3) is processed and mixed. At least one trench silo (4) in which the wastewater is mixed and thus homogenized; b) Processed and mixed materials (18) In order to expel A discharge means, such as a conveyor belt (17), which abuts against the end wall (8); c) The material (3) is transferred from the first compartment (10) to all intermediate compartments (14, 15) and through the partitions. Stepwise in the direction of travel (20) through the grooves (9a, 9b, 9c) to the end section (16). and finally discharging the treated and mixed material (18) from the end section (16) to the end wall (8) and continuously depositing the material on the discharge means (17), A moving means configured to result in mixing and homogenization (44, 45, 7 2, 36, 76, 77, 25, 11, 12, 13, 21) and d) extending transversely to the side walls (6, 7) of the trench silo (4) and spaced apart between the side walls A scraper (21) that fits through the gap, The scraper is attached to at least two spaced apart support arms (11, 12, 13). about a pivot axis (22) effected by at least two hinges (43) The moving means (44, 45, 72, 36, 76, 77, 25, 11, 12, 13, 21) is supported so as to be rotatable up and down. The carriage moves the hinge (43) and together with the hinge (43) the support arm. A lift motor (26) that forms a rotation means for rotatably supporting the (11, 12, 13) It is equipped with The carriage (25) is fixed by a driving means (28) having a moving motor (36). The scraper (21) is movable along the fixed horizontal guide rails (44, 45). Each time consecutively, in the direction of movement (20), the vehicle is in the section (10, 14, 15, 16) The thickness of the stack (31) of material (3) to be scraped corresponds to the vertical thickness of the scraper. The top layer (30) at that point is scraped off and fed to the next compartment (14, 15, 16) or to the discharge means. (17) The pivot axis (22) is arranged in the downstream movement direction (20) of the scraper (21). The top layer is peeled off and scraped off each time. The scraper (21) is moved partly by the influence of gravity and partly by the effective pivoting means (26, 4 3, 46, 47, 11, 12, 13) and can rotate in the direction of movement (20). The rotation before scraping is performed by the scraper (21) moving the free surface of the stack (31) of material (3). The rotation is at least partially caused by the effect of gravity so that the surface (35) automatically follows the shape of the surface. a scraper (21) capable of e) Movement means (44, 45, 72, 3) to carry out the following steps in the proper order. 6, 76, 77, 25, 11, 12, 13, 21) and rotating means (26, 43, 4 6, 47, 11, 12, 13) to regulate the operation of the device, e1) Raw or fermented food deposited in the first or inlet compartment (10) The top layer (33) of the material (3) is repeatedly scraped off and passed through the first partition (9a). The pile is moved to the next section or the second section (14) in a predetermined pattern (38, 39) and piled up. and e2) leaving the material in the second compartment (14) for a period of time and optionally A step of treating the material (3), which comprises treating the material with a liquid and / or a gas. and, e3) The material (3) deposited in the second section (14) is similarly scraped off layer by layer, The second compartment is then moved through the second partition (9b) to the next compartment or the third compartment (15) (14) emptying the e4) a redepositing step of redepositing the untreated material (3) from the first compartment (10) into the second compartment (14); e5) during the continued operation of the device (1), the compartments (14, 15, 16) in the previous section ( 10 , 14, 15) to continuously replenish the material (3). and e6) continuously depositing masses (2) of material (3) in the end section (16), said material (3) The mass (2) is discharged over an end wall (8) after a treatment period, e.g., a settling period. transferring the same to a means (17); e7) each time, consecutively, in particular after emptying compartments (14, 15, 16), the direction of movement in a predetermined position in the opposite direction, in particular in the inlet area (7) of the front compartment (10, 14, 15). 8) is the step where the scraper (21) returns to the This return is performed by the moving means (44, 45, 72, 36, 76, 77, 25, 11, 12, 13, 21) Under the influence of the operation of the effective pivoting means (26, 43, 46, 47, 11, 12, 13), The scraper (21) can smoothly return to a predetermined position. a control means having a step of: Equipped with.

[0044] In a particular embodiment of operation according to the above specification, the control means controls the moving means and the effective pivoting means so that the scraper in the inoperative raised position is temporarily placed in a parking position beyond the discharge means and a cleaning operation is carried out, for example with a high-pressure water spray and / or a disinfectant.

[0045] In a further mode of operation of the apparatus according to the invention, the control means controls the moving means and effective pivoting means so that the scraper deposits material scraped from the previous section layer by layer within the section to create a layered stacking pattern.

[0046] In a final mode of operation of the device according to the invention, the control means controls the moving means and the effective rotating means so that the scraper first deposits material scraped from the previous section in the inlet area of ​​the section, then deposits material scraped from the previous section into the partial stack thus formed, and so on until the previous section is completely empty, creating a spatially continuous stacking pattern.

[0047] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings identified below. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0048] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of five elongated trench silos constituting an apparatus arranged under a roof in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, showing the material flows diagrammatically. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal section through a fully filled trench silo, showing the material flow diagrammatically. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section through a trench silo, showing, in schematic form, the layered stack structure applied in this embodiment; [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4, and shows, in a schematic manner, a layered stack structure in the second section, and spatially successive stacking in the third and fourth sections. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective partial view of the moving means and the scraping means. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative to the steel rail shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VIII of FIG. 6, in which the effective scraper position of the scraper is indicated by a solid line and the raised rest position is indicated by a dashed line. [Figure 9A] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating four different types of scraper edges. [Figure 9B] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating four different types of scraper edges. [Figure 9C] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating four different types of scraper edges. [Figure 9D] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating four different types of scraper edges. [Figure 10] FIG. 7 is a side view of the drive part of the device shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 10A] 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged detail of a portion X in FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the scraper moving over the ramp of the partition wall. [Figure 12] 13 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of an alternative inclined portion of the partition wall, which has a twisted shape to prevent contact between the upper end of the partition wall and the pivot arm. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a portion of the perforated bottom of the compartment. [Figure 14] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section through a trench silo corresponding to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, except that in this exemplary embodiment there is no partition wall. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0049] Figures 1, 2, 3 and 6 show an apparatus 1 for treating, e.g. conditioning, mixing and thus homogenizing, for at least a certain period of time, a mass 2 of non-cohesive or heterogeneous material 3, e.g. for composting biodegradable waste, such as vegetable, fruit and garden waste, wet organic fraction (OWF) and / or shredded green waste.

[0050] In this embodiment, the device 1 comprises: a) Five adjacent trench silos 4, each operated separately and controlled by a central control device All are controlled by the same control system, each with a width of 6m, each freely accessible from the outside and It has a straight inlet opening 5 for the raw unprocessed material and two mutually parallel side walls 6, 7 an end wall 8 extending across the side walls; and a lateral wall extending from the inlet opening 5 to the side walls 6, 7. Three partitions equally spaced along the length of the trench silo 4 up to the end wall 8 extending The partition wall includes an inlet opening 5, side walls 6, 7, and a partition wall 9a, 9b, and 9c. and the end wall 8 divides the space enclosed by the inlet section into a number of sections. or a first section 10, a number of intermediate sections, more specifically a second section 14 and a third section 15, and an end section or fourth section 16. In the section 16 the material 3 is processed, mixed and therefore homogenized. Iro 4, b) Discharge the processed and mixed material 18 Meno, Conveyor belt abutting end wall 8 T17, c) the material 3 is transferred from the first compartment 10 through the intermediate compartments 14, 15 to the intermediate walls 9a, 9b, 9c to the end section 16 in the moving direction 20, and finally The treated and mixed material 18 is moved from the end section 16 over the end wall 8 and discharged by the discharge means 1 7, each time continuously depositing the transfer means 44, 45, 72, 36, 76, 77, 2 5, 11, 12, 13, 21, d) extending transversely to the side walls 6, 7 of the trench silo 4 and spaced apart therebetween; A scraper 21 that fits into the The scrapers are carried by means of movement 44, 45, 72, 3 which form part of the carriage 25. Powered by one of 6, 76, 77, 25, 11, 12, 13, 21, The support arm 11, 12, 13 is formed by three hinges 43 spaced apart from each other. The carriage is supported by a pivot shaft 22 so as to be rotatable up and down. 43 is moved to rotatably support the support arms 11, 12, and 13 together with the hinge 43. The lift motor 26 forms a rotation means for The carriage (25) is moved along a fixed horizontal guide rail (4) by a moving motor (36). 4, 45), so that the scraper (21) can move continuously along the moving direction (20) of the material (3) present in the compartments (10, 14, 15, 16) The top layer (30) at that point is scraped, which corresponds to the vertical thickness of the scraper of the layer (31). and move it to the next compartment (14, 15, 16) or to the discharge means (17). It is possible, The pivot shaft (22) is disposed downstream in the direction of movement (20) of the scraper (21). The top layer is peeled off and scraped off each time. The scraper (21) is moved partly by the influence of gravity and partly by the effective pivoting means 26, 43, It can rotate due to the influence of 46, 47, 11, 12, and 13, and scrapes in the moving direction (20). The rotation before the scraper (21) touches the free surface (31) of the stack (3) of material (3). 5) can be made to automatically follow the shape of the object, at least in part, under the influence of gravity. possible, scraper (21), e) Movement means (44, 45, 72, 3) to carry out the following steps in the proper order. 6, 76, 77, 25, 11, 12, 13, 21) and rotating means (26, 43, 4 6, 47, 11, 12, 13) to regulate the operation of the device. e1) Raw or fermented food deposited in the first or inlet compartment (10) By repeatedly scraping off the top layer (33) of the material 3, the next or second section (14) through the first partition (9a) and in a predetermined pattern (38, 39); depositing, Two examples of different possible stacking patterns are shown in FIG. As shown in Figure 5. e2) leaving the material in the second compartment (14) for a predetermined period of time; (3) Processing step, e3) Similarly, the material (3) deposited in the second section (14) is scraped off layer by layer. The next or third compartment (15) is then moved to empty the second compartment (14). Top, e4) Redepositing untreated material (3) from the first compartment (10) into the second compartment (14) a redeposition step; e5) During the continued operation of the device (1), 10 , 14, 15) The feedstock (3) is continuously replenished to the compartments (14, 15, 16) thus emptied. Step e6) The mass (2) of material (3) is continuously deposited in the end section (16), e.g. After a processing period such as placement, the mass (2) of material (3) is moved as shown by arrow 111 in FIG. and moving the liquid over the end wall (8) to a discharge means (17); e7) Empty the scraper (21) every time, in particular the compartments (14, 15, 16) After that, place the previous section (10, 14, 1 5) returning the sample to the entrance region (78), This return is performed by the moving means (44, 45, 72, 36, 76, 77, 25, 11, 12, 13, 21) Under the influence of the operation of the effective pivoting means (26, 43, 46, 47, 11, 12, 13), A return stage that allows the scraper (21) to smoothly return to a predetermined position. Top.

[0051] Alternatively, the open top of the first compartment may serve as a horizontally extending inlet opening instead of a vertically extending inlet opening 5 .

[0052] The partitions between the compartments can be improved by temporarily hanging curtains over the corresponding partition and end walls during the resting period.

[0053] The treated and mixed material 18 is removed and further transported by a discharge conveyor 17 or, in another embodiment, for example, by a discharge car. A temporary excess of treated and mixed material 18 is returned according to arrow 106 to the area of ​​the inlet openings 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e and is deposited again, for example by a car 40, through the inlet openings 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e in the trench silos 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 1, a first or inlet compartment 10 of, for example, a trench silo 4b is freely accessible to vehicles 40 carrying material 3 to be deposited therein and treated.

[0055] Figure 1 further shows that the device 1 is arranged under a roof 82. The roof 82 can be added to the device 1 itself, but instead the device 1 can be arranged, for example, in a hangar. The roof 82 is important to limit the release of undesirable substances and gases into the environment. However, it can also be provided with ventilation means for the removal of water vapour released by the stack of material during the resting period. Meanwhile the operating conditions of the device 1 are only limited or not influenced by external conditions, in particular the weather.

[0056] Figures 3, 4 and 5 show that in this preferred embodiment, a slope 41 is provided in front of each partition wall 9a, 9b, 9c and end wall 8 to prevent the formation of dust during scraping and to ensure that each compartment 10, 14, 15, 16 is as empty as possible.

[0057] Figures 3, 4 and 5 also show that a ramp 42 is provided at the rear of each partition 9a, 9b, 9c to ensure complete emptying of each compartment. It will be apparent that the ramps 41, 42 have the effect of preventing blind spots which may adversely affect the ability of the scraper 21 to completely empty the compartments.

[0058] Above the partition walls 9a, 9b, 9c and the end wall 8 corresponding separating curtains 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d are arranged, which are in a raised position at least during the movement of the carriage 25 and the scraper therewith, which will be described hereinafter, and whereby the carriage 25 can pass over the corresponding curtains 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d. During the stop of the carriage 25 shown in FIG. 3, the curtains can be in a lowered position, whereby they substantially abut at least the upper ends of the partition walls 9a, 9b, 9c and the end wall 8. The double-headed arrow 113 in FIG. 3 indicates that these curtains can move up and down. The curtains are designed to be flexible, for example in the form of flexible plastic sheets or as blind curtains. Corresponding actuators 114a, 114b, 114c, 114d allow the curtains 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d to move up and down, and in this embodiment the curtains are deflected around corresponding diverting rollers 115a, 115b, 115c, 115d.

[0059] It is clear that due to the low operating position of the curtains 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d shown in Figure 3, little or no contamination will occur between the compartments 10, 14, 15, 16. The curtain 112d on the end wall 8 serves to limit as much as possible the emission of unpleasant-smelling gases, for example into compartment 16.

[0060] Figure 6 shows in detail the structure of the carriage 25 which is movable along the guide rails 44, 45. Figure 6 also shows the lowest effective scraping position which is designated by the reference numeral 70 in Figure 8. The arrow 111 corresponds to the movement of the lowest scraping position of the scraper 21.

[0061] 6 shows the shape of the scraper 21. It is made of a thin metal plate and has a typical paddle shape.

[0062] Figure 8 shows that scraper 122 is formed from sheet metal through multiple bending operations into a paddle shape, particularly as seen clearly in Figures 8 and 10. This shape can also be described as generally prismatic in that the scraper has the same cross-sectional shape at each longitudinal position.

[0063] FIG. 13 shows that the bottom 48 of each compartment 14, 15, 16 has a regular pattern of perforations 50 for the passage of liquids and gases, for example for the evacuation of water and the passage of air 51.

[0064] 8 and 10 clearly show that scraper 21 in this embodiment has a generally concave cross-section with straight lower portions 79 and a concave upper portion 52 adjacent thereto, generally at an angle of about 100° to 130°. The lowest straight portions 79, 53, 55, 56 of scraper 21 extend approximately horizontally at their lowest point and are located in the region of base 67.

[0065] Figures 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D show that the tip of the lowest portion 79 of the scraper can conform to the material being processed. Figures 9A and 9B, for example, show a relatively short length portion 53 and a relatively long length portion 54, respectively, while Figures 9C and 9D show a toothed variation, more specifically a portion 55 with sharp teeth and a portion 56 with blunt teeth, respectively. The movement capability of the scraper 21 is determined by its shape, including the length of the straight portion 79.

[0066] The plate-like straight sections 53, 54, 55, 56 are preferably made of wear-resistant steel and each show a row of through holes 108 for receiving the connecting bolts and nuts which cooperate with connecting bolts 109 connecting the associated sections 53, 54, 55, 56 to an otherwise straight bottom portion 110 of the scraper 21 shown in FIG. 8.

[0067] FIG. 11 shows that the side edges 59, 60 of the scraper 21 are provided with freely rotatable rollers 61, 62, which prevent them from coming into rubbing or abrasive contact with the side walls 6, 7 during scraping. It must be understood that the direction of rotation of the freely rotatable rollers does not coincide with the direction of movement of the rollers on the side walls 6, 7 in all circumstances. Strictly speaking, the rollers should be freely rotatable. However, the forces acting are limited and involve only very small movement corrections. In practice, rollers 61, 62 arranged in a fixed position relative to the scraper 21 are sufficient.

[0068] FIG. 11 further shows that in order to prevent frictional contact between the tip 66 of the scraper 21 and the surface of the inclined portion 41, in this embodiment, wear-resistant steel sliding pieces 101, 102 are provided on the side edges 63, 64 of each inclined portion 41 to provide sliding contact between the tip 66 of the scraper 21 and the sliding pieces 101, 102.

[0069] According to a next embodiment, not shown, the device 1 has a pressing means for the accumulated unprocessed material 3 applied to the first compartment for movement in the moving direction 20 into the compartment 20, the pressing means being designed, for example, as an upright pressing plate with an associated drive.

[0070] In some embodiments, not shown, the device also includes: A predetermined distance, for example a few millimeters, from the bottom 67 of the compartments 10, 14, 15, 16 Spacing means for holding the scraper 21 at a distance. In a simple embodiment, said spacing means is A tip 66 of the scraper 21 protrudes a predetermined distance outside the scraper 21. It may also consist of a number of self-propelled rollers or sliders attached to each other. The spacing means is effective in the rotating means 26, 43, 46, 47, 11, 12, and 13. Certain embodiments are preferred.

[0071] The device 1 is suitable for the treatment of the most different types of materials. Many materials, for example materials to be composted in the device 1 or biological materials to be composted, can cause the scraper 21 to become fouled or soiled. In this connection, it is important that the control unit is arranged to control the moving means 44, 45, 72, 36, 76, 77, 25, 11, 12, 13, 21 and the active pivoting means 26, 43, 46, 47, 11, 12, 13, as shown in FIG. 8. This allows the scraper 21 in a raised, inoperative position 71 to be temporarily placed in a parking position 68 beyond the discharge means 17 to carry out cleaning operations, for example treatment with high-pressure water and / or disinfectants. In FIG. 8, the active scraping position 70 of the scraper 21 is shown in solid lines. The raised position 71 is shown in dashed lines. With reference to FIG. 1, attention is focused on the second trench silo 4b, which shows that the carriage 25 is placed beyond the discharge conveyor belt 17. This is the parking position 68 shown in Figure 1. In this position 68, the scraper 21 can be washed, for example with high pressure water, optionally in combination with a disinfectant.

[0072] According to an embodiment of the invention not shown, the bottom 67 of the compartments 10, 14, 15, 16 may be provided with a top coating, such as a plastic coating, for example polyethylene (PE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), etc., to prevent corrosion and / or wear of the bottom 67.

[0073] Figure 8 shows a carriage 25 with lifting means, which will be described later, which is provided to enable the scraper 21 to scrape off the top layer 30 of the stack 31 of material 3 with a constant downward force and transport it to the next section 14, 15, 16 or to the discharge conveyor 17. In solid lines the effective scraping position 70 is shown, while in dashed lines the raised rest position 71 of the support arms 11, 12, 13 and the scraper 21 is shown.

[0074] The carriage 25 carries the lifting motor 26, which when activated winds up two flexible lift straps 46, 47, which engage the crossbar 83 rigidly connecting the support arms 11, 12, 13. From the lifting motor 26, the lifting belt first runs over a freely rotatable diverting roller 85, then around the rotating roller 85, which will be described later, and subsequently returns to the diverting roller 86, before extending downwards to engage the corresponding support arm 11, 12, 13 at a distance of about 50% to 60% of the total length of the support arm relative to the pivot axis 22. The rotating roller 85 is supported by an auxiliary carriage 87, which can be moved back and forth by a longitudinal guide 88, and is held under tension by a spring drum 89 in FIG. 8 and a pretensioned steel cable 90 on the right side.

[0075] 8, the lift motor 26 has little or no power and therefore exerts only limited or no pulling force on the steel cable 90. Under the influence of the pulling force of the steel cable 90, the reversing roller 85 is more or less free to move to the right, while the support arms 11, 12, 13 are in a relatively low effective scraping position 70 in which the scraper 21 can scrape off the upper layer 30 of the stack 31 of materials 3. At the same time, the carriage 25 is moved in the travel direction 20 by the energized activity of the travel motor 36.

[0076] Once the scraping process is finished, the scraper 21 is moved upwards to the rest position 71 shown in Fig. 8. The lifting motor 26 is energized to move the scraper 21 from the scraper operating position 70 to the raised rest position 71. As a result, the lifting belt 47 is wound up, which exerts a leftward force on the diverting roller 85 under the action of the spring drum 89 against the rightward tension of the steel cable 90. Gravity ensures that the support arms 11, 12, 13 initially remain in their lowered position 70 as a result of the weight of the downward force on the support arms 11, 12, 13. The auxiliary carriage 87 is moved to the left until it reaches the stop position indicated by the dashed line 87. At that stage, the subsequent activation of the lifting motor 26, solely for lifting the support arms 11, 12, 13, makes it possible to exert an upward pulling force on the lifting belts 46, 47. These support arms are thus pivoted from the lowered scraping position 70 to the rest position 71. On the one hand, the support arms are held in the horizontal position 71 shown in FIG. 8 by the upward pulling force of the lifting belts 46, 47, and on the other hand, the highest position is determined by the stop support 91. This is the stable raised position 71, or raised rest position 71, in which it is possible to return the carriage 25 to any desired location, for example to place it in the parking position 68 shown in FIG. 1.

[0077] From the above description of Fig. 8, it can be seen that the carriage 25 supports the lift motor 26, which when activated can wind up two lift belts 46, 47, which are connected to the support arms 23, 24, and when activated, the lift motor 27 swings the support arms 11, 12, 13 upwards to lift the scraper 21 to a raised rest position 71. After lifting, or at least after reducing the activation of the lift motor 26, the residual lifting force of the lift motor of the lift motor 26 is reduced so that the scraper 21, under the influence of gravity, falls from its raised rest position 71 and can automatically follow and scrape the current top layer 30 of the stack 31 of materials 3 and the surface 35 of the stack 31 during the movement of the scraper 21 in the direction of movement 20.

[0078] During the scraping process, the diverter roller 85, which is spring-loaded by a spring drum 89, acts as a loop catcher for the lifting belts 46, 47.

[0079] A more detailed description will now be given with reference to Figures 10 and 10A. The carriage 25 is movable in the opposite direction to the travel direction 20 by means of longitudinal guide rails 44, 45. Each of the guide rails 44, 45 has an additional chain connected to it in its end region, which chain cooperates with a drive gear 75 driven by a travel motor 36 carried by the carriage 25. As shown in particular in Figure 10A, at the location of the drive gear 75, the chain 72 is removed from its track by two positioning gears 76, 77 arranged on either side of the drive gear 75. Due to this structure, the chain 72 is stationary with respect to the guide rails 44, 45 outside the area shown in Figure 10A and functions as a flexible rack.

[0080] Based on the above description, it will be apparent how the translation motor 36 moves the carriage 25 along the guide rails 44, 45.

[0081] Figure 10 shows diagrammatically the support rollers 92, 93 connected to the carriage 25 and rotatable on the guide rails 44, 45. The figure also shows the approximate length of the support arms 11, 12, 13, specifically 6 m. The height of the scraper is about 0.7 m.

[0082] Figure 7 shows an alternative for the guide rails 44, 45. In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the concrete side walls 6, 7 have inwardly projecting guide edges 92 with inwardly and downwardly sloping upper surfaces 93 supporting support and drive rollers 94 which in turn support the carriage 25 and are connected via shaft 96 to the translation motor 36 through a bellows sealed CV joint 95 (not shown in this view). The length of the support arms 11, 12, 13 depends on the height of the guide rails 44, 45, which in turn depends on the desired maximum layer thickness to be scraped off. Because the support arms 11, 12, 13 in the lowest position of the scraper 21 have an angular position of approximately 45 degrees, the length of the arms is √2=1.414 times the height of the pivot axis 22 relative to the bottom 67. This pivot axis 22 is located slightly below the height of the guide rails 44, 45.

[0083] FIG. 4 shows a control means, for example, 10 1, 2 and 3. The material 3 scraped layer by layer from sections 14, 15 may be configured to be stacked in sections 14, 15, 16, thereby creating a layered or stratified stacking pattern 38. This stacking pattern 38 is visible in sections 14, 15 and 16, where it is represented in a highly schematic manner.

[0084] 5 shows an alternative, where the control means are arranged to create a spatially continuous stacking pattern 39 arranged to first deposit material scraped from the previous compartments 10, 14, 15 in the inlet area of ​​the compartments 14, 15 and 16, and subsequently deposit material scraped from the previous compartments 10, 14, 15 successively on the partial stack 103 thus obtained, and so on, until the previous compartment is completely empty. This spatially continuous stacking pattern is recognisable in the compartments 15, 16, whilst a layered stacking pattern is recognisable in the compartment 14. The stacking patterns are represented in a highly schematic way.

[0085] It is important to note that with each successive scraping off of the top layer 33 of the stack 31 of material 3 in the section 15, an intensive mixing of the four successively adjacently arranged stacks 103, 104, 105, 106 of material 3 occurs during the transfer to the next section 16. In the end, this is done by loading from the inlet side, i.e. on the left side in the figure, and then depositing the subsequent layers in the adjacent area on the right, and so on. It is clear that the scraper achieves mixing and homogenization in this way. A certain mixing and homogenization also occurs each time the top layer 33 of the stack 31 of material 3 is scraped off from the section 16 and it is continuously fed to the discharge conveyor 17.

[0086] FIG. 12 shows an alternative embodiment of the above-mentioned inclined portion 41. The inclined portion 97 in FIG. 12 is composed of two successive straight portions 98 and 99 each having an angle of about 20-40 degrees away from 180 degrees and therefore has a separate approximate convex shape. When the carriage 25 with a pivot axis (not shown) is moved to the right in the direction of movement 20, in the situation shown in FIG. 12, even in the situation where the scraper 21 is in its lowest possible position, the support arms 11, 12, 13 never come into contact with the upper ends 100 of the associated partition walls 9a, 9b, 9c due to the bending of the inclined portions 98, 99 shown in FIG. 12. For the purpose of illustration, the support arms 11, 12, 13 are shown in two positions, specifically a first position in which the visible support arms are indicated by solid lines and by reference 13, and a second position in which the visible support arms are indicated by dashed lines and by reference 13'. These two positions correspond to the pivot positions along the guide rails 44, 45, respectively indicated at 22 and 22'. Up to a height of about 1.5 m, straight ramps can be used, but above this height preferably a normally convex shape is used, e.g. kinked ramps 98, 99 according to Fig. 12.

[0087] Alternatively, the slope may present a continuous convex shape.

[0088] Depending on the nature and quality of the materials 3 brought in, it is conceivable that the materials may comprise waste, in particular construction materials such as plastic pieces, stones, metal pieces, etc. Such waste may be removed beforehand using methods known as waste disposal.

[0089] When biological material 3 is composted by the device 1 according to the invention for a period of about 20-30 days, the microbial activity in the material 3 can cause a rise in temperature, which can lead to the material 3 heating up during the resting period. As this is undesirable, the core temperature of the current stack 31 of material 3 in the compartments 10, 14, 15, 16 is preferably measured and, if a critical temperature is exceeded, a control system intervenes, scraping off the relevant stack 31 of material 3, which then sets in motion and is cooled in contact with the relatively cool outside air and deposited in a cooled state on the next compartment 14, 15, 16 and on the discharge conveyor 17, respectively.

[0090] In case of emergency, for example in case of overheating due to failure of the electrical control or operation of the device, the partitions 9a, 9b, 9c can be lifted and removed by suitable lifting means by means of lifting eyes 80, 81 as shown in Figure 11. In order to prevent fire, the trench silo 4 may be emptied by a backhoe after removal of the partitions 9a, 9b, 9c and possibly the end walls 8.

[0091] In particular, if the device 1 is used for composting, the partition walls 9a, 9b, 9c and the end walls 8 may be made, for example, from hardwood instead of concrete. Other possible material choices are concrete plywood or steel.

[0092] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the total length of the apparatus 1 is approximately 60 m, as shown in Figure 1. Other relevant dimensions are shown diagrammatically in Figure 4. For example, the length of each compartment 10, 14, 15, 16 is approximately 15 m, the height of the side walls 6, 7 is 5 m, the height of the stack 31 is 4 m, the height of each partition wall 9a, 9b, 9c including the infeed ramp 41 is 3 m, the height of the discharge ramp 42 is 1.5 m and the height of the end walls is 1.5 m. Alternative embodiments may have different dimensions.

[0093] 13 shows a bed 48 with a regular pattern of perforations 50, which allows excess moisture (humidity) to be drained downwards from the resting mass 2 of material 3 and optionally allows humidified air 51 to be blown upwards through the mass 2, whilst allowing the compartments 10, 14, 15, 16 to be almost completely emptied. Bacterial cultures may be added to the blowing air to initiate and maintain a biological conditioning process of the material being treated by the device.

[0094] FIG. 14 shows a trench silo 116 which shows an end wall 8 with an adjacent discharge conveyor 117, but unlike trench silos 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, there is no partition wall.

[0095] The transport vehicle 40, in this embodiment a truck, continuously deposits the material to be processed in the silo 116 each time. The scraper 21 performs a scraping operation under the control of the control means, which causes the top layer of the deposited material stack to move continuously in the direction of the end wall 8. Thus, by way of example, a stack 117 can be formed, which constitutes a continuous stacking pattern 118, shown in a very tentative and schematic manner, for example as shown in FIG. 14, in which the result of the corresponding scraping operation is visible. The stack 117 can be processed after its formation, while a new stack 119 is now formed, since the truck deposits its load in its place. Strictly speaking, a separation is required between the stacks 117 and 119. As shown in FIG. 14, in this embodiment there is almost no overlap of the stacks. The overlapping area, indicated by 120, can be considered as a separation in which the interaction of the materials in the stacks 117 and 119 can be neglected.

[0096] After the scraper 21 has completed processing the material 3 in the stack 117, it scrapes the material layer by layer onto the discharge conveyor 17, as previously described, until the stack 117 of material 3 is completely discharged. Thereafter, material in the completed stack 119 is successively scraped from the then-current top layer down to the corresponding position of the stack 117 in FIG.

[0097] In principle, it is possible to complete the separation 120 by loading the silo 116 at a certain distance from the front end 121 of the stack 117. The disadvantage of this mode of operation is that the silo must be lengthened for this purpose.

[0098] In situations where gas-tight holes are used, inlet means such as cell lock, screw, cyclone, etc. may be used.

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for the homogenization by mixing of a mass (2) of non-sticky or inhomogeneous material (3), comprising: a) a trench silo (4); b) an ejection means; c) a means of transportation (44, 45, 72, 36, 76, 77, 25, 11, 12, 13, 21); d) a scraper (21); e) a control means, a) said trench silo (4) comprises an inlet, freely accessible from the outside, for feeding raw untreated material, two side walls (6, 7) parallel to each other, an end wall (8) extending transversely to said side walls, and a number of partitions (9a, 9b, 9c) distributed between said side walls (6, 7) at predetermined intervals over the length of said trench silo from said inlet to said end walls and dividing the space bounded by said inlet opening (5), said side walls (6, 7) and said end wall (8) into a number of compartments, the plurality of compartments being an inlet or first compartment (10), a plurality of intermediate compartments and an end or fourth compartment (16), the material (3) being adapted to be processed, mixed and thus homogenized at least in the intermediate compartments (14, 15) and the end compartments (16); b) said discharge means being adapted to abut said end wall (8) for discharging treated and mixed material (18); c) said moving means (44, 45, 72, 36, 76, 77, 25, 11, 12, 13, 21) are configured to move said material (3) stepwise in a moving direction (20) from said first section (10) through all said intermediate sections (14, 15) and said partitions (9a, 9b, 9c) to said end section (16) and finally to continuously deposit said treated and mixed material (18) from said end section (16) over said end wall (8) onto said discharge means (17), where mixing and homogenization occurs as a result of the movement of said material, d) the scraper (21) is adapted to extend transversely to the side walls (6, 7) of the trench silo (4) and to fit between the side walls in a spaced relationship; said scraper is supported by one of said moving means (44, 45, 72, 36, 76, 77, 25, 11, 12, 13, 21) which is part of a carriage (25) so as to be pivotable up and down about a pivot axis (22) effected by at least two hinges (43) by at least two spaced apart support arms (11, 12, 13), said carriage comprising a lifting motor (26) which drives said hinges (43) and which together with said hinges (43) form pivoting means for pivotally supporting said support arms (11, 12, 13), said carriage (25) is movable along fixed horizontal guide rails (44, 45) by means of a drive means (28) comprising a movement motor (36) so that said scraper (21) is each time successively capable of scraping off a current uppermost layer (30) of said stack (31) of said material (3) present in a section (10, 14, 15, 16) in said direction of movement (20) corresponding to a vertical thickness of said scraper, and moving it to the next section (14, 15, 16) or to said discharge means (17); The pivot shaft (22) is arranged downstream in the direction of movement (20) of the scraper (21) so that the top layer is scraped off each time, the scraper (21) is pivotable partly under the influence of gravity and partly under the influence of effective pivoting means (26, 43, 46, 47, 11, 12, 13), said pivoting before scraping in said direction of movement (20) being possible at least partly under the influence of gravity such that the scraper (21) automatically follows the shape of the free surface (35) of the stack (31) of material (3), e) said control means is configured to control said moving means (44, 45, 72, 36, 76, 77, 25, 11, 12, 13, 21) and said rotating means (26, 43, 46, 47, 11, 12, 13) to perform the following steps e1) to e7) in the appropriate order to define the operation of said device; Steps e1) to e7) are e1) repeatedly scraping off the top layer (33) of the raw or fermented material (3) deposited in the first or inlet compartment (10) and transferring it in a predetermined pattern (38, 39) through a first partition (9a) into the next compartment or into the second compartment (14) and depositing it therein; e2) a treatment step of said material (3) in said second compartment (14), by leaving said material stationary for a period of time and optionally treating said material with a liquid and / or a gas; e3) similarly scraping off the material (3) deposited in the second compartment (14) layer by layer and transferring it through a second partition (9b) to the next compartment or to the third compartment (15), thereby emptying the second compartment (14); e4) a redepositing step of redepositing the untreated material (3) from said first compartment (10) into said second compartment (14); e5) continuously replenishing the compartments (14, 15, 16) thus emptied with said material (3) from the previous compartments (10, 14, 15) during the continued operation of said device (1); e6) continuously depositing said mass (2) of material (3) in said end section (16) and moving said mass (2) of material (3) over said end wall (8) to said discharge means (17) after a treatment period; e7) returning of the scraper (21) to a predetermined position opposite to the direction of movement, after each time having emptied the compartment (14, 15, 16) in succession, to the inlet area (78) of the previous compartment (10, 14, 15), This return is performed by the moving means (44, 45, 72, 36, 76, 77, 25, 11, 12, 13, 21) in the raised position (71) of the scraper (21), and under the influence of the operation of the effective pivoting means (26, 43, 46, 47, 11, 12, 13), the scraper (21) can be smoothly returned to a predetermined position in the device (1).

2. 2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the partition is formed by partition walls (9a, 9b, 9c).

3. 3. The device (1) according to claim 2, wherein on said partition walls (9a, 9b, 9c) corresponding curtains (112a, 112b, 112c, 112d) are arranged, and at least when the carriage (25) is moving, the carriage (25) can pass through the corresponding curtains (112a, 112b, 112c, 112d) in a raised position, and when the carriage (25) is stopped, the curtains in a lowered position at least substantially abut against the partition walls (9a, 9b, 9c) and the upper ends (100) of the end walls (8).

4. 4. The device (1) according to claim 3, wherein on said end walls (8) corresponding curtains (112a, 112b, 112c, 112d) are arranged.

5. 3. The device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the scraper (21) comprises a concave cross-section having straight lower portions (79) and a concave upper portion (52) adjacent the lower portions at an angle of between 90 degrees and 140 degrees.

6. 3. The device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a pressing means is added to the first compartment (10) to move the material (3) deposited in the first compartment (10) in the moving direction (20).

7. 3. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising as part of said effective pivoting means (26, 43, 46, 47, 11, 12, 13) isolation means for preventing said scraper from coming into contact with the bottom of said compartment.

8. 3. The device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the device is provided with a top coating on the bottom (67) of the compartments (10, 14, 15, 16) to prevent corrosion and / or wear of the bottom (67).

9. the carriage (25) carrying a lift motor (26) which, when activated, is capable of winding up at least one flexible tension member; the or each of the pulling members is coupled to the support arm (23, 24), and by actuating the lift motor (26), the pulling member pivots the support arm (11, 12, 13) upwards and lifts the scraper (21) to a raised position; 3. The device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein after stopping or at least reducing the operation of the lift motor (26), the residual lifting force of the lift motor (26) can be reduced so that the scraper (21) can, under the influence of gravity, descend from its elevated position (71) and scrape off the current top layer (30) from the stack (31) of the material (3), and during the movement of the scraper (21) can automatically follow the free surface (35) of the stack (31) in the direction of movement (20).

10. 10. The device (1) according to claim 9, wherein the tensioning members are steel cables or extensible lifting straps (46, 47).

11. 3. The device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control means is configured to stack the material (3) scraped from the previous section (10, 14, 15) layer by layer in the section (14, 15, 16), thereby creating a layered stacking pattern (38).

12. The moving means is said carriage (25), - said fixed horizontal guide rails (44, 45) supporting said carriage (25) in a longitudinal direction coinciding with said direction of movement; The device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a movement motor (36) which, when energized, moves the carriage (25) in the longitudinal direction.

13. A method of using the device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising: A method of using the device to homogenize a mass (2) of non-adhesive or heterogeneous biological material (3) by leaving it for a certain period of time, conditioning it, or mixing it in order to compost it, The apparatus, a) comprising an inlet opening (5) freely accessible from the outside for supplying raw untreated material, two mutually parallel side walls (6, 7), an end wall (8) extending transversely to said side walls, and a number of partitions (9a, 9b, 9c) distributed between said side walls (6, 7) at predetermined intervals over the length of the trench silo from said inlet opening to said end walls and dividing the space bounded by said inlet opening (5), said side walls (6, 7) and said end wall (8) into a number of compartments, said plurality of compartments being an inlet or first compartment (10), a plurality of intermediate compartments being a second compartment (14) and a third compartment (15), and an end or fourth compartment (16); at least one of said trench silos (4) in which said material (3) is processed, mixed and thus homogenized at least in said intermediate compartments (14, 15) and said end compartments (16); b) a conveyor belt (17) which is a discharge means abutting against said end wall (8) for discharging the treated and mixed material (18); c) moving means (44, 45, 72, 36, 76, 77, 25, 11, 12, 13, 21) configured to move said material (3) stepwise in a moving direction (20) from said first section (10) through all said intermediate sections (14, 15) and said partitions (9a, 9b, 9c) to said end section (16) and finally to continuously deposit said treated and mixed material (18) from said end section (16) over said end wall (8) onto said discharge means (17), where mixing and homogenization occurs as a result of the movement of said material on said discharge means; d) scrapers (21) extending transversely to the side walls (6, 7) of the trench silo (4) and fitting between them at intervals, said scraper is supported by one of said moving means (44, 45, 72, 36, 76, 77, 25, 11, 12, 13, 21) which is part of a carriage (25) so as to be pivotable up and down about a pivot axis (22) effected by at least two hinges (43) by at least two spaced apart support arms (11, 12, 13), said carriage comprising a lifting motor (26) which drives said hinges (43) and which together with said hinges (43) form pivoting means for pivotally supporting said support arms (11, 12, 13), said carriage (25) is movable along fixed horizontal guide rails (44, 45) by means of a drive means (28) comprising a movement motor (36) so that said scraper (21) is each time successively capable of scraping off a current uppermost layer (30) of said stack (31) of said material (3) present in a section (10, 14, 15, 16) in said direction of movement (20) corresponding to a vertical thickness of said scraper, and moving it to the next section (14, 15, 16) or to said discharge means (17); The pivot shaft (22) is arranged downstream in the direction of movement (20) of the scraper (21) so that the top layer is scraped off each time, said scraper (21) being pivotable partly under the influence of gravity and partly under the influence of effective pivoting means (26, 43, 46, 47, 11, 12, 13), said pivoting before scraping in said direction of movement (20) being possible at least partly under the influence of gravity such that said scraper (21) automatically follows the shape of the free surface (35) of said stack (31) of said material (3); e) control means for controlling said moving means (44, 45, 72, 36, 76, 77, 25, 11, 12, 13, 21) and said rotating means (26, 43, 46, 47, 11, 12, 13) to govern the operation of said device so as to carry out the following steps in the proper order: e1) repeatedly scraping off the top layer (33) of the raw or fermented material (3) deposited in the first or inlet compartment (10) and transferring it in a predetermined pattern (38, 39) through a first partition (9a) into the next compartment or into the second compartment (14) and depositing it therein; e2) a treatment step of said material (3) in said second compartment (14), by leaving said material stationary for a period of time and optionally treating said material with a liquid and / or a gas; e3) similarly scraping off the material (3) deposited in the second compartment (14) layer by layer and transferring it through a second partition (9b) to the next compartment or to the third compartment (15), thereby emptying the second compartment (14); e4) a redepositing step of redepositing the untreated material (3) from said first compartment (10) into said second compartment (14); e5) continuously replenishing the compartments (14, 15, 16) thus emptied with said material (3) from the previous compartments (10, 14, 15) during the continued operation of said device (1); e6) continuously depositing said mass (2) of material (3) in said end section (16) and moving said mass (2) of material (3) over said end wall (8) to said discharge means (17) after a treatment period; e7) returning of the scraper (21) to a predetermined position opposite to the direction of movement, after each time having emptied the compartment (14, 15, 16) in succession, to the inlet area (78) of the previous compartment (10, 14, 15), a returning step, the returning being performed by the moving means (44, 45, 72, 36, 76, 77, 25, 11, 12, 13, 21) in the raised position (71) of the scraper (21), and under the effect of the operation of the effective pivoting means (26, 43, 46, 47, 11, 12, 13) the scraper (21) can be smoothly returned to a predetermined position; A method of using a device (1) comprising:

14. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the control means controls the moving means (44, 45, 72, 36, 76, 77, 25, 11, 12, 13) and the effective pivoting means (26, 43, 46, 47, 11, 12, 13) to temporarily place the scraper (21) in a raised, inoperative position (71) in a parking position beyond the discharge means (17) for performing a cleaning operation with high pressure water and / or a disinfectant.

15. 15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the control means controls the moving means (44, 45, 72, 36, 76, 77, 25, 11, 12, 13, 21) and the effective pivoting means (26, 43, 46, 47, 11, 12, 13) so as to stack the material (3) scraped off from the previous section (10, 14, 15) layer by layer in the section (14, 15, 16), thereby creating a layered stacking pattern (38).

16. 15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the control means controls the moving means (44, 45, 72, 36, 76, 77, 25, 11, 12, 13, 21) and the effective rotating means (26, 43, 46, 47, 11, 12, 13) to cause the scraper (21) to deposit the material scraped from the previous compartment (10, 14, 15) first in the inlet area of ​​the compartment (14, 15, 16) and then to deposit the material scraped from the previous compartment (10, 14, 15) to form partial stacks, successively, until the previous compartments are completely empty, thereby creating a spatially sequential stacking pattern (39).

17. 17. The method of any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the control means comprises a controller having software.

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