Device and method for treating organic and non-organic waste for the production of reusable materials

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for treating waste by means of bacterial digestion, said device being characterised in that it comprises: - a tank (2) having an opening (2a) for introducing waste; - waste inside the tank (2), mixed with bacterial strains and stabilised hydrogen peroxide; - means (3) for heating the tank (2); - means (4) for stirring the waste; - means for discharging the treated waste; - and an air outlet (11) equipped with filters (12) that absorb odours and humidity.

Description

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 lies in the field of waste recovery through bacterial digestion. More specifically, it applies to the treatment of food waste, similar organic waste, and 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] 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. Firstly, the treatments offered 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 a 50% reduction.

[0007] Thirdly, current systems are not always able to effectively 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, their high operating cost, and their need for continuous monitoring to maintain optimal conditions for bacterial digestion.

[0009] Furthermore, although some processes can treat non-organic waste, they fail to transform it into useful materials, such as thermal insulation, 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] To this end, a waste treatment device using bacterial digestion, including aerobic and anaerobic digestion, 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 bi- Guanidine, or any other stabilizing agent, helps to accelerate the bacterial digestion process.

[0015] In practice, an unexpected effect was discovered by stabilizing hydrogen peroxide with peracetic acid. The device thus allows for a reduction of nearly 90% in the weight and volume of waste in a cycle of approximately 10 hours.

[0016] Peracetic acid is not known to stabilize hydrogen peroxide. On the contrary, it is usually made from hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid, and according to those skilled in the art, its presence could even accelerate the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide rather than stabilize it.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] This makes it possible to reintroduce biofood waste and restart a treatment cycle, without needing to reintroduce bacterial strains.

[0020] According to a particular embodiment, and in order to provide a simple and efficient device, particularly for the evacuation of waste, the axis of the stirring means is connected to a geared motor configured to drive the axis in rotation 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 the evacuation of waste.

[0021] According to one particular embodiment, the means of 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.

[0022] In order to ensure that the tank is kept at the correct temperature and to avoid wasting energy, the device includes means of thermal insulation for 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.

[0023] Advantageously, and to increase heating efficiency and promote temperature maintenance inside the tank, the device includes hot air blowing means with heat exchangers positioned downstream of the blowing means to warm 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.

[0024] The invention also relates to a waste treatment process by bacterial digestion, remarkable in that it comprises at least steps consisting of: - introduce 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

[0025] Other features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the description given below, which is by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

[0026] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of the device according to the invention.

[0027] [Fig. 2] is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the device in Figure 1.

[0028] [Fig. 3] is a cross-sectional view of the device in Figure 1.

[0029] [Fig. 4] is a view similar to that of figure 1, with the casings and a side wall masked to illustrate the tank.

[0030] [Fig. 5] is a perspective view of the rear of the device, with masked housings.

[0031] [Fig. 6] is a view similar to that of figure 4, illustrating the heat exchanger associated with the blowing means

[0032] [Fig. 7] is a perspective view of the device, with the housings masked to illustrate the geared motor

[0033] [Fig. 8] is a view similar to that of figure 7, viewed from behind. Detailed description of the invention

[0034] 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 transforming waste 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%.

[0035] The device (1) includes 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.

[0036] 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).

[0037] The heating mats, resistors, and / or the insulated heating blanket are, for example, attached to the tank (2) by springs and hooks to facilitate placement and secure 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, for example, between 20 and 25 mm, so as to leave a bacterial residue after the treated biofood waste has been removed, as will be described below.

[0038] According to an embodiment not shown, the upper opening (2a) can receive a crusher, for example on a hopper, so as to allow the crushing of waste before introduction into the tank (2), in order to reduce the size of the waste, increase its surface area for exchange with bacteria, and homogenize its size to facilitate bacterial digestion.

[0039] 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) to facilitate the removal of the treated waste.

[0040] Thermal insulation materials are positioned under the tank (2), surrounding its semi-cylindrical bottom (2c) to prevent heat loss. These materials include, for example, rock wool, thermal insulation panels, or other equivalent systems (not shown), held in place by curved blades (8).

[0041] During a treatment cycle, waste is stirred hot or cold in the dark and mixed with bacterial strains that digest the waste. To increase digestion efficiency, several different strains are used, which work synergistically.

[0042] When hot mixing is performed, it is carried out at a temperature between 70° and 120°C. This temperature can be stabilized by means of blowing air (9) into the tank (2), for example one or more fans depending on the volume of waste, and heat exchangers (10), see Figure 6, positioned downstream of the blowing means (9) to preheat the air before it enters the tank (2). In the illustrated embodiment, the device includes two fans and two heat exchangers positioned on either side of the tank (2).

[0043] 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.

[0044] The Applicant discovered that injecting stabilized hydrogen peroxide during brewing accelerated the digestion process and made it more efficient.

[0045] 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.

[0046] Stabilized hydrogen peroxide is injected in a quantity of between 10 and 20 ppm regardless of the volume of waste.

[0047] The hydrogen peroxide used can be stabilized with agents such as silver ion salts, silver salt, quaternary ammonium, or biguanidine, in an amount of 10 to 80% to improve the efficiency of bacterial digestion.

[0048] In an advantageous and more efficient method, the hydrogen peroxide used is stabilized with peracetic acid, in an amount of 10 to 80%.

[0049] The tank (2) also includes an air outlet (11) connected to filters (12), such as carbon filters (12), for example made from coconut shells, and / or filters with ceramic beads to absorb odors and moisture, thus ensuring nuisance-free operation. At the end of the treatment cycle, the residual moisture content in the tank (2) should be around 8-10%.

[0050] 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.

[0051] The device (1) may also include pH measurement means for precise, real-time monitoring of processing 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 means for weighing, for example by being equipped with weighing feet, allowing the weight of waste introduced and treated to be measured.

[0052] 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 mixing cycles according to the actual needs of the microorganisms, ensuring optimal waste decomposition and consistent quality of the resulting substrate.

[0053] 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 capabilities and automation, the device (1) offers an advanced and integrated solution for the management and recovery of organic and inorganic waste.

[0054] 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.

[0055] When the treatment cycle is complete, in practice 10 hours, the waste is removed.

[0056] For bio-food waste transformed into compost, since the blades (4b) do not scrape the bottom of the tank (2) and leave a 20-25 mm gap between the blades (4b) and the bottom of the tank (2), a residue of compost remains, and therefore of live bacteria, allowing waste to be reintroduced without This necessitates adding more bacterial strains. In practice, bacteria reproduce by approximately 20 million every 20 minutes.

[0057] 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 the treated waste due to their design. To restart a treatment cycle, it is therefore necessary to reintroduce other bacterial strains into the tank (2).

[0058] The device (1) and the method of the invention allow for the rapid and efficient treatment of waste, transforming organic waste into compost and inorganic waste into a material usable as thermal insulation. It overcomes the limitations of previous 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 the treatment of 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 of heating (3) the tank (2); - means of mixing (4) waste; - means of evacuating 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 axis (4a) of the stirring means (4) is connected to a geared motor (5) configured to drive the axis (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 heat (10) positioned downstream of the blowing means to heat the air before entering the tank (2).

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

8. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the hydrogen peroxide is stabilized with peracetic acid.

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

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