Improved apparatus for treating biodegradable waste

Abstract

Disclosed is an improved apparatus for treating wet waste having a sealing unit 145 The sealing unit 145 includes a first layer 205, a second layer 210 and a third layer 215 for sealing the fluid inside a shell 118. The apparatus 100 includes a heating unit 140 for channelizing hot air inside the shell 118 and an exhaust blower for channelizing the exhaust air outwards. The feeder assembly 300 is provided to inlet wet waste inside the shell 118 uniformly.

Description

[0001] “IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR TREATING BIODEGRADABLE WASTE”

[0002] The present patent application has a reference to an Indian Patent Application No. 1869 / MUM / 2010 filed on 25th June 2010. The present invention is 5 an improvement or modification of the invention claimed in specification for Patent Application No. 1869 / MUM / 2010.ATING BIODEGRADABLE WASTE”

[0003] Field of Invention

[0004] The present invention is related to a waste management apparatus and more particularly relates for recycling wet waste and producing compost.

[0005] Background of Invention:

[0006] Biodegradable waste is a type of waste originating from plant or animal sources. This type of waste may be broken down by living beings such as micro-organisms into water, carbon-dioxide, methane, compost and other simple organic molecules. This is called Biodegradable or solid waste management which has come to be a critical step in minimizing the impact to the environment. Breaking down of these biodegradable wastes lead to reduction in amount of energy needed to dispose off the material in general. On an average, 0.25 kilograms of biodegradable waste is generated per person, per day in urban India. The disposal of this waste has become a huge problem which various governments and people all over the world are trying to combat. The utilization of wet biodegradable waste as compost is a well-known concept. The biodegradable waste gets converted to compost which is further utilized as fertilizer to various crops, for soil enrichment and the like.

[0007] Biodegradable waste digestion is a prolonged process, the Biodegradable waste in open window takes 4-6 months for digestion for 1 cycle of compost to be prepared. So, the wet waste that needs to be digested stays inside the digester for a considerable amount of time. This leads to leaching of the waste material out of the container. This leaching also leads to damage to other outer equipment such as sensors, connecting pipes of the container and also damages the container itself. Further, in large biodegradable waste digester units, the input of waste in to the container becomes a problem as large amounts of waste need to be introduced in through a small input area of the main container. Further, the wet waste digestion process itself consumes a lot of time with reduced results.

[0008] The patent US2004147013A1 discloses a continuous composter into which heterogenous waste is circulated continuously with an agitator inside it. This patent teaches rotation of the composter and the agitator to aerate the waste material. Further, the inner side of the composter includes ribs for even distribution of waste generation. However, this patent fails to teach any kind of heating mechanism to increase the efficiency of waste digestion. Further, this US patent fails to teach a sealing method for preventing leakage and leaching of the waste material added to the composter.

[0009] US2009145188A1 teaches an apparatus and method of odor free composing of mixed pulp in several days. This application includes a hollow rotating shaft with multiple openings inside the apparatus and also includes an auger through which the waste is added into the tank. However, this application fails to teach multiple heating zones inside the apparatus for thermophiles. Further, this application fails to teach negative pressure inside the apparatus.

[0010] Hence there is a need for an apparatus that recycles the wet waste and produces compost in lesser time. There is also a need of the improved apparatus for sealing the wet waste inside the apparatus. There is a need to maintain a uniform temperature to accelerate the process of producing compost.

[0011] Summary of the invention

[0012] An improved apparatus for treating biodegradable waste including a shell; an outlet producing compost from the wet waste including an inlet being positioned on either left or right hand side of the shell on the front end for receiving the wet waste. The inlet being positioned at 45° relative to a front end avoiding blockages of wet waste inside the shell. The inlet receives wet waste and channelizes to a feeder assembly being positioned inside the inlet. The feeder assembly includes a hopper receiving wet waste and connected on the proximal end, a shaft connecting a gearbox from one end and connecting inside the shell from another end.

[0013] The shaft being mounted with the screw plates transferring wet waste inside the shell. The apparatus including a heating unit producing controlled hot air. The heating unit including a first pipe including an air heater connecting with an air blower for channelizing hot air through the first pipe inside the shell. A sealing unit being fastened on a front end and a rear end of the shell. The sealing unit including a first layer positioned in close proximity to the inner flange, a second layer being positioned between a third layer and the first layer for sealing the fluids inside the shell.

[0014] The shell is in negative air pressure ensuring no odor around the shell assembly. The first layer being made from teflon, the second layer being made from rubber gasket and the third layer being made from metal sheet. The temperature inside the shell varies from 450to 65° degrees. The heating unit enhances thermophilic composting process and reduces retention time from 17 days to 15 days. The percentage of air channelized inside the shell 118 and the air exhausted is 10-20 % more than the air inserted in the composting chamber. The heating unit includes a second pipe that is connected with the second reducer from one end and the other end is suspended inside the shell.

[0015] Brief Description of Drawings

[0016] The objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in accordance with the accompanying drawings wherein

[0017] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an improved apparatus for treating biodegradable waste in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 1 A is another isometric view of the improved apparatus for treating biodegradable waste of FIG. 1 ;

[0018] FIG. IB is a perspective view of the improved apparatus for treating biodegradable waste of FIG.1 ;

[0019] FIG. 1C is another perspective view of the improved apparatus for treating biodegradable waste of FIG. 1 ;

[0020] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the improved apparatus for treating biodegradable waste of FIG. IB;

[0021] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the improved apparatus for treating biodegradable waste of FIG. IB; and

[0022] FIG. 4 shows another enlarged view of the improved apparatus for treating biodegradable waste of FIG. IB.

[0023] Detailed Description of the invention

[0024] The invention described herein is explained using specific exemplary details for better understanding. However, the invention disclosed can be worked on by a person skilled in the art without the use of these specific details.

[0025] References in the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that particular feature, structure, characteristic, or function described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

[0026] References in the specification to “preferred embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or function described in detail thereby omitting known constructions and functions for clear description of the present invention.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 1C, an improved apparatus for treating biodegradable waste 100 hereinafter referred as “apparatus” is described. The apparatus 100 is a wet waste digester that receives and digests the wet waste and produces compost. The apparatus 100 is covered through an outer hood 110 that protects from external damage or penetration of foreign bodies. The outer hood 110 is preferably shaped like a rectangle that covers the apparatus 100 from all sides. However, the shape of the outer hood 110 varies in other embodiments of the present invention. The apparatus 100 includes an inlet 105 that is positioned at the front end 106. The apparatus also includes an outlet 115 that dispenses the compost from backend 116. The inlet 105 is positioned from center to left / right side of the to increase utility of the composting chamber and avoid blockages during feeding of waste.

[0028] The apparatus 100 includes a support frame 120 that is dispensed inside the outer hood 110. The support frame 120 covers a shell assembly 125 such that the support frame 120 is disposed between the outer hood 110 and the shell assembly 125. The apparatus 100 includes a roller assembly 130 that is positioned on the support frame 120 at the posterior end. In the present invention, there are two pairs of rollers positioned inside the roller assembly 130. The roller assembly 130 supports the shell assembly 125 and allows the shell assembly 125 to rotate freely around its own axis. The gear box assembly 135 drives bull gear welded to shell assembly 125. Thus, motion of the gear box assembly 135 is transferred to shell assembly 125.

[0029] The shell assembly 125 includes a shell 118, a bull gear (not shown), a front opening 150 and a closing lid 155. The bull gear is placed on the shell assembly 125 that receives the rotary motion from the gearbox 135 and transfers the motion to the shell assembly 125. The shell assembly 125 is connected to the inlet 105 for receiving the wet waste. The shell assembly 125 has an outlet that is attached to the rear end 116 of the shell assembly 125. The apparatus 100 further includes an exhaust blower 138 for channelizing the excess air from the shell assembly 125 into the atmosphere through activated carbon filter / Bio-filter. In accordance with the present invention, the inlet 105 is positioned at angular range of 45° relative to either left or right side of the shell 118 while feeding waste inside the shell 118.

[0030] Now referring to FIG.2 the shell assembly 125 is described. In accordance with the present invention, the shell assembly 125 has a front opening 150 as well as closing lid 155. In accordance with the present invention, the shell assembly 125 is fastened with a sealing unit 145. The sealing unit 145 is positioned on the front end and the back end of the shell assembly 125. The sealing unit 145 is fastened to the inner flange 204 of the shell assembly 125. The sealing unit 145 includes a first layer 205, a second layer 210 and a third layer 215. In accordance with the present invention, the layers are circular in shape and have circumference slightly greater than that of the inner flange 204. However, the circumference may vary as per the user requirement in other embodiments of the present invention.

[0031] The first layer 205 is crafted up of Teflon however, the material may vary in other embodiments of the present invention. The second layer 210 is crafted up of rubber gasket however, the material may vary in other embodiments of the present invention. The third layer 215 is crafted up of metal flange however, the material may vary in other embodiments of the present invention. The layers 205,210 and 215 are sealed together and are fastened to the inner flange 204 to prevent the leakage from the shell assembly 125. Similarly, the sealing unit 145 is placed on the rear end on the shell assembly 125 to avoid unnecessary leakage from the closing lid 155.

[0032] Referring to FIGS.3 and IB the heating unit 140 is described hereinafter. The apparatus 100 includes a heating unit 140 that is position on the support frame 120 The heating unit 140 is positioned in close proximity to the closing lid 155. The heating unit 140 includes a first pipe 305, an air heater 310, air blower 315, a heater flange 330, a first reducer 325, a second reducer 330, a second pipe 335. The air blower 315 is connected to the first reducer 325 through a flange (not shown). The first reducer 325 is connected with the flange heater 320 through an elbow joint. The flange heater 320 connects with the heating pipe 305.

[0033] The air heater 310 is positioned inside the first pipe 305. Accordingly, the other end of the first pipe 305 is connected with the second reducer 330. The second pipe 335 is connected with the second reducer 330 from one end and the other end is suspended inside the shell 118. The air blower 315 sucks the air from surrounding and passes it through the heater 310. The heater 310 heats the air upto 75-900C and then channelizes the hot air through the pipe 335 inside the shell 118. In accordance with the present invention, the heating unit 140 enhances the biological process of composting to enhance thermophilic composting process and reduces retention time from 17 days to 15 days. The second pipe 335 is shaped like an inverted English character ‘U’ through plurality of elbow joints and passes inside the shell 118.

[0034] In context of the present invention, the hot air is generated through the blower 315 of the heating unit 140 and the exhaust blower 138 channelizes the exhaust air. In accordance with the present invention, the velocity of the hot air generated is lower than the air exhausted from the exhaust blower 138. The ratio of the inlet air and the exhaust air enables the apparatus 100 to accelerate the composting process and generate compost. In accordance with the present invention, the percentage of air channelized inside the shell 118 and the air exhausted is 10-20 %. more than the air inserted in the composting chamber. The ratio of the inlet air and the exhaust air maintains a steady oxygen supply inside the shell 118 and reduces the foul smell produced from the compost.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 4, the feeder assembly is described hereinafter. The apparatus 100 includes a feeder assembly 400. The feeder assembly 400 is positioned inside the inlet 105. The feeder assembly 400 is connected to the front opening 150 from one end and is connected with a feeder gearbox 430 from another end. The feeder assembly 400 includes feeder outer hood 405, a hopper 410, a shaft 415, a screw 420, and a motor 435. The shaft 415 connects with the gearbox 430 from one end and to the front opening 150 from another end.

[0036] The screw 420 is positioned inside the outer hood 405 at one end and connected around the shaft 415 by another end. The motor 435 is connected with the feeder gearbox 430 for driving the shaft 415.The motor rotates the screw mounted on the shaft 415 to transfer the wet waste inside the shell 118. The wet waste is received in the hopper 410 and then transferred on the screw 420 that transfers the wet waste inside the shell 118. In accordance with the present invention, the feeder assembly 400 may be removed in other embodiments of the present invention and the inlet 105 will be directly connected inside the shell 118 for channelizing wet waste inside the shell assembly 125.

[0037] Now referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 an operational cycle of the improved apparatus for treating biodegradable waste 100 is described. In operation, the wet waste is received inside the hopper 410 and is transferred through the feeder assembly 400 inside the shell 118. The shell assembly 125 is rotated through the roller assembly 130. The heating unit 140 supplies hot air inside the shell 118 and simultaneously the air is exhausted from the shell 118 to maintain predefined temperature, steady oxygen level and eliminate foul smell inside the shell 118. The sealing unit 145 ensures that the compost prepared inside the shell 118 does not spill out of the shell 118. Further, the prepared compost is channelized from the outlet 115.

[0038] The foregoing description of specific embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others, skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An improved apparatus for treating biodegradable waste 100 including a shell 118; an outlet 115 characterized in that said apparatus 100 producing compost from the wet waste comprising: an inlet 105 being positioned on either left or right hand side of the shell 118 on the front end 106 for receiving the wet waste, the inlet 105 being positioned at 45° relative to a front end 150 avoiding blockages of wet waste inside the shell 118; the inlet 105 receiving wet waste and channelizing to a feeder assembly 300 being positioned inside the inlet 105; the feeder assembly 400 including a hopper 410 receiving wet waste and connected on the proximal end, a shaft 415 connecting a gearbox 430 from one end and connecting inside the shell 118 from another end; the shaft 415 being mounted with the screw plates 420 transferring wet waste inside the shell 118; the apparatus 100 including a heating unit 140 producing controlled hot air, the heating unit 140 including a first pipe 305 including an air heater 310 connecting with an air blower 315 for channelizing hot air through the first pipe 305 inside the shell 118; and a sealing unit 145 being fastened on a front end 150 and a rear end 116 of the shell 118; the sealing unit 145 including a first layer 205 positioned in close proximity to the inner flange 204, a second layer 210 being positioned between a third layer 215 and the first layer 205 for sealing the fluids inside the shell 118.

2. The improved apparatus for treating biodegradable waste 100 as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the shell 118 is in negative air pressure ensuring no odor around the shell assembly 125.

3. The improved apparatus for treating biodegradable waste 100 as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the first layer 205 being made from teflon, the second layer 210 being made from rubber gasket and the third layer 215 being made from metal sheet.

4. The improved apparatus for treating biodegradable waste 100 as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the temperature inside the shell 118 varies from 450to 65° degrees.

5. The improved apparatus for treating biodegradable waste 100 as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the heating unit 140 enhancing thermophilic composting process and reduces retention time from 17 days to 15 days.

6. The improved apparatus for treating biodegradable waste 100 as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the percentage of air channelized inside the shell 118 and the air exhausted is 10-20 %.

7. The improved apparatus for treating biodegradable waste 100 as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the heating unit 140 includes a second pipe 335 that is connected with the second reducer 330 from one end and the other end is suspended inside the shell 118.

Images