Enclosed Auger Manure Sanitization With Heat and Ammonia Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manure sanitization technologies require significant space and energy, are inefficient, and pose risks due to open systems and high moisture content, while failing to effectively kill bacteria and manage ammonia by-products.
Innovation Solution
A compact, enclosed system using alternating augers to efficiently heat and dry manure within tubes, reducing space and power requirements, while achieving higher temperatures to kill bacteria and manage ammonia through venting and optional by-product capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If open channel heating with ultraviolet light is used, then sanitization can be achieved, but massive space requirements and high electrical power consumption occur
Solution Approach 1:
The augers are enclosed inside heated tubes, creating a nested configuration where the heating elements are contained within the auger structure. This allows the sanitization function to be integrated into the transport mechanism, eliminating the need for separate open channels and reducing space requirements while maintaining sanitization effectiveness through direct contact heating
Solution Approach 2:
The transport function (augers) and heating/sanitization function are merged into a single integrated system. The augers serve dual purposes: moving the manure through the system and simultaneously being heated to sanitize the material. This combination eliminates the need for separate open channels and reduces both space and energy requirements
2Reliability
If open channel heating is used, then sanitization can be achieved, but the process is slow and space-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosed tube design with internal heating elements allows for concentrated heat application directly to the manure as it passes through the augers. This nested configuration enables rapid heating and sanitization in a compact space, reducing processing time from hours (open channel) to minutes while maintaining effective bacterial destruction
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves higher temperatures more quickly by concentrating heating power within the enclosed tubes. The temperature parameter is increased and maintained at levels sufficient for rapid bacterial destruction, while the time parameter is reduced due to the efficient heat transfer in the enclosed configuration
3Ease of operation
If wet manure is transported, then material can be moved, but energy efficiency decreases and contamination risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary drying and sanitization during the transport process itself. As the augers move the wet manure through the heated enclosed tubes, moisture is evaporated and bacteria are killed simultaneously with transport. This preliminary action eliminates the need for separate drying and sanitization steps, improving energy efficiency
4Productivity
If higher temperatures are used to kill bacteria faster, then throughput increases, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosed tube design with internal heating elements creates a highly efficient heat retention system. Heat is generated within the nested tubes and retained by the enclosed configuration, minimizing energy loss to the environment. This allows higher temperatures to be maintained with less energy input, enabling increased throughput without proportional increases in energy consumption
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves rapid sterilization of manure with reduced space and energy consumption, producing sterile material suitable for reuse as bedding or compost, and effectively manages ammonia, enhancing safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Heat is applied to these augers in a more efficient manner by the nature of the compact configuration and enclosed tubes
Implementation Method 2
The enclosed tubes also serve the additional purpose of preventing the product from smoldering or catching fire due to the lack of oxygen inside the tube
Implementation Method 3
The tubes can be vented so the ammonia produced from the heating process can be siphoned off for further treatment and odor control
Data Source
AI summary
A device which facilitates the sanitation of manure and similar materials in an improved way. The device moves the subject material through a series of augers. As the material moves though the augers in series, the material is subject to high heat from continuous heating elements along each auger. The augers are arranged in one or more layers with each individual auger of a layer moving material through itself and transferring to the next auger in the series until the material has moved through the device. The machine provides for improved sanitization efficiency and efficacy due to the manner in which heat and friction are applied. Byproducts may be harnessed or released as desired.