Enzymatic Organic Waste Conversion and Vacuum Distillation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional composting of organic waste is inefficient, energy-intensive, and results in significant carbon and energy loss, with high greenhouse gas emissions and longer processing times, while existing methods for extracting essential oils and aromas are less efficient and more energy-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a complex of selected enzymes in a controlled environment for rapid conversion of organic waste into organic improvers and animal feed, and a vacuum distillation process for efficient extraction of essential oils and aromas, both achieving high quality products with lower energy consumption and reduced emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional composting is used to convert organic waste, then the process can break down organic matter, but it results in significant carbon and energy loss with high greenhouse gas emissions and long processing times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the biological decomposition process (composting) with an enzymatic hydrolysis system. Enzymes are used as catalysts to break down organic matter chemically, which is much faster and more efficient than microbial decomposition. This substitution of biological process with chemical catalysis resolves the contradiction by achieving rapid processing without carbon and energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the conversion process by using controlled enzymatic hydrolysis instead of uncontrolled composting. The process operates at specific temperatures, pH levels, and with defined enzyme compositions, transforming the organic waste conversion from a slow biological process to a controlled chemical process that completes in hours rather than months, eliminating carbon and energy loss.
2Reliability
If traditional composting is used to convert organic waste, then the process can stabilize organic matter, but it requires long processing times and large space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the slow biological stabilization process with rapid enzymatic hydrolysis. The enzymes specifically target and break down organic compounds in a controlled manner, achieving stabilization in 3-8 hours compared to months for composting. This chemical catalysis approach maintains reliability while dramatically reducing processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the stabilization process by changing from biological parameters (microbial activity, temperature control over time) to chemical parameters (enzyme concentration, pH, temperature). This parameter transformation enables rapid stabilization within hours while maintaining product quality and reliability.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional distillation is used to extract essential oils and aromas, then the process can separate volatile compounds, but it consumes high energy and produces lower quality products
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary enzymatic hydrolysis to the plant material before distillation. The enzymes break down cell walls and release volatile compounds, making them more accessible for extraction. This preliminary action significantly improves extraction efficiency and quality while reducing the energy required for subsequent distillation, as the compounds are already liberated from the matrix.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces enzymes as an intermediary substance between the plant material and the distillation process. The enzymes facilitate the release of volatile compounds, acting as a mediator that prepares the material for efficient extraction. This intermediary approach improves both extraction quality and energy efficiency by reducing the thermal load required.
4Quantity of substance
If conventional distillation is used to extract essential oils and aromas, then the process can obtain volatile compounds, but it results in lower quality products with higher thermal degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary enzymatic breakdown before distillation, which prepares the plant material by releasing volatile compounds without subjecting them to high temperatures. This preliminary action ensures that the volatile compounds are already freed and preserved in their original form, preventing thermal degradation and maintaining high product quality while increasing concentration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses enzymes as an intermediary to facilitate compound release without thermal stress. The enzymatic process acts as a gentle mediator that liberates volatile compounds while preserving their chemical integrity, avoiding the thermal degradation that occurs with conventional distillation. This results in higher quality essential oils with maintained concentration and purity.
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 produces high-quality organic improvers and essential oils within 3 to 8 hours, with lower carbon footprint, reduced energy costs, and superior quality, while minimizing environmental impact and processing time.
Implementation Method 1
The method which is the object of this invention consists in the conversion of the nutrients present in the by-products through an aerobic reaction, using a complex of selected enzymes
Implementation Method 2
conversion of the nutrients present in the by-products through an aerobic reaction, using a complex of selected enzymes
Implementation Method 3
a vacuum system-assisted enzymatic approach
Implementation Method 4
using a vacuum system-assisted enzymatic approach
Implementation Method 5
The steam generated enters a condenser inside which a cooled fluid circulates, thus promoting its condensation into a collecting flask
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
This invention relates to a system for the conversion of organic waste and by-products into organic agricultural improvers, manures or fertilisers, and animal feeds, and essential oils. In particular, it relates to a system and technology for the production of organic improvers and/or animal feed meals from organic waste, in a rapid process without composting, namely directed at agricultural application, from plant or animal by-products, of domestic origin, in the primary, industrial and tertiary sectors. Depending on the type of by-product/waste to be treated and the group of enzymes to be used, the same system is also capable of extracting essential oils and aromas. The present invention also discloses the processes intended for obtaining each of the three products obtained with the present system.