Solid Fuel Ash Earthworm Feed for Waste Valorization

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Solution Overview

Problem

The disposal of ash generated from the combustion of solid fuels, such as those produced from food waste and ocean waste, poses environmental pollution and economic challenges due to the lack of effective disposal methods, and existing technologies do not utilize this ash effectively for producing valuable earthworm castings.

Innovation Solution

The method involves grinding solid fuel ash and mixing it with washed and ground shells and crab shells, along with yellow earth, fermenting the mixture, and feeding it to earthworms to produce high-quality earthworm castings, which can be used as fertilizers and soil amendments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If solid fuel ash is disposed of by landfilling, then disposal cost is incurred and environmental pollution is caused, but no effective utilization method is available

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisposal costVSAvoidenvironmental pollution

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts harmful solid fuel ash waste into beneficial earthworm feed by mixing it with organic matter and shell powder, transforming an environmental pollutant into a valuable resource for producing high-quality earthworm castings that serve as organic fertilizer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of solid fuel ash through grinding to fine powder and mixing with specific ratios of organic matter (60-70 wt%), shell powder (10-20 wt%), and water (20-30 wt%), making it suitable for earthworm consumption and thereby resolving both disposal cost and environmental pollution issues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If conventional feed materials are used for earthworm farming, then production cost increases, but ash utilization is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeed material qualityVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a composite feed material by combining solid fuel ash with organic matter and shell powder in specific proportions, producing a nutrient-rich mixture that maintains high earthworm castings quality while reducing production costs through waste utilization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If solid fuel ash is directly fed to earthworms, then ash utilization is attempted, but feed quality is insufficient without proper processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveash utilizationVSAvoidfeed quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary processing of solid fuel ash by grinding it into fine powder and pre-mixing with organic matter and shell powder before feeding to earthworms, ensuring the feed meets quality requirements and is properly adapted for earthworm consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the particle size parameter of solid fuel ash through grinding and adjusts the moisture content through water addition, transforming the ash into a form with appropriate physical and chemical parameters for high-quality earthworm feed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach addresses the disposal of solid fuel ash in an environmentally friendly and economical manner while producing higher-quality earthworm castings that can be used in various applications, including fertilizers and soil amendments, thereby solving the disposal issues and enhancing resource utilization.

Implementation Method 1

fermenting and maturing the mixture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFermentation: Fermentation

Data Source

PatentUS9215864B2Method of producing earthworm castings using solid fuel ash and earthworm bed for producing earthworm castings

Publication Date: 2015.12.22 KIM HYUNG JU

AI summary

A method of producing earthworm castings by feeding earthworms with feed prepared by mixing solid fuel ash with shells, crab shells and yellow earth and to an earthworm bed for producing earthworm castings, comprises the steps of: grinding solid fuel ash; washing shells and crab shells to remove salt, and then removing 80% or more of water therefrom; grinding the washed shells and crab shells; mixing 60-70 wt % of yellow earth, 20-30 wt % of the solid fuel ash and 10-20 wt % of the ground shells and crab shells; fermenting and maturing the mixture; and feeding the matured mixture to earthworms to allow the earthworms to produce earthworm castings. The earthworm bed (50) comprises: a feeding unit (52) through which feed prepared by mixing solid fuel ash with shells, crab shells and yellow earth is fed; a breeding chamber (51) in which earthworms are bred to produce earthworm castings; and a discharge unit (53) through which the earthworm castings produced in the breeding chamber (51) are discharged. According to the invention, ash from a solid fuel boiler is used as feed for earthworms to produce earthworm castings, whereby problems associated with the disposal of the solid fuel ash are solved in an environmentally friendly and economical manner. The produced earthworm castings are used as fertilizers, solid amendments and the like.