Air-Permeable Conveyor Belt Drying for Swine Lagoon Sludge
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Solution Overview
Problem
The animal agricultural industry faces challenges in effectively managing and utilizing animal waste, particularly in concentrated animal feeding operations, due to inefficiencies in converting waste into usable energy and the environmental concerns associated with high water content in stored lagoon solids.
Innovation Solution
A waste drying system utilizing a trough, air-permeable conveyor belts, and air moving devices to reduce the moisture content of animal waste from 50% to 95% to 5% to 20%, allowing for the production of a dried solid fuel/fertilizer with low energy input, using extrusion and drying belt technologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional drying methods are used to reduce moisture content of animal waste, then the waste can be converted into usable fuel/fertilizer, but the energy consumption becomes excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pneumatic principles by using air moving devices to force air through the porous conveyor belt, creating a fluid flow system that enables convective drying. This pneumatic approach replaces conventional high-energy thermal drying methods, significantly reducing energy consumption while effectively removing moisture from animal waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes a porous conveyor belt as a critical component that allows air permeation while supporting the waste material. This porous structure enables efficient moisture removal through the belt, facilitating low-energy drying by maximizing surface area exposure to the moving air stream without requiring excessive heating energy.
2Ease of operation
If animal waste is stored with high water content, then storage and handling are simpler, but crusting problems occur and environmental regulations are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the moisture content parameter of the animal waste from high (50-95%) to low (5-20%) through the drying process. This parameter transformation eliminates crusting issues and environmental compliance problems while maintaining operational simplicity through continuous processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous drying action through the conveyor belt system that continuously moves waste through the drying zone. This continuous process prevents crusting by constantly exposing fresh surfaces to air flow, while maintaining simple operation through automated continuous processing rather than batch handling.
3Power
If anaerobic digestion is used to convert swine waste into energy, then methane production occurs, but the pathway is insufficient to meet renewable energy targets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the waste management approach by separating moisture removal from energy conversion processes. The drying system prepares waste at optimal moisture content (5-20%) for subsequent energy conversion, enabling more efficient and scalable energy production that can meet renewable energy targets beyond what anaerobic digestion alone can achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary drying action before energy conversion, reducing waste moisture content to optimal levels. This preliminary preparation enhances the efficiency and productivity of subsequent energy conversion processes, enabling the system to meet renewable energy portfolio standards that anaerobic digestion alone cannot achieve.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If lagoon solids are stored for extended periods, then waste management flexibility increases, but water retention and crusting problems worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter change by transforming the moisture content of lagoon solids from high retention states to low moisture content (5-20%) through drying. This parameter transformation allows for extended storage duration without water retention or crusting issues, while maintaining waste management flexibility through continuous processing capability.
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 efficiently converts high-moisture animal waste into a dried, transportable, and usable product, reducing energy consumption and environmental impact while addressing the crusting issues associated with stored lagoon solids.
Implementation Method 1
one or more air moving devices (AMDs) configured to force air through the air-permeable conveyor belt and across the waste product as the waste product is transported
Implementation Method 2
pass air through the air-permeable conveyor belt and across the waste product... reducing the moisture content of animal waste from 50% to 95% to 5% to 20%
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and methods for drying a bulk waste product, such as animal waste, having a moisture content of 95% or more water can include a trough configured to receive the bulk waste product and to dispense it in a form suitable for convective drying, one or more conveyors having an air-permeable conveyor belt, each conveyor receiving the waste product from the trough and transporting the waste product along a transport path; and one or more air moving devices (AMDs) that pass air through the air-permeable conveyor belt and across the waste product as it is transported along the transport path to transform the bulk waste product into a dried waste product having a moisture content of about 5% to about 20%, inclusive.