Patent ID: 8329455
Filing Date: 2012-12-11
Classification: C05F,C12M,C12P,Y02E,Y02P,Y02W

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for decomposition of organic matter into biogas and compost, the apparatus comprising: a waste processing tank into which solid organic waste is loaded and in which hydrolysis and composting takes place at separate times, with composting of the solid organic waste taking place during a separate stage after hydrolysis is completed, wherein the waste processing tank comprises a drain at or near its base, the drain allowing flow of percolation liquid out of the waste processing tank during the hydrolysis stage, the drain also serving as a vent through which air flows into and/or out of the solid organic waste in the waste processing tank during the composting stage; a spraying system configured to spray percolate liquid onto the solid organic waste in the waste processing tank during the hydrolysis stage, wherein the percolate liquid comprises fatty acids leached from the solid organic waste and wherein the percolate liquid is recycled from the base of the waste processing tank during the hydrolysis stage; and a biogas reactor tank into which the percolate liquid from the waste processing tank is pumped for generation of biogas under anaerobic conditions during a gasification stage, wherein the drain comprises a dual-purpose drain assembly for transport of the percolation liquid from the waste processing tank during the hydrolysis stage and for ventilation of the waste processing tank during the composting stage, the drain assembly comprising: