Device for conversion of waste to sources of energy or fertilizer and a method thereof

The present invention provides a compact device (that may be installed onto a mobile or stationary platform) for conversion of waste to sources of energy or fertilizer. The device includes multiple stages for efficient conversation and processing of waste into energy or fertilizer, including a first stage for reducing a size of received waste, a second stage for compressing the reduced sized waste into partially dehydrated waste, a third stage for grinding and further compression of received waste from second stage to pulverize the constituent parts into highly dense substantially dehydrated pellets or fertilizers, with a fourth stage for further drying of the received pellets or fertilizers and a final fifth stage for cooling the received pellets or fertilizers into highly dense pellets. The device of the present invention further includes a controller for controlling each operational stage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a system for conversion of waste to sources of energy or fertilizer and, more particularly, to a compact device and process for conversion of waste to sources of energy and fertilizer.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventional processing schemes for conversion of waste products are well known and have been in use for a number of years. Regrettably, most suffer from obvious disadvantages in that they are very costly, inefficient, complex and fairly large systems that require a dedicated large facility for operation. Further, most are for recovery of salvageable components (e.g., sorting glass, metal, etc. from a salvageable component such as car) rather than recycling of waste to different sources of energy. Others are for recovery or conversion of specific types of waste such as wood products only.

Accordingly, in light of the current state of the art and the drawbacks to current waste conversion systems mentioned above, a need exists for a low cost, on-site, efficient, and compact (stationary or mobile) system for continuous (non-batch operation) conversion of waste to different sources of energy or fertilizer.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One non-limiting, exemplary aspect of the present invention provides a compact device (that may be installed onto a mobile or stationary platform) for conversion of waste to sources of energy or fertilizer. The device includes multiple stages for efficient conversation and processing of waste into energy or fertilizer, including a first stage for reducing a size of received waste, a second stage for compressing the reduced sized waste into partially dehydrated waste, a third stage for grinding and further compression of received waste from second stage to pulverize the constituent parts into highly dense substantially dehydrated pellets or fertilizer, with a fourth stage for further drying of the received pellets or fertilizer and a final fifth stage for cooling the received pellets or fertilizers into highly dense materials. The device of the present invention further includes a controller for controlling each operational stage.

Such stated advantages of the invention are only examples and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of preferred non-limiting exemplary embodiments, taken together with the drawings and the claims that follow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and or utilized.

The present invention provides waste conversion system that may be installed on-site, is efficient, and compact (may be stationary or mobile) system for continuous (non-batch operational) conversion of waste to different sources of energy or fertilizer. The present invention is efficient in that the device consumes or requires much less power to generate fertilizer or pellets. The processing of the waste is also accomplished efficiently in that the time to convert waste to pellets or fertilizer is much shorter (about 15 minutes) due to the fact that the process of conversion is continuous. In other words, unlike the conventional systems, with the present invention, there is no need to convert a first batch of waste prior to commencing conversion on a second batch, but the entire waste conversion may be done continuously. With conventional systems, once a conversion process commences, users must have to wait for a long period of time until the process is completed, and then start a new batch. Further, with the present invention, the entire system is so compact that it may be installed on-site or on mobile platforms. The mobile systems may be placed on utility waste collection vehicle wherein as the waste is collected, the waste is continuously processed by the present invention, continuously generating pellets or shredded pulverized product (e.g., fertilizer).

FIG. 1Ais a non-limiting, exemplary illustration of a device for conversion of waste to sources of energy or fertilizer in accordance with the present invention installed onto a non-limiting, exemplary mobile platform, andFIG. 1Bis a non-limiting exemplary top view illustration of a first stage hopper, showing a portion of a shredder in accordance with the present invention. As illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1B, the present invention provides a waste to energy (or fertilizer) conversion device100that may be used with a mobile platform102or a platform that is stationary (installed within a restaurant or other establishments) to convert waste into various forms of usable energy (or fertilizer). Non-limiting example of a mobile platform102may be conventional utility waste collection vehicle such as garbage ship, boat, truck, or other mobile vehicles that includes the device100secured thereon as illustrated. In the non-limiting example of a garbage truck, the device100may be installed onto a truck bed, enabling trash or other waste to be dropped through a receiving member104(in the form of a hopper) of device100for further processing. The finally processed waste is then moved from the device100via a conveyer system106, and is dumped into a conventional collection bin of the vehicle.

FIG. 2is non-limiting, exemplary schematic of a general system overview illustration of device100ofFIGS. 1A and 1Bin accordance with the present invention. As illustrated, device100is comprised of a receiving member104in the form of a feed mechanism such as a hopper for receiving waste. The hopper104has an ingress cross-sectional opening for receiving the waste, and an egress cross-sectional opening that enables a part of a first mechanism of a first stage (detailed below) to extend out from the egress cross-sectional opening of the hopper104(shown inFIG. 1B). The ingress cross-sectional opening of the hopper104is wider than the egress cross-sectional opening thereof. The waste is simply dumped into the device100via the non-limiting exemplary hopper104for further processing. The dumping of waste may be accomplished by a variety of means, non-limiting examples of which may include by individuals (for stationary devices located within restaurants for example) or alternatively, by a conventional mechanical arm108of the utility waste collection vehicle102that is adapted to lift trash bins.

As further illustrated inFIG. 2, the device100of the present invention is comprised of multiple stages that process incoming waste, including a first stage202that has a first module204for reducing a size of the received waste via the hopper104into smaller constituent parts. Further included is a second stage206that includes a second module208that comprises a second mechanism210for application of a compressive force for pressing and extraction of liquid from smaller constituent parts, generating partially dehydrated smaller constituent parts (that are about 40% dry), with the extracted liquid drawn out by a vacuum pump216via vacuum pump tubes260, filtered for removal of solids, and stored as a first source of energy (which may be used to create methane) within a storage module214.

As further illustrated in the systems overview inFIG. 2, the device100of the present invention is further comprised of a third stage218that includes a third module220that receives the partially dehydrated, compressed smaller constituent parts, and includes a third mechanism222for further compression, grinding, and application of heat (e.g., in the form of high speed heated air via a heat pump226) to pulverize the constituent parts into highly dense substantially dehydrated pellets224. It should be noted that at this stage, heat is also generated due to the immense pressure from the compression of the dry waste particles. That is, the compression force of the dry waste particles also generates heat. In general, the temperature at this third stage218is above 150° F., which is sufficient to kill most bacteria. The third stage218is a slower process in that it requires sufficient time to allow the substantially dehydrated waste particles to dry. The highly dense substantially dehydrated pellets224exiting this stage are about 60% or more dry.

As further illustrated inFIG. 2, the device100also includes a fourth stage228that includes a fourth module230that receives the highly dense substantially dehydrated pellets, and includes a fourth mechanism232that further dry the pellets224. In general, the temperature within the fourth stage228is above 150° F., and it will take about 7 minutes for a single pellet224to move from a first distal end of the fourth stage228to the second distal end (exiting side) thereof. Temperature and speed of transportation may be varied and should not be limiting.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the device100further includes a fifth stage234that includes a fifth module236that receives the substantially dried, heated pellets, and includes a fifth mechanism238for cooling the heated pellets224, which increase the pellet density. In general, it will take about 3 minutes for a single pellet to move from a first distal end to the second distal end (exiting side) of the fifth stage234, with the both the speed and temperature varied commensurate with various requirements. As further illustrated inFIG. 2, the device100also includes a controller240that is coupled with various stages via control lines254for controlling each operational stage. The device100includes the storage module214that has a container242within which is included a heating element244to substantially eliminate order and bacteria, and an agitator246that continuously mixes the liquid for even distribution of heat. As illustrated, the agitator246is comprised of a motor248, a shaft250coupled with the motor248, and a set of rotator blades (paddles or propellers)252coupled with the shaft250that rotate to mix the stored liquid.

FIG. 3is a non-limiting, exemplary flowchart that provides a general overview of the overall systems level operation of the device100in accordance with the present invention. The device100is ready for operation (indicated as the operational functional act300), and includes various well-known sensors (e.g., pressure, temperature, motion, etc.) and switches that enable the proper and efficient operation of the various stages at appropriate times. For example, the device100includes well-known sensors associated with the receiving member (e.g., the hopper104) that may detect the presents of waste, and report a detected waste signal to the controller240. At the operational functional act302, if the controller240determines that waste is present in the hopper104(shown inFIGS. 1A to 2), the controller240transmits an activation signal to the first stage202, activating the first module204at the operational functional act304for reducing the size of the received waste (via the hopper104) into smaller constituent parts. The controller240also activates the pump216and storage module214upon activation of the first module204to vacuum residual waste liquid and store inside the storage module214. On the other hand, if at the operational functional act302the controller240determines (via detected signals from the hopper104sensors) that waste is not present in the hopper104, the controller240may simply deactivate the first stage202operations at the operational functional act306, and wait for detected waste signal from the hopper waste sensors. The pump216, the storage module214, and other stages may continue to be active, depending on the detected presence or absence of waste in other stages. For example, no waste may be detected in the hopper104, but the second and the remaining subsequent stages may have waste that is being processed, which enables non-batch, continuous processing of waste by device100.

As further illustrated inFIG. 3, at the operational functional act308the controller240determines if the second mechanism210of the second stage206is full to a predetermined capacity. If the controller240determines that the second mechanism210is full, the controller240deactivates the first stage202, and activates the second mechanism210for application of a compressive force for pressing and extraction of liquid from smaller constituent parts, generating partially dehydrated smaller constituent parts, with the extracted liquid drawn out by the active vacuum pump214via vacuum pump tubes260, and stored in the storage module214. On the other hand, if the controller240determines that the second mechanism210is not full to capacity, second mechanism210will remain deactivated, while the first stage mechanism204may or may not be active, depending on the sensed waste inside the hopper104. If the controller240determines at the operational functional act308that the second mechanism210is full to the predetermined capacity, the controller240deactivates the first mechanism204at operational functional act310and activates the remaining stages at operational functional act312for (and at) an appropriate time in accordance with a predetermined scheme for an efficient operation of the various stages. It should be noted that additional logic and timing schemes may be used for a more efficient operation of the device100. For example, each stage may have its own set of timers/sensors for a finer, more granulated coordination (or “hand-shake”) between stages. As an example, during the operation of the device100, the first and second stages202and206may be empty (have no waste to be processed) while other stages may have remaining waste that is being processed. For example, the utility waste collection vehicle102may be on the move from a recent collection of trash, where first and second stages202and206have already processed the waste, but the remaining stages are functioning to process the remaining waste into energy or fertilizer. Accordingly, additional set of timers/sensors may be included for a finer, more granulated coordination (or “hand-shake”) between stages for a more efficient operation of device100.

FIG. 4A to 4Gare non-limiting, exemplary illustrations of a first module of a first stage of the device illustrated inFIGS. 1A to 3in accordance with the present invention. As illustrated inFIGS. 1A to 4G, after waste enters the receiving member104, it is processed by the first stage202that includes a first module204for reducing a size of the received waste into smaller constituent parts. The first module204of the first stage202includes a shredder mechanism402that masticates, chops, shreds, and grinds waste into smaller constituent parts. The shredder mechanism402is comprised of a shredder assembly404, a first motor M1, and a drain (best illustrated inFIG. 2) for removal of liquid from shredder assembly404, with the drain coupled to a vacuum pump line260. The extracted liquid is drawn out via vacuum pump216, filtered for removal of solids, and stored as a first source of energy in the storage module214via a pump exit line264, which may later be used to create methane.

The shredder assembly404includes a shredder housing406that accommodates a dual or twin shaft shredder408with a dual shaft transmission/gear system410. The dual shaft shredder408is comprised of first and second shredder shaft assembly412A and412B that are associated with the shredder housing406. The first shredder shaft assembly412A includes a first shredder shaft414A that has a first polygonal cross-section416A with a first axial length418A that further includes a first drive-shaft end422A and a first bearing-shaft end424A. The first shredder shaft assembly412A also includes a first set of shredder plates420A that are substantially equally spaced, juxtaposed adjacent one another, mounted onto, and aligned along the first axial length418A of the first shredder shaft414A. The first drive-shaft end422A includes a first gear assembly426A coupled with a second gear assembly426B with one of the first or second gear assemblies426A and426B coupled with a drive shaft262of the first motor M1, wherein when the drive shaft262of the motor M1rotates a motor gear assembly coupled therewith, both the first and second shredder shaft assembly412A and412B rotate, with the first gear assembly426A rotating clockwise and the second gear assembly426B rotating counterclockwise so that an upper section of rotation of both the first and second gear assemble426A and426B are towards one another.

As further illustrated inFIGS. 4A to 4G, the shredder assembly404further includes the second shredder shaft assembly412B that has a second shredder shaft414B that has a second polygonal cross-section416B with a second axial length418B that further includes a second drive-shaft end422B and a second bearing-shaft end424B. The second shredder shaft assembly412B further includes a second set of shredder plates420B that are substantially equally spaced, juxtaposed adjacent one another, mounted onto and aligned along the second axial length418B of the second shredder shaft414B. The second drive-shaft end422B includes the second gear assembly426B coupled with the first gear assembly426A, with one of the first or second gear assembly426A and426B coupled with a drive shaft262of the motor M1.

The first and second shredder shafts414A/B are positioned within the shredder housing406and juxtaposed adjacent one another longitudinally along their respective first and second axial lengths418A/B with the first and second drive-shaft end424A/B of the first and second shredder shafts414A/B associated with a first wall of the shredder housing406, and the first and second bearing-shaft end422A/B of the first and second shredder shaft414A/B associated with a second wall of the shredder housing406, with the first and second walls of the shredder housing406oriented transverse a longitudinal axis418A/B of the first and second shredder shafts414A/B. As illustrated, the first set of shredder plates420A encroach a second set of void spaces432B of the second shredder shaft assembly412B, and the second set of shredder plates420B encroach a first set of void spaces432A of the first shredder shaft assembly412A.

As best illustrated inFIGS. 4D to 4G, the shredder plates420A/B have a pivot axis that is normal to a radial plane of the shredder plates420A/B. The shredder plates420A/B further have a substantially disc structure with a thickness430(FIG. 4C) along the pivot axis, a diameter434that defines a span of the lateral face, which is the radial plane of the shredder plates420A/B, a circumference that defines the radial outer periphery (or radial distal end)436, and a radial center438.

Further included with the shredder plates420A/B are severing members440that protrude from a radial outer periphery436of the shredder plates420A/B, and a mounting through-hole438oriented transverse the radial plane for insertion of the shredder shaft414A/B and mounting of the shredder plate420A/B thereon, with the mounting through-hole438having a perimeter and a cross-sectional span that is configured commensurate with the cross-section of the shredder shaft414A/B. It should be noted that although in this instance the mounting through-hole and the radial centre of the shredder plate coincide and are the same, the mounting through-hole438may be off-centered, forming an eccentrically configured shredder plate.

As further illustrated, the severing members440protrude from the radial outer periphery436of a shredder plate420A/B at a progressively, smooth increasing angle of about 15° to 30° degrees, forming a radial outward projecting shoulder442that ends at a tip444, forming a radial recessed inner portion446, with the radial outward projecting shoulder442and the radial recessed inner portion446constituting a cutting-wing of the severing member440. It should be noted that radial recessed inner portion facilitates in the grip of waste. The shredder plates420A/B further include indentations456(notches, dips, or dimples, etc.) along the radial outer periphery436that are positioned between the tips444, and define a start position (at a 15 to 30 degrees) from which the severing members440commence protruding, and an end position at which the radial outer periphery436from an end of the radial recessed inner portion446ends. In general, the severing members440use the indentations456to further agitate, mix, and facilitate griping of the waste products. It should be noted that the indentations456must not be so deep to “trap in” the waste, but must be of sufficient depth so to mix or agitate the waste. The tip444of the severing members440facilitates mounting and installation of sharp blades450by a set of fasteners, with the blades covering the tip444along the thickness430of the plate420A/B and is comprised of carbide and alloys thereof. The tip444of the cutting-wing442of a shredder plate420A/B on a shredder shaft418A/B is oriented in the same direction of the orientation of the tip444of the cutting-wing of a next adjacent shredder plate420A/B on the same shredder shaft418A/B. As illustrated inFIGS. 4E to 4G, the sharp blades450covering the tip444of the severing members440may be coupled with the tips444in a number of ways, two non-limiting examples of which are illustrated inFIGS. 4E and 4G. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 4E, the blades450may comprise of straight lateral edges452that are accommodated within the notches454of the tip444or, as an alternative example, the blades450(FIG. 4G) may comprised of beveled lateral edges458that become flush with the tips444, without requirement of any notches454on the plates420A/B.

FIGS. 5A to 5Care non-limiting, exemplary illustrations of a second mechanism of a second module of a second stage of the device ofFIGS. 1A to 4Gin accordance with the present invention. As illustrated, the second stage206includes the second module208that comprises the second mechanism210for application of a compressive force for pressing and extraction of liquid from smaller constituent parts, generating partially dehydrated smaller constituent parts (that are about 40% dry), with the extracted liquid drawn out by a vacuum pump216via vacuum pump lines260. The second mechanism210of the second module208includes a second chamber502that is a compression chamber that includes an outer module504and an inner module506. The outer module504includes an ingress hopper508connected near the first end510and an egress hopper512connected opposite the ingress hopper508near the second end514, and further includes coupling mechanisms for second and third motors and the vacuum lines260. The inner module506is comprised of drainage apertures520that enable accumulated liquid within the inner module506to drain out into the interior of the outer module504and be removed by the first and second vacuum lines260. The inner module506may be configured commensurate with outer module504. The inner module506drainage apertures520have a non-limiting, exemplary size of about 3 mm and are spread across the surface of the inner module506.

As further illustrated inFIGS. 5A to 5C, the second mechanism210further includes the second motor M2at the first end510of the second chamber502and a third motor M3at a second end514of the second chamber502. The second motor M2is coupled with a piston shaft524of a piston522to move the piston522along a longitudinal axis530of the second chamber502to compress the smaller constituent parts into substantially dehydrated smaller constituent parts of about 40% dry, with the pressure at about 150 to 350 psi. The third motor M3is a bidirectional rotator motor that is coupled with a plate shaft of a plate526B for bidirectional rotation of the plate526B along a bidirectional reciprocating rotational path528. Within this second stage206, the second motor M2pushes the smaller constituent parts from the first end510to the second end514of the second chamber502, towards the pivoting plate526, while the pivoting plate526B rotates back-and-forth to further compress and squeeze out and extract further liquid from the smaller constituent parts. The compression piston522moves to about a distance of 6 cm away from the plate526. It should be noted that the back-and-forth rotation of the plate526B also pushes the remaining solid waste out of the chamber502and into the egress hopper512and to the next stage for further processing. The second vacuum line260positioned near the first end510of the second chamber502and a third vacuum line260positioned near the second end514of the second chamber502remove the extracted liquid. It should be noted that the piston522may be a compression piston and the compression chamber (the second chamber502) may be a hydraulic compression chamber with the second motor M2being a hydraulic motor. As best illustrated inFIG. 5C, the compression piston522with its plate526A and the plate526B are comprised of a disc with a first and second sides542and544, with the first side542facing and contacting the particles, which includes a surface with protrusions and indentations to grip and squeeze particles. The second side544is substantially flat and faces the connection points of the piston shaft and the third motor shaft. As with other stages, this stage also includes a plethora of timers and sensors for sensing motion, pressure, temperature, etc. for correct and efficient operation.

FIGS. 6A to 6Eare non-limiting, exemplary illustrations of a third mechanism of a third module of a third stage of the device ofFIGS. 1A to 5Cin accordance with the present invention. As illustrated inFIGS. 6A to 6Eand indicated above, the third stage218includes a third module220that receives the partially dehydrated, compressed smaller constituent parts from the second stage206, and includes a third mechanism222for further compression, grinding, and application of heat (e.g., in the form of high speed heated air) to pulverize the constituent parts into highly dense substantially dehydrated pellets224. The third module includes a third chamber602, having an outer unit604and an inner unit606.

The outer unit604includes an ingress hopper608connected near a first end610and an egress hopper612connected opposite the ingress hopper608at near a second end614, and further includes coupling mechanisms for a fourth motor M4and a heat pump226. The pelletized waste224is dropped out of the egress hopper612and into the next stage. The inner unit606is comprised of heat vents618that enable heat to be pumped within the inner unit606(and confined within the outer unit604) to further dehydrate the particles. The inner unit606may be configured commensurate with outer module604. The inner unit heat vents618have a size of about 1 mm and are spread across the surface of the inner unit606. The heat vents618do not get clogged because of constant, continuous flow of heated air pumped through the vents618, which clears any clogged debris. As further illustrated, the chamber602further includes conduits616juxtaposed within a cavity620between the inner and outer units604and606aligned along a longitudinal axis of the third module220convey and inject heat from a heat pump226into the inner unit606via the heat vents618of the inner unit606, with the heat pump226coupled with the third module220via heat pump line622. The heat pump226is a conventional heat pump that operates at non-limiting 80,000 rpm. It should be noted that the illustrated conduits616juxtaposed within the cavity620in between the inner and outer units604and606are optional. That is, the heat pump226may simply directly pump hot air within the cavity620via the heat pump line622, which will eventually enter the inner units via the heat vents618.

As further illustrated inFIGS. 6A to 6E, the third module220further includes an eccentric, asymmetrical auger630accommodated within the third chamber602, with the fourth motor M4coupled to the third chamber602for rotating the auger630. Further included is a scraper632coupled to a second end634of the auger630and a grill636coupled to the second end614of the third chamber602that pelletize the partially dehydrated smaller, compressed constituent parts into substantially dehydrated (about 60% dry) pellets224.

The eccentric, asymmetrical auger630with flighting638is comprised of a cylindrical shaft640with helical screw blades638(i.e., flighting) with a first distal end642that couples with the fourth motor M4and the second distal end634that is coupled with the scraper632. The shaft sections644between the flightings638have progressively increasing diameter from the first end640to the second end634. The first distal end642of the shaft640includes a first interlock section646that interlocks with the fourth motor M4, and proximal the first end648is a support bearing650that enables the shaft640to rotate. The second distal end634of the shaft640has a second interlock section652that accommodates the cleaner blade or scraper632.

The helical screw blades638constituting the flighting include a progressively decreasing flighting thicknesses from the first to the second end of the shaft240, with orientation of thicker sections “T” (T1, T2, T3, . . . , TN) of a flighting complementary to thinner portion “L” (L1, L2, L3, . . . , LN) of a juxtaposed, next, subsequent flighting638. A progressively decreasing flight height due to progressively increasing shaft diameter “R” (R1, R2, R3, . . . , RN) of the shaft sections644between the flightings638. The auger630further has a progressively decreasing distance “d” (d1, d2, d3, . . . , dN) between the flightings638from the first to the second end of the shaft640, wherein volumes “V” (V1, V2, V3, . . . , VN) between flightings638of the auger630decreases from a first end to the second end of the shaft sections644between the flightings638. The decreasing volume V enables finer granulation of the particles due to greater compression due to lesser space. The particles are further pushed and grinded, generating a further granulation of the particles. Therefore, the eccentric, asymmetrical auger630moves the particle from a first end610to the second614of the chamber602and simultaneously further grinds them. Accordingly, as the size of the particle is reduced, so does the volume V and hence, further grinding of the particles into smaller size.

As best illustrated inFIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6Dthe scraper632is comprised of a body660and an cavity or hole662within the body660that receives the shaft640of the auger630, with the hole662including a key-notch664that interlocks with a second end flange634of the shaft640(the second end flange634has complementary protrusion676that interlocks into the key-notch664to enable scraper632to interlock with and rotate with the shaft640rotation). The scraper632further includes a plurality of blades666that extend from the body660that have a top flat section668with beveled sides670and672that end at two lateral sharp edges674for severing and scraping particles, wherein the sharp edges674sever particles and the beveled sides670and672scrap up the remaining particle off of the grid636. The grid636is comprised of a disc like structure680with a plurality of through-holes682for pelletizing the waste and a center hole684that receives the second end634of the auger shaft640, including periphery notch686for interlocking with the second end614of the third chamber602to prevent the grid636from rotating. With respect to the third module, the grid and the scraper may be optionally removed so to generate simple non-pellet form fertilizer material.

FIGS. 7A to 7Dare non-limiting, exemplary illustrations of a fourth and fifth mechanisms of a fourth and fifth modules of fourth and fifth stages of the device ofFIGS. 1A to 6Ein accordance with the present invention. As illustrated inFIGS. 7A to 7D, the device100also includes the fourth stage228that receives the highly dense substantially dehydrated pellets224via the hopper740, and includes a fourth mechanism232that further dry the pellets224. The fourth module230is comprised of one or more closed chambers702and a conveyer mechanism704with one or more conveyer motors718(FIG. 7C) that moves the highly dense substantially dehydrated pellets224through the one or more closed chambers702that include dryer elements710associated with each chamber702to further dry the pellets224. The detachable blocking element730prevent the pellets224existing the fourth stage228that fall off the conveyer704and into the next stage from falling out of the device100. Non-limiting examples of dyer elements710may comprise of any one or more of microwave dryers, heating elements, etc., or any combinations thereof. The fourth stage228further includes an exhaust channel712(i.e.,712A,712B, and712C) along the sides of the fourth mechanism232wherein forced air714is pushed by an air pump760into the channel712A to exhaust accumulated heat from the one or more chambers702, passing through the channel712B (FIG. 7B) and directed into channel712C where the air exists out and is directed and recycled into the storage module214. The recycled heated air from the fourth module230and into the storage module214enables a more efficient use and operation of the heat element244of the storage module.FIG. 7Bfurther discloses exposed wiring that provide power to dryer elements710. As indicated above, the dryer elements710may comprise of microwaves and resistive heating elements that further dry the pellets224and substantially destroy most bacteria.

As further illustrated inFIGS. 7A to 7D, the device100further includes a fifth stage234that includes a fifth module236that receives the substantially dried, heated pellets224from the preceding forth stage228, and includes a fifth mechanism238for cooling the heated pellets224, which increase the pellet density. The fifth stage module236include a conveyer mechanism750with one or more conveyer motors752that moves the dehydrated, heated pellets224across the fifth mechanism comprised of cooling fans754that deliver cool air into a continuous fifth chamber to cool the pellets224. It should be noted that the fifth stage234is closed along the sides758(FIG. 7A), forming the fifth chamber, but left open in the illustration for clarity.

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail in language specific to structural features and or method acts, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary preferred forms of implementing the claimed invention. Stated otherwise, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Therefore, while exemplary illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. For example, the dimensions of the various elements, amounts of pressure and heat applied, speed of processing and so on may be varied depending on the type of waste and mixtures thereof being processed. Such variations and alternate embodiments are contemplated, and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

It should further be noted that throughout the entire disclosure, the labels such as left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise, counter clockwise, up, down, or other similar terms such as upper, lower, aft, fore, vertical, horizontal, oblique, proximal, distal, parallel, perpendicular, transverse, longitudinal, etc. have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction or orientation. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions/orientations between various portions of an object.

In addition, reference to “first,” “second,” “third,” and etc. members throughout the disclosure (and in particular, claims) is not used to show a serial or numerical limitation but instead is used to distinguish or identify the various members of the group.

In addition, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of,” “act of,” “operation of,” or “operational act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6.