Patent ID: 7226778

Claim:
An apparatus for recycling of protein waste comprising: a) an enzymatic digest mixing assembly for mixing a medium and for adjusting its pH level; b) a mobile grinding assembly mounted on a movable platform and comprising grinding means for protein waste and mixing means for combining said ground protein waste and said enzymatic digest medium to produce a protein solubles mixture; c) a digesting and emulsifying assembly; d) a drying system comprising a dough mixing apparatus, an extruder, and a drying apparatus and e) said digesting and emulsifying assembly comprises: i. a digester tank; ii. heating means comprising a heating element associated with said digester tank iii. re-circulation means comprising a chopper pump fluidly associated with said digester tank through a re-circulation pipe and an inductor nozzle such that said protein solubles mixture in said digester tank can be heated and periodically re-circulated; iv. an emulsifier; v. a separator tank; vi. said emulsifier fluidly connected to said digester tank such that digested protein solubles may be emulsified and then pumped into said separator tank; and vii. said separator tank having a closeable opening fluidly associated with said enzymatic digest mixing tank allowing a water layer to be drained from said separator tank and recycled for use in said means for mixing an enzymatic digest medium.