This invention is a method for the processing of organic materials or organic wastes in a cost-effective and environmentally sound manner. The invention works both in the anaerobic or aerobic state. Processing organic material is accomplished by forcing the flow of gas through a pile of material, containing some organic matter, with liquids and gravity. The movement of gas and liquids through the pile results in very large increases in microorganism populations, accelerated evolution of the microorganisms, and corresponding increases in the processing provided organic materials.

A composting facility includes: a floor for receiving compostable material thereon, wherein the floor is constructed above-grade; a dovetail extending from the floor to allow ingress of a vehicle from a grade level to the floor; one or more channels defined within the floor and extending through the dovetail; a covering extending over the one or more channels to maintain the compostable material away from the channel, the covering defining at least one aperture extending from above the covering into the one or more channels for allowing flowthrough of gases; and an air source for providing air through the channels to provide cooling characteristics to the compostable material or oxygen to aid an aerobic process associated with composting. In operation, liquids draining from the composting material pass through the at least one aperture into the channel and out through a portion of the channel extending through the dovetail.

A process for producing a commercial soil additive comprises mixing a compost composition with elementary (raw) sulphur to form a mixed material and turning the mixed material until it is substantially homogenous and until there is microbial oxidation of elementary sulphur therein to at least one sulphate.

The present disclosure relates generally to a two-stage biomass pyrolysis processes that maximize pyrolysis vapor yield from a lignocellulosic biomass while being conducive to commercial-scale throughput of biomass. A lignocellulosic feedstock is first pyrolyzed in a reactor first stage comprising at least one auger at a temperature and residence time that produces pyrolysis vapors derived predominantly from cellulose and hemi-cellulose fractions of the feedstock. Partially-pyrolyzed feedstock from the reactor first stage is then pyrolyzed in a reactor second stage at a higher temperature for an additional residence time to produce additional pyrolysis vapors that are predominantly derived from lignin. Certain embodiments arrange multiple reactor first stages around a single reactor second stage.

A food recycler can include a housing having a housing volume, a motor in electrical communication with a controller, a grinding mechanism in mechanical communication with the motor, a bucket having a bucket volume, the bucket being configured with the grinding mechanism contained therein, and a removable filter having a side wall, a top surface, a bottom surface and a filter material, wherein the side wall, the top surface, the bottom surface and the filter material are all made from a compostable or biodegradable material. A ratio of the bucket volume to the housing volume can be between 0.0717 and 0.2857, inclusive. The motor can be configured within the housing adjacent, at least in part, to the bucket.

The present disclosure relates generally to two-stage biomass pyrolysis systems configured to maximize pyrolysis vapor yield from a lignocellulosic biomass while being conducive to commercial-scale throughput of lignocellulosic biomass. The system includes a reactor first stage comprising at least one auger pyrolyzes a lignocellulosic feedstock at a temperature and residence time that produces pyrolysis vapors derived predominantly from cellulose and hemi-cellulose fractions of the feedstock. A reactor second stage is configured to partially-pyrolyzed feedstock from the reactor first stage at a higher temperature for an additional residence time to produce additional pyrolysis vapors that are predominantly derived from of lignin. Certain embodiments arrange multiple reactor first stages around a single reactor second stage.

The present disclosure relates to a process for producing a product based on faecals produced by animals, characterized in that faecals from mammals are wholly or partially dissolved using an oxidizing acid, solid acid-insoluble components are separated, if necessary, and the liquid component is neutralized with a base. Moreover, the invention relates to a plant for producing a product, the plant comprising a faecal reactor for receiving animal faecals, wherein the reactor is provided with means for supplying an oxidizing acid, possibly a separator unit for separating solid, acid-insoluble components, and a neutralizing reactor for neutralizing the part of the faecals dissolved by means of the oxidizing acid, wherein the neutralizing reactor is provided with means for supplying a base. The invention provides a substantially odorless product for use as fertilizer for a crop.

A two-stage reactor is disclosed for the conversion of solid particulate biomass material. The reactor is designed to maximize conversion of the solid biomass material, while limiting excess cracking of primary reaction products. The two-stage reactor comprises a first stage rector, in which solid biomass material is thermally pyrolyzed to primary reaction products. The primary reaction products are catalytically converted in a second stage reactor.

A biofertilizer is disclosed that include specific formulations of algae biomass and a mycorrhizal fungus. This biofertilizer may be a useful way of utilizing algae biomass created for carbon sequestration purposes for a productive agricultural purpose. The combination of algae biomass and mycorrhizal fungus may provide advantageous effects to a crop, as the algae may be a nutrient source for both the crop itself and also for the mycorrhizal fungus that allows the fungus to grow and form a mycorrhizal relationship with the root system of the crop. The biofertilizer may be pelletized with rice hull filler and have a specific range of moisture content, so as to be compatible to agricultural fertilizer delivery equipment. Methods of manufacturing the pelletize biofertilizer are also provided.

Methods are provided for the treatment of livestock or poultry confinement facilities equipped with manure collection zones (e.g., a manure pit or litter), in order to reduce and mitigate the effects of gaseous ammonia within the facility. The treatment involves application of an aqueous mixture including a partial calcium salt of a maleic-itaconic copolymer and a partial ammonium salt of a maleic-itaconic copolymer. Preferably, the amount of the partial calcium salt copolymer is greater than the amount of the partial ammonium salt copolymer. The treatment methods provide prompt and lasting reductions in gaseous ammonia within the confinement facility.