A useful substance is extracted from botanical feedstock by mechanically compressing the feedstock and pumping a solvent through the compressed feedstock at high pressure while applying compressive mechanical force against the feedstock. Movement of pressurized solvent through the compressed feedstock may increase the volume of solvent in contact with the feedstock. Flow of solvent under pressure may also present a shearing force that facilitates dissociation of the useful substance from the feedstock.

Apparatus for processing kitchen waste is disclosed. In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises an inlet for receiving the kitchen waste, a comminuter to comminute the received waste, a dewatering device to dewater the comminuted waste, a compressor to compress the dewatered comminuted waste, and an outlet to provide processed waste ready for collection, wherein the inlet has a lid moveable between a closed position and an open position and the inlet communicates with a hopper having an outlet, the hopper outlet communicating with the comminuter by a door mechanism, and wherein the door mechanism and the lid are interlocked such that the door mechanism opens to supply food waste to the comminuter only when the lid is in the closed position and such that the lid is openable to allow a user to add food waste into the hopper only when the door mechanism is closed.

Apparatus for processing kitchen waste is disclosed. In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises an inlet for receiving the kitchen waste, a comminuter to comminute the received waste, a dewatering device to dewater the comminuted waste, a compressor to compress the dewatered comminuted waste, and an outlet to provide processed waste ready for collection, wherein the inlet has a lid moveable between a closed position and an open position and the inlet communicates with a hopper having an outlet, the hopper outlet communicating with the comminuter by a door mechanism, and wherein the door mechanism and the lid are interlocked such that the door mechanism opens to supply food waste to the comminuter only when the lid is in the closed position and such that the lid is openable to allow a user to add food waste into the hopper only when the door mechanism is closed.

A compactor system for compacting waste having liquid components. The compactor system includes a storage container having a storage chamber and a dump door. A charge container includes a compacting chamber and a loading opening. An outlet fitting is mounted to the charge container. The outlet fitting is in fluid communication with the compacting chamber. A pump is in fluid communication with the outlet fitting. A storage tank is in fluid communication with the pump. The storage tank, storage container and charge container are positioned on a support surface. The pump pumps fluid from the compacting chamber into the storage tank.

A compactor system for compacting waste having liquid components. The compactor system includes a storage container having a storage chamber and a dump door. A charge container includes a compacting chamber and a loading opening. An outlet fitting is mounted to the charge container. The outlet fitting is in fluid communication with the compacting chamber. A pump is in fluid communication with the outlet fitting. A storage tank is in fluid communication with the pump. The storage tank, storage container and charge container are positioned on a support surface. The pump pumps fluid from the compacting chamber into the storage tank.

Juice extraction using multiple pairs of juice extractors and comminutors which reduce the food pieces into successively smaller pieces with juice extraction occurring after each comminuting step. Coarse food pieces are pressed with extracted juice directed to a juice holding tank. The pressed coarse chop food pieces fall into the hopper of a second comminutor which performs a medium chop on the now pressed but still coarse chopped food pieces. The medium chopped food pieces are then fed from the second comminutor into the juice extraction chamber of a second juice extractor whereupon the medium chopped food pieces are pressed with extracted juice directed to a juice holding tank. Any number of comminutor and juice extraction pairs may be used in serial fashion to optimize the percentage of juice extracted in a minimum amount of time.

Juice extraction using multiple pairs of juice extractors and comminutors which reduce the food pieces into successively smaller pieces with juice extraction occurring after each comminuting step. Coarse food pieces are pressed with extracted juice directed to a juice holding tank. The pressed coarse chop food pieces fall into the hopper of a second comminutor which performs a medium chop on the now pressed but still coarse chopped food pieces. The medium chopped food pieces are then fed from the second comminutor into the juice extraction chamber of a second juice extractor whereupon the medium chopped food pieces are pressed with extracted juice directed to a juice holding tank. Any number of comminutor and juice extraction pairs may be used in serial fashion to optimize the percentage of juice extracted in a minimum amount of time.

A mobile palm oil processing machine that is capable of being towed by a light-duty vehicle such as a motorcycle and that comprises a small-scale palm oil press mounted on a trailer along with a diesel engine that is coupled to the palm oil press via a drive shaft. The trailer further comprises a removable cover capable of being deployed as a shelter roof or alternatively as a ramp when the mobile palm oil processing machine is deployed on site. The trailer further comprises the capability for self-propulsion that allows the trailer to ascend and descend steep inclines and to assist the light-duty vehicle in self extrication when the trailer is stuck, such as on a muddy or unimproved road.

A mobile palm oil processing machine that is capable of being towed by a light-duty vehicle such as a motorcycle and that comprises a small-scale palm oil press mounted on a trailer along with a diesel engine that is coupled to the palm oil press via a drive shaft. The trailer further comprises a removable cover capable of being deployed as a shelter roof or alternatively as a ramp when the mobile palm oil processing machine is deployed on site. The trailer further comprises the capability for self-propulsion that allows the trailer to ascend and descend steep inclines and to assist the light-duty vehicle in self extrication when the trailer is stuck, such as on a muddy or unimproved road.

A method for processing organic waste comprises two steps. Step one comprises separating water from the organic waste to produce liquid, slurry and solid matter, and step two comprises gasification of the slurry and solid matter. A system for processing organic waste and generate energy comprises a screw-press solid separator adapted for receiving the organic waste and expel liquid from the organic waste to produce water, slurry and solid matter, and a multi-stage gasifier for gasification of the slurry and solid matter.