PROCESS FOR PRODUCING TOPSOIL AND COMPOST AND TOPSOIL AND COMPOST PRODUCTS

Abstract

A process for producing compost that includes the steps of providing a supply of vegetable matter selected from the group of vegetable matter consisting of trees, stumps, brush, leaves and animal manure, agitating the vegetable matter to loosen and remove dirt associated with the vegetable matter and reducing the size of the vegetable matter. A variable amount of the vegetable matter is incinerated to produce a fine ash and the vegetable matter is combined with the ash. A process for producing topsoil includes the step of adding dirt to the vegetable matter/ash combination. Compost and topsoil products are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A process for producing compost, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a supply of vegetable matter selected from the group of vegetable matter consisting of trees, stumps, brush, leaves, and animal manure; (b) agitating the vegetable matter to loosen and remove dirt associated with the vegetable matter; (c) reducing the size of the vegetable matter; (d) incinerating a variable amount of the vegetable matter to produce ash and waste heat; (e) combining the reduced-size vegetable matter and ash; and (f) converting the waste energy into electrical energy.

2. The process for producing compost according to claim 1, further comprising screening the combined reduced-size vegetable matter and ash to remove large debris.

3. The process for producing compost according to claim 1, further comprising at least partially decomposing the reduced size vegetable matter.

4. The process for producing compost according to claim 1, further comprising at least partially decomposing the reduced size vegetable matter before combining with the ash.

5. The process for producing compost according to claim 1, wherein reducing the size of the vegetable matter includes processing the vegetable matter through a chipper.

6. The process for producing compost according to claim 1, wherein the reduced-size vegetable matter is between the size of a finger and the size of a hand.

7. A process for producing topsoil, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a supply of vegetable matter selected from the group of vegetable matter consisting of trees, stumps, brush, leaves, and animal manure; (b) agitating the vegetable matter to loosen and remove dirt associated with the vegetable matter; (c) reducing the size of the vegetable matter; (d) incinerating a variable amount of the vegetable matter to produce ash and waste heat; (e) combining the reduced-size vegetable matter, dirt, and ash; and (f) converting the waste energy into electrical energy.

8. The process for producing topsoil according to claim 7, further comprising screening the combined reduced-size vegetable matter, dirt, and ash to remove large debris.

9. The process for producing topsoil according to claim 7, further comprising at least partially decomposing the reduced size vegetable matter.

10. The process for producing topsoil according to claim 7, further comprising at least partially decomposing the reduced size vegetable matter before combining with the ash.

11. The process for producing topsoil according to claim 7, wherein reducing the size of the vegetable matter includes processing the vegetable matter through a chipper.

12. The process for producing topsoil according to claim 7, wherein the reduced-size vegetable matter is between the size of a finger and the size of a hand.

13. The process for producing topsoil according to claim 7, wherein step (e) includes combining 6 parts dirt, 2 parts, vegetable matter, and a trace of ash.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes for selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a process by which vegetable matter VM is converted to topsoil.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a process by which vegetable matter VM is converted to compost.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a process by which vegetable matter VM is converted to topsoil.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a process by which vegetable matter VM is converted to compost.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Referring now to the drawings, in summary, the processes for producing topsoil and compost involves fully incinerating a small amount of the vegetative matter at a very high temperature using an air curtain burner such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,739,712. The result of the air curtain incineration is a relatively small quantity of fine ash. This ash is mixed with dirt, horse manure and partially-decomposed wood chips and other vegetable matter to form topsoil. The ratios may be on the order of 6 parts dirt, one part manure, one part chips and the ash which may be a trace amount in the neighborhood of 1 percent by volume of the topsoil/compost-mixture. The topsoil product can be easily and efficiently made and can be sold for use, thus saving valuable landfill space. When producing the products, 1 part is equal to 1 bucket, or 3 cubic yards of material. A similar compost product omits the dirt.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, brush, stumps, trees, leaves and other organic material are delivered to a processing facility (Facility) where a series of processing steps take place. These steps include placing the vegetable matter into a machine that vibrates and tumbles the vegetable matter to loosen dirt, such as may be clinging to the stumps. The dirt is separated from the vegetable matter and pushed into a pile for later use. Some of the remaining vegetable matter after removal of dirt that is too large to be considered dirt is put into an incinerator, for example, an air curtain burner such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,739,712, and incinerated. The incineration is highly effective and results in a very small quantity of fine ash. Large-sized vegetable matter is chipped into small-sized pieces and inventoried for partial decomposition. The pieces may be hand to finger sized. Heat naturally generated by the decomposing chips accelerates the decomposition process. For the production of topsoil, 6 parts dirt is mixed with 2 parts mixed vegetable matter such as wood chips, leaves and horse manure and a small amount of the fine ash. This combination of vegetable matter and dirt is screened to mix and remove any large debris not already removed in prior processing. Of the 2 parts, 1 part is preferably the wood chips and/or leaves and 1 part is horse manure. The ash content is a trace on the order of 1 percent of the total volume.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 2, compost is produced by placing the vegetable matter into a machine that vibrates and tumbles the vegetable matter to loosen dirt, such as may be clinging to the stumps. The dirt is separated from the vegetable matter and pushed into a pile for later use. Some of the remaining vegetable matter, after removal of dirt that is too large to be considered dirt, is incinerated as described above. The incineration is highly effective and results in a very small quantity of fine ash. Large-sized vegetable matter such as trees and stumps is chipped into small-sized pieces and inventoried for partial decomposition. Heat naturally generated by the decomposing chips accelerates the decomposition process.

[0029] For the production of compost, wood chips, leaves, horse manure and a small amount of the fine ash are combined. This combination of vegetable matter is screened to mix and remove any large debris not already moved in prior processing. The resulting compost may be allowed to further decompose or may be ready for use.

[0030] In addition to the processes explained above, compost and topsoil may also be produced via a similar process by using an air burner system that includes a power module configured to convert thermal energy into electrical energy during the incineration step of the process. An example air burner system configured to convert thermal energy into electrical energy includes the PGFireBox 100 KW device manufactured and sold by Air Burners, Inc. The power module which captures a portion of the waste heat in the exhaust from the air burner. The captured waste heat is directed to a heat exchanger to produce hot water which supplies a power-generating unit that converts thermal energy into electrical energy by driving an induction generator. The system may be connected to a local electrical grid where any excess energy produced may be sold back to the utility. The more complex air burner may also be coupled to a cooling source that may be a local water cooling or an additional air cooler equipment.

[0031] In both of the processes described above, the leaves, wood chips and horse manure are allowed to sit for predetermined periods of time with the mixture being turned from time-to-time to further integrate the components with each other and further promote decomposition.

[0032] The resulting products take full advantage of the biodegradability and combustibility of the vegetable matter resulting in very efficiently produced and highly usable topsoil and compost products. Large amounts of landfill space is conserved, and the products have a market value that can result in revenue to, for example, a municipality instead of significant landfill and transpiration costs. A process for producing topsoil and compost from tree stumps, limbs, brush and similar vegetative matter and the resulting topsoil and compost products according to the invention have been described with reference to specific embodiments and examples. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation, the invention being defined by the claims.