A DEVICE FOR DRYING AND SANITISING ORGANIC WASTE MATERIAL

Abstract

A device (1) for drying and sanitising organic waste materials, comprising a container body (10) for housing the waste materials to be dried and provided with an inlet (16) for the materials to be dried and an outlet (17) for the dried materials, mixing elements (20) located in the container body (10) and provided with at least a blade (21) able to mix the materials to be dried and sanitised, projectingly supported by a rotating shaft (23), a ventilation circuit (30) able to generate a forced ventilation of air internally of the container body (10), and comprising generator means (33) of an air flow located externally of the container body (10) communicating with at least a dispenser nozzle (34) located internally of the container body (10), in which the at least a dispenser nozzle (34) is associated to the at least a blade (21) able to mix the waste materials located in the container body (10) wherein it comprises at least a temperature sensor (42) configured such as to measure a temperature internally of the container body (10) and in that it comprises a control system which receives a signal from the at least a temperature sensor (42) and is able to control the air flow injected into the container body (10) by the ventilation circuit (30) as a function of the signal received from the temperature sensor (42).

Claims

1. A device (1) for drying and sanitising organic waste materials, comprising: a container body (10) for housing the waste materials to be dried and provided with an inlet (16) for the materials to be dried and an outlet (17) for the dried and sanitised materials, mixing elements (20) located in the container body (10) and provided with at least a blade (21) able to mix the materials to be dried and sanitised, projectingly supported by a rotating shaft (23), a ventilation circuit (30) able to generate a forced ventilation of air internally of the container body (10), and comprising generator means (33) of an air flow located externally of the container body (10) communicating with at least a dispenser nozzle (34) located internally of the container body (10), wherein the at least a dispenser nozzle (34) is associated to the at least a blade (21) able to mix the waste materials located in the container body (10), characterised in that it comprises at least a temperature sensor (42) configured such as to measure a temperature internally of the container body (10) and in that it comprises a control system which receives a signal from the at least a temperature sensor (42) and is able to control the air flow injected into the container body (10) by the ventilation circuit (30) as a function of the signal received from the temperature sensor (42).

2. The device of claim 1, characterised in that the control system is configured such as to control the air flow injected into the container body (10) by the ventilation circuit (30) for maintaining the temperature internal of the container body (10) internally of a predefined range.

3. The device of claim 2, characterised in that the temperature range is comprised between 40° C. and 80° C.

4. The device (1) of claim 3, characterised in that the temperature range is comprised between 50° C. and 70°.

5. The device (1) of claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a plurality of temperature sensors (42) configured so as to detect the internal temperature of the container body (10) at different heights.

6. The device of claim 1, characterised in that it comprises gravimetric sensors able to measure the weight of the material contained in the container body (10).

7. The device (1) of claim 6, characterised in that the control system is able to receive a signal from the gravimetric sensors and is able to control the air flow injected into the container body (10) by the ventilation circuit (30) as a function of the signal received from the gravimetric sensors.

8. The device of claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a heat exchanger (35,36) for heating the air to be blown internally of the container body (10).

9. The device (1) of claim 8, characterised in that the heat exchanger comprises a recycling conduit (35) associated to a outlet conduit (32) of the fumes in outlet from the container body (10), the recycling conduit (35) being coaxially inserted in an aspirating conduit (36), of the air introduced internally of the container body (10), associated to the delivery of the generator means (33), for heating the air introduced internally of the container body (10).

10. The device (1) of claim 1, characterised in that the rotating shaft (23) is a hollow shaft a cavity of which is in fluid communication with generator means (33) of the air flow, and with at least a dispenser nozzle (34).

11. The device (1) of claim 10, characterised in that the at least a blade (21) comprises a cavity in which at least a nozzle (34) opens, and which communicates with the inside of the hollow rotating shaft (23).

12. A drying and sanitising method for organic waste materials, characterised in that it comprises following activities: introducing a certain quantity of waste material to be treated in a container body (10); mixing a product to be treated using a blade (21) rotating about an axis; introducing a continuous air flow into the container body (10); measuring the temperature at least at a point internal of the container body (10); verifying that the temperature is within a predefined range; regulating the air flow injected into the container body (10) through the at least a dispenser nozzle (34) for maintaining the temperature internal of the container body (10) internally of the predefined range.

13. The method of claim 12, characterised in that the temperature range is comprised between 40° C. and 80° C.

14. The method of claim 12, characterised in that before introduction thereof into the container body (10), the waste materials are subjected to a separating operation of the solid part, which is subjected to treatment, from the liquid part which is directed to other uses or is eliminated in another way.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from a reading of the description that follows, provided by way of non-limiting example, with the aid of the figures of the accompanying tables.

[0055] FIG. 1 is a front view of the device with a cutaway of the inside of the device.

[0056] FIG. 2 is a front view of the device comprising a heat exchanger associated to the ventilation circuit.

[0057] FIG. 3 is a front view of the device comprising a mechanical separating device upstream.

[0058] FIG. 4 is a view from above of the device of FIG. 3.

[0059] FIG. 5 is section V-V of FIG. 1.

BEST WAY OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0060] With reference to the figures of the drawings, 1 denotes in its entirety a device for treating organic waste material.

[0061] In particular, the device 1 is for drying organic waste materials, prevalently solid, such as for example bedding and straw or other vegetable substances.

[0062] The device 1 comprises a container body 10 for collecting the waste materials to be dried, in which mixing elements 20 are located, able to agitate and mix the waste materials collected in the container body.

[0063] The device 1 further comprises a ventilation circuit 30 able to set the outside of the container body 10 in fluid communication with the inside thereof, and able to generate a forced air ventilation internally of the container body.

[0064] In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the container body 10 is cylindrical with a substantially vertical axis.

[0065] In particular, the container body 10 comprises, for example, a lateral wall 11 having a cylindrical development, an upper wall 12 and a lower wall 13, in which the upper and lower walls 12, 13 are associated to the opposite longitudinal ends of the lateral wall 11 so as to define an internal chamber 14 for containing the material to be dried.

[0066] The container body 10 is provided with rest feet 15, associated to the lower wall 13, able to support the container body.

[0067] The container body 10 further comprises an inlet 16 for supplying materials to be dried in the internal chamber 14, and an outlet 17 for extracting the dried material from the internal chamber 14.

[0068] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the inlet 16 is advantageously fashioned in the upper wall 12, while the outlet 17 is fashioned in the lower wall 13 of the container body 10.

[0069] In this way, the material can be supplied into the internal chamber 14, through the inlet 16, and can be extracted from the internal chamber through the outlet 17 by force of gravity with no need for advancing means of the material into the internal chamber 14 from the inlet 16 towards the outlet 17. The inlet 16 is, for example, made in an offset position with respect to the axis of the container body 10.

[0070] In particular, the inlet 16 can comprise, for example, a hopper or other loading devices of known type in the sector which enable supply, in controlled quantities, of waste material into the device 1.

[0071] Further, the inlet 16 can advantageously comprise a hatch door, a cover or any other closing element able to prevent undesired access to the internal chamber 14 when the device 1 is in use or at rest, so as to prevent contamination in the internal chamber and limit the dispersion of heat during the drying of the waste materials.

[0072] Likewise, the outlet 17 comprises a hatch door, cover or any other closing element able to prevent undesired access to the internal chamber 14, so that the material accumulates on the lower bottom wall 12 and can be extracted when the drying is complete and, further, the dispersion of heat though the lower bottom door 12 is limited.

[0073] The outlet 17 comprises extraction means, known in the sector, such as a radial endless screw, which enable extracting dried and sanitised waste materials from the container body 10 in controlled quantities.

[0074] The mixing elements 20 are located in the container body 10, which mixing elements 20 are provided with at least a blade 21 that can be immersed in the waste material to be dried and are activatable in rotation about a predefined rotation axis thanks to activating means 22 in rotation of the at least a blade 21.

[0075] In particular, the at least a blade 21 is able to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the container body 10 defined by a rotating shaft 23 from which the at least a blade 21 branches.

[0076] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the mixing means 20 comprise a plurality of blades 21, for example three in number.

[0077] Each blade 21 is provided with an elongate body, for example having a circular or polygonal section, substantially arc-shaped and fixed projectingly from the rotating shaft 23 at a hole thereof.

[0078] For example, the body of each blade 21 protrudes radially from the rotating shaft 23 along a substantially perpendicular direction with respect of the rotating shaft 23 axis.

[0079] In greater detail, each blade 21 comprises a front surface 24 and an opposite rear surface 25 which lie on an incident plane to the advancement direction of the blade (indicated by the arrow in the figures).

[0080] In particular, the front surface 25 defines an advancement front of the blade 21 while the rear surface 24 is opposite the advancement direction of the blade.

[0081] In greater detail, at least a dispenser nozzle 34 is located on the rear surface 24 of each blade 21, the functioning of which will be more fully described in the following.

[0082] Each blade 21 is entirely hollow and is placed in fluid communication with the rotating shaft 23, also hollow, by means of a suitable hole fashioned thereon, and with the ventilation circuit 30, as will be more fully discussed in the following.

[0083] Each blade 21 has a length that is substantially equal to the radius of the internal chamber 14.

[0084] The blades 21 are uniformly and longitudinally distributed along the rotation axis.

[0085] In particular, the blades 21 are associated to the rotating shaft 23 in different positions distant from one another along the rotation axis.

[0086] Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the blades 21 are, in plan view, angularly distanced from one another.

[0087] In the illustrated example, the blades 21 are arranged in such a way as to occupy a circular section of 180°, while in other embodiments the blades might be angularly equidistant one from another.

[0088] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the mixing means 20 comprise a pair of further blades 21′ located in proximity of the lower wall 13 of the container body 10, and fixed to the rotating shaft 23 in diametrically opposite positions from one another.

[0089] In particular, the pair of further blades 21′ is located substantially in contact with the lower wall 13 so as to function as a scraper and aid the emptying of the internal chamber 14 at termination of drying.

[0090] The rotating shaft 23 exhibits a first and a second longitudinal end 23′, 23″, respectively associated to the upper wall 12 and to the lower wall 13 of the container body.

[0091] In particular, the first longitudinal end 23′ projects from the upper wall 12 of the container body 10 and is connected, by interposing a suitable joint, to the ventilation circuit 30, as will be more fully described in the following.

[0092] Further, the second longitudinal end 23″ projects from the lower part 13 of the container body 10 and is mechanically rotatingly connected to the activating means 22, for example an electric motor, of the mixing elements 20.

[0093] The rotating shaft 23 is internally hollow and is placed in fluid communication with the ventilation circuit 30 via the first longitudinal end 23′ as will be more fully described in the following.

[0094] The ventilation circuit 30 comprises an inner conduit 31 of the air internally of the rotating shaft 23 and an outlet conduit 32 of the air externally of the container body 10.

[0095] The inlet conduit 31 is inserted internally of the first longitudinal end 23′ of the rotating shaft 23 by interposing of a joint in such a way that the rotating shaft 23 can sealedly rotate with respect to the inlet conduit 31.

[0096] The outlet conduit 32 is, for example, defined by a chimney that branches from the upper wall 12 of the container body 10 and sets the internal chamber 14 of the container body 10 in fluid communication with the external environment.

[0097] In particular, an extraction fan, of known type and not illustrated in the figures, is associated to the outlet conduit 32, for forced aspiration of the fumes in outlet from the container body 10 and in use enables evacuation of the vapours produced by the drying and digestion of the materials of organic waste.

[0098] Further, filters can be associated to the outlet conduit 32 for removing the particulate, pollutants and/or odours from the vapours in outlet, the filters not being illustrated as of known type.

[0099] The ventilation circuit 30 also comprises a fan 33 associated to the inlet conduit 31 and able to generate a forced air ventilation internally of the container body 10.

[0100] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment in which the ventilation circuit 30 comprises a heat exchanger 35, 36 for heating the air to be blown internally of the container body 10.

[0101] In particular, the outlet conduit 32 is associated to a recycling conduit 35, which is coaxially inserted in an aspirating conduit 36 associated to the delivery of the fan 33 for heating the air introduced internally of the container body 10.

[0102] In this way, the fan 33 aspirates air from outside the container body 10 through the aspirating conduit 36 and injects it internally of the container body 10; in the passage internally of the container body 36, the aspirated air is heated by contact with the recycling conduit 35 in which the fumes are conveyed at a high temperature, in outlet from the container body.

[0103] With the introduction of the heated air into the container body 10, the activity of the microorganisms is accelerated to facilitate the drying and sanitising of the waste material internally of the container body 10. In particular, the ventilation circuit 30 is able to inject a flow of forced air internally of the container body 10 by means of the at least a nozzle 34 associated to the blade 21.

[0104] The ventilation circuit 30 advantageously comprises a plurality of nozzles 34, for example, at least a nozzle 34 for each blade 21.

[0105] The ventilation circuit 30 preferably comprises a plurality of nozzles 34 for each blade 21.

[0106] For example, in the embodiment shown in the figures, each blade 21 comprises a plurality of nozzles 34 arranged adjacent to each other along the longitudinal direction of the blade 21 itself, that is arranged radially with respect of the rotating shaft 23 axis.

[0107] In particular, each nozzle 34 can place the internal cavity of the respective blade 21 in fluid communication with the outside of the blade 21.

[0108] In the embodiment shown in the figures, each nozzle 34 is defined substantially by a hole realised in the rear surface 25 of the respective blade 21

[0109] With this configuration, the ventilation circuit is able to aspirate air from outside the container body 10 and injects it internally thereof through the inlet conduit 31 by means of the fan 33 associated thereto; the air then passes from the inlet conduit 31 through the internal cavity of the rotating shaft 23, and then through the internal cavity of the blade 21 then to be injected into the internal chamber 14 by means of the nozzles 34; in the internal chamber 14, in use, the air contributes to the drying of the waste materials, becoming enriched in vapours and other substances (as will be more fully described in the following) and is expelled from the container body through the outlet conduit 32.

[0110] The device 1 is provided with a control system, comprising a control card 41 connected to the fan 33 of the ventilation circuit 30 for controlling the activation and rotation velocity thereof.

[0111] The control system of the device 1 further comprises at least a temperature sensor 42, connected to the control card 41, for measuring the temperature internally of the container body 10.

[0112] In the illustrated embodiment, the control system comprises a plurality of temperature sensors 42, for example three in number, positioned in the container body 10 so as to detect the internal temperature of the chamber 14 at different heights.

[0113] The control system can advantageously also comprise a flow rate sensor 43, connected to the control card 41 and configured such as to measure the air flow rate of the air injected into the container body 10.

[0114] For example, the flow rate sensor can be realised by a Pitot tube or an anemometer installed downstream of the fan 33 and able to measure the delivery flow rate of the fan 33.

[0115] As mentioned in the foregoing, the device 1 as it is described above can treat material comprising a solid and moist fraction suitable for drying and sanitising, and a liquid fraction.

[0116] Therefore, the drying device 1 can be associated to a mechanical separating device 50, of known type, able to separate the solid fraction from the liquid fraction of the waste materials.

[0117] In particular, the mechanical separation device 50 is arranged upstream of the drying device 1 and comprises an inlet 51 for the material to be separated and a first outlet 52 for the liquid fraction of the waste material and a second outlet 53 for the solid fraction of the waste materials.

[0118] In particular, the second outlet 53 for the solid fraction of the machine can be directly connected to the inlet 16 of the drying device 1, for supplying the material internally thereof.

[0119] For example, in the embodiment shown in the figures, the mechanical separation device 50 is fixed to the upper wall 12 of the container body 10 and is external of the container body 10.

[0120] A small platform 54 can be associated to the drying device 1, provided with a step, for inspection of the device 1 and the mechanical separation device 50 by an operator.

[0121] The functioning of the drying device 1 described in the foregoing is as follows.

[0122] The material to be treated, comprising a solid fraction and a liquid fraction, is directed, via the inlet 51, to the mechanical separation device 50, which separates the liquid fraction from the solid fraction. The liquid fraction is extracted from the mechanical separation device 50 through the first outlet 52 and directed towards, for example, storage tubs or plants for production of biogas.

[0123] The solid fraction of the material, which contains a certain degree of residual moisture, is supplied in outlet from the mechanical separation device 50, into the internal chamber 14 of the device 1 through the inlet 16.

[0124] The material is collected by force of gravity on the lower bottom wall 12 of the container body 10.

[0125] The material is advantageously able, in use, to occupy the majority of the volume of the internal chamber 14 of the container body 10, so as to maximise the productivity of the device 1, reducing the size thereof.

[0126] When the material is inserted in the internal chamber 14, the mixing elements 20 and the ventilation circuit 30 are activated to set off the aerobic action of the microorganisms, contained in the material, for drying and sanitising the material; the heat generated by the digestion reaction leads to the removal of the residual moisture of the material and consequently the drying thereof; the heat also facilitates the elimination of the bacterial load of the dried material, ensuring the sanitising and enabling re-utilisation thereof in a stall.

[0127] The temperature sensors 42 of the control system detect the temperature in the internal chamber 14 and the control system regulates the air flow rate generated by the fan 33 in such a way as to maintain the temperature in the internal chamber 14 within a predefined temperature range, preferably comprised between 40° C. and 80° C., for example between 50° C. and 70° C.

[0128] For example, as already disclosed, the heat generated by the aerobic digestion itself causes an increase in temperature inside the container body 10, but an excessive ventilation cools down the inside of the container body 10; therefore, the control system can be configured such as to low down the air flow rate injected inside the container body when the temperature is next to (or below of) the inferior limit of the predefined temperature range, so as to avoid an excessive cooling of the material meanwhile ensuring a correct oxygenation of the material to be sanitized.

[0129] The dried and sanitised material is then extracted from the container body 10 via the outlet 17.

[0130] In particular, the device 1 can comprise gravimetric sensors, of known type and not shown, such as for example load cells, associated to the lower wall 13 of the container body 10 able to measure the weight of the material contained in the internal chamber.

[0131] The sensors for the measurement of the weight can detect the reduction of the mass of material due to the drying and, consequently, establish the completion of the drying and sanitising process for enabling extraction of the dried material.

[0132] For example, the load cells can support the rest feet 15 of the container body.

[0133] Moreover, the gravimetric sensors can be connected to the control card 41 such as to deliver to the control card 41 a signal representative of the mass measured inside the internal chamber 14.

[0134] The control card 41 is configured to process the signal received from the gravimetric sensors so as to obtain an information about the status of the drying process, and is able to control the air flow injected into the container body 10 in such a way as to maintain the temperature in the internal chamber 14 within a predefined temperature range.

[0135] For example, the control card 41 is configured to process the signal received from the gravimetric sensors in such a way as to obtain an information about the quantity of dried material with respect of the total amount of material contained inside the container body 10, and is able to control the air flow injected into the container body 10 in such a way as to dry and sanitize the material not yet dried without overcool the dried material.

[0136] For example, the control system can be configured such as to low down the air flow rate injected inside the container body when the load cells measures a decrease of mass, for example when the mass measured is below of a predetermined limit value.

[0137] Alternatively the drying and sanitising process, in particular the supply and unloading thereof, can be continuous or can be done at intervals with adjustable frequency.

[0138] For example, the control system con be configured in such a way as to allow the extraction of the dried material only when predetermined conditions for the sanitization are satisfied, for example the permanence inside the container body 10 for one hour at 70° C.

[0139] The invention as it is conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept.

[0140] Further, all the details can be replaced by other technically-equivalent elements.

[0141] In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, can be any according to requirements, without forsaking the scope of protection of the following claims.