Biomass stabilization assembly for managing soft cell organic material
11484921 · 2022-11-01
Inventors
Cpc classification
F26B11/00
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F26B9/003
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F26B25/16
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
B09B3/40
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
F26B23/10
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
International classification
B09B3/40
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
F26B9/00
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F26B11/00
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F26B23/10
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Abstract
A biomass stabilization assembly for managing soft cell organic waste ingredients. Prescribed ingredients are introduced into an inner chamber of a housing, such as through a top hatch, with subsequent unloading of a completed and chemically inert product occurring through a concealed chute and a rear port exhausting H2O gas vapor. The invention includes associated control and processor based components and operates outdoors or indoors of individual facilities and may further incorporate software protocols and algorithms which permit any status monitoring or modification of operational parameters as determined by sensor inputs.
Claims
1. A biomass stabilization assembly for managing a soft cell organic material, comprising: a body including an outer housing having a loading port for communicating a volume of the organic material to an inner chamber; a drive sub-assembly for operating a rotisserie located within said inner chamber for agitating the organic material; each of a heat source and an air supply communicated to the organic material within the inner chamber; an exhaust withdrawing from the inner chamber a fluid vapor emitted from the organic material; and a controller mounted in said body including a control logic having an arrangement of temperature and humidity sensors and switches for operating each of said drive sub-assembly, heat source, and air supply over repetitive cycles until said humidity sensor reads a prescribed lower humidity level, at which point said controller deactivates said heat source, resulting in only ambient air of said air supply entering said inner chamber to cool the organic material until it reaches a temperature within 10° F. above ambient temperature not exceeding 80° F., at which point said temperature sensor instructs said controller to deactivate all functions of said assembly, with the organic material being reduced to 10-15% of its original weight and volume.
2. The assembly of claim 1, said loading port further comprising a top hatch formed in said outer housing, unloading of the stabilized material occurring through any of a side or bottom hatch or chute.
3. The assembly of claim 1, said body exhibiting any of a rectangular or cuboidal shape and being supported upon a plurality of castor wheels.
4. The assembly of claim 1, said heat source further comprising each of a conduction and radiant source communicated to said inner chamber and a convection heat source communicated to said air supply.
5. The assembly of claim 1, said drive assembly further comprising an electric motor and reducer drive assembly for operating a drive shaft of said rotisserie.
6. The assembly of claim 5, said rotisserie further comprising a rotisserie arm extending from said drive shaft, at least one duplex finger secured to an end of said rotisserie arm, a manifold extending to said inner chamber for allowing direct infusing of said air supply into the organic material.
7. The assembly of claim 6, further comprising said at least one duplex finger adjusting an angle of perpendicularity to said drive shaft.
8. The assembly of claim 6, said air supply further comprising a blower communicating with said inner chamber.
9. The assembly of claim 1, said controller further comprising electronic frequency broadcasting to advance machine cycle requirements.
10. The assembly of claim 9, further comprising said controller communicating wirelessly with a remote processor device for enabling remote operation.
11. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a power supply for operating said drive sub-assembly and said controls, said power supply including either of a power service plug or a hard wiring connection.
12. The assembly of claim 11, further comprising said power supply operating under 1 kw per hour.
13. The assembly of claim 1, said controller further comprising a prewired modular control panel complete with electrical plugins and harnesses.
14. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a duration of a biomass stabilization operation being no more than twenty four hours.
15. The assembly of claim 1, said body further comprising a master machine, a plurality of additional bodies further defining slaved machines directed from said controller of said master machine for operating any number of said slaved machines via a piggyback pigtail connection cable and virtual electronic switching and programmability.
16. The assembly as described in claim 15, further comprising a mobile application for use on a smart phone or tablet for operating said controller.
17. The assembly as described in claim 1, further comprising a recirculation sub-system for redirecting scavenged heated air back into said heat source.
18. The assembly as described in claim 1, further comprising said body exhibiting any of a rectangular or cuboidal shape and being supported upon a non-heat transferring bunks adapted for use on earth, gravel and/or asphalt.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(24) With reference to the attached illustrations, the present invention discloses a biomass stabilization machine and system overcoming the shortcomings associated with currently practiced traditional organic biomass waste management devises and systems for stabilizing organic food waste ingredients as well as farm animal excrement.
(25) Another objective is to provide a machine and system thereof that can be easily tuned to accept any form of soft cell organic biomass waste or non-waste ingredients.
(26) A further objective is to provide associated control and processor based components for operating any number of individual biomass stabilization machines or systems, such as which can be placed within individual facilities (not limited to restaurants of the like). The control/processor components may further incorporate software protocols and algorithms which permit any of status monitoring or modification of operational parameters of any number of individual systems or machines, and as determined by sensor inputs. The invention can further incorporate a mobile application or other supporting platform for use on a processor driven device not limited to a smart phone or tablet. Other objectives include providing a machine and system thereof that operates using less than 1 kw (kilowatt) and is capable of operating in either of indoor or outdoor conditions.
(27) With reference initially to
(28) With reference collectively to
(29) Drive assembly (
(30) Rotisserie (
(31) Incoming air supply (
(32) As will also be described in reference to
(33) The Outer Housing 100 is fabricated from either carbon or stainless steel and is, without limitation, cuboidal shaped by design as illustrated in
(34) The outer housing 100 is fitted with either four (4) swivel caster wheels 113, two (2) frames 112 and two (2) mounting channels 111 along with mounting hardware 114 (
(35) The outer housing 100 has three (3) blind inner component access covers 101, 102 and 103 illustrated in (
(36) The inner chamber is open on the top and becomes sealed to the outer housing 100 once the outer housing overlapping top 105 is secured in place. The inner chamber consists of four parts, two (2) side panels, one (1) each 201 left side and 202 right side, a center panel 203 with a radially formed bottom or floor which is welded water tight to the two (2) side panels thus forming a contained processing chamber, also included is heat chamber 204 (
(37) The Drive Assembly consists of an electric motor 301 (
(38) The Rotisserie consists of two (2) rotisserie bearings 401 (
(39) The conduction and radiant heat source 501 (
(40) Once the convection heat source 502 (
(41) Next the incoming air supply blower 604 (
(42) Once the necessary piping components 606 (
(43) A general description of the functionality of the controls includes either the electric relay control logic 901 or the electric CNC PC control logic 902 mounted to a location of the inner chamber with four (4) threaded fasteners (
(44) Incorporated into such as the front top of the inner chamber are each of the cycle start switch 907, the process or unload switch 908, the relay or CNC PC selector switch 909, the emergency stop button 919, the cycle start illuminator 912, the cycle interrupter illuminator 913 and the cycle end illuminator are mounted (
(45) In operation, and upon cycle startup the machine will display a white “start cycle “illuminator 912 out of the 104 outer housing unload port with either the 901 or 902 controller. The operator will open the outer housing load hatch 106 (
(46) This process will repeat itself for a predetermined number of cycles until such time that the humidity sensor 910 reaches its prescribed lower humidity level allowing the heat sources to stop producing heat, thus resulting in ambient air only to enter the inner chamber, thus the process then begins introducing cooling the processed organic waste ingredients until the internal end-product ingredients are measured by the temperature sensor 911 and are within a maximum of 10° F. (5.6° C.) above the ambient temperature not exceeding 80° F. (26.7° C.) at which time the temperature sensor 911 would end the flow of electricity thus deactivating all machine functions. As previously described, the ending result of the processed ingredients can be reduced to 10-15% or less of the original ingredients entered, both by weight and volume.
(47) Once the cycle ends the machine displays a green “end of cycle” illuminator 914 that illuminates out of the 104 outer housing unload port at which time the machine is ready to unload. Unload is accomplished by the operator unlocking the top load hatch 106 & 109 (
(48) Should a mechanical fault be realized by the biomass stabilization machine with the control logic 901 prior to starting the machine cycle or during the machine cycle a red “cycle interrupter” illuminator will illuminate within the outer housing unload port 104, thus indicating a fault with one of the drive monitoring switches 915 and/or 916, thus requiring operator or service personnel intervention and, in the case of the CNC PC controller 902, the control panel will issue a notification, such as wirelessly to a remote processor device (e.g. handheld interface not limited to a mobile phone, tablet or the like).
(49) The Purpose of the Invention Machine and System thereof includes the present invention provides a stabilization machine and system thereof for the purpose of converting organic biomass ingredients into a stabilized end product with an endless shelf life prospective suitable for upcycling without it ever entering the stage of decomposition. The invention and system thereof prevents organic biomass ingredients from residing as a decomposing toxic soil, water and air pollutant and food source for vermin, bacteria and diseases. Most importantly the invention machine and system thereof provides an alternative path to keeping organic biomass waste ingredients out of MSWLF (Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Facilities).
(50) The prototype machine and system thereof as outlined in this document consistently converted fifteen (15) US gallons of organic biomass waste, particularly vegetable and fruit ingredients into a stabilized up-cyclable end product, with an endless shelf life prospective, within twenty-four (24) hours. Some ingredients processed within six (6) hours. The invention machine and system thereof processed a mixture of an assorted organic biomass vegetable and fruit waste ingredients within 16-18 hours at a minimal electrical operating cost.
(51) The machine invention was sized based on the fact that average restaurants in my area preparing full-service sit-down food meals generated an average of fifteen (15) US gallons of waste per week or seven (7) days.
(52) Industries suitable to accepting stabilized organic upcycled end products include for each of the following:
(53) As referenced in
(54) For each of stabilized organic upcycled end products for protein base biomass (
(55) For each of stabilized farm animal excrement biomass ingredients (
(56) By non-limiting example, one potential construction, including operational parameters, of a stabilizing machine according to the present invention can adhere to the following specifications.
(57) BASIC SPECIFICATIONS of BMS15 Machine ONE . . . Average Commercial
(58) Dimensions: Footprint: . . . 6.25 US square feet . . . 30 US inches square Height: . . . approximately 34 US inches Weight: . . . approximately 350 US pounds
(59) Processing: Maximum processing capacity: 16 US gallons or 150 US pounds Basic processing capacity: 15 US Gallons or 125 US pounds Minimum processing capacity: 1 US pint or 1 US pound . . . not practical Processing cycle time is ingredient dependent . . . finer food waste ingredients processes faster than coarse ingredients, as in lettuce vs asparagus . . . All food waste ingredients complete processing between 6-18 hours and horse manure processes in an average of 16-hours (all ingredients process within twenty-four (24) hours . . . the higher the water content and ingredient density the longer the process) End product volumetric and weight reductions are also ingredient dependent, averaging between 80-90% weight and volume reduction
(60) Installation: All BMS machines are designed to install outdoors . . . however, can be installed indoors Required electrical service is 110/120 volts AC, 60 Hz, 15 amp outdoor GFI (Ground Fault Interrupter): If the machine is to be installed INSIDE it will come with a flexible steel cord with a typical 3 prong grounded plug Basic Specifications of BMS15 Machine ONE and Instillation (continued) If the machine is to be installed OUTSIDE an overhead water shedding roof like structure, it too will come with a flexible steel cord with a typical 3 prong grounded plug If the machine is to be installed OUTSIDE without overhead water shedding roof like structure, it will need to be “hardwired” to an OUTDOOR rated GFI receptacle without a typical 3 prong grounded plug encapsulated within rubberized outdoor rated conduit
(61) Electromechanical Devices: Electric Drive Motor: ⅓ HP single phase, 110/120 volts AC, 50-60 Hz, 326 watts & 3.4 amps running 6.8 full load amps Heat system, 110/120 volts AC, 50-60 Hz, 400 watts each Dry Air Intake Blower: Single phase, 110/120 volts, 60 Hz, 27.7 watts, 0.25 amps, Rated Flow Rate 60 CFM Average or 1200 CFM per cycle hour Wet Air Extractor Blower: Single phase, 110/120 volts, 60 Hz, 12 watts, 0.12 amps, 12 CFM Average or 720 CFM per cycle hour
(62) Total Running Electric Power Usage is [0.924 kW] 924 watts maximum
(63) General: Filtration not required Liquid drainage not required Hot and/or Cold water input not required Leachate generation: none Outgassing of ingredients being processed: NONE . . . No decomposition, NO outgassing Condensate: none . . . natural evaporative steam only with a snorkel extractor
(64) Operating Temperatures: Pathogens and bacteria are terminated upon contact within the inner chamber via the three internal conduction, radiation and convection heat sources.
(65) Actual Inner chamber temperatures are: inner chamber floor 200-300° F. (93.3-148.9° C.) inner chamber atmosphere 100-150° F. (37.8-65.6° C.) convection air 150° F. (65.6° C.)
(66) Ingredient Temperatures are: Product entering is ambient Product processing 180-250° F. (82.2-121.1° C.) Product exiting is ambient to ambient+10-15° F. (−12.22-9.44° C.)
(67) Staffing: operator must be able to: Read Make begin or end cycle decision and flip a switch accordingly Activate a cycle start switch Close the top load hatch and insure it's secured Flip unload hatch lever to process or unload position Work a key lock Differentiate between the red and green illumination signals Read and manage a handheld electronic device programed with machine operation variables
(68) Basic Specifications of BMS15 Machine ONE (Continued)
(69) Machine LOAD ingredients: Soft cell biomass particularly but not limited to vegetable and protein food waste and farm animal excrement ingredients
(70) Machine UNLOAD ingredients: Stabilized end product biomass with an endless shelf life prospective suitable for upcycling to energy and/or fertilizer producers
(71) Additional Models:
(72) The BMS15.9 model machine outlined within this document has been designed as a commercial restaurant machine and system thereof. Additional machines for residential and industrial applications follow the same basic features outlined herein with a variant affecting the size and power of the four aforementioned electromechanical devices whereas each machines components are identical in application and appropriately sized by a proportional formula, thus not requiring further detail outlining.
(73) BASIC SPECIFICATIONS of BMS15.9 Machine 001 . . . Extended Commercial
(74) Dimensions: Footprint: . . . 9.17 US square feet Width: . . . approximately 44 US inches Depth: . . . approximately 30 US inches Height: . . . approximately 34 US inches Weight: . . . approximately 400 US pounds Total Running Electric Power Usage is approximately [0.95 kw] 950 watts Required electrical service is 110/120 volts AC, 50-60 Hz, 20 amp, GFI service tie-in
(75) Having described my invention, other and additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, and without deviating from the scope of the appended claims.
(76) This can without limitation include slaving together a plurality of individual machines, or bodies, a first of these defining a master machine, with additional bodies further defining slaved machines such that functionality is directed from the controls of the master machine for operating any number of the slaved machines via a piggyback pigtail connection cable and virtual electronic switching and programmability. The processor controls may incorporate software protocols and algorithms which permit any of status monitoring or modification of operational parameters of any number of the individual bodies, and as determined by sensor inputs. A mobile application or other supporting platform can be provided for use on a remote processor driven device, and again is not limited to a smart phone or tablet.
(77) The detailed description and drawings are further understood to be supportive of the disclosure, the scope of which being defined by the claims. While some of the best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the claimed teachings have been described in detail, various alternative designs and embodiments exist for practicing the disclosure defined in the appended claims.
(78) The foregoing disclosure is further understood as not intended to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms or particular fields of use disclosed. As such, it is contemplated that various alternate embodiments and/or modifications to the present disclosure, whether explicitly described or implied herein, are possible in light of the disclosure. Having thus described embodiments of the present disclosure, a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is limited only by the claims.
(79) In the foregoing specification, the disclosure has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, as one skilled in the art will appreciate, various embodiments disclosed herein can be modified or otherwise implemented in various other ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, this description is to be considered as illustrative and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the manner of making and using various embodiments of the disclosure. It is to be understood that the forms of disclosure herein shown and described are to be taken as representative embodiments. Equivalent elements, materials, processes or steps may be substituted for those representatively illustrated and described herein. Moreover, certain features of the disclosure may be utilized independently of the use of other features, all as would be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of the disclosure. Expressions such as “including”, “comprising”, “incorporating”, “consisting of”, “have”, “is” used to describe and claim the present disclosure are intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural.
(80) Further, various embodiments disclosed herein are to be taken in the illustrative and explanatory sense, and should in no way be construed as limiting of the present disclosure. All joinder references (e.g., attached, affixed, coupled, connected, and the like) are only used to aid the reader's understanding of the present disclosure, and may not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the systems and/or methods disclosed herein. Therefore, joinder references, if any, are to be construed broadly. Moreover, such joinder references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected to each other.
(81) Additionally, all numerical terms, such as, but not limited to, “first”, “second”, “third”, “primary”, “secondary”, “main” or any other ordinary and/or numerical terms, should also be taken only as identifiers, to assist the reader's understanding of the various elements, embodiments, variations and/or modifications of the present disclosure, and may not create any limitations, particularly as to the order, or preference, of any element, embodiment, variation and/or modification relative to, or over, another element, embodiment, variation and/or modification.
(82) It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements depicted in the drawings/figures can also be implemented in a more separated or integrated manner, or even removed or rendered as inoperable in certain cases, as is useful in accordance with a particular application. Additionally, any signal hatches in the drawings/figures should be considered only as exemplary, and not limiting, unless otherwise specifically specified.