WO1997015408A1 - Apparatus for transforming urban waste into sterile muds - Google Patents

Abstract

It is an apparatus suitable to transform urban organic waste materials in general into sterile mud residuals. The apparatus comprises, within one single tight case, provided with automatic electronic control systems, suitable and appropriate electromechanical parts and devices granting the following operations: a) first phase of waste material treatment with water inlet, obtaining a first coarse reduction of the waste; b) second phase of fine trituration; c) third phase of flocculation and contemporary sterilization, bringing the mud residuals to the high temperature of approx. 120 °C; d) fourth phase of centrifugation and quick cooling of muds through water inlet, and contemporary discharge of muds, reduced to a liquid condition, by means of a motor-driven pump, directly to the sewerage, being the apparatus connected to it, as well as to the water supply net and to the power net, leaving it ready for another treatment cycle.

Description

APPARATUS FOR TRANSFORMING URBAN WASTE INTO STERILE MUDS

DESCRIPTION

Technical Field

This invention concerns a new electromechanical apparatus, with fully electronical automation, designed in three versions, namely:

- Small apparatus - for homely use; - Medium apparatus - for medium communities;

- Big apparatus - for large communities.

Background Art

The apparatus was expressly studied in the smallest details in order to give solution to the problems connected with the separation, collection, transport and disposal of organic city waste materials in general, and consequently of hygienic-sanitary nature and related to environment pollution, by operating at the source of waste materials the compulsory sorting between wet organic and solid inorganic waste.

Disclosure ofthe Invention The advantages deriving from the use ofthe apparatus according to this invention are the following: a) compulsory source sorting of organic and inert waste; b) progressive elimination of road trash cans and bells, and containers for sorted and unsorted waste; c) progressive elimination of most open air waste dumps; d) drastic reduction ofthe number of packing machines e) great recovery of organic fluids through the purifying equipments, being subject to recycling as organic fertilizers, f) big savings due to non-investments for the road waste containers, their maintenance and replacement, being no longer required; g) further savings for reduced transport to and from waste dumps and or incinerators, specially if located outside district; h) cleaner and hygienic conditions in homes and in any environment, i) lower pollution risks in urban and non-urban habitats; j) progressive and constant reduction ofthe present taxation levels per head for the item "city cleaning" and other related costs. - 2 -

The above mentioned aims are attained through this apparatus, that presents such technical features as to grant the automatic process of the solid city waste in perfectly tight conditions, in four operation phases up to their conversion to sterile muds, suitable to be disposed through the sewerage. The entire process is free of steam, fumes, and gases, being therefore perfectly healthy and in harmony with the laws granting environmental protection as well as hygienic and safe conditions.

The characteristics of technical and functional nature, and relevant to the realizability of the present industrial invention shall be fully comprehended by means of the following explanatory description of the realization of the apparatus and of the phases ofthe process with the help ofthe annexed tables and drawings.

Brief Description ofthe Drawings

Fig. 1 schematically represents a side view of the apparatus: the cross section of the external case quite clearly illustrates the different mechanical parts where the four phases of organic waste processing take place, and the distinct separation between the motor-pump-transmission cabinet and the zone where the very process is developped; Fig. 2 again in a cross section of the outside case represents in front position the four sections forming the processing zone, clearly putting in evidence the clean border between the first zone and the second one, where respectively the first and the second process phases, as well as the third toghether with the fourth, take place. Fig. 3 illustrates the same case section seen from the back, having in evidence the electric motor (M) on top, the motor-driven pump (P) and the drive (T) for the various organs ofthe apparatus,

Fig. 4 top view, puts in evidence the cover of the loading chamber, the location ofthe photocells controlling the cover opening and the port for access to the electronic control unit.

Description ofthe Preferred Embodiment

With reference to the above figures, it comes clearly out that the present apparatus for processing organic city waste in general is realizable as a component of a quite usual kitchen, like a dish-washing machine, and can be therefore used as built-in equipment, being extractible like a drawer on suitable tracks provided in the furniture. It is plugged into the current net, receiving the power for the treatment process from a traditional electric connection (1), it is connected to the water supply net through the pipe union (2) ofthe inlet flexible hose and to the sewerage through the pipe union (3) of the outlet flexible hose. From a technical and functional point of view, the apparatus consists of a case (4) with an inside frame entirely made of stainless steel, having the shape of a rectangular parallelepipedon with square base, with round angles outside Under the basement of the apparatus two spherical rubber-coated wheels (5) are provided on the rear side, and two screw adjustable feet (6) on the front side, in order to facilitate the displacement and positioning of the machine Outside the apparatus neither hand grips nor control keyboards are present, as it works under fully electronical control, being equipped with a programmed control unit (7) that is located inside the apparatus in the upper part

The loading phase begins from the top of the machine through the loading port (8) that opens horizontally within a toothed track guide (9) under the control of a photocell ( 10), the electronic beam of which is interrupted by the waste approaching the port (8) The garbage is disposed inside the loading chamber (1 1); at this moment the first treatment phase begins The port (8) closes under the control of an adjustable timer that is located in the electronic unit (7), and that simultaneously starts a set of special crushing rollers (12, 12a), such rollers, that are six in total, engage one another by couples in such a way that the two couples of rollers having a smaller diameter (12a) work above the couple with the larger diameter (12), that is arranged in centered position with respect to the remaining two, and are suitable for cutting and crushing organic waste materials of consistent hardness and volume, such as animal bones, food residuals, etc The crushed waste materials fall by gravity, becoming heavier because of the water absorbed through a couple of pierced stainless steel pipes (13), into the sloping hopper ( 14) leading to the inside of a special triturator (15) where they are granted a further fine trituration by means ofthe special worm device arranged there inside, which further mills the materials resulting from the first treatment phase and reduces them to sewage This compulsively falls little by little through a duct (16), provided with watertight shutter controlled through a solenoid valve (17), integral with the watertight bulkhead (18) dividing the worm triturator (15) from the pressing chamber (19) where the steps of the mud flocculation, sterilization and centrifugation take place

The third treatment phase develops inside the above mentioned pressing chamber ( 19) and begins by a) shutting off the water flow and powering the electric resistance (20) that raises the temperature of muds up to 120°C, thus giving way to the sterilization phase of the muddy products, b) during the sterilization phase, the flocculation process begins, thus facilitating the sterilization of the entire muddy mass, this flocculation is obtained by means of two shear blades (21), one with cutting edge and the other one with toothed edge, granting a further reduction of muddy crumbs, c) after reaching the preset temperature, the resistance (20) turns off and the water flows again directly and exclusively into the pressing chamber through a stainless steel pipe, the inlet of water expedites the mud cooling that is also facilitated through the centrifugation phase In case of pressure excess situations that might occur inside the pressing chamber ( 19), both the relief valve (23) and safety valve (23a), that are calibrated at a preset pressure, are operated, they are directly connected to the discharge pipeline (3a) leading to the sewer After reaching the cooled down temperature of 35°C approximately, the fourth waste treatment phase begins, i.e. suction and discharge of sterile muds to the sewerage through the motor driven pump (P).

Once the pump has exhausted the aqueous sterile muds, the apparatus is ready for a new treatment cycle, or, if required, for an idle self-cleaning treatment "with water only, or adding a glas ofa common disinfectant"

From the above description and the annexed drawings, the qualities of funtionality, practicability and economy characterizing the apparatus for the treatment of organic waste that forms the object of the present industrial invention, can be easily noticed. The apparatus and its component parts are here described and represented merely as an indicative non-limiting example and in any case with the only purpose of proving the actual realizability and the characteristics ofthe present invention.

From these premises it is possible to infer that the apparatus in object and the method of employment of the same may be subject to several variants and modifications, according to the specific requirements of each single case, as well as suggested by practical experience. Such variants may concern both the above mentioned functional parts, and their assembling and employment peculiarity, without passing the limits of the present invention.

Claims

1 An apparatus for converting organic city waste in general to liquid sterile muds, that can be evacuated through the sewerage, characterized in that it comprises, within a perfectly tight case, more than one mechanical, electronic and electric part, such as to execute, in four treatment phases, the reduction to fragments and the conversion to sewage and its sterilization, as well as the disposal of the transformed organic waste through the sewerage without developping external smells, gases, smoke and steam

2 An apparatus for converting organic city waste in general to liquid muds, that can be evacuated through the sewerage, according to Claim 1, characterized in that the perfectly tight external case (4), containing the mechanical, electronic and electric devices for the execution ofthe four phases of treatment of organic city waste, is provided with means (2) for the connection to the net supplying the water to be used during the treatment, as well as means

(3) for the connection to the sewerage for the disposal of the obtained sewage and with means (1) for the connection to the electric power net for the supply of the power granting the operation of electric, electromechanical and electronic devices available in the apparatus, but without keyboards or control devices on the external case, as the apparatus is entirely electronically automated 3 An apparatus for converting organic city waste in general to liquid sterile muds, according to Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it can be realized in three versions, each one matching with specific operational requirements, differring from each other exclusively with regard to dimensions and yeld of organic waste treated, such versions being derived from the "homely" version realized as a built-in component of kitchen furniture, extractible like a drawer on suitable tracks, and as such provided with the corresponding means to support it while extracted, such as feet with or without wheels

4 An apparatus according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the loading port (8) can be opened by means of an electronic photocell system (10), this is a help for the operator as to loading the waste into the machine and moreover the above mentioned port is connected through sensors and an adjustable timer to an electronic unit (7) closing the port itself, starting the motor and the first phase of treatment ofthe waste, so that by setting the timer "with remote control", it is possible to put the machine in waiting position until the waste basket is full and release it to start the treatment

5 An apparatus according to the preceding claims, characterized in that all treatment cycles performed by the apparatus as well as its loading and discharge, idle self-cleaning included, are controlled by means of an electronic unit (7) through photocells and electronic and electromechanical sensors, such unit (7) is located in the upper part of the apparatus, near the loading port (8) and is accessible through a small closable port, there are also arranged the timer for starting the treatment and/or for its stop-holding

6 An apparatus according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the first organic waste treatment phase is performed by means of crushing rollers (12, 12a) in hardened stainless steel, of which the first four matching with each other in couples of two placed at such a distance from each other that in case of waste materials of large dimensions and hard consistency (i.e. animal bones, etc.), the waste is allowed to fall underneath into the gears of the third couple of crushing rollers (12a) which has a larger diameter and a wider pitch of teeth than the first ones; these crushing rollers have the following technical features: a) each roller, besides being provided with grooves that form a perfect toothed wheel, matching with each other along the shaft, also has on the whole length, a set of special cutting disks in hardened steel, with diamond coated saw blades; they are distributed at regular intervals and to each one corresponds a groove with the same interval and corresponding to the disks of one roller and to those of the other one; thanks to this artifice the two rollers perfectly match with each other both along their teeth and crushing grooves and within the cutting disks corresponding to the female grooves of one another; b) the synergetic rotatory motion in the couples of rollers, their crushing power, the cutting and sectioning capability of the disks, their differentiated arrangement, the dimensions of the first two couples differring from those of the couple underneath, that is suitable for triturating, cutting and sectioning the big and hard pieces arriving from the upper rollers, grant a first coarse trituration of organic waste during the first phase of treatment, that takes place in the constant presence of water coming from and supplied by two pipes (13) in stainless steel, along which are to be seen a few holes of small diameter that grant the rain distribution of water, thus saving a considerable quantity ofthe water required for the treatment cycle; c) the water leading pipes (13) are arranged over and byside the crushing rollers inside the waste loading chamber (1 1), for which reason the water has an active part in the treatment phase, thus converting to a coarse pulp the triturated material that is ready to receive the second phase of treatment.

7. An apparatus according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the second phase of fine trituration and conversion of the waste to coarse muds takes place in a special worm triturator, the speciality of which consisting of having in the worm (15), in the shears (21) and in the fixed disk particular structural artifices that grant the above described conversion and are brought to evidence here below: a) the worm (15), in hardened stainless steel, with diamond coated cutting edges and, in some lengths, at a certain distance, alternated with the cutting edges, wherein saw-shaped edges are arranged, suitable to crush eventual hard waste, b) the shear (21), in hardened stainless steel, provided with three diamond coated equally distant blades, having the shape of a truncated pyramid with triangular base and integral with the worm (15), impacts and furtherly reduces the waste against a special fixed disk; c) the fixed disk, in hardened stainless steel, fixed to the triturator (15) case by means of a threaded locking ring, on its surface presents a number of windows radiating from the center of the worm alignment hole towards the periphery of the same disk, these slots have the peculiarity of being inclined by 30° approx. towards the inside, thus creating a further scissoring angle and facilitating the outlet of sewage.

8. An apparatus according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the third phase of treatment of the organic waste, reduced to sewage, is developped in a special pressing chamber (19) where the phases of its flocculation, sterilization and centrifugation take place; wherein are arranged the following parts: a) an electric resistance (20) for the sterilization of the muds that are brought to the temperature of 120°C; b) a shear (21 ) with two specially-shaped blades, one of which concave and the other one convex, with cutting and diamond coated edges, operates the flocculation and centrifugation ofthe sterile muds; the convex blade presents some saw-shaped zones along its cutting edge; c) inside the chamber (19) there is the outlet of a pipe supplying water for the quick cooling down of muds and another pipe connected with the motor-driven pump for the suction ofthe same muds; d) one relief valve (23) and one safety valve are located in the upper part, inside the rear wall of the pressing chamber (19); they are in direct communication with the external outlet hose to the sewerage; e) in the upper part of the chamber (19) there is a "solenoid"gate valve (17) for the inlet of muds delivered by the worm triturator (15), that with its perfectly tight closing grants an optimal sterilization pressure.

9. An apparatus according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the disposal ofthe organic waste reduced to sewage, "Phase four", is executed by means of a motor-driven pump (P) connected to the pressing chamber (19) through a suction pipe (3b), whereas the outlet of sewage is connected to a pipe union (3) outside the case (4) ofthe apparatus, where the flexible hose provides connection to the sewerage.

10. An apparatus according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the first three phases of mechanical treatment of the organic waste are granted by the drive of an electric motor (M), the shaft of which matches, through bevel gears, with the other drive systems for the crushing rollers (12, 12a) and the worm triturator (15), whereas a pulley, that is integral with the motor shaft (T), grants a belt drive to the flocculation and centrifugation blades (21), and all the motion transmission phases are controlled through the electronic unit (7) in absolutely safe conditions for the equipment and for the operators.

11. An apparatus for the treatment and disposal of organic city waste in general, of simple realization and optimal, practical, easy and various employment, designed for being executed in three versions, small-medium-large apparatus, according to the preceding claims, all substantially as already widely described and illustrated in the preceding report and by means of the drawings that form an integral part of the patent application for the present industrial invention.