DE29911388U1 - Composting plant - Google Patents

Description

*·..* · :: :· —Patent Attorneys ·· ·* ..· *

KERN, BREHM & PARTNERS GbR

Albert-Rosshaupter-Str. 73 - D-81369 Munich - Telephone (089) 760 55 20 760 55 26 - Fax (089) 760 55

Georg Jäger, sen; 30 June 1999

82319 Starnberg - PERA-Ol

Composting plant

Description;

The present invention relates to a composting plant according to the preamble of claim 1.

A composting plant of this type is known, for example, from document EP 0 655 427 A2. The retention basin of the known composting plant, if present, serves to collect seepage juices dripping through the floor grate, which are valuable for the rotting process due to their nitrogen content and - after dilution with water - can be returned to the composting material as liquid fertilizer. Due to the low amount of such seepage juices, the volume of the known retention basin typically makes up less than 5% of the housing volume.

Among other factors, the course of the rotting process also depends on a sufficient moisture content. In arid, semi-arid and subtropical areas, water from an external water source often has to be added to the composting plant. On the other hand, water in the form of precipitation (rain, dew) and/or condensation also occurs in arid, semi-arid and subtropical areas, but this is not sufficiently utilized.

In contrast, the object of the present invention is to provide a composting plant which is preferably to be used in arid, semi-arid and/or subtropical regions of the earth, which makes better use of the rainwater and/or condensate water also occurring in these regions, so that the use of water from external sources can be reduced.

Starting from a composting plant

with a round or polygonal housing that holds the composting material and has

a floor grate,
-.' . - a double-walled side wall, a sloping waterproof roof,

wherein this housing rests at a distance on a one- or multi-part base group adapted to the circumference of the housing, and a water retention basin is formed within this base group and below the base grate,
The solution to the above problem according to the invention is characterized in that

a film holding device is present which can be attached to the floor assembly if required, or which is permanently attached to the floor assembly and whose position can be changed if required; and between the lower edge of the side wall and the upper edge of the floor assembly there is a sufficiently wide film strip so that an inner edge of the film strip reaches into the water basin and so that an outer edge section of the film strip protrudes beyond the circumference of the housing; and this film strip either assumes a water drainage position or is held in a water inlet position with the aid of the film holding device, whereby

in the water inlet position
an outer edge section of the film web surrounds the lower edge of an outer wall of the surrounding side wall in a funnel shape so that rain and/or condensation water running down/in the side wall

reaches the foil web and is discharged from there into the water retention basin;
- in the water drainage position

at least the outer edge section of the film web carries at least the precipitation and/or condensate running down the outer wall and possibly also the condensate running down inside the side wall away from the floor assembly and leads it to a drainage system, a sewer, a seepage area or the like.

Advantageous embodiments and further developments of this composting plant according to the invention emerge from the subclaims. ■ .

The housing of the composting plant can form individual, free-standing containers or pavilions which have a round or polygonal cross-section. For such pavilions, housing volumes of 15, 25 and 40 m ³ can typically be provided. Alternatively, the housing can be constructed from several housing modules, as described in more detail in the document EP 0 655 427 A2.

The housing has a circumferential side wall that is double-walled. For this purpose, the side wall typically has a stable, rigid, vertically arranged inner wall, which is typically made up of grate or lattice elements to allow air access to the composting material via the side wall. At a distance and parallel to the inner wall, an outer wall is arranged that is largely waterproof against liquid water and preferably also forms a water vapor barrier. This outer wall can consist, for example, of ISO panels, plastic panels (glass fiber reinforced polyester) or a plastic film with a layer thickness greater than 1 mm. The outer wall preferably has a bright, light-reflecting outer side or coating. The distance between the outer wall and the inner wall should ensure sufficient air circulation and can typically be around 30 to 60 mm. With the same construction,

At least one section of the side wall is designed as a pivoting gate in order to be able to introduce composting material into the plant and to remove compost.

On the side wall of the housing there is a typically slightly sloping roof, which is also made of a material that is waterproof against liquid water and preferably also forms a water vapor barrier. Possible roof materials include plastic panels, tiles (made of slate or clay), ISO panels, heavy plastic foils, etc. The roof pitch can be 15 to 30°, for example.

The selection of roof materials and external wall materials is preferably carried out with the proviso that the roof and the surrounding side wall together form a bell within which the internal climate of the rotting process, including its moisture content, can be maintained. In addition, the bell is provided with openings, openings, ventilation ducts and the like to enable air to be exchanged with the environment.

The housing also includes a one- or multi-part floor grate, the openings and recesses of which ensure sufficient air circulation on the one hand and prevent humus and/or compost from entering the water retention basin on the other. There are also other known and usual devices, such as for introducing the composting material into the housing, for arranging the composting material in layers within the housing depending on the degree of maturity and/or for removing the compost.

The entire housing rests on a single or multi-part base assembly that serves as a foundation and is adapted to the circumference of the housing. This base assembly can consist of individual supports arranged at a distance from one another, for example made of metal (stainless steel) or of individual brick base elements, or of a brick surrounding base or of a cast concrete foundation. Such a base assembly

group may be at least partially embedded in the surrounding soil or it may be arranged upright on a ground surface

A "water retention basin" is formed within this floor group and beneath the floor grate. This can be a tub made of metal (stainless steel) or plastic (for example BAYDUR environmental plastic), or it can be a brick or cast concrete tub, or a predetermined or prepared cavity or pit in the ground can be lined with a waterproof film. This water retention basin must be designed or lined to be waterproof and should be able to hold a significant amount of water. The water retention basin should preferably have a capacity of more than 10% of the housing volume. The water retention basin particularly preferably has a capacity of 12 to 36% of the housing volume. Especially in arid or subtropical areas with rare but heavy rainfall, the water retention basin should be able to store a significant amount of water in order to provide a sufficient water supply even for longer dry periods.

This water retention basin is preferably provided with an outlet that leads out of the water retention basin adjacent to and below the floor grate. Preferably, a distance of at least about 10 cm is provided between the lower edge of the floor grate and the water level of the outlet, so that even when the water basin is completely full, there is sufficient space to enrich the circulating air with water vapor and to enable permanent ventilation of the composting material from below.

When carrying out a rotting process within such a composting plant, water can arise from various natural sources. Precipitation water such as rain or dew can run down the roof and the outer wall. The temperature difference between

The rotting compost material and the cold environment, especially at night, can lead to the formation of condensation from the ambient air and/or from the air circulating within the housing bell, the moisture content of which is fed by the process moisture of the rotting process. Such condensation will run down inside the side wall or outside on the outer wall.

In order to make better use of the water running down and/or inside the side wall, a sufficiently wide film strip is provided between the lower edge of the side wall and the upper edge of the floor assembly so that an inner edge of the film strip extends into the water retention basin and so that an outer edge section of the film strip protrudes beyond the circumference of the housing. Without any additional measures or aids, this slack film strip assumes a water drainage position following its natural arrangement. With the help of an additional film holding device, this film strip can be brought into a water discharge position and held in this water discharge position. This film strip can preferably consist of a slack, waterproof, rot-proof plastic film; films made of polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene or polyisobutylene are well suited. This film strip can, for example, have a layer thickness of around 1.0 to 3.0 mm and a width (between the inner edge of the film strip and the outer edge of the film strip) of around 30 to 60 cm.

In the water inlet position, an outer edge section of this film sheet surrounds the lower edge of the outer wall of the surrounding side wall in a funnel shape, so that precipitation and/or condensation water running down/in the side wall and thus reaching the film sheet is led from the film sheet into the water retention basin.

In the water drainage position, however, at least the outer edge section of this foil web assumes such an arrangement that at least the precipitation and/or condensate running down the outer wall and thus reaching the foil web and, if applicable,

the condensate water running down the side wall and originating from the air humidity circulating within the system is carried away from the floor assembly with the help of the foil web and fed to a drainage system, a sewer, an infiltration area or the like.

Preferably, the floor assembly and/or its surroundings are designed in such a way that the film sheet assumes its water drainage position without any additional measures when it hangs down from the floor assembly and/or rests on the surface surrounding the floor assembly. In this case, the water drainage position is the natural arrangement of the slack film sheet resulting from the circumstances.

On the other hand, an additional film holding device is required to hold the film sheet removed from this natural arrangement and placed in the water inlet position in this water inlet position. This film holding device serves to hold the outer edge section of the film sheet in an arrangement that encompasses the lower edge of the outer wall of the surrounding side wall in a funnel-shaped manner (water inlet position) so that the film sheet directs precipitation and/or condensation water running down/in the side wall and thus onto the film sheet into the water basin. Various designs can be provided for such a film holding device.

For example, a closed, round or polygonal ring can be provided that surrounds the entire housing and can be fixed on the outside at a distance from the outer wall and above the lower edge of the outer wall. Such a ring can be made of metal, plastic, glass fiber reinforced plastic or wood, for example. The outer edge section of the film strip that is looped over this ring and fixed to it then forms a funnel that catches water running down/in the side wall.

Alternatively, this film holding device can consist of several rigid angle pieces, the legs of which preferably form an angle between

120 and 160°, particularly preferably an angle of around 145°. These angle pieces can be attached to the base assembly in the same orientation and at a distance from one another along the circumference of the housing. ■ For example, one, preferably shorter leg can be held in a vertical arrangement in holes that are recessed in the base assembly or in profile pieces, sleeves or other holders that are attached to the base assembly. The other, preferably longer leg of the angle pieces then points diagonally upwards away from both the base surface and the outer circumference of the housing. The outer edge section of the film web is placed over these protruding legs and held in place with film clamps. In this case too, the outer edge section of the film web thus fixed forms a funnel that catches water running down on/in the side wall.

Instead of the rigid angle pieces described, other bars or profiles, profiled sheets or the like could be provided which can fulfil the same function.

According to a further alternative, instead of the rigid angle pieces described above, variable angle pieces could also be provided, the legs of which are connected to one another in an articulated manner at the apex and can be locked in place. In this case, one leg is permanently fixed to the base assembly and the other leg is held in a funnel-shaped position surrounding the housing side wall with the aid of the lockable joint, or this other leg takes up a water drainage position together with the outer edge section of the film web.

In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail by means of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings, the latter showing:

Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of an inventive

• ft ^ · ft &Lgr; · #

composting plant; the left side (pos. 1) shows the film web in the water inlet position; the right side (pos. 2) shows the film web in the water drainage position;

Figure 2 is a similar representation to Figure 1; and

Figure 3 shows an oblique view of a section of the composting plant according to Figure 2.

The composting plant shown in the drawings, which accommodates the composting material 6, includes a housing which is essentially delimited by a sloping roof 10, a surrounding, double-walled side wall 11 and a floor grate 17. The vertically arranged side wall 11 consists of an inner wall 12 which adjoins the composting material 6 and which can be constructed from individual grid or grate elements 13, as well as an outer wall 14 which is arranged at a distance 15 from the inner wall 12. As indicated by the arrows 16, ventilation openings and channels are deliberately kept free in order to ensure air exchange with the environment and air circulation within the housing in order to supply the composting material 6 with oxygen. The side wall 11 is held at a distance from a base assembly 19 by means of supports 18 (see Figure 1), which in turn can rest on the levelled base 1 (see Figure 1) or can be slightly embedded in the soil 2 (see Figure 2). This base assembly 19 also holds the base grid 17.

A water retention basin 20 is formed beneath the floor grid 17 and within the floor group 19, which can consist, for example, of a tub 21 (see Figure 2) made of glass-fiber reinforced plastic (polyester). Alternatively, a pit 3 can be exposed in the ground 2 (see Figure 1), which is lined with a waterproof and rot-proof plastic film 22. The water retention basin 20 is provided with an outlet 24 (see Figure 1), which is arranged below and at a distance from the floor grid 17 in such a way that even when the floor is completely filled with water,

filled water basin 20, a gap remains between the water surface 25 and the lower edge of the floor grate 17.

As a new and essential aspect of the present invention, a film web 30 is additionally provided, which has a film inner edge 31, a middle section 32, a film web outer edge section 33 and a film web outer edge 34. Such an annular arrangement of the film web 30 adapted to the circumference of the housing is provided that

- the middle film web section 32 is located in the space between the lower edge of the side wall and the upper edge of the floor assembly and extends under the lower edge of the side wall along the circumference of the housing,

the inner edge 31 of the film web extends into the water retention basin 20, and

the film web outer edge section 33 projects outward beyond the housing circumference.

In individual cases - as shown in Figure 1, for example - this film web 30 can be formed in one piece with the plastic film 22 used to line the pit 3 and form the outer edge section of this plastic film 22.

This film sheet 30 can assume a water inlet position (see item 1) or a water drainage position (see item 2). In the water inlet position, the film sheet outer edge section 33 is directed upwards away from the floor 1 and surrounds the lower edge section of the outer wall 14 in a funnel shape, so that water running down the outer wall 14 reaches the film sheet 30 and is guided from there via the film sheet inner edge 31 into the water retention basin 20. In the water drainage position, at least the film sheet outer edge section 33 assumes an arrangement directed towards the floor surface 1 such that at least the water running down the outside of the outer wall 14 is guided away from the floor group 19 and fed to a drainage system,

a sewer 5, a seepage area or the like (see Figure 2). Alternatively and additionally, in the water drainage position, the condensate running down the inside of the outer wall 14, i.e. within the side wall 11, can also be drained away with the help of the outer edge film section 33, as is schematically indicated in Figure 1.

Without additional measures and aids, the slack film web 30 would assume its water-discharging position (natural arrangement). In order to move the film web 30 away from this natural arrangement into the water-inlet position and to hold it in this water-inlet position, a film holding device 40 is additionally provided. In the design according to Figure 1, this film holding device 40 consists of a number of rigid angle pieces 41 which can be attached to the base group 19 in the same orientation and at a distance from one another along the circumference of the housing. These angle pieces 41 are formed from a shorter leg 42 and a longer leg 43 which together enclose an angle of approximately 145°. The shorter leg 42 can be inserted in a vertical orientation in holders 44 which are permanently attached to the base group 19. In this arrangement, the longer leg 43 is directed diagonally upwards both away from the base 1 and from the outer wall 14. The outer edge section 33 of the film web 30 is laid over these longer legs 43, which are arranged at regular intervals from one another, the outer edge 34 of the film web is folded over the leg end and clamped and fixed there with the aid of a removable film clamp 45. In this arrangement, the outer edge section 33 of the film web forms a funnel that surrounds the lower edge of the outer wall 14, which catches water running down/in the side wall 11 and directs it into the water retention basin 20 via the middle section 32 of the film web.

According to an alternative embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, this film holding device 40 can comprise profiled sheet metal strips or profile pieces 47, which can be inserted with an end section 48 into a predetermined opening, recess, bore or slot in the floor

_ TO —

group 19 so that the other, longer end section is held obliquely upwards, away from both the floor 1 and the outer wall 14.

After the film clamps 45 have been loosened again, the film web outer edge section 33 has been separated from the individual elements 41 or 47 of the film holding device 40 and these elements 41, 47 have been removed from the base group 19, the outer edge section 33 of the slack film web 30 can again assume its natural arrangement corresponding to the water drainage position.

Example;

A free-standing composting plant with a capacity of 10 m ³ has a roughly square floor plan with a side length of about 3 m and a height of about 1.8 m. The housing includes a double-walled side wall that runs all the way around and is held on vertical steel columns. The outer wall is made of plastic panels, preferably glass-fiber-reinforced polyester with a light, light-reflecting outer surface. The inner wall is made of individual, spaced-apart panels made of recycled plastic. There is a gap of about 50 mm between the inner and outer walls. The compost rests on an air- and water-permeable floor grate made of recycled plastic.

Below the floor grate there is a basin designed as a water retention basin. This basin can be a concrete shell or made of stainless steel, or a pre-defined cavity in the ground can be lined with a plastic film. The basin typically has a capacity of around 3 m ³ .

There is a waterproof roof on the housing, which together with the outer wall of the housing forms a kind of bell within which the moisture is retained, but an exchange of air with the environment is possible in order to supply the composting material with oxygen.

- 13 -

A special feature is a film strip that serves as a water-guiding device, which is located all the way around at a distance below the entire lower edge of the housing and is used to guide process and condensate water into the tub in any case, and if necessary, depending on the position of the water-guiding device, also to collect the water running down the outer wall and guide it into the tub. This water-guiding device comprises an adjustable or attachable film holder and a sufficiently wide film strip, for example 30 to 60 cm wide. The film holder serves to hold the section of the film strip that protrudes beyond the outer wall of the housing in a water-inlet position if necessary. If this film holder is removed, the slack film strip assumes a water-drainage position - in accordance with its natural arrangement. This film holder can consist of individual profile pieces made of steel or plastic, which can be attached to the base assembly if necessary, for example by plugging it on. Alternatively, the film holding device can be permanently attached and then has articulated, adjustable sections with the help of which the outer film web section can be held in the water inlet position.

Exemplary versions of this composting plant were tested in an area near the Dead Sea. It shows:

a) the presence of the tank into which water is deliberately fed and stored is necessary in order to maintain sufficient humidity in the composting material;

b) Furthermore, the housing must be double-walled in order to keep losses of process and condensate water as low as possible;

(c) under these conditions, the additional function of the water management system reduces the water demand to be satisfied from external sources by approximately one third.

Claims (19)

1. Composting plant with a round or polygonal housing that holds the compost material and has 1. a floor grate ( 17 ), 2. a circumferential, double-walled side wall ( 11 ), 3. a sloping, watertight roof ( 10 ), wherein this housing rests at a distance on a one- or multi-part base group ( 19 ) adapted to the circumference of the housing, and within this base group ( 19 ) and below the base grate ( 17 ) a water retention basin ( 20 ) is formed, characterized in that
a film holding device ( 40 ) is provided which can be attached to the floor assembly ( 19 ) if required, or which is permanently attached to the floor assembly ( 19 ) and can be changed in position if required; and
a sufficiently wide film web ( 30 ) is present between the lower edge of the side wall and the upper edge of the floor assembly so that an inner edge ( 31 ) of the film web extends into the water retention basin ( 20 ) and so that an outer edge section ( 33 ) of the film web projects beyond the circumference of the housing; and
this film web ( 30 ) either assumes a water drainage position (see item 2) or is held in a water inlet position (see item 1) by means of the film holding device ( 40 ), whereby 1. in the water introduction position, an outer edge section ( 33 ) of the film web ( 30 ) surrounds the lower edge of an outer wall ( 14 ) of the surrounding side wall (11) in a funnel shape so that precipitation and/or condensation water running down/in the side wall (11) reaches the film web ( 30 ) and is introduced from there into the water retention basin ( 20 ); 2. in the water drainage position, at least the outer edge section ( 33 ) of the film web ( 30 ) carries at least the precipitation and/or condensate water running down the outer wall ( 14 ) and optionally also the condensate water running down inside the side wall ( 11 ) away from the floor assembly ( 19 ) and leads it to a drainage system, a sewer ( 5 ), a seepage area or the like. 2. Composting plant according to claim 1, characterized in that the water retention basin ( 20 ) has a capacity which is more than 10% of the housing volume. 3. Composting plant according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the water retention basin ( 20 ) has a capacity of 12 to 36% of the housing volume. 4. Composting plant according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the water retention basin ( 20 ) is designed in the form of a tub ( 21 ) which consists of metal, in particular stainless steel, plastic, reinforced plastic, masonry or cast concrete. 5. Composting plant according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the water retention basin ( 20 ) consists of a cavity or pit ( 3 ) formed in the ground area ( 2 ) which is lined with a rot-proof plastic film ( 22 ). 6. Composting plant according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the water retention basin ( 20 ) is provided with an outlet ( 24 ) which leads out of the water retention basin ( 20 ) adjacent to and below the floor grate ( 17 ). 7. Composting plant according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that
the side wall ( 11 ) has a perforated inner wall ( 12 ) adjacent to the composting material ( 6 ) and, at a distance ( 15 ) therefrom, a largely air- and water vapor-tight outer wall ( 14 );
and this distance ( 15 ) is 30 to 60 mm. 8. Composting plant according to claim 7, characterized in that the outer wall ( 14 ) is provided with a light-reflecting outer surface or coating. 9. Composting plant according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the outer wall ( 14 ) is composed of rigid plates. 10. Composting plant according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the outer wall ( 14 ) consists of a heavy plastic film at least 1 mm thick, which hangs down from the roof ( 10 ) parallel to and at a distance from the inner wall ( 12 ). 11. Composting plant according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the film web ( 30 ) consists of a flaccid polyolefin film. 12. Composting plant according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the film web ( 30 ) has a layer thickness of 1 to 3 mm. 13. Composting plant according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the film web ( 30 ) has a width of 30 to 60 cm. 14. Composting plant according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the film holding device ( 40 ) consists of a number of rigid angle pieces ( 44 ) which can be attached to the base group ( 19 ) in the same orientation and at a distance from one another along the circumference of the housing. 15. Composting plant according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that each angle piece ( 41 ) with a vertically aligned leg ( 42 ) can be inserted into a holder ( 45 ) which is permanently attached to the base group ( 19 ). 16. Composting plant according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the film holding device ( 41 ) consists of a number of profiled sheet metal strips ( 47 ) which can be attached to the base group ( 19 ) in the same orientation and at a distance from one another along the circumference of the housing. 17. Composting plant according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the profiled sheet metal strips ( 47 ) can be inserted with a section ( 48 ) into slots which are formed on the base group. 18. Composting plant according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the film holding device ( 40 ) has a number of variable angle pieces, the legs of which are connected to one another in an articulated manner; this joint can be locked in different positions; and these angle pieces are permanently attached to the base group via one leg each at a distance from one another along the circumference of the housing.