Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a system for rapid generation of compost. In particular
the system is directed to provide a mobile system for compost generation for household
as well as industrial application. The system would favour generation of solid compost
as welt liquid compost from various organic waste material for use including in
agriculture, aquaculture and agroforestry. Importantly, the system would favour tailoring
the compost production based on the nature and characteristics of the waste by
controlled variation in the processing characteristics.
Background and Prior Art
It is presently known in the art to practice aerobic process of composting following heap
method. In such method, the heap is provided of 6-8 feet wide, 3.5 to 4 feet high and of
convenient length according to material available. The materials are heaped in layers.
Four to five layers of trash are put one over the other till it attains 2.5 to 4 ft high. The
top is covered or plastered with mud. After 1.5-2 months the material is given first
turning and fresh materials are added to it. Continuously 2 or 3 turnings are required for
complete decomposition. The whole process requires 4.5-5 months after which the
compost is ready for application to the field.
Another method is trench method of compost generation where a suitable size of trench
i.e. 15-20 feet long, 5-6 ft broad and 3-6 ft deep is dug. The materials are mixed and a
layer of one feet thickness is spread along the trench. A second layer or similar
thickness is spread till a height of 2 feet above ground level is attained. The top is
covered with thin layer of earth. After 4-5 month, the compost becomes ready.
It is, however, found that such conventional process of composting utilizing heap method
or trench method suffer from inherent disadvantages or drawbacks. In particular, such
known methods are found to consume more land area under horizontal expansion.
Moreover, in conventional method, the retention time for composting is usually very long.
No accurate control of moisture, temperature and air for decomposition process is
achieved. Additionally, in such processes the liquid organic manure is usually lost in the
process as there is no practical provision for collection of liquid organic manure.
Importantly also, since the raw material is uncontrolled as well as composting
environment, the nature of the compost produced is found to be varying and of
uncontrollable character and quality. Also the decomposition procedure in such
conventional methods are found to be slow and time consuming thereby making entire
process cost extensive as well as cumbersome.
Object of the invention
It is thus the basic object of the present invention to provide for a system for generation
of compost which would take care of the above discussed limitations of compost
generation following conventional methods discussed above.
Another object of the present invention is to provide for a system for compost generation
which would be mobile and simple to install and use and thus can be provided for
household applications apart from industrial applications.
Another object of the present invention is to provide for a mobile and easy to assemble
system for generating compost which can be used to generate both solid and liquid
compost.
Another object of the present invention is directed to provide for system for compost
generation which would require less land area and would provide for system of compost
of varying capacity as per the user requirements.
Yet further object of the present invention is directed to provide for the simple and cost-
effective mobile system for composting which would provide for faster decomposition of
compost involving various decomposition factors like organisms, environmental factors
like aeration, temperature and moisture.
Yet further object of the present invention is directed to provide for a mobile system for
composting which would enable uniform compost generation by monitoring and varying
the maturity of the product and its quality.
Yet further object of the present invention is to provide for a mobile compost generation
system which apart from generating solid compost would also enable generation and
collection of liquid compost for effective use such as liquid vermiwash and the like.
Yet further object of the present invention is to provide for a mobile compost system
which can be easily dismantled and assembled at site without complexity and which also
would be cost effective and durable.
Further object of the present invention is directed to a process for generation of solid and/or
liquid compost using the system for compost generation of the invention, which would be simple
and cost effective.
Summary of the invention
Thus according to the one aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for
compost generation comprising :
at least one composting vat having perforated/meshed walls/bottom, said vat adapted to retain
raw organic waste and provide for desired regulation of decomposition factors to favour obtaining
desired compost;
said system provided with outlet at the bottom.
In accordance with a preferred aspect of the present invention, the compost system comprise a
mobile compost system involving one or more said of composting vats with aeration means
disposed one above the other and/or at the sides adjacent one another, each said vat adapted to
retain raw organic waste and provide for desired regulation of decomposition factors to favour
obtaining of the desired compost.
Preferably, the compost system of the invention is adapted to generate apart from the solid
compost, which is generated in the vat, also liquid compost for effective utilization of the same.
Importantly, the liquid compost generated in the system is collected from the bottom of the vats
and more preferably in case of the system having plurality of such vats the vats are adapted to
discharge the liquid compost generated in the respective vats through pipeline for final discharge
through a common outlet.
Preferably, to achieve the desired aeration each said vat is obtained of perforated/meshed wall
members with open top for visual inspection of the composting process. In particular, the frame
of the vat is made of angled iron onto which the perforated/meshed walls for necessary aeration
are secured preferably, in the form of plastic wire net. It is possible that in case of multiple vats a
basic frame structure is provided with means/adaptations for releasably accommodating plurality
of such vats vertically one above the other. Additionally or alternatively, such vats may be
arranged side by side adjacent to one another. The no. and arrangement of such vats may be
selected based upto the location and the capacity of the system desired.
Importantly, the perforated/meshed wall/bottom of the vats should be selected such that any
mixed strains of microorganisms and/or exotic efficient organisms used for
composting cannot escape or the organic waste materials do not fall out of such
perforations.
In accordance with further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process
for generation of solid /liquid compost using the system of the invention discussed
above. Such method comprises;
providing the raw material in said perforated/meshed vat; and
subjecting the same to composting by regulating the composting steps.
Importantly, selection of raw organic waste single or composite, raw-organic waste
obtained from agriculture, agro-industry, household waste or aquatic bodies are used.
Preferably, prior to subjecting the waste to composting in the vats, the waste materials
are chopped or sized by means of a machine to obtain the waste of uniform cut size.
This is followed by pre-treatment of the chopped material by inoculating with inoculums
of microorganisms. After sizing and pretreatment of the raw organic waste, the same is
loaded in each vat preferably at equal weight/volume and allowed further inoculation in
the vat. After inoculation, the release of earthworm is done at an appropriate number.
The moisture is maintained at desired level in each vat.
Maturity of the compost is judged by physical appearance of the materials, smell, C/N
ratio etc.
In accordance with further aspect of the invention, the system provides for flushing of
matured compost from all vats with water and for collection at a common outlet. The
volume of water to be used for flushing usually depends on the quantity of the raw
materials used.
It is possible to use single or mixed strain of microorganisms like fungas and bacteria.
Additionally, introduction of other exotic efficient organisms and earthworms can also be
used for faster decomposition.
The details of the invention, its objects and advantages will be further apparent from the
ensuing description made in relation to the non-limiting exemplary illustrations of the
system of compost generation and process of compost generation using such a system
in accordance with the invention as per the accompanying figures wherein
Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a system for generating compost obtained in
accordance with the invention.
Figure 2 is a mobile household compost unit obtained in accordance with the present
invention.
Figure 3 is another embodiment of the mobile compost unit obtained in accordance with
the present invention.
Reference is first invited to figure 1 which illustrates the compost system in accordance
with the present invention. As clearly represented in said figure the compost system of
the invention comprises of the plurality of perforated vats (V1, V2, V3 & V4) supported
one above the other vertically by means of the support structure (SS). As represented in
said figure, the vats are provided with aeration means and for the purpose is provided
with walls/bottom obtained of plastic wire net.
In particular, the various components used in the system include angle iron, iron sheet,
plastic wire net, nuts and bolts, rivet, plastic pipe and wheels to favour mobility to the
unit.
Preferably, angle iron of 2.5 inch size is considered in the construction for providing the
structural support to hold the compost vats. However, the size and thickness of the
angle iron depends on the loading rate of raw materials and number and size of vats
used. For body frame of each vat, the smaller size iron angle of 0.5 inch size and iron
sheet are used. For providing the aeration to the vats the plastic wire net (PWN) are
used. The mesh size of the net is so considered that the baby earthworm cannot escape
or the raw material cannot come out of the vats. Besides, plastic pipe (PP) are used for
collection of liquid manure. The plastic or galvanized iron bucket (BK) is used as
collector of liquid manure.
Importantly, in the above system, the perforated plastic mesh for inflow and outflow of air
and maintenance of optimum temperature is designed.
The compost system apart from generating the solid compost in the vats of desired
character and quality by providing for required aeration as well as monitoring of the
composting process in particular the level of moisture/water in the vats as well as the
character of the raw material use for composting, additionally, provides for generation of
liquid compost which cannot be achieved in the conventional heap or trash processes of
composting. In the system of the invention, a liquid compost generated during the
composting process is adapted to be discharged from the vats. For the purpose, the
bottom surface of each vat is provided with a slanted/angular disposition whereby liquid
compost is delivered/discharged through an outlet positioned at the lower edge of the
vat. The pipeline used to drain out the liquid manure compost from the vats to the
respective outlet can be a plastic pipe (PP). Apart from providing for collection of the
solid compost generated in the vats, it is also possible to generate/obtain the liquid
compost generated in each vat through a common pipeline through which by means of a
common outlet the liquid compost generated in all the vats could be discharged for end
use/applications. The container for the liquid manure can be plastic/galvanized iron
bucket. At the top of the top vat (V4), a cover means (CO) is provided which is
maintained spaced from the top opening of the top vat (V4) and is further provided with
perforation (PR) to enable ingress of air to facilitate composting process.
During composting as and when required the raw waste is tilled and moved to favour
effective contact of the entire raw material with the temperature/aeration conditions for
faster generation of the compost. Additionally, the ingress of liquid etc. can also be
controlled depending upon the end use application or the characteristics of the compost
to be generated.
Reference is now invited to figure 2 which illustrates a mobile compost unit/system in
accordance with the invention. As shown in said figure, the system includes the plurality
of perforated vats positioned vertically one on top of the other for retaining organic waste
for composting. Additionally, an outlet (OT) for the liquid compost/manure and its
collection in the container (CN) is also shown in said figure. Importantly, to favour
mobility of the system, wheels (WH) are provided whereby the unit can be moved and
taken from one place to another depending upon the end requirement of the user.
Additionally, the vats and the support structure can be obtained such as to be dismantled
as and when required to carry/transport the unit from one place to another.
Reference is now invited to further embodiment of compost unit in accordance with the
invention illustrated in figure 3. As shown in said figure, in this embodiment while
plurality of composting zones are provided/compartmented, such compost zones/areas
are horizontally disposed side by side and are not vertically disposed. In this
embodiment, also composting process and aeration for such purpose is facilitated by
means of the perforated nets, constituting the composting units similar to that of the
earlier embodiments under Figure 1 & 2. Importantly, in this embodiment also the liquid
manure/compost is taken out from a pipelines (PI) located at the bottom of each said
compost vat and collected at the collection container (CS). While, it is possible to collect
the liquid manure generated in each collection vat individually it is also possible to
allow/streamline the liquid compost generated in each vat for subsequent discharge
through a common outlet. The top cover (TC) is in the form of releasable lid with handle
means (HM) and perforation directed to favour aeration of the system to achieve the
mobility similar to that of the illustration in figure 2.
The process of manufacture using the above system of the invention include steps as
detailed hererunder.
i) selection of raw organic wastes: single or composite raw organic wastes
obtained from agriculture, agro-industry, household waste or aquatic bodies are
used;
ii) the waste materials are chopped by a machine into uniform cut size ;
iii) pretreatment of the chopped materials by inoculating with inoculums of
microorganisms;
iv) loading of chopped materials in each vat at equal weight/volume ;
v) after inoculation, the release of earthworm is done at an appropriate number;
vi) the moisture is maintained at desired level in each vat;
vii) the maturity of compost is assessed by physical appearance of the materials,
smell, C/N ratio etc.;
viii) the flushing of matured compost in al! vats with water and for collection at a
common outlet;
ix) the volume of water to be used for flushing depends on the quantity of raw
material used.
It is thus possible by way of the system of the invention to provide a simple and cost-
effective system of compost both for household as well as industrial applications. Solid
vermicompost and liquid vermiwash can be produced from various organic waste
materials and generated for agriculture, forestry, household and agro-industrial
activities/purposes. Since wastes differ in their physical characteristics, chemical
composition and bio-chemical nature, which bring variation in maturity and quality of
compost. For better process development composting, is appropriately developed,
which could reduce the maturity time of composting. The process parameters like
aeration, temperature and moisture can be standardized. For hastening the compost
process, certain microorganisms and earthworm species can be suitably used. For
sustainability of earthworm and microorganism, different control parameters like
temperature, moisture content of substrate, aeration are monitored. The maturity of
composting and quantity and quality of the solid and liquid products are assured. The
invention provides for mobile compost unit for household purpose as well as large-scale
production of compost.
The system of the invention and the process of composting using the same thus
achieves the following advantages :
- it can operate/carried out free of any environment terrestrial and aquatic pollution.
- the system is eco-friendly. The product (compost) obtained contain all the essential
macro and micro nutrient available gradually and slowly to cater the nutritional
requirement of the crops throughout the growth period.
- the compost generated would improve physical properties of soil in terms of bulk
density, porosity and moisture holding capacity. It would also improve the product
quality of crops. In case of aquaculture the growth rate would increase.
- the use of organic fertilizer would produce organic crops, vegetables, medicinal
plants etc. which is free from residual toxicity of inorganic fertilizer and pesticides.
- organic farming using the compost produced by the system/process of the invention
would lead the agriculture activities sustainable.
The system would provide for multi-layered structure for accommodating higher quantity
of waste material per unit area, providing optimum aeration, temperature and light for
survival of both earthworm and microorganisms, flushing out water which passes through
all the segments for common collection of vermiwash. Importantly, the system is mobile
and preferably the individual components are detachable for easy movement and
transport. The system is found to be useful both for household as well as industrial
applications.
We claim:
1. A system for compost generation comprising :
at least one composting vat having perforated/meshed walls/bottom, said vat
adapted to retain raw organic waste and provide for desired regulation of
decomposition factors to favour obtaining desired compost;
said system provided with outlet at the bottom.
2. A system as claimed in claim 1 comprising a mobile compost system having plurality
of said composting vats having said perforated/meshed walls/bottom disposed one
above the other and/or at the sides adjacent one another, each said vat adapted to
retain raw organic waste and provide for desired regulation of decomposition factors
to favour obtaining of the desired compost.
3. A system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 or 2 adapted for generation of solid
and/or liquid compost.
4. A system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 3 wherein the liquid compost
generated is discharged through outlet at the bottom.
5. A system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 4 comprising plurality of said vats each
said vat adapted to discharge the liquid compost generated in the respective vats
through a pipeline for final discharge through a common outlet at the bottom.
6. A system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 5 wherein said aeration means
comprise perforated/meshed wall members and bottom with open top for visual
inspection of the composting process.
7. A system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 6 wherein the frame of the vat is made
of angled iron onto which the perforated/meshed walls/bottom are secured
preferably, in the form of plastic wire net.
8. A system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 7 comprising a frame structure adapted
to releasably accommodate plurality of said vats one above the other and/or one
adjacent the other sideways.
9. A system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 8 wherein pore size of said
perforated/meshed wall/bottom is selected such as to favour holding of the organic
waste with/without the strains/microorganism/exotic organisms.
10. A system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 9 obtained of angle iron, iron sheet,
plastic wire net, nuts and bolts, rivet, plastic pipe and wheels to favour mobility to the
unit.
11. A system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 10 wherein plastic pipes are used for
collection of liquid manure.
12. A system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 11 comprising perforated plastic mesh
for inflow and outflow of air and maintenance of optimum temperature.
13. A system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 12 comprising means adapted to
discharge liquid compost generated from the vats.
14. A system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 13 wherein the bottom surface of each
vat is provided with a slanted/angular disposition whereby liquid compost is
delivered/discharged through an outlet positioned at the lower edge of the vat and a
pipeline is adapted to drain out the liquid manure compost from the vats to an outlet.
15. A system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 14 wherein the liquid compost
generated in each vat is collected through a common pipeline through which by
means of a common outlet the liquid compost generated in all the vats could be
discharged for end use/applications.
16. A system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 15 wherein the container for the liquid
manure is preferably plastic/galvanized iron bucket.
17. A system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 16 wherein at the top of the top vat, a
cover means is provided which is maintained spaced from the top opening of the top
vat and is further provided with perforation to enable ingress of air to facilitate
composting process.
18. A system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 17 wherein said top cover releasably
fixed and having handle means.
19. A process for generation of solid/liquid compost using the system as claimed in
anyone of claims 1 to 18 comprising :
providing the raw organic material in said perforated/meshed vat; and
subjecting the same to composting following conventional composting steps.
20. A process as claimed in claim 19 wherein said raw organic waste used is single or
composite.
21. A process as claimed in anyone of claims 19 or 20 wherein prior to subjecting the
waste to composting in the vats, the waste materials are chopped or sized to obtain
the waste of uniform cut size, followed by pre-treatment of the chopped material by
inoculating with inoculums of microorganisms selected from Trichoderma viride,
Paeciliomyces fusisporus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Trichurus spiralis and
Aspergillus Spp.
22. A process as claimed in anyone of claims 19 to 21 wherein after sizing and
pretreatment of the raw organic waste, the same is loaded in each vat preferably at
equal weight/volume and allowed further inoculation in the vat.
23. A process as claimed in anyone of claims 19 to 22 wherein after inoculation, the
release of microorganism/exotic organisms preferably earthworm is done.
24. A process as claimed in anyone of claims 19 to 23 wherein the moisture is
maintained at desired level in each vat.
25. A process as claimed in anyone of claims 19 to 24 wherein the maturity of the
compost is determined by physical appearance of the materials, smell, C/N ratio and
other related parameters.
26. A process as claimed in anyone of claims 19 to 25 comprising the step of flushing of
matured compost from all vats with water and for collection at a common outlet.
27. A process as claimed in anyone of claims 19 to 26 wherein the volume of water used
for flushing is based on the quantity of the raw materials used.
28. A process as claimed in anyone of claims 19 to 27 wherein single or mixed strain of
microorganisms and/or other exotic efficient organisms are used for faster
decomposition.
29. A process as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 28 wherein during composting as and
when required the raw waste is tilled and moved to favour effective contact of the
entire raw material with the temperature/aeration conditions for faster generation of
the compost.
30. A process as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 29 wherein the ingress of liquid etc.
can also be controlled depending upon the end use application or the characteristics
of the compost to be generated.
31. A system for generating compost and a process for producing compost using the
system, substantially as hereindescribed and illustrated with reference to the
accompanying figures.

A system for rapid generation of compost in particular, a mobile system for compost
generation for household as well as industrial application. The system comprises at
least one composting vat having aeration means, said vat adapted to retain raw organic
waste and provide for desired regulation of decomposition factors to favour obtaining
desired compost. It is also possible to have one or more said of composting vats with
aeration means disposed one above the other and/or at the sides adjacent one another,
each said vat adapted to retain raw organic waste and provide for desired regulation of
decomposition factors to favour obtaining of the desired compost.
The system would favour generation of solid compost as well liquid compost from
various organic waste material for use including in agriculture, aquaculture and
agroforestry. Importantly, the system would favour tailoring the compost production
based on the nature and characteristics of the waste by controlled variation in the
processing characteristics. Advantageously, the system for compost generation would
require less land area and would provide for system of compost of varying capacity as
per the user requirements. The system would provide for a simple and cost-effective
mobile system for composting for faster decomposition of compost involving various
decomposition factors like organisms, environmental factors like aeration, temperature
and moisture , uniform compost generation by monitoring and varying the maturity of the
product and its quality. Importantly the system can be easily dismantled and assembled
at site without complexity and which also would be cost effective and durable.