EP0000293A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Apparatus and method for anaerobic digestion of biodegradable waste material
Assignee: Biomechanics Ltd
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Filing: 1978-07-04
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Granted: —
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Expires: 1998-07-04
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for anaerobic digestion of biodegradable waste material comprises a closed substantially vertical cylindrical tank (1) containing a mixing assembly (4) which comprises an annular gas-holding member (8) connected to a gas distribution arm (9) extending substantially radially outwardly from the annular gas-holding member (8) towards the periphery of the tank (1). Both the annular gas-holding member (8) and the gas distribution arm (9) have open lower surfaces, and the gas distribution arm (9) has exhaust apertures (10) spaced along the length of the arm (9) for delivering gas from the gas-holding member (8) at different radial distances along the arm (9). The mixing assembly (4) is rotatable about the central axis of the tank (1), with which axis the annular gas-holding member (8) is concentrically located, and gas is supplied to the gas-holding member (8) by a gas delivery duct (12) having an outlet (13) disposed beneath a part of the annulus defined by the annular gas-holding member (8).
Inventors
- 👤 George Maxwell Rippon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:12
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F3/00; C02F3/02; C02F3/12; C02F3/1278; C02F3/1284; B; B01; B01F; B01F27/00; B01F27/05; B01F27/11; B01F27/15; B01F23/00; B01F23/20; B01F23/23; B01F23/233; B01F23/2331; B01F23/23311; B01F23/23314; B01F23/2366; B01F23/2368; B01F23/40; B01F23/45; B01F23/454; C02F3/20; C02F3/205; C02F3/28; B01F27/112; B01F27/1125; B01F27/13; Y; Y02; Y02W; Y02W10/00; Y02W10/10; Y02W30/00; Y02W30/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
Apparatus for anaerobic digestion of biodegradable waste material comprising a closed substantially vertical cylindrical tank (1) having a central axis, and a gas delivery duct (12) having an outlet (13) disposed near to the base of the tank (1), characterised in that there is located within the tank (1) for rotation about the central axis of the tank (1), a mixing assembly (4) comprising an annular gas-holding member (8) which has an open lower surface defining an annulus concentric with the said central axis, a part of the annulus defined by the gas-holding member (8) being positioned above the outlet (13) of the gas delivery duct (12), and a gas distribution arm (9) extending substantially radially outwardly from the said gas-holding member towards the periphery of the tank and having exhaust apertures(10) spaced along the length of the arm (9) for delivering gas from the gas-holding member (8) at different radial distances along the arm (9).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
Apparatus for anaerobic digestion of biodegradable waste material comprising a closed substantially vertical cylindrical tank (1) having a central axis, and a gas delivery duct (12) having an outlet (13) disposed near to the base of the tank (1), characterised in that there is located within the tank (1) for rotation about the central axis of the tank (1), a mixing assembly (4) comprising an annular gas-holding member (8) which has an open lower surface defining an annulus concentric with the said central axis, a part of the annulus defined by the gas-holding member (8) being positioned above the outlet (13) of the gas delivery duct (12), and a gas distribution arm (9) extending substantially radially outwardly from the said gas-holding member towards the periphery of the tank and having exhaust apertures(10) spaced along the length of the arm (9) for delivering gas from the gas-holding member (8) at different radial distances along the arm (9).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to Claim 1 in which the weight of the mixing assembly (4) is supported on bearings above the level of liquid under treatment in the tank (1).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the (4) is rotated about the central axis by drive means comprising gas lift draught tubes (23) mounted on the gas distribution arm (9) for receiving gas from the arm (9), each gas lift draught tube (23) comprising a vertical portion (23a) ccnnected through a right angle bend (23b) to a horizontal portion (23c).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to Claim 3 in which each gas lift draught tube (23) comprises two horizontal portions (23c, 23d) connected through right angle bends to opposite ends of the vertical portion (23a).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
:. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the drive means comprises gas lift draught tubes (23) mounted o, the gas distribution arm (9) for receiving gas from the arm (9) and including a vertical portion incorporating therein a propeller turbine, and means connecting the output from the said turbine to individual drive wheels which support the gas distribution arm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the mixing assembly is supported by bearings on a platform (30) located within the tank (1) above the level of liquid in the tank (1).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus according to Claim 2 in which the mixing assembly is driven by means comprising a rotatable member (31) positioned within the tank (1) above the level of liquid in the tank (1), a motor (36) located outside the tank (1) and linked to the rotatable member (31) by means enabling the motor (36) to drive the rotatable member (31), and a torque transmitting cage (34) suspended from the rotatable member (31) and carrying the mixing assembly.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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