Method and apparatus for anaerobic fermentation

Claim 1

Apparatus for use in the anaerobic fermentation of organic waste material in a digestion zone comprising: a. a bag-like container made of flexible material for digesting organic waste materials, said container having an opening, a closure member for sealing said opening; b. inlet and outlet means extending through said closure member into said bag-like container for the introduction of said waste materials and the simultaneous removal of liquid and gaseous products, respectively; c. a wall disposed about said container for supporting said container, said wall comprising a series of interconnected panels extending in substantially vertical planes to form a self-supporting structure; d. at least one layer of insulating material disposed between said bag-like container and said wall; e. a support member having one end supported on said wall, said support member extending over said bag-like container; f. said bag-like container having an upper surface adjacent said support member, and means for securing said upper surface to said support member; g. a mixing tank including mixing means for mixing waste materials in said mixing tank, said mixing tank being in communication with said inlet means for passing said waste materials from said mixing tank through said inlet means into said bag-like container; h. gas storage means connected to said outlet means for said gaseous products, for storing said gaseous products.