초록 ▼

The present invention includes a method, an apparatus, and a system for the treatment of waste. The method includes the steps of providing a cold waste solids tank that has a cold solids batch therein. The cold solids batch is transferred, after being warmed, from the cold waste solids tank to a the

The present invention includes a method, an apparatus, and a system for the treatment of waste. The method includes the steps of providing a cold waste solids tank that has a cold solids batch therein. The cold solids batch is transferred, after being warmed, from the cold waste solids tank to a thermal conditioning tank for thermal conditioning. A hot waste solids tank remote from the cold waste solids tank is also provided. The cold waste solids tank is filled with a new cold solids batch. The new cold solids batch is pumped from the cold waste solids tank through a heat exchanger, the partially cooled hot waste solids batch is simultaneously pumped from the hot waste solids tank through the heat exchanger. Heat is transferred from the partially cooled hot waste solids batch to the new cold solids batch in the heat exchanger to obtain a pre-warmed solids batch and to obtain a cooled solids batch. The cooled solids batch is discharged from the hot waste solids tank. Additional conditioned hot waste solids from the thermal conditioning tank are transferred to the hot waste solids tank to obtain a subsequent conditioned hot waste solids batch. The pre-warmed solids batch is pumped from the cold waste solids tank through the heat exchanger, and the subsequent hot waste solids batch is pumped from the hot waste solids tank through the heat exchanger. Heat is transferred from the subsequent hot waste solids batch to the pre- warmed solids batch in the heat exchanger to obtain a warmed solids batch and to obtain a subsequent partially cooled solids batch. The fully warmed solids batch is transferred to the thermal conditioning tank. The partially cooled solids batch heats a new cold solids batch to obtain on new pre-warmed solids batch. The subsequent cooled solids batch is transferred from the hot waste solids tank to the anaerobic digester where the fully cooled solids batch is anaerobically digested. The apparatus has a mode of operation that mirrors the method steps described above.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A heat exchanger for transferring heat between first waste solids and second waste solids, said heat exchanger comprising:a first waste solids source for supplying first waste solids;a second waste solids source for supplying second waste solids the second waste solids be

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A heat exchanger for transferring heat between first waste solids and second waste solids, said heat exchanger comprising:a first waste solids source for supplying first waste solids;a second waste solids source for supplying second waste solids the second waste solids being at a temperature different from the first waste solids;a heat transfer portion remotely located from said first waste solids source and said second waste solids source, said heat transfer portion includinga first conduit having a first entry port fluidly interconnected with said first waste solids source so as to receive first waste solids from said first waste solids source and a first discharge port fluidly interconnected with said first waste solids source such that at least a portion of the first waste solids passed through said first conduit is returned to said first waste solids source, anda second conduit fluidly interconnected with said second waste solids source such that second waste solids from said second waste solids source are passed through said heat transfer portion, said second conduit having a thermally-conducting wall disposed substantially adjacent said first conduit and for transferring heat between first waste solids passed through said first conduit and second waste solids passed through said second conduit.