Feedlot animal wastes into useful materials

• US 3,973,043 A
• Filed: 07/31/1975
• Issued: 08/03/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Howard D. Lynn
• Original Assignee: Howard D. Lynn
• Inventors: Lynn, Howard D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Monacell, A. Louis
• Assistant Examiner(s): Penland, R. B.
• Application Number:
  US05/600,919
• Time in Patent Office: 369 Days
• Field of Search: 426/55, 426/56, 426/2, 426/52-54, 426/807, 195/94, 195/33, 195/50, 195/111, 195/115, 195/109, 195/117, 195/27, 210/2, 210/16, 210/17, 71/8-10, 47/1.4
• US Class Current: 426/55
• CPC Class Codes: A23K 10/12 by fermentation of natural products, e.g. of vegetable material, animal waste material or biomass
• CPC Class Codes: A23K 10/37 from waste material from hydrolysates of wood or straw A23K10/32; from molasses A23K10/33
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/30 Fuel from waste, e.g. synthetic alcohol or diesel
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 60/87 Re-use of by-products of food processing for fodder production
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 426/807 Poultry or ruminant feed
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/813 Continuous fermentation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/819 Fermentation vessels in series

Abstract

A method for converting feedlot fecal waste materials into methane and animal feed is disclosed. In the disclosed method, the feedlot fecal waste materials are collected, combined with water to form a slurry and the slurry is thereafter subjected to an anaerobic fermentation process. The anaerobic fermentation process is carried out under conditions such that a methane rich gas is formed which can be collected and utilized as an energy source. The liquid residue material from the anaerobic fermentation step is thereafter subjected to an aerobic fermentation process to produce a protein rich material that can be utilized as an animal feed. The liquid residue remaining from the aerobic fermentation process can be utilized as a fertilizer material.

Claims

1. A process for converting feedlot fecal waste materials having indigenous microorganisms contained therein into useful materials which comprises:

a. collecting said feedlot fecal waste materials and adding water thereto to form a slurry;

b. subjecting said slurry to an anaerobic fermentation process for a period of time to produce a methane containing gas and a first residue material;

c. separating said methane containing gas from said first residue material;

d. thereafter subjecting said first residue material to an aerobic fermentation to produce an edible animal feed and a second residue material; and

e. separating said animal feed from said second residue material.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein said anaerobic fermentation process is carried out at a temperature of from about 65°

F to about 110°

F.

3. The process of claim 2 wherein said anaerobic fermentation process is carried out within a pH range of from about 6.2 to about 7.4.

4. The process of claim 1 wherein said aerobic fermentation is initiated by the addition of a culture of a pre-selected strain of algae or bacteria.

5. A process for converting feedlot fecal waste materials having indigenous microorganisms contained therein into useful materials which comprises:

a. collecting said feedlot fecal waste materials and adding water thereto to form a slurry;

b. subjecting said slurry to an anaerobic fermentation process at a temperature of from about 65°

F to about 110°

F, at a pH from about 6.2 to about 7.4, with the potassium to sodium plus calcium plus magnesium atomic ratio of from about 1.05;

1 to about 1.15;

1 and for a period of time to produce a methane containing gas and a first residue material;

c. separating said methane containing gas from said first residue material;

d. thereafter subjecting said first residue material to an aerobic fermentation to produce an edible animal feed and a second residue material; and

e. separating said animal feed from said second residue material.

6. The process of claim 5 wherein said aerobic fermentation process is carried out at a temperature of about 65°

F to about 90°

F.

7. The process of claim 6 wherein said aerobic fermentation process is carried out at a pH of about 7 to about 8.

8. The process of claim 7 wherein said edible animal feed is substantially algae.

9. The process of claim 8 wherein said algae is separated from said second residue material by froth flotation.

10. The process of claim 8 wherein said aerobic fermentation process is carried out in the presence of added carbon dioxide.

11. The process of claim 10 wherein at least a portion of said carbon dioxide is obtained from said gas produced in said anaerobic fermentation process.

12. The process of claim 7 wherein said edible cattle feed is substantially bacteria.

13. The process of claim 12 wherein said bacteria is separated from said second residue material by froth flotation.

14. A method for treating feedlot fecal waste materials having indigenous microorganisms contained therein which comprises:

a. collecting said feedlot fecal waste materials and adding water thereto to form a slurry; and

b. subjecting said slurry to an anaerobic fermentation process in the presence of added nitrogen gas for a period of time to produce a material having a carbon to nitrogen ratio less than that of said feedlot fecal waste materials.

15. The process of claim 14 wherein said anaerobic fermentation process is carried out at a temperature of from about 65°

F to about 110°

F.

16. The process of claim 15 wherein said anaerobic fermentation process is carried out within a pH range of from about 6.2 to about 7.4.

17. A method for treating feedlot fecal waste materials having indigenous microoganisms contained therein which comprises:

a. collecting said feedlot fecal waste materials and adding water thereto to form a slurry; and

b. subjecting said slurry to an anaerobic fermentation process in the presence of added nitrogen at a temperature of from about 65°

F to about 110°

F at a pH of from about 6.2 to 7.4, with a potassium to sodium plus calcium plus magnesium atomic ratio of from about 1.05;

1 to about 1.15;

1 and for a period of time to produce a material having a carbon to nitrogen ratio less than that of said feedlot fecal waste materials.