Method of making compost and spawned compost, mushroom spawn and generating methane gas
First Claim
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1. The method of composting, mixing, pasteurizing and aerating mixtures of raw compost and making spawned compost mixtures, including the generation of methane, comprising the steps of:
- a. providing a ribbon mixer, said ribbon mixer having a shaft mounted for rotation therein, said shaft supporting a double helical spiral, said mixer having means for introducing steam and/or air along the bottom and having means for introducing water at the top of the mixer, said mixer being enclosed whereby it can be operated at a selected pressure and temperature;
b. introducing into said mixer a mixture selected from raw compost and compost with spawn;
c. agitating said material in said ribbon mixer by revolving said shaft while adding water and/or steam thereto to maintain the contents of said mixture at a selected temperature; and
d. discharging the resulting mixture from said mixer.
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Abstract
An improved method for making composts, aerating composts, growing mushroom spawn, generating methane gas and filling conveyors in the mushroom-growing industry is provided using ribbon-type mixers. The mixers may be of the double-ribbon type for purely mixing operations and of the single-ribbon type for operations wherein it is primarily desired to move the material from one place to another. All of the mixers are equipped to operate under pressure.
38 Citations
6 Claims
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1. The method of composting, mixing, pasteurizing and aerating mixtures of raw compost and making spawned compost mixtures, including the generation of methane, comprising the steps of:
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a. providing a ribbon mixer, said ribbon mixer having a shaft mounted for rotation therein, said shaft supporting a double helical spiral, said mixer having means for introducing steam and/or air along the bottom and having means for introducing water at the top of the mixer, said mixer being enclosed whereby it can be operated at a selected pressure and temperature; b. introducing into said mixer a mixture selected from raw compost and compost with spawn; c. agitating said material in said ribbon mixer by revolving said shaft while adding water and/or steam thereto to maintain the contents of said mixture at a selected temperature; and d. discharging the resulting mixture from said mixer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. The method of composting, mixing, pasteurizing and aerating mixtures of raw compost and making spawned compost mixtures, including the generation of methane, comprising the steps of:
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a. providing a ribbon mixer, said ribbon mixer having a shaft mounted for rotation therein, said shaft supporting a double helical spiral, said mixer having means for introducing steam and/or air along the bottom and having means for introducing water thereto at the top of the mixer, said mixer being enclosed whereby it can be operated at a selected pressure and temperature; b. introducing into said mixer a mixture selected from raw compost and compost with spawn; c. agitating said material in said ribbon mixer by revolving said shaft while adding water and/or steam thereto to maintain the contents of said mixture at a selected temperature; and d. discharging the resulting mixture from said mixer into a second ribbon mixer said second ribbon mixer having an enclosed connection to the first mixer and having a shaft mounted for rotation therein, said shaft supporting a single helical spiral, said mixer having means for introducing steam and/or air through along the bottom, said second mixer being enclosed, whereby both mixers can be operated at a selected pressure and temperature; e. permitting said mixture to reside in said second mixer to continue processing for a substantial period of time, and f. discharging the finished product from the second mixer. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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Specification