US 12,311,420 B2
System and method for vertically-oriented composting
Jeffrey West, Port Orchard, WA (US)
Assigned to NextGen Organics, Inc., Port Orchard, WA (US)
Filed by NextGen Organics, Port Orchard, WA (US)
Filed on Oct. 27, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/496,516.
Application 18/496,516 is a continuation of application No. 18/301,235, filed on Apr. 16, 2023, granted, now 11,858,016.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/440,917, filed on Jan. 25, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0246129 A1, Jul. 25, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B09B 3/70 (2022.01); B09B 3/60 (2022.01); C05F 17/90 (2020.01); C05F 17/921 (2020.01); C05F 17/95 (2020.01); C05F 17/964 (2020.01); C12M 1/00 (2006.01); C12M 1/107 (2006.01); C12M 1/26 (2006.01)
CPC B09B 3/70 (2022.01) [B09B 3/60 (2022.01); C05F 17/90 (2020.01); C05F 17/921 (2020.01); C05F 17/95 (2020.01); C05F 17/964 (2020.01); C12M 23/36 (2013.01); C12M 23/58 (2013.01); C12M 29/20 (2013.01); C12M 33/20 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vertically-oriented composting facility comprising:
a receiving and offloading level configured to receive feedstock for composting and allow for offloading of compost;
one or more composting bay levels, each composting bay level comprising:
one or more composting bins, each composting bin comprising:
a bin loading area at a first end of the composting bin, configured to receive the feedstock via gravity from a transition chute located above the bin loading area;
a transition chute opening at a second end of the composting bin into which feedstock may be dropped;
a horizontal conveyor comprising an aerated floor and configured to convey the feedstock from the bin loading area to the transition chute opening;
an aeration system comprising a first air pump configured to provide air flow under pressure to the feedstock through the aerated floor of the horizontal conveyor;
a leachate collection system comprising piping configured to collect leachate from the feedstock which drains through the aerated floor of the horizontal conveyor; and
an emissions collection system comprising:
a second air pump configured to draw air from the bin and transfer it for emissions filtering; and
a non-permeable cover or enclosure around the bin having an opening at either the first or second end of the bin and a connection to the second air pump at the other end, such that air within the enclosure is drawn across the bin from the opening to the second air pump.