AU2018101010A4 - A method of harvesting methane or other gases from garbage - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of harvesting methane and/or other gases from garbage or other material containing organic matter. The garbage or other material is formed into blocks 108. The blocks 108 may have a concave face 109. The blocks 108 are stacked so that the concave face 109 of one block faces an adjacent block to form a cavity therebetween. A manifold system is located in the stacked blocks enabling gases produced by the material and entering the cavities to flow to through the manifold to a remote location. 732)

Description

Editorial Note 2018101010

There are five pages of description only

TECHNICAL FIELD A method harvesting methane and/or other gases from garbage is disclosed.

BACKGROUND ART

Traditionally, rubbish reclamation has continued a similar path over the past 50 years, with recycling practices being implemented largely over the past 20 years. There are large problems with both of these practices which the present disclosure addresses these a number of ways.

Rubbish is traditionally put into large ravines, old mine sites, quarry sites which is then pushed over the area by dozers to compact the rubbish. Sand is then pushed over the top to assist with this compaction, creating a filter to minimise the smell exuding from decomposing rubbish. This is continued until area is full. The existing method causes a number of problems. Whilst there are rubbish management sites tapping rubbish in its existing format to capture biogases, toxic substances including chemicals, oils, and battery acids are still leached out of the rubbish during compaction, into the sand layer when is applied, and further leaching into underground water tables.

Further, it is difficult to guarantee that the recycled products are not contaminated with the current nature of recycling. Thus, it would be advantageous to provide a solution that would minimise the destruction of the environment.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect there is disclosed a method of harvesting methane and/or other gases comprising compressing garbage or other material containing organic matter into a plurality of blocks wherein each block has a concave face; stacking the blocks so that the first face of one block faces a face of an adjacent block to form a cavity therebetween; locating a manifold in the stacked blocks enabling gases produced by the material and entering the cavities to flow to through the manifold to a remote location.

In one embodiment stacking the blocks comprises stacking the blocks so that the first face of one block faces the first face of an adjacent block.

In one embodiment the manifold comprises at least one conduit that extends linearly through a plurality of cavities.

In one embodiment the method comprises stacking the blocks in a waterproof containment system.

In one embodiment the method comprises providing a liquid collection system in the containment system which is capable of directing liquid seeping from the material to a remote processing location.

In a second aspect there is disclosed a method of processing garbage comprising collecting garbage from garbage bins; processing the garbage to remove non-organic material and produce particulate organic material; compressing the particulate organic material into blocks wherein each block as at least a first concave face.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a set up enabling the performance of an embodiment of the disclosed method of harvesting methane or other gases from garbage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT

Figure 1 shows a system 702 that may be used in an embodiment of the disclosed method of harvesting methane or other gases produced from garbage or other material that contains organic matter.

The system includes a pit or ravine 720 which is lined with a liquid impervious material such as concrete, which in turn may be lined with or sealed by a further liquid impervious material. This forms a waterproof containment system, preventing seepage of liquids into the surrounding soil or water table. The pit 720 includes a base 722 having a plurality of channels 724 which interconnect to form a liquid collection system for directing liquid seeping from blocks 108 of compressed garbage or other organic material, or material which includes organic material, into a collection tank 726. The garbage can be first processed to remove non-organic material. This may then be shredded to form particulate material, which is then e compressed to form the blocks 108. Liquid from the tank 726 can be pumped to a plant 728 for processing such as oil separation and particle separation. In this embodiment the blocks are formed with a concave face 109. The blocks 108 are stacked in the pit 720 in a manner so that the concave face 109 of one block faces the concave face 109 of an adjacent block. This creates a plurality of cavities 730 in substantial vertical alignment. The aligned cavities 730 in turn form multiple vertical channels 732 in the stacked blocks 108. A manifold system 733 is used to collect methane and other gases produced by the decaying material in the blocks 108 which in turn can be fed to a power generation system 734 for generating electricity that may be fed to the grid. The manifold system 733 includes a plurality of conduits or spears 736 provided with a plurality of holes for enabling gases, produced by the material and entering the cavities 730, to flow to through the manifold system 733 to a remote location. A power station 734 is at the remote location which uses the gases to produce electricity. The conduits 736 are located within the cavities 730 and corresponding channels 732 and are interconnected with other conduits 738 in the manifold system 733. A roof or cover 386 can be placed over the stacked block 108 to assist in retaining heat within the pit 720 which in turn accelerates decomposition of the organic material; and also assists in containment of odour from the decaying material. The roof 386 may be a removable roof such as a tarpaulin. Is further envisaged that the roof can be removed and portions of the manifold system 733 disconnected to allow the stacking of further blocks as previously stacked blocks decay. The manifold system 733 is then reconnected and the roof replaced to allow the harvesting of gas and natural attrition of the waste material to continue.

Other variations of the disclosed method and system are possible. This includes for example stacking the blocks 108 in different configuration which still form cavities between the blocks 108 through which the conduits 730 of manifold system can pass. For example, while in Figure 1 the concave faces 109 of adjacent blocks directly face each other this is not strictly necessary. In an alternate configuration the concave face 109 of one block can directly face and abut a planar face of adjacent block 108. This will still create a cavity between adjacent blocks which can be vertically aligned to form vertical channels for the conduits 732. In an extreme example the blocks can be randomly stacked and a manifold system with or without conduits 732 driven on located between blocks for collecting gases.

Claims (5)

1. Editorial Note 2018101010 There is one page of claims only CLAIMS

   1. A method of harvesting gas from organic waste material comprising compressing organic material into a plurality of blocks wherein each block has a first concave face; stacking the blocks so that the first face of one block faces a face of an adjacent block to form a cavity therebetween; locating a conduit in the stacked blocks enabling gases produced by the material and entering the cavities to flow to through the conduit to a remote location.
2. 2. The method according to claim 1 wherein stacking the blocks comprises stacking the blocks so that the first face of one block faces the first face of an adjacent block.
3. 3. The method according to claim 2 wherein the conduit extends linearly through a plurality of cavities.
4. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 comprising stacking the blocks in a waterproof containment system.
5. 5. The method according to claim 4 comprising providing a liquid collection system in the containment system which is capable of directing liquid seeping from the material to a remote processing location.