DE4334249C2 - Process for processing compost into a marketable product - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for preparation compost into a marketable product.

Substances that decompose into compost fall in the form of dusts, Flours, chips, grains, stalks, roots or fibers in the nature, agriculture and forestry, gardening and Landscaping, commercial and hobby gardening, in public Chen plants, in private gardens, in the household and in Indu Industry and trade as crops as well as waste or other end product to be disposed of.

The disadvantage of all decomposable substances lies by definition according to the fact that they are in contrast to the one in geolo geic periods of deposited raw material peat, with favorable Temperature and humidity conditions as well as an optimal pH Decompose value quickly and therefore without corresponding Store preservation only to a limited extent. The finer that Material accumulates, the greater the problems with the Susceptibility to decomposition or with processability as a result  Dust generation.

A high water content and / or a low compression the rotting substances that arise increase the transport cost cost and / or increase the cost of warehousing. Too high a what The content increases the risk of self-heating or ignition Use and insufficient water content increase usage susceptibility to dust and dust. Also pull Rent of organic material vermin as well as rats and Mice.

Offers a way to dispose of rotten substances thermal recovery. An economical incineration but requires a low water content as well as a high one Energy density of the fuel, which is usually low compacted material of the type in question is not given is. It also complicates uncompressed and therefore bulky Material automatic loading of the incinerators.

A possibility of processing especially bulky organic material consists of a mechanical shredder of wood waste, for example. Appropriate procedures for Manufacture of wood granules or wood fiber materials u. a. in the patents DE 40 03 395, DE 40 40 772 and DE 40 40 771 or DE 41 22 187 and DE-OS 40 41 329 described. Problems such as nutrient fixation, fungal growth, lack of Shelf life u. a., result from the decomposition maturity of such non-rotten organic matter. When However, the very high technology and  Energy expenditure for shredding or fiberizing the organic material. Against mechanical crushing apart from marketable grain size, one particular speaks high wear of the processing machines. The principal argument against the use of fresh, not rotten Wood material speaks, but is a possible content harmful substances z. B. tannins, crop protection medium residues and a., in contrast to the possible salary phytopathogenic germs (e.g. red pustule) or of pests (e.g. bark beetle larvae) with one Heat treatment of the material cannot be eliminated.

For processing especially fine-grained organic Material is pelleting (DE-OS 37 31 267; DE-OS 38 05 536 and the granulation (DE-OS 38 05 536) proposed The process of pelleting, in which the material pressed under high pressure through a die and the emerging strands of material divided into cylindrical pellets a binding, low-mineral starting material ahead. In the other case, the pellets are insufficient Lead to strength or the abrasive mineral components to an economically unacceptable wear and tear Matrices. Although the starting material can be special cohesive material are mixed, but this also requires additional raw material costs a significant reduction in Proportion of waste actually to be disposed of. in the Contrary to pelleting is also proposed  Process of granulation (DE-OS 38 05 536) that Starting material by unrolling in turntables or drums formed into a ball, then dried and finally opened sieved a defined grain spectrum. At there (DE-OS 38 05 536) specified starting material, however, is the fresh, not rotten organic household waste fraction, the is separated by screening or wind sifting. A common one Excessive, mostly fluctuating pollutant content limits use in appropriate areas strong or make a strong dilution with suitable Mixing components necessary.

Composting offers one way of disposal of the rotten material. In the end product of everyone today Common composting methods are one, each depending on the composition of the starting material, more or less structurally rich material made of organic fiber and / or Humus substances with a more or less high proportion inorganic substances (e.g. sand, stones, clay and loam etc.). While the so-called green waste compost, the only from shrub and tree pruning, root remains and mowing material has a sufficiently good structure to as a soil conditioner or as an additive in sub straten and potting soils are used with most organic composites, which to a large extent separately collected household waste is produced in order to a material with very little structure, what its use  opportunities in appropriate areas limits. The same applies to clarification to an even greater extent sludge composts from which in the treatment of waste water resulting sewage sludge are processed and for garbage compos by composting the organic already mentioned Waste fraction are produced. In both cases, in addition to lack of structure, also concerns about too high Contaminant levels and unsecured hygienic safety possibility. Because compost material is mostly due to its high Only a small amount of nutrients and / or pollutants applied as fertilizer and / or soil conditioner or can be mixed in, difficulties arise both with manual application or dosing by poss Dangerous foreign substances and / or sickness usually contained germs, as well as with a mechanical application or Dosage due to the often moist and different rough material.

A water content between 30 and 50 percent by weight always sufficient content of degradable biomass as well as a high content of readily available nutrients, promotes one strong microbial revitalization in the ver rotting material, which is because of the continuous ongoing decomposition processes not only the shelf life of the material, but also the emission of unpleasant smells and polluted liquids favored. Since only a small influence on the  Composition of the starting material can be taken are neither excessive nutrient and pollutant values, such as from Heavy metals, levels that are still too high or too low are more important Plant nutrients or unfavorable for plant nutrition Exclude nutrient conditions completely.

Although temperatures of around 80 to 90 ° C would during the so-called hot rotting phase in a natural way caused by the decomposition processes, sufficient to germs to kill, but there can be no guarantee that that all material in the course of the rotting actually once for is exposed to these temperatures for a sufficiently long time and thereby all weed seeds and / or all phyto- and human pathogenic germs are killed.

The content of optically disturbing or dangerous foreign substances substances, such as film residues or broken glass to the extent that this is possible, even before the Composting by means of an optical check on delivery minimization of the material. Such controls are however costly and also not absolutely safe. Of the mostly high moisture content prevents both a possible Wind sifting, as well as screening, because of the damp material Seal fine sieves quickly and also a safe one Capture all foreign components the loss of a large one Condition part of the valuable large compartments of the compost would.

About the structure of the raw material or its rotting  To improve the availability, at least theoretically, there is Possibility of structuring material (e.g. straw, chopped wood sel, shrub cut, plastic material u. a.) before or after to be added to the composting. If the admixture takes place before the Composting increases the composting in any case amount of material, what the necessary composting area enlarged. Due to the legally required fasteners However, composting surfaces and sealing are very good expensive, and secondly, a large one after composting Part of the mostly coarse-grained material (e.g. wood chips sel) or the non-decomposable structural material (e.g. art parts of fabric) are screened again. An admixture after the Composting for structural improvement or thinning through organic or inorganic additives (e.g. peat, Straw, bark humus, clay, styrofoam u. a.) in any case an additional cost factor through raw material purchasing as well Mix costs represent and also increases the to be disposed of or marketing compost quantity. But that is even more problematic Circumstances due to the ventilation that occurs during admixing the rotting processes start again and there is one rapid decomposition of the supplied organic material comes, which leads to problems with nutrient depletion, fungal and Can lead to smells.

A targeted fertilization, i.e. H. the metered addition of Nutrients to achieve a desired nutrient ratio niss or content in the compost material is also hardly  possible because the nutrient dynamics are essentially different from that depends on the microorganism activity to be controlled.

A drying of the composted material like this Partly tried, could by killing the Microorganisms and by reaching a very low Residual water content stop the decomposition processes and thus the mentioned problems with the shelf life, the structure stability, nutrient dynamics, sieving and miscibility and last but not least with the existing phyto- and humanpatho correct any germs. The drying of a very heterogeneous However, apart from the high costs, materials are tech niche not easy to implement and also difficult then no more water-bound dust in the compost Output. A possible screening of this fine fraction prohibits because of its difficult disposing afterwards because, in contrast to the structure-giving rough portion sensibly no longer in the composting cycle should be tied.

With an already practiced steam treatment in addition to the energy costs, added the problem that the water content of the compost significantly increased by the condensing water vapor will and at least increase transportation costs.

A technical preparation process that could help some problems like shelf life, structural stability, dust-free dosing, any additivity as well  To solve hygienic safety is already be written pelleting. Because this procedure is easy to handle has, it has today in many areas, such as the Feed industry and waste recycling, enforced, but mainly under the aspect of a significant volume and weight reduction or a better Serter storability. However, this procedure, like him thinks its limits when the material to be pelletized is one too high a proportion of abrasive materials, such as sand, has or such a proportion cannot be excluded and the in this case wear of the dies in the die As a rule, it is no longer economically justifiable. also compost regularly has the proportion of non-bindable Substances (e.g. plastics, glass, metal etc.) too high so that cannot be pelleted.

The invention is based on the object of a method with which compost can be easily marketed Products can be refurbished.

This object is achieved in that the Compost by rolling off in turntables or drums granu liert and the granules obtained are dried, wherein if necessary, a granu to the compost before granulation Lierhilfsstoff is admixed that afterwards a sorting the granules according to grain sizes into a good grain fraction, a Undersize fraction and an oversize fraction occurs, and that the good grain fraction subsequently for a purification process  Separation of the finished granulate from added contaminants is thrown.

The method according to the invention has a skin tation the main advantage that no granulation special demands on the composition of the starting material rials represents. As a result, such compostars are advantageous can be worked up if the self-reliance is too low and / or a too high proportion of abrasive materials which exclude pelleting.

The method according to the invention is particularly suitable for Production of granules with the highest possible compost proportion of. This involves making the compost into granules possible with both weak and completely rotten compost Lich.

There are regularly contaminants in the compost, in particular Pieces of wood, but also glass, stones, plastics and the same contain, which, depending on their grain size in the formed granules included or not included could be. After the granulation processing step thus a mass accumulates, which is made up of granules different grain sizes and the additions to not in Granules bound impurities.

By sorting the granules according to the invention Grain sizes in an undersize fraction, a good grain fraction and an oversize fraction are then only in the good grain fraction nor the non-incorporated admixtures of contaminants  hold, the grain size of the selected for the grain fraction corresponds to the grain size. By a subsequent Reini supply process, e.g. B. by means of an engine, a wind sifting, a swimming sighting or the like, can be the non-integrated contaminants from the granules select.

The oversize fraction can be used for other purposes be fed. It contains e.g. B. covered with compost Pieces of wood for which advantageous applications are conceivable.

The sorted out undersize fraction becomes special advantageously the mixture of compost to be granulated and optionally aggregates before or during the Granulation added again. The blended sub Grain fraction contains a relatively high proportion of smaller ones Granules from compost that the subsequent Granulate formation is beneficial by acting like granulate bil dung germs or cores work.

Of course, the oversize fraction can also be used after a previous workup, e.g. B. Fine grinding to granulating compost before and / or during granulation add again.

To improve granulation and binding capacity or sufficient granule stability becomes granules composting a beige granulation aid mixes. Such an auxiliary can be an organic and / or inorganic binder (e.g. sugar beet vinasse, ligninsul  fonat, water glass, plaster, cellulose, alginates, dextrins u. a.) be that hardens or sets insoluble to water.

Also an admixture of medium to heavily decomposed Peat bog for granulating compost is advantageous, though an admixture of poorly decomposed bog peat, which too is known as white peat for special applications is possible. With the admixture of heavily decomposed Black peat, on the other hand, can be due to its low level Not dry weight or high content of organic matter only the volume weight of the finished granules for special Application areas, but also its content organic matter to be raised. Because black peat Property, only the wettable organic components, but not the non-wettable mineral coarse and Fine parts, especially contaminants such as glass, stones, sand and the like, to bind in the compost, this can after drying removed, e.g. B. are screened, what the content of disruptive or dangerous foreign substances in the granulate Organic matter content additionally increased indirectly.

By adding black peat, the inventor method according to the invention whose property can be used by Curing to a water-repellent compound and even after intensive soaking, its original Water absorption capacity cannot be fully achieved again. The granules are thus practically over a longer period of time impregnated, which is not only positive for its decomposition  stability and thus storage stability in a moist environment, such as potting soils and substrates, but also a superficial fungus that prevents health risk for allergy sufferers and immunocompromised people could represent. Another advantage is that a water-repellent granulate particularly good binding ability for greasy or oily contaminants in liquids and gases owns and thus the product manufactured according to the invention also used as an oil binder and as a grease filter material can be.

The addition of black peat also enables its content of humic acids and its high cations to use exchange capacity to a possibly too high pH value of the compost component and / or in the soil or substrate to buffer after the granulate application, as well as the nutrient and Regulate pollutant release. In addition, the nutritional and low-pollution black peat component as a diluent tel, in this regard too high levels of the compost component balance. After all, even intense smells, based on solid, liquid or gaseous substances, by mixing with, sucking through, or flowing through White and / or black peat are organically bound, whereby this property of the peat also in one according to the invention manufactured product is usable. The product is so wide areas and various uses, so that optimal marketing and the associated ent  supply of the compost is enabled.

According to an advantageous development of the invention The process is intended to be granulated Compost is mixed with an inorganic component. Clay consisting of primary and / or secondary is preferred Clay minerals as another powdered or slurried Additive to all types of pure compost or Compost black peat mixtures, added to its good Binding ability, high water absorption and high cations to use exchangeability. A clay additive to compost gem with sawdust, coconut shell, paper flour and. a. could one Use of the granules as cat litter, as an oil binder, as Additive to substrates and potting soil u. a. enable. In addition, there could also be a positive color effect and / or indica Door effect due to color change due to changing moisture be used and the possibility to be used with Help the high volume weight of clay, the volume weight of the finished granulate.

An admixture of clay also has a preservative Effect based on an embedding of the organic substance in a decomposition-stable, predominantly mineral coating substance is based, on the one hand, on the penetration of microorganisms mechanical resistance at least in the initial phase opposite and on the other hand because of their mostly high Lime content to increase the pH value and by high sorption power to a depletion of nutrients in the  Decomposition zone leads to what the fungal and bacterial growth strongly inhibits. When using organic granules containing clay acts as an oil binder or as cat litter Clay addition not only has a positive effect on the stability of the granulate, but also increases the moisture binding capacity. Additional A clay additive reduces the attractiveness of the granules for rats and mice.

As a further equipment of the granulate is an additive to compost to be granulated or sprayed onto the fer tig granulate of organic and / or inorganic fertilizer fabrics possible, the use of the granules as la capable, non-hygroscopic, dust-free, trickle capable, mechanically and manually easy to apply or Dosable fertilizer granules for the fertilization of soils or sub straten or enable potting, whereby it by Aus use of the impregnation effect of the black peat portion and / or by adding a special impregnating agent with a Long-term effects can be equipped.

An addition of plant-compatible and biologically full degradable surfactants based on alkyl poly-glycosides in liquid, pasty or solid form for granulation Compost and / or for granulation aid or spraying on the finished granulate can be made to re-use to achieve wettability of the granules. This would be hers Use as substrate and potting soil aggregate, as carrier material for organic and / or inorganic active substances and  living and / or dead organic substances or permanent stages of microorganisms, as fertilizer, as soil improvement medium, as mulch and covering material, as part of physico-chemical and / or biological air filter and as material for absorbing and / or Odor control of liquid and / or solid faeces human liche or animal or smell-intensive waste from others Origin, allow.

After further training, it is advantageous to add one plant-compatible, heat-stable and biodegradable gene impregnating agent based on organic and / or organic compounds in liquid, pasty or solid Form for compost to be granulated and / or for granulation aid provided or sprayed onto the finished granules, to reduce the wettability with water. This improves the oil and fat binding capacity when using the Granu lates as an oil and fat binder or filter granulate.

The addition of flame retardants would be the case with one Use of the granulate as an oil binder, biofilter material or with roof garden substrates in order to get the Reduce flammability.

Furthermore, a coating of the finished granules with egg ner envelope can be provided, the heat-sensitive orga African and inorganic compounds (e.g. phytohormones, En enzymes, tannins, other active ingredients, iron sulfate, copper sulfate fat u. a.) and / or viable stages of microorganisms  (e.g. air nitrogen-fixing or oil-degrading bacteria, nematode-catching or larvae-killing fungi, ecto- or ene domykorrhizafilzstadien u. a.) containing a heat would not survive during the granulation.

Finally, for the scope of application as dekora tive ground and path cover an admixture to the granu compost or spraying onto the finished granulate from optically effective organic and / or inorganic color substances in solid, pasty or liquid form.

Below are some examples of granu Mixtures containing compost, the advantages of granules obtained therefrom and their use or use possibilities indicated.

example 1

95% by weight compost material
5 wt .-% z. B. clay flour
Benefits:

• - very high proportion of compost
• - Minimal binder content ensures sufficient Cohesion

Commitment:

• - organic soil conditioner
• - Mulch material with an additional decorative effect

Example 2

90% by weight compost material
5 wt .-% z. B. clay flour
5% by weight of organic-mineral fertilizers
Benefits:

• - very high proportion of compost
• - Minimal binder content ensures sufficient Cohesion
• - low fertilizer addition ensures a harmonious Fertilizer ratio

Commitment:

• - organic-mineral soil conditioner
• - Low compaction plant granules for inside urban street green

Example 3

70% by weight compost material
25% by weight of organic-mineral fertilizers
5 wt .-% z. B. clay flour
Benefits:

• - high proportion of compost
• - Minimal binder content ensures sufficient Cohesion
• - Fertilizer additive ensures sufficient fertilizer salary

Commitment:

• - organic-mineral fertilizer, which i.G. zu Fresh compost is also suitable for lawns

Example 4

70% by weight compost material
30% by weight black peat
Benefits:

• - high proportion of compost
• - Black peat additive ensures due to its very high Organic matter content for a very good te binding, a very high exchange of cations capacity, a very good sorbability z. B. for oily and fatty substances as well as for one Reduction in volume weight

Commitment:

• - organic soil conditioner
• - Mulch material with an additional decorative effect
• - oil binder

Example 5

65% by weight compost material
30% by weight black peat
5% by weight of organic-mineral fertilizers
Benefits:

• - high proportion of compost
• - Black peat additive ensures due to its very high Organic matter content for a very good binding, a very high cation exchange rate capacity, as well as for a reduction in volume weight

Commitment:

• - organic-mineral fertilizer, which i.G. zu Fresh compost is also suitable for lawns

Example 6

60% by weight compost material
40% by weight of clay flour
Benefits:

• - Compost as the main component
• - High clay content ensures a very good cohesion very high cation exchange capacity, a very good preservation of the organic sub punch as well as good water capacity

Commitment:

• - Mixing component to potting soil and substrates

Example 7

50% by weight compost material
40% by weight coconut shell flour
10% by weight of clay flour
Benefits:

• - Compost as the main component
• - Coconut shell flour as a peat-free component
• - Coconut shell flour ensures very good water receptivity and capacity as well as for one Reduction in volume weight
• - Clay content ensures sufficient cohesion and for good cation exchange ability

Commitment:

• - organic soil conditioner
• - Low compaction plant granules for inner city green roadside
• - Plant granules for all kinds of containers
• - Cat litter.

Claims (14)

1. A process for the preparation of compost into a marketable product, characterized in that the compost is granulated by rolling in rotary tables or drums and the granules obtained are dried, the compost optionally being mixed with a granulating auxiliary before the granulation, after which a sorting of the Granules according to grain sizes in a Gutkornfrak tion, an undersize fraction and an oversize fraction he follows, and that the Gutkornfraktion is then subjected to a cleaning process for the separation of the finished granules from mixed impurities. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that that the compost to be granulated before and / or during the Granulation is added to the undersize fraction. 3. The method according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized characterized in that the oversize fraction is finely ground and the compost to be granulated before and / or during granu admixture. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized characterized in that the compost to be granulated organic component, especially peat, is added.   5. The method according to one or more of the claims to 4, characterized in that the to be granulated Compost an inorganic component, especially clay flour, is added. 6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compost to be granulated and / or fertilizers are added during the granulation become. 7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that fertilizer on the finished granules be sprayed on. 8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized characterized in that the compost to be granulated is a surfactant is added. 9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compost to be granulated heat-stable, biodegradable impregnating agent is set. 10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compost to be granulated and / or a flame retardant during the granulation  added or the flame retardant to the finished granules is sprayed on. 11. The method according to one or more of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the finished granules according to the coating is dried with a coating, the heat contains sensitive components of the admixtures. 12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compost to be granulated Dyes are added. 13. The method according to any one of claims 1-12, characterized characterized in that dyes on the finished granules be sprayed. 14. The method according to claim 11, characterized in net that dyes are added to the coating.