PROCESS FOR THERMOPHILIC, AEROBIC FERMENTATION OF ORGANIC WASTE

摘要

A thermophilic, aerobic fermentation process is disclosed for conversion of a wide variety of organic waste materials to useful end products. The fermentation process is initiated over a period of from about 2 to 6 days by application of external heat to an uninoculated, oxygenated aqueous mixture of the waste material, and thus utilizes thermophilic microorganisms naturally present in the waste material to initiate the fermentation. After initiation of an active fermentation, additional amounts of waste material are added to the fermenting mixture on a continuous or intermittent basis to maintain the fermentation in an active state. Therefore, the process can be conducted on a continuous or semi-continuous basis, requiring about 24 to 48 hours for waste to be completely converted to end product. The process is capable of being operated over a wide pH range and can ferment acidic waste materials without the need for pH adjustment. The process converts waste matter such as food waste and fecal matter into a protein enriched end product suitable for use as an animal feed, feed supplement or fertilizer, fertilizer ingredient, soil amendment or soil conditioner free of pathogens, biological contaminants and chemical contaminants such as antibiotics.