Agricultural silo has array of height-adjustable overhead mixer paddles speeding fermentation of rotting straw

摘要

An agricultural fermentation silo (1) has a chamber (2) holding a charge of fermenting straw or hay and is filled to a pre-determined level (2a) . The charge is agitated by a rotating array of overhead height-adjustable mixer blades (3a-g) which are repeatedly lowered into and lifted from the charge. The mixer (3a-g) blades are fitted to an array of horizontal rotating shafts (4) . Each shaft has a series of paddle or propeller blades arranged in a helical or alternating array. The array of paddle blades may be raised or lowered in accordance with the depth of the silo charge. The silo chamber has an overhead sensor (14) which determines the thickness of any crust (15a) forming on top of the charge. The silo has an overhead membrane (21) to capture combustible gas for use as a fuel. The mixer blades are operated at pre-planned intervals and when a crust has formed which prevents the escape of gases from the fermenting organic matter.