Conversion of waste material using earth worms

摘要

Biodegradable waste material is converted by worms into a utilisable end product. A bed of wood chips and grit hosts the worms and waste material is deposited on the bed. The temperature, humidity and amount of air in the bed is controlled, as is also the amount of waste deposited. Worm castings are removed from the bottom of the bed by actuation of a retrieval mechanism. In an automated system a hopper (26) runs on a track (28) to traverse the bed and deposit waste material. A conveyor (30) removes the castings.