METHOD AND INSTALLATION FOR PRODUCING HUMUS Russian patent published in 1998 - IPC

FIELD: organic fertilizers. SUBSTANCE: invention relates to processing industrial, agricultural, and other wastes using California worms. Preliminarily prepared substrate is populated by mother worm culture with specified density and composted at specified temperature, humidity of substrate, and aeration degree. Process is conducted in sections mounted on a rotary shaft for 10-14 days, after which sections are complemented with fresh substrate and composting is continued for further 10-14 days. All amount of vermicompost obtained in section conditionally defined as the first section is then distributed among a part of sections consecutively located after the first one, while simultaneously replenishing remaining sections and completely filling the first section with fresh portions of substrate, the operation being continued in similar manner with all sections up to the last one. When the last section undergoes redistribution and replenishment procedures, vermicompost in the next to the last section is loosened up to the bottom and migration passages between sections are purged. Composting is carried out for 5-7 more days and vermicompost from the next to the last section is discharged onto screen bottom of admission tray. Installation comprises enclosure protecting process containers for substrate constructed as sections of drum mounted on rotary shaft with air channel and migration passages analogous to those in intersectional divisions. Installation is provided with admission tray, heat and moisture controlling systems, apron, drip pan, and splitters inside sections. EFFECT: enhanced efficiency of composting process. 4 cl, 2 dwg