JP2001212413A - Filter medium, filtration device, edible oil circulating device and method for utilizing used filter medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a filter medium which has an excellent filtrating effect and achieves resource utilization. SOLUTION: The filter medium 26 is formed by macerating pulp, forming this pulp to a bulky monolithic shape and adsorbs the impurities in edible oil by utilizing the napping of the cellulose fibers constituting the pulp to raise its adsorption efficiency. If the filter medium 26 is molded to a prescribed shape, its handling is easy. Further, if active carbon and active clay are included therein, the filter medium respectively having excellent deodorizing and decoloring effects are obtained. The used filter media are usable as organic fertilizers, or the like.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a filter medium most suitable for filtering edible oil and tap water. In addition, the present invention relates to a filtration device, an edible oil circulation device, and a method of using a used filtration material.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Among fatty acids constituting fats and oils such as edible oils in a frying tank, unsaturated-bonded components are susceptible to storage, processing, cooking or the like. The resulting peroxide oxidizes under the influence of. In addition, the cooking oil in the fry tank contains impurities such as temper and breadcrumbs,
Since these are also oxidized, they need to be carefully removed.

[0003]

Conventionally, filtration devices have been used to remove these oxides and impurities. As the filtering material, various materials have been used. However, since the filtration layer is thin, the effect of removing oxides is small.

[0004]

Means for Solving the Problems The inventor of the present invention has solved the above-mentioned problems, improved the filtering function, and further studied the filtering material and the filtering device in consideration of the environment. Instead of using it, the papermaking process can be omitted if the pulp is disintegrated into a cottony and bulky amorphous shape and impurities in the fluid are adsorbed by using the fluff of the cellulose fibers constituting the pulp. It has been found that the use of a cottony and bulky amorphous material improves the adsorption efficiency.

[0005] Moreover, the use of recycled pulp as a pulp material to be used is more resource-saving than the use of new pulp. As the recycled pulp, a milk pack or a sake pack may be used. The laminated film on these surfaces is laminated, but in the pulp manufacturing process at the time of recycling, the used pack is heat-treated, so that the laminated film and the glue component on the pack surface are removed, and safe and high-quality ultra-fine plant fiber Only remains. These treatments are performed in boiling water, and during this time, the mixture is stirred, so that when it is dried, a loose flocculent amorphous filter material is completed. Therefore, the filter medium can be arranged according to the shape of the filtration channel because of its irregular shape, and can be applied to, for example, a filter container of any shape.

[0006] The amount of the filter material to be used can be appropriately selected according to the object to be filtered.
It has been found that if the filter material is used after being compressed to a density of 0.06 to 0.40 g / cm ³ , the effect of adsorbing and removing impurities such as proteins, carbohydrates and fats is effectively exhibited. Further, the filter medium may be molded into a predetermined shape. Further, the filter medium may include activated carbon and activated clay.

[0007] As a filtration target, any liquid or gas can be used as long as impurities in the target can be adsorbed and removed by utilizing the fluffing of cellulose fibers. Edible oils, photographic developers, tap water, etc. Can be exemplified as an object to be filtered.

[0008] When the object to be filtered is an edible oil, the oil that has been rancid and turned black can be changed into a fragrance and color that is not different from that of new oil. In addition, when edible oil is used as an object to be filtered, there is no risk that the removed impurities will damage the environment, so the used filter material can be used as organic fertilizer, saving resources and eco-friendly filtration. Material can be provided.

[0009] The installation mode of the filter media is as follows.
Further, any of the embodiments in combination with other filtration aids can be employed, but in particular, the first perforated plate,
It is preferable to use a filtration layer in which a first wire mesh, a filtering material, a second wire mesh, and a second perforated plate are sequentially laminated.

Each of the first and second perforated plates is a plate having a large number of holes formed over the entire surface, and has a function of adjusting a flow rate and a function of removing large-diameter impurities. . If the lower end of the take-out rod is fixed to the outer peripheral portion of the second perforated plate, the entire filtration layer can be easily taken out from the filtration container.

The first wire mesh has a function of diffusing the filtration fluid over the entire surface and a function of removing impurities by further increasing the function of the perforated plate. In addition, the second wire mesh has a function similar to that of the first wire mesh, and also has a function of catching fine fluff. The mesh (mesh) of this wire mesh can be appropriately selected depending on the object to be filtered. In the case of edible oil, the mesh is 18 to 30 mesh (the opening diameter is 0.850 mm to
0.710 mm) is preferred.

The above-mentioned embodiment of the filtration layer is applicable to filtration of various fluids, and is particularly suitable for a cooking oil filtration device in a frying tank. In this case, a filtration container is provided on the outlet side of the fry tank, and a filtration layer is disposed inside. The outlet side of the filtration vessel may be either a collection vessel or a circulation path to a frying vessel.

In the case of the circulation system, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which a circulation pump is connected to a circulation path connecting the outlet side and the entrance side of the fry tank, and a filtration device is interposed upstream of the circulation pump upstream of the circulation pump. When such a configuration is adopted, the filter medium in the filtration container is suction-compressed by the pump and reaches the above-mentioned desired density, so that it is not necessary to pressurize and compress the filter medium after storing it in the container.

When a circulation pump is not used, that is, when a circulation system is not used, a structure in which a weight is placed on the upper side of the filtration layer or a suitable pressurizing means is used to pressurize and compress the filter medium is adopted. I just need.

As the pressurizing means, for example, a leaf spring made of metal or synthetic resin having a length slightly larger than the inner diameter of the filtration vessel is covered from above the perforated plate, and the leaf spring is placed near the center of the perforated plate. When the center is pressed, the perforated plate is pressed to the filtration layer side, and a filter medium having a desired density can be obtained. The leaf spring is preferably formed by forming a disk portion near the center in the length direction to increase the contact pressure area with the perforated plate, since a uniform pressing force can be applied to the perforated plate.

The above-mentioned filtration device can be applied also as a filtration device for tap water. In this case, a first filtration layer and a second filtration layer are sequentially arranged in a flow path of tap water, and The above-mentioned filtration layer is adopted as the filtration layer, and as the second filtration layer, the pulp obtained by disintegrating the pulp is placed so as to float in running water, and the fluff of the cellulose fibers constituting the pulp is used. By adopting a configuration in which impurities in flowing water are adsorbed, a double filtration action can be effectively exerted.

In particular, floating flake-shaped filter pieces have a large fluff and are suitable for absorbing impurities. In addition, since the water is floated in flowing water, the amount of flowing water can be sufficiently secured, and the amount of flowing water does not become extremely small even when the faucet is opened. The number of arrangements of the first filtration layer and the second filtration layer in the flowing water is not limited to one set, and it is a matter of course that a plurality of these may be arranged in combination.

In the present invention, the fluid is filtered by the physical adsorption action of the filter medium.
Charcoal and / or calcium carbonate may be contained in the filtration container to complement the action of removing impurities. In particular,
In the tap water filtration device, if charcoal and / or calcium carbonate is contained in the middle of the filtration channel, the action of removing impurities is effectively exhibited, and delicious water can be supplied.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fry apparatus showing a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the frying apparatus 1 (fryer) includes a fry tank 2, a circulation path 3 connecting the outlet side and the entrance side, a circulation pump 4 connected to the circulation path 3, and a circulation pump 4.
And a filtration device 5 interposed on the upstream side.

The fry tank 2 has two heating cylinders 11 therein, and has an inner wall formed with an edible oil circulation path outlet 13 surrounded by a wire mesh filter 12. A pipe inlet 16 of a pipe 15 constituting the circulation path 3 is provided on the peripheral wall of the fry tank 1. Further, an edible oil replenishing container 17 is provided in the fry tank 1.

A circulation pump 4 and a filtration device 5
And these are installed below the fry tank 2. On the downstream side of the circulation pump 4, a filtration device 5
A return path 18 is connected to return a portion of the edible oil from the circulation pump 4 to the filtration device 5 again.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the filtration device, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the filtration layer, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of the filtration layer. As shown in the drawing, the filtration device 5 is provided with a filtration layer 22 in a filtration container 21, and the filtration layer 22 includes a first perforated plate 24, a first wire mesh 25, a filter medium 26, and a second wire mesh. 27 and a second perforated plate 28 are sequentially laminated.

As shown in FIG. 3, the filtration vessel 21 has a deep-bottom cylindrical shape with a lid, a first inlet 30 for connecting a circulation pipe on the fry tank 2 side to the lid 29, and a circulation path 3 A second inlet 32 connected to the bypass passage 31 downstream of the circulating pump, and an outlet 33 provided at the center of the bottom. The container bottom 34 is inclined downward toward the outlet side, and after filtration, Edible oil is efficiently guided to the outlet side.

The first perforated plate 24 and the second perforated plate 28
Is a metal plate, and has a large number of holes 3 over the entire surface.
6 are formed radially from the center, and the pore size is 2 to 1
It is set to about 0 mm, preferably about 5 mm, and has a flow rate adjusting function and a function of removing large diameter impurities. A takeout knob 23 is attached to the center of the first perforated plate 24, and at least an outer peripheral portion of the second perforated plate 28 is provided so that the whole filter layer can be easily taken out from the container 21 when taken out. The lower ends of the two take-out bars 38 are fixed.

The first wire mesh 25 and the second wire mesh 27 have a function of further increasing the function of the perforated plates 24 and 28 to diffuse the edible oil over the entire surface and a function of removing impurities.
Further, the second wire mesh plays a role of catching fine fluff. The diameter of a wire constituting these metal meshes is 3 to 5 mm, and the mesh (mesh) is set to 18 to 30 mesh (the opening diameter is 0.850 to 0.710 mm).

The filter medium 26 is a flocculent and bulky amorphous material obtained by pulverizing pulp and adsorbing impurities in a fluid by utilizing fluffing of cellulose fibers constituting the pulp. As a pulp material to be used, recycled pulp such as a milk pack or a sake pack can be used to save resources.

A laminate film is laminated on the surface of these milk packs and the like. In the process of producing recycled pulp, for example, a milk pack is cut into about 5 cm squares, and this is stirred in hot water at about 120 ° C. with a chopper. If it is loosened (about 10 minutes), the laminate film and the glue component on the pack surface are removed, so that only safe and high-quality ultra-fine plant fibers remain. If this is dried in the hot air of a loosening machine and loosened, a cotton-like amorphous filter material 26 can be prepared.

The method for installing the filter medium 26 is as follows. First, the second perforated plate 28 and the second wire mesh 27
Is laid, and then a predetermined amount of the filter medium 26 is accommodated.
The first wire mesh 25 and the first perforated plate 24 are covered with the filter layer 22.
And At this time, about 35 g of a filtering material to be charged is 20 cm in diameter and 3 cm in height. After the filtration layer 22 is formed, the filtration container 21 is filled with edible oil, and the height of the filter medium when suctioned by the circulation pump 4 is set to approximately 1.2 cm (in the case of a diameter of 20 cm). Then, the density of the filter medium is approximately 0.
It will be used after being compressed to 09 g / cm ³ .

In the above configuration, the filtration layer 2 of the filtration device 5
In 2, impurities having a large particle size are removed by the first perforated plate 24 and guided to the first wire mesh 25 through the holes 36, where the oil is diffused by the wire mesh and the cotton-like plant fibers (cellulose) are removed. The fibers are transmitted to the front, back, left and right under the fluffing of the fibers, and the impurities are adsorbed on the plant fibers. The adsorbed impurities further adsorb the impurities contained in the edible oil passing therethrough.

Then, the oil that has dropped downward through the filter medium 26 is transmitted to the second wire mesh 27, where the fine fluff of the filter material that has been separated by the oil is caught by the wire mesh, and is prevented from flowing out to the outlet side. can do. Then, the diffused oil passes through the second perforated plate 28, is guided to the outlet 32 according to the inclination of the container bottom 32, and is guided from the circulation pump 4 side to the inlet 16 of the fry tank 2.

At this time, the filtering device 5 can filter about 2 liters of oil per minute depending on the performance of the circulation pump.
About 1 liter of oil is returned to the frying tank 2 per minute, and the remaining 1 liter of filtered oil is returned from the return line 18 to the filtration device 5.
Back to. Then, since the oil is filtered many times in the filtration layer 22, even if the edible oil is rancid and turned black, it becomes a regenerated oil having a odor and color almost the same as that of the new oil.

Activated carbon or calcium is contained in a wire mesh container in addition to the filter
It is effective for removing and deodorizing organic substances. Further, when the filtration capacity is reduced, the filtration container 21
When the cover is opened and the take-out rod 28 is pulled up, the whole filtration layer can be easily pulled up.

The filter medium 26 taken out of the filter layer 22
Since the impurities contained therein are harmless substances such as breadcrumbs and cakes, the used filter medium 26 can be used as an organic fertilizer.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment described above, the shape of the filter medium 26 is irregular, but instead of the filter medium 26, a filter medium molded into a predetermined shape is used. May be used. This filter material is obtained by putting defibrated pulp into a generally used molding machine and molding it into a predetermined shape, for example, a cylindrical shape having a diameter of 7.5 cm and a height of 1.5 cm. In addition, when molding the filter media, along with the disintegrated pulp,
Activated carbon or activated clay may be mixed and molded.

For example, the temperature of the edible oil passing through the filter medium from room temperature to 120 ° C.
In the case of low-temperature filter media used for cooking oils up to 1%, activated carbon is added to pulverized pulp 2-3 in weight percent ratio.
Activated carbon can be mixed into the disintegrated pulp so that Further, the density of the filter medium is 0.1 to 0.2 g / c.
m ³ is preferred. Preferably, the weight percentage ratio of pulp to activated carbon will be 2: 1 and the density of the filter media will be 0.1.
It is preferably 16 g / cm ³ . As described above, since the filter medium is molded into a predetermined shape, it is easy to trade the filter medium alone, and the distribution cost in the market is low.
In addition, it is easy to assemble this filter material in the filter device 5. Furthermore, since it is easy to handle, it can be easily used at home. Further, the density of the filter medium is easily formed to a constant value, and there is little variation in quality. Moreover, since the filter medium contains activated carbon, it has an excellent deodorizing effect. On the other hand, in the case of a high-temperature filter medium used for edible oil in which the temperature of the edible oil passing through the filter medium is 120 ° C. or more, such as a filter medium used for business, in the case of a pulp having a weight percent ratio of 2-3 pulp,
Activated clay can be mixed into the disintegrated pulp so as to become activated clay 1. Further, the density of the filter is preferably 0.2 to 0.4 g / cm ³ . in this way,
Since the filter medium contains activated clay, it has an excellent decolorizing effect.

[0036] The filter medium may contain both activated carbon and activated clay. Further, the shape of the molded filtering material is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be a rectangular parallelepiped shape according to the shape of the filtering device.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a filtration device showing a third embodiment, and FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the same filtration layer. In the present embodiment, when the circulation system as in the first embodiment is not adopted, a filtration layer pressurizing means 41 is additionally provided to compress the filter medium 26 and maintain an appropriate density.

As the pressurizing means 41, an FRP leaf spring slightly longer than the inner diameter of the filtration container 21 is used.
The leaf spring 41 is placed over the first perforated plate 24, and its end is slid on the inner wall of the filtration container 21, and the center is located below the end (perforated plate side). The center of the leaf spring 41 is pressed against the vicinity of the center of the perforated plate 24. A large-diameter disk portion 42 is formed near the center in the length direction of the leaf spring 41, so that a contact pressure area with the perforated plate 24 is increased to apply a uniform pressing force to the perforated plate 24.

The perforated plate 24 has a knob 2 at its center.
A hole 43 is formed in the center of the leaf spring disc portion 42 to prevent the protrusion 3 from being protruded.

The other structure is almost the same as that of the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, since the circulation system is not used, the upper lid 29 does not have the inlets 30 and 32. Different from the first embodiment.

The filter layer 22 is placed in such a manner that the second perforated plate 28, the second wire netting 27, and the filter medium 26 are accommodated in the filtration container 21, and then the cooking container 21 is filled with edible oil and the like to perform filtration. The material 26 and the object to be filtered are blended, then the first wire mesh 25 and the first perforated plate 24 are covered, and the plate spring 41
Is pressed from above to compress the filter medium 26 to maintain the density at a predetermined level. Then, the filter medium 26 and the edible oil are in a state of being adjusted, and the filtering action is smoothly performed.

[Fourth Embodiment] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a tap water filtration device according to a fourth embodiment. In the tap water filtration device 50 of the present embodiment, the stainless steel filter container 21 and the upper lid 29 are sealed via the silicone packing 52 and fixed by the stopper 53, and the tap water is placed at the center of the bottom of the filter container 21. The inlet 54 is connected to the upper cover 29.
A tap water outlet 55 is communicatively connected to the center of.

Inside the filtration vessel 21, from the bottom side upward, the first filtration layer 22, the packed filtration layer 57 filled with charcoal such as Bincho charcoal, and the second pulp flakes floating therein.
, And a third filtration layer 59 made of the same material as the first filtration layer. The packed filtration layer 57 and the second filtration layer 58 are provided inside the filtration container 21 and are disposed inside a bottomed cylindrical cylindrical body 60 having a large number of holes 60a formed on the peripheral surface and the bottom surface.

As in the third embodiment, the first filter layer 22 includes a leaf spring 41, a first perforated plate 24, a first wire mesh 25, a filter medium 26, a second wire mesh 27, and a second wire mesh 27. Perforated plate 2
8 are sequentially laminated, and in addition to this, a small diameter (about 5 mm) stud 64 is provided between the outer peripheries of the wire meshes 25 and 27.
Is provided to keep the distance between both wire nets constant. Further, a leg 62 is formed at the bottom of the second perforated plate 28 so as to form a slight gap 65 with the bottom of the container 21.

The cylindrical cylinder 60 having a bottom is formed to have a smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the filtration vessel 21 and has a gap 66 between the filtration vessel 21 and the inner wall of the filtration vessel. It functions as a running water channel. This shank 60
Is placed on the leaf spring 41 of the first filtration layer 22.

The inside of the barrel 60 is vertically divided at its center by a partition plate 69 with a small-diameter (about 5 mm) column 68, and a lower partition between the partition plate 69 and the bottom of the barrel is provided with: A large number of Bincho charcoals 70 are filled in an upright state, and calcium carbonate is built in. This partition plate 69
The upper surface of the FRP is slightly longer than the inner diameter of
The plate spring 70 is pressed against the partition plate 69 to prevent the partition plate 69 from floating.

The upper section of the cylindrical body 60 is the second filtration layer 58.
In the second filtration layer 58, the flakes obtained by disintegrating the pulp material are arranged so as to be able to float in running water, and the fluff of cellulose fibers constituting the pulp is used for flowing water. It is designed to adsorb impurities therein. The floating flake-shaped filter pieces are formed coarser than the filter medium 26 constituting the first filter layer 22, have a large amount of fluff, and are suitable for absorbing impurities.

A third filtration layer 59 is placed on the upper opening of the barrel 60. The third filtration layer 59 has the same configuration as the first filtration layer 22, and includes a leaf spring 73, a first perforated plate 74, a first wire mesh 75, a filter medium 76, a second wire mesh 77, The second perforated plate 78 is sequentially laminated. In addition to this, a stud 79 of a small diameter (about 5 mm) is interposed between the metal meshes 75 and 77 so as to keep the distance between the metal meshes constant. I have to. Note that, in the first filtration layer 22 and the third filtration layer 59, the first perforated plate and the first wire mesh,
In addition, the second perforated plate and the second wire mesh are respectively integrated with an adhesive or the like.

In the above configuration, tap water entering the filtration container 50 from the inlet 54 side passes through the first filtration layer 22, the packed filtration layer 57, and the second filtration layer 58, and passes through the third filtration layer 5
From 9, the water is supplied to the faucet through the outlet 55, but the impurities are removed in a superimposed manner in each filtration layer, and supplied to the faucet as fresh water. In particular, the flowing water that has passed through the first filtration layer 22 enters the packed filtration layer 57 from the bottom surface of the cylinder 60, and passes from the upper second filtration layer 58 to the inside of the cylinder 60 through the outer flowing water channel 66 of the cylinder 60. Is formed, and in the second filtration layer 58, impurities are efficiently removed by the fluff of the floating flake-shaped filter pieces. Therefore, the tap water supplied to the faucet through the third filtration layer 59 is in a fresh water state.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that many modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the fourth embodiment, the example in which the tap water filtration device is installed on the upstream side of the faucet is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the same effect can be expected when installed on the downstream side of the faucet. In the first and third embodiments, an example has been described in which the first perforated plate 24 and the first wire mesh 25 or the second perforated plate 28 and the second wire mesh 27 are provided separately. However, as shown in the fourth embodiment, they may be integrated with an adhesive or the like.

[0051]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the pulp is pulverized to a flocculent and bulky amorphous shape, and impurities in the fluid are removed by utilizing the fluff of the cellulose fibers constituting the pulp. Since adsorption is performed, the adsorption efficiency is improved. Also, when used as edible oil filter media, used filter media can be used as organic fertilizer,
We can provide eco-friendly filter media.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fly device showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a filtration container used in the fry apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a filtration layer used in the fry apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of a filtration layer used in the fry apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a filtration device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a filtration layer used in the filtration device of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a tap water filtration device according to a fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Fryer (flyer), 2 ... Fry tank, 3 ... Circulation path, 4 ... Circulation pump, 5 ... Filtration device, 21 ... Filtration container, 22 ... Filtration layer, 24,28 ... Perforated plate, 25,27 ...
Wire mesh, 26: filter material, 41: leaf spring, 50: tap water filtration device, 58: second filtration layer, 59: third filtration layer.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) B01D 39/12 B01D 39/14 L 39/14 C 39/18 39/20 A 39/18 B01J 20/24 B39 / 20 C02F 1/28 D B01J 20/24 E C02F 1/28 C05F 11/00 B01D 29/08 520C C05F 11/00 530D 540A 35/02 E

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A filter medium in which pulp is defibrated to a flocculent and bulky amorphous shape and impurities in a fluid are adsorbed by utilizing fluffing of cellulose fibers constituting the pulp. 2. The filter medium according to claim 1, wherein the density is set in a range of 0.06 to 0.40 g / cm ³ . 3. The filter medium according to claim 1, wherein the filter medium is molded into a predetermined shape. 4. The filter medium according to claim 3, which contains activated carbon. 5. The filter medium according to claim 3, which comprises activated clay. 6. A filtration layer in which a first perforated plate, a first wire mesh, a filtering material, a second wire mesh and a second perforated plate are sequentially laminated in a filtration vessel, wherein the filtering material is provided. The filtration device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 7. The filter layer and the pulp are disaggregated into flakes and arranged so as to float in running water, and the impurities in the running water are adsorbed by utilizing the fluff of cellulose fibers constituting the pulp. The filtration device according to claim 6, wherein the second filtration layer is arranged in a flow path of tap water. 8. A circulating pump is connected to a circulating path of edible oil connecting the outlet side and the inlet side of the frying tank, and the filtration device according to claim 6 is interposed upstream of the circulating pump in the circulating path. Edible oil circulation device. 9. A method of using a used filter medium, wherein the filter medium used in the edible oil circulation device according to claim 8 is used as an organic fertilizer.