WO2003066247A1

WO2003066247A1 - Waste food treatment apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2003066247A1
Application number: PCT/KR2003/000250
Authority: WO
Inventors: Woo-Sung Kim
Original assignee: Nambang Environment & Biotech Co. Ltd.
Priority date: 2002-02-05
Filing date: 2003-02-05
Publication date: 2003-08-14
Also published as: KR100466092B1; CN1270837C; CN1628001A; JP2005516760A; JP4019048B2; AU2003211286A1; KR20030066886A

Abstract

Disclosed is a waste food treatment apparatus comprising a decomposition tank containing waste food and biochips having microorganisms, a stirrer to stir the waste food and biochips, a thermostatic dehumidifier to remove moisture while maintaining the temperature of air in a predetermined range, an air blower to circulate air discharged from the decomposition tank through the thermostatic dehumidifier; and a controller to control operations of the stirrer, the thermostatic dehydrator, and the blower.

Description

WASTE FOOD TREATMENT APPARATUS

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a waste food treatment apparatus for decomposing waste food, and more particularly to a waste food treatment apparatus for decomposing waste food using microorganisms activated at a middle low temperature and circulating air generated in a decomposition tank without a deodorizing device.

Background Art

Recently, a great deal of waste food produced at restaurants or homes is disposed by being buried underground in landfill sites, etc.

When the landfill site is filled with the waste food containing a large amount of moisture, seepage water seriously pollutes the environment such as soil and water.

Accordingly, instead of the burial of waste food underground, other apparatuses for treating the waste food have been proposed. For example, there is widely known an apparatus for crushing waste food and subsequently fermenting and decomposing the crushed waste food using microorganisms, or an apparatus for dehydrating waste food and subsequently producing a fertilizer or a compost out of the dehydrated waste food. The conventional waste food treatment apparatus for fermenting and decomposing waste food using microorganisms employs microorganisms, which decompose organic matters at a high temperature (more than approximately 40 °C). Thus, the above conventional waste food treatment apparatus additionally requires a deodorizing device for removing offensive odor generated in the decomposition of the organic matters, thereby increasing operating costs of the apparatus.

Further, since the microorganisms are activated at the high temperature to decompose the organic matters of the waste food, the high temperature within a decomposition tank must be always maintained. Accordingly, this conventional waste food treatment apparatus additionally requires a heating device for heating the decomposition tank, thereby operating at increased cost. Disclosure of the Invention

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a waste food treatment apparatus, which does not require supplementary devices such as a deodorizing device or a heating device, is easy to maintain, and operates at reduced cost.

In accordance with the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a waste food treatment apparatus comprising: a decomposition tank for accommodating waste food and biochips containing microorganisms; an agitator for agitating the waste food and the biochips; a thermostatic dehydrator for removing moisture from air supplied into the decomposition tank, while maintaining the temperature of the air in a designated allowable range; an air blower for circulating air discharged from the decomposition tank through the thermostatic dehydrator and subsequently the decomposition tank; and a controller for controlling operations of the agitator, the thermostatic dehydrator, and the blower.

Preferably, the waste food treatment apparatus may further comprise a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature in the decomposition tank, and the controller may control the operation of the thermostatic dehydrator based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor.

Further, preferably, the agitator may include: a driving unit; a rotary shaft rotated while being connected to the driving unit; a plurality of agitator blades arranged on an outer circumference of the rotary shaft; and pedals individually located at ends of the agitator blades for agitating the waste food and the biochips. Moreover, preferably, the thermostatic dehydrator may include: a compressor for compressing a refrigerant; a reheating unit for performing heat exchange between the refrigerant discharged from the compressor and air flowing toward the decomposition tank; a radiating unit for allowing the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to flow therein and radiating heat of the refrigerant to the outside; and a dehydrating unit for performing heat exchange between the refrigerant discharged from the radiating unit and air discharged from the decomposition tank. More preferably, the thermostatic dehydrator may further include: a bypath for transferring the refrigerant discharged from the compressor into the radiating unit; and a control valve for controlling the flow of the refrigerant in the bypath. Preferably, the waste food treatment apparatus may further comprise a cooling fan provided adjacent to the radiating unit for cooling the refrigerant flowing in the radiating unit.

Further, preferably, the thermostatic dehydrator may further include a heater for heating the air flowing into the decomposition tank. Moreover, preferably, the waste food treatment apparatus may further comprise an external air suction unit for supplying external air to the air flowing from the decomposition tank into the thermostatic dehydrator.

Preferably, the controller may lock the control valve and stop the operation of the cooling fan, when the temperature in the decomposition tank is in the allowable range.

Further, preferably, the controller may unlock the control valve and operate the cooling fan when the temperature in the decomposition tank is not less than an upper limit of the allowable range.

Moreover, preferably, the controller may stop the operation of the compressor and operate the heater when the temperature in the decomposition tank is not more than a lower limit of the allowable range.

Preferably, the waste food treatment apparatus may further comprise: a feed pipe provided with a plurality of holes for supplying air discharged from the thermostatic dehydrator to the decomposition tank; and an exhaust pipe provided with a plurality of exhaust holes for guiding air generated in the decomposition tank to the thermostatic dehydrator, wherein the feed pipe and the exhaust pipe are disposed at opposite positions in the decomposition tank.

Further, preferably, the waste food treatment apparatus may further comprise: a plurality of drainage holes formed through a bottom of the decomposition tank for discharging moisture containing salt content exhausted from the waste food in the decomposition tank; and a collection bath detachably attached to the bottom of the decomposition tank for collecting moisture containing salt content of the waste food discharged from the decomposition tank via the drainage holes. Moreover, preferably, the waste food treatment apparatus may further comprise a drain pipe located between the collection bath and the thermostatic dehydrator for guiding water condensed by the dehydrating unit to the collection bath. Preferably, the decomposition tank may include: an entrance provided at an upper part of the decomposition for feeding the waste food and the biochips into the decomposition tank; and a safety switch installed on one side surface of the entrance, and turned on/off based on the opening and closing of the entrance, wherein the controller stops the operation of the agitator by an actuating signal of the safety switch when the entrance is opened.

Further, preferably, the microorganisms may be activated at a temperature of approximately 15 ^°C to 30 ^°C .

Brief Description of the Drawings

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a waste food treatment apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the waste food treatment apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along a line III-III of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along a line IV-IV of Fig. l; Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the control process of the waste food treatment apparatus of Fig. 1 ; and

Fig. 6 is a schematic side view of a thermostatic dehydrator of the waste food treatment apparatus of Fig. 1.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the annexed drawings.

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a waste food treatment apparatus in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the waste food treatment apparatus of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along a line III-III of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along a line IV -IV of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the control process of the waste food treatment apparatus of Fig. 1.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 5, a waste food treatment apparatus 1 of the present invention comprises a main body housing 11, a decomposition tank 25, an agitator 41, a thermostatic dehydrator 57, an air blower 93, and a controller 18. The main body housing 11 forms an exterior of the waste food treatment apparatus 1. The decomposition tank 25 for accommodating waste food and biochips containing microorganisms is located within the main body housing 11. The agitator 41 serves to agitate the waste food and the biochips. The thermostatic dehydrator 57 serves to maintain the temperature of air supplied into the decomposition tank 25 in a designated allowable range. The blower 93 serves to circulate air discharged from the decomposition tank 25 through the thermostatic dehydrator 57 and the decomposition tank 25. The controller 18 serves to control the operations of the agitator 41, the thermostatic dehydrator 57, and the blower 93. Preferably, the microorganisms contained within the biochips are activated and react with organic matters of the waste food at a middle low temperature, i.e., approximately 15 °C to 30^°C so that the activity of saprophytic bacteria activated at a high temperature is suppressed to remove a factor for generating offensive odor.

The main body housing 11 is formed to have a closed cubic shape. An entrance 13 for feeding the waste food and the biochips into the decomposition tank 25 is formed through the upper surface of the main body housing 11.

A safety switch 15 is installed on one side surface of the entrance 13, and turned on/off according to the opening and closing of the entrance 13. When the entrance 13 is opened, the safety switch 15 sends a signal to the controller 18 in order to stop the operation of the agitator 41.

A manipulation unit 19 including at least a plurality of manipulation switches 16, a display unit 17 and the controller 18 is provided at a designated position on a front surface of the main body housing 11. The manipulation switches 16 allow a user to manipulate the operation of the waste food treatment apparatus 11. The display unit 17 serves to display information regarding the temperature, etc. within the decomposition tank 25.

An intake port 21 for sucking external air into a machinery chamber 26, which will be described later, is formed through one side surface of the main body housing 11. An exhaust port 23 for exhausting air within the machinery chamber 26 to the outside is formed through a back surface of the main body housing 11.

By a diaphragm 24, the inside of the main body housing 11 is divided into the decomposition tank 25, and the machinery chamber 26 provided with the thermostatic dehydrator 57 and the blower 93. That is, the decomposition tank 25 and the machinery chamber 26 are separated from each other by the diaphragm 24.

The decomposition tank 25 is located at a designated position within the main body housing 11, and has an opened semispherical shape.

A feed pipe 27 and an exhaust pipe 29 are formed through the upper portion of the decomposition tank 25. The feed pipe 27 serves to supply air discharged from the thermostatic dehydrator 57 to the decomposition tank 25, and the exhaust pipe 29 serves to guide air generated in the decomposition tank 25 to the thermostatic dehydrator 57. The feed pipe 27 and the exhaust pipe 29 are disposed at opposite positions in the upper portion of the decomposition tank 25.

The feed pipe 27 includes a plurality of nozzles 27a for uniformly diffusing dehydrated air discharged from the thermostatic dehydrator 57 throughout the waste food contained in the decomposition tank 25 at a designated pressure. The nozzles 27a face toward the bottom of the decomposition tank 25 so that the dehydrated air is uniformly supplied to the waste food within the decomposition tank 25. The exhaust pipe 29 includes a plurality of exhaust holes 29a for rapidly exhausting moist air generated during the decomposition of the waste food from the decomposition tank 25. The exhaust holes 29a face toward the top of the decomposition tank 25 so that the dehydrated air diffused into the decomposition tank 25 via the nozzles 27a of the feed pipe 27 is not immediately exhausted therethrough.

A temperature sensor 31 for measuring the temperature in the decomposition tank 25 is provided at the lower portion of the decomposition tank 25. The controller 18 serves to control the operation of the thermostatic dehydrator 57 based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 31. A plurality of drainage holes 33 are formed through the bottom of the decomposition tank 25. The drainage holes 33 serve to discharge moisture containing salt content exhausted from the waste food in the decomposition tank 25, thus preventing the salt content from the waste food from being accumulated in the biochips. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the degradation of capacity of microorganisms for decomposing organic matters, and simultaneously the shortening of life span of the biochips.

A collection bath 35 for collecting moisture containing salt content of the waste food discharged from the decomposition tank 25 via the drainage holes 33 is located on the bottom of the decomposition tank 25. The collection bath 35 has a shape of an opened square column, and moves along a rail 37 installed at the bottom of the main body housing 11 so that the collection bath 35 is easily repaired and maintained. The collection bath 35 is detachably attached to the bottom of the decomposition tank 25. A drain 39 for discharging the moisture containing the salt content collected in the collection bath 35 to the outside is provided at one side of the collection bath 35.

A rotary shaft 49 of the agitator 41 is installed in the middle part of the decomposition tank 25 in a longitudinal direction of the decomposition tank 25.

The agitator 41 includes a driving unit 43, the rotary shaft 49, a plurality of agitator blades 51 , and pedals 53. The driving unit 43 is provided with a motor and a reduction gear. The rotary shaft 49 is connected to the driving unit 43 by a chain 45 and a chain sprocket 47, thus receiving power from the driving unit 43. The rotary shaft 49 is located in the longitudinal direction of the decomposition tank 25. The agitator blades 51 are arranged on the external circumference of the rotary shaft 49, and extend in the transverse direction of the axis of the rotary shaft

49. Each of the pedals 53 is located at the end of the corresponding agitator blade 51, and serves to agitate the waste food and the biochips. The pedals 53 are tilted at a designated angle from the agitator blades 51 so that substances held between the surfaces of the pedals 53 and the inner wall of the decomposition tank 25 are easily taken off. The surfaces of the pedals 53 are coated with urethane rubber 55 in order to prevent the direct contact of the surfaces of the pedals 53 with the inner wall of the decomposition tank 25, thus protecting the surfaces of the pedals 53 from damage thereby, and simultaneously to softly lift up the biochips disposed at the bottom of the decomposition tank 25, thus preventing the overload of the driving unit 43. The driving unit 43 of the agitator 41, the chain 45, and the chain sprocket 47 are located within the machinery chamber 26, and other components of the agitator 41 are located within the decomposition tank 25.

As shown in Fig. 6, the thermostatic dehydrator 57 of the waste food treatment apparatus 1 of the present invention includes a compressor 59, a reheating unit 61, and a radiating unit 63, and a dehydrating unit 65. The compressor 59 serves to compress a refrigerant. The reheating unit 61 serves to perform heat-exchange between the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 59 and air flowing toward the decomposition tank 25, thereby heating the air flowing toward the decomposition tank 25. The radiating unit 63 serves to radiate heat of the refrigerant to the outside by the flow of the refrigerant. The dehydrating unit 65 serves to perform heat-exchange between the refrigerant discharged from the radiating unit 63 and air discharged from the decomposition tank 25, thereby dehydrating the air discharged from the decomposition tank 25. The thermostatic dehydrator 57 is provided with a casing having a shape of an opened square column, and divided into upper and lower portions by a diaphragm 67. The compressor 59 and the radiating unit 63 are located in the lower portion of the thermostatic dehydrator 57, and the reheating unit 61 and the dehydrating unit 65 are located in the upper portion of the thermostatic dehydrator 57. An inlet 69 through which the air discharged from the decomposition tank 25 is introduced into the thermostatic dehydrator 57 is formed through one side surface of the casing of the thermostatic dehydrator 57. An outlet 71 through which the air in the thermostatic dehydrator 57 is discharged to the decomposition tank 25 is formed through the opposite side surface of the casing of the thermostatic dehydrator 57. The inlet 69 is connected to an exhaust duct 73 connected to the exhaust pipe 29, and the outlet 71 is connected to a feed duct 75 connected to the feed pipe 27. A drain pipe 77 is connected to the side surface of the casing provided with the outlet 71. The drain pipe 77 serves to guide water condensed by the dehydrating unit 65 to the collection bath 35 so that the water containing salt content discharged from the decomposition tank 25 via the drainage holes 33 is diluted by the condensed water.

In the thermostatic dehydrator 57, the refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 59 and subsequently circulated through the reheating unit 61, the radiating unit 63, and the dehydrating unit 65, thereby forming a closed circuit. The compressor 59, the reheating unit 61, the radiating unit 63, and the dehydrating unit 65 are connected via refrigerant pipes 79. A bypath 85 is branched from the refrigerant pipe 79 connecting the compressor 59 and the reheating unit 61, and then connected to the refrigerant pipe 79 connected to the radiating unit 63, thereby transferring the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 59 into the radiating unit 63. A control valve 87 for controlling the flow of the refrigerant in the bypath 85 is provided in the bypath 85.

A check valve 83 for preventing the backflow of the refrigerant flowing from the reheating unit 61 to the radiating unit 63 is provided in the refrigerant pipe 79 connecting the reheating unit 61 and the radiating unit 63. Thereby, when the control valve 87 is unlocked, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 59 flows into the reheating unit 61, and simultaneously into the radiating unit 63 via the bypath 85. Here, a part of the refrigerant flowing into the radiating unit 63 via the bypath 85 flows into the check valve 83. Particularly, the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the check valve 83 via the bypath 85 is relatively larger than that of the refrigerant flowing into the check valve 83 via the reheating unit 61. Accordingly, the refrigerant flowing into the check valve 83 via the bypath 85 does not flow backward into the reheating unit 61 via the check valve 83, and the refrigerant flowing into the check valve 83 via the reheating unit 61 does not flow backward into the radiating unit 63 via the check valve 83. Thus, the check valve 83 does not pass any refrigerant, but maintains its unlocked condition. That is, when the control valve 87 is unlocked, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 59 flows into the radiating unit 63 via the bypath 85. The thermostatic dehydrator 57 further includes a cooling fan 89, and an electric heater 91. The cooling fan 89 is located in the casing of the thermostatic dehydrator 57 adjacent to the radiating unit 63, and serves to cool the refrigerant flowing in the radiating unit 63. The electric heater 91 is located in the casing of the thermostatic dehydrator 57 adjacent to the reheating unit 61, and serves to heat dehydrated air flowing from the reheating unit 61 into the decomposition tank 25.

The blower 93 is installed in the exhaust duct 73, and is provided with an external air suction unit 95. The external air suction unit 95 serves to supply external air being indispensable for the aerobic decomposition of the waste food to air flowing from the decomposition tank 25 into the thermostatic dehydrator 57. The controller 18 controls the operation of the agitator 41 by the manipulation of the safety switch 15. Further, the controller 18 controls the temperature in the decomposition tank 25 by the temperature sensor 31 so that the temperature in the decomposition tank 25 measured by the temperature sensor 31 is in the allowable range in which microorganisms generally activated at the middle low temperature vigorously decomposes the waste food in the decomposition tank 25. Simultaneously, the controller 18 also controls the blower 93 and the components of the thermostatic dehydrator 57 so that the waste food is optimally dehydrated. Hereinafter, the operation of the above-described waste food treatment apparatus 1 of the present invention is described in detail.

When waste food is fed into the waste food treatment apparatus 1 via the entrance 13, the entrance 13 is opened and the safety switch 15 is operated so that the controller 18 stops the operation of the driving unit 43 of the agitator 41. Then, the rotation of the rotary shaft 49 is stopped so that the agitation of the waste food and the biochips in the decomposition tank 25 is stopped. When the entrance 13 is closed, the safety switch 15 is operated so that the controller 18 operates the driving unit 43 of the agitator 41. Then, the rotary shaft 49 is rotated so that the waste food and the biochips are agitated. Here, the rotary shaft 49 is rotated at a low speed so that the waste food and the biochips in the decomposition tank 25 are sufficiently agitated. During the agitation of the waste food and the biochips, organic matters of the waste food are decomposed by microorganisms of the biochips and heat is generated by the decomposition of the organic matters. The temperature in the decomposition tank 25 is increased by the heat of decomposition, and air heated by the reheating unit

61 is introduced into the decomposition tank 25. In case that the temperature in the decomposition tank 25 is increased, saprophytic bacteria are activated and thus offensive odor is generated, while reducing the activity of the microorganisms activated at the middle low temperature. Accordingly, the decomposition tank 25 must be controlled so that the temperature in the decomposition tank 25 is not increased more than an upper limit of a designated allowable range.

On the other hand, in case that the temperature in the decomposition tank 25 is not more than a lower limit of the allowable range, the controller 18 stops the operation of the compressor 59 of the thermostatic dehydrator 57, and simultaneously operates the blower 93 and the electric heater 91 so that the air with the lower temperature, discharged from the decomposition tank 25, is heated. Then, the air heated to a higher temperature than that of the air in the decomposition tank 25 is introduced into the decomposition tank 25. Further, external air required for the aerobic decomposition of the waste food is sucked into the decomposition tank 25 via the external air suction unit 95. The temperature in the decomposition tank 25 is gradually increased by the receiving of the heated air and the heat of decomposition of the organic matters of the waste food. Accordingly, the gradually increased temperature does not influence the microorganisms in the decomposition tank 25, thus allowing the microorganisms to maintain their decomposition capacities for a long period of time.

When the temperature in the decomposition tank 25 reaches the lower limit of the allowable range, the controller 18 operates the compressor 59 of the thermostatic dehydrator 57. Preferably, the compressor 59 is provided with a supplementary heater for maintaining the optimum heating condition of the compressor 59 even in winter season.

Then, when the temperature in the decomposition tank 25 is in the allowable range, the controller 18 locks the control valve 87 of the thermostatic dehydrator 57 so that the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 59 subsequently flows into the reheating unit 61, the radiating unit 63, and the dehydrating unit 65. Here, heat emitted from the reheating unit 61, in which the refrigerant in a high temperature and high pressure state flows, is relatively higher than the heat of condensation of the dehydrating unit 65. The air containing moisture discharged from the decomposition tank 25 is condensed by the dehydrating unit 65 so that the temperature of the air is lowered and the moisture is removed from the air, thereby being dehydrated. The dehydrated air is heated by the reheating unit 61 so as to be converted into air of a high temperature and low humidity state, and then flows into the decomposition tank 25. The air in the high temperature and low humidity state introduced into the decomposition tank 25 absorbs moisture generated in the decomposition of the waste food in the decomposition tank 25, thereby being converted into air of a high humidity state and discharged via the exhaust pipe 29 to the thermostatic dehydrator 57. Then, the discharged air is combined with oxygen introduced via the external air suction unit 95, and again circulated through the dehydrating unit 65 and the reheating unit 61 of the thermostatic dehydrator 57 and the decomposition tank 25. When the temperature in the decomposition tank 25 is lowered not more than the lower limit of the allowable range, the electric heater 91 is also operated so as to increase, the temperature in the decomposition tank 25 to the allowable range. When the temperature in the decomposition tank 25 is not less than the upper limit of the allowable range, the controller 18 unlocks the control valve 87 of the thermostatic dehydrator 27 so that the refrigerator compressed by the compressor 59 is not introduced into the reheating unit 61 but is introduced into the radiating unit 63 via the bypath 85 and subsequently into the dehydrating unit 65. Here, the refrigerant flowing into the radiating unit 63 via the bypath 85 does not flow backward into the reheating unit 61 via the check valve 83. When the controller 18 unlocks the control valve 87, the controller 18 also operates the cooling fan 89 so as to cool the refrigerant flowing in the radiating unit 63. The air in a low temperature condition, dehydrated by the dehydrating unit 65, is not heated by the reheating unit 61 but introduced into the decomposition tank 25.

Then, the temperature in the decomposition tank 25 is not increased any more, but lowered up to the lower limit of the allowable range. When the temperature in the decomposition tank 25 is in the allowable range, the controller 18 again locks the control valve 87 of the thermostatic dehydrator 57 so that the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 59 subsequently flows into the reheating unit 61, the radiating unit 63, and the dehydrating unit 65. The air discharged from the decomposition tank 25 is repeatedly circulated through the dehydrating unit 65 and the reheating unit 61 of the thermostatic dehydrator 57 and then returned to the decomposition tank 25. Here, the resulted moisture and carbon dioxide generated by the decomposition of organic matters of the waste food are introduced into the collection bath 35 via the drain pipe 77, and then discharged to the outside of the main body housing 11 through the drain 39. Accordingly, since the waste food treatment apparatus of the present invention, in which air continuously circulating throughout the apparatus is heated by heat generated by the decomposition of organic matters of the waste food, does not require an additional deodorizing device and heating device, it is possible to easily manage and maintain the apparatus and reduce its operating costs, such as electricity charges, due to the omission of the heater.

Further, the waste food treatment apparatus of the present invention utilizing microorganisms activated at a middle low temperature dehydrates and circulates air supplied into the decomposition tank, and simultaneously maintains the temperature of the circulated air in an allowable range in which the microorganisms are most active. Accordingly, since the waste food treatment apparatus of the present invention does not require an additional deodorizing device and heating device, it is possible to easily manage and maintain the apparatus and reduce its operating costs.

The above-described biochips containing the microorganisms uses one selected from the group consisting of wood chips, husks of grain, ceramic balls, etc.

Industrial Applicability

As apparent from the above description, the present invention provides a waste food treatment apparatus, which does not require an additional deodorizing device and heating device, thus being easy to maintain and operating at reduced cost.

Claims

Claims:

1. A waste food treatment apparatus comprising: a decomposition tank for accommodating waste food and biochips containing microorganisms; an agitator for agitating the waste food and the biochips; a thermostatic dehydrator for removing moisture from air supplied into the decomposition tank, while maintaining the temperature of the air in a designated allowable range; an air blower for circulating air discharged from the decomposition tank through the thermostatic dehydrator and subsequently the decomposition tank; and a controller for controlling operations of the agitator, the thermostatic dehydrator, and the blower.

2. The waste food treatment apparatus as set forth in claim 1, which further comprises a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature in the decomposition tank, wherein the controller controls the operation of the thermostatic dehydrator based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor.

3. The waste food treatment apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the agitator includes: a driving unit; a rotary shaft rotated while being connected to the driving unit; a plurality of agitator blades arranged on an outer circumference of the rotary shaft; and pedals individually located at ends of the agitator blades for agitating the waste food and the biochips.

4. The waste food treatment apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the thermostatic dehydrator includes: a compressor for compressing a refrigerant; a reheating unit for performing heat exchange between the refrigerant discharged from the compressor and air flowing toward the decomposition tank; a radiating unit for allowing the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to flow therein and radiating heat of the refrigerant to the outside; and a dehydrating unit for performing heat exchange between the refrigerant discharged from the radiating unit and air discharged from the decomposition tank.

5. The waste food treatment apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein the thermostatic dehydrator further includes: a bypath for transferring the refrigerant discharged from the compressor into the radiating unit; and a control valve for controlling the flow of the refrigerant in the bypath.

6. The waste food treatment apparatus as set forth in claim 5, which further comprises a cooling fan provided adjacent to the radiating unit for cooling the refrigerant flowing in the radiating unit.

7. The waste food treatment apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein the thermostatic dehydrator further includes a heater for heating the air flowing into the decomposition tank.

8. The waste food treatment apparatus as set forth in claim 7, which further comprises an external air suction unit for supplying external air to the air flowing from the decomposition tank into the thermostatic dehydrator.

9. The waste food treatment apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein the controller locks the control valve and stops the operation of the cooling fan when the temperature in the decomposition tank is in the allowable range.

10. The waste food treatment apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein the controller unlocks the control valve and operates the cooling fan when the temperature in the decomposition tank is not less than an upper limit of the allowable range.

1 1. The waste food treatment apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein the controller stops the operation of the compressor and operates the heater when the temperature in the decomposition tank is not more than a lower limit of the allowable range.

12. The waste food treatment apparatus as set forth in claim 1, which further comprises: a feed pipe provided with a plurality of holes for supplying air discharged from the thermostatic dehydrator to the decomposition tank; and an exhaust pipe provided with a plurality of exhaust holes for guiding air generated in the decomposition tank to the thermostatic dehydrator, wherein the feed pipe and the exhaust pipe are disposed at opposite positions in the decomposition tank.

13. The waste food treatment apparatus as set forth in claim 1, which further comprises: a plurality of drainage holes formed through a bottom of the decomposition tank for discharging moisture containing salt content exhausted from the waste food in the decomposition tank; and a collection bath detachably attached to the bottom of the decomposition tank for collecting moisture containing salt content of the waste food discharged from the decomposition tank via the drainage holes.

14. The waste food treatment apparatus as set forth in claim 1, which further comprises a drain pipe located between the collection bath and the thermostatic dehydrator for guiding water condensed by the dehydrating unit to the collection bath.

15. The waste food treatment apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the decomposition tank includes: an entrance provided at an upper part of the decomposition for feeding the waste food and the biochips into the decomposition tank; and a safety switch installed on one side surface of the entrance, and turned on/off based on the opening and closing of the entrance, wherein the controller stops the operation of the agitator by an actuating signal of the safety switch when the entrance is opened.

16. The waste food treatment apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the microorganisms are activated at a temperature of approximately 15 ^°C to 30 ^°C .