Title of Invention

PROCESS FOR TREATMENT OF ORGANIC SOLID WASTE

Abstract PROCESS FOR TREATMENT OF ORGANIC SOLID WASTE
Full Text FORM - 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 OF 1970)
COMPLETE / SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10)





TITLE OF INVENTION

"Process for Treatment of Organic Solid Waste"
(a) INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Bombay (b) having administrative office at Powai, Mumbai 400076, State of Maharashtra, India and (c) an autonomous educational Institute, and established in India under the Institutes of Technology Act 1961.
The following specification particularly describes the nature of the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.




original
384/mum/2002



02-08-2004

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a process for conveVsion of organic solid waste to biofertilizer such as soil conditioning agents of fertilizer grade, culture grade and soil grade. In particular, the invention relates to a process for conversion of organic solid wastes to biofertilizers in the presence of selective geophagus earthworms Pheretima elongata to produce variety of valuable soil conditioning products in high yield by way of a simple and cost effective process.
BACKGROUND ART
Human and animal habitations generate large quantities of wastes. The organic fraction of these wastes often accumulates in the neighborhood of habitations and their decomposition products affect detrimentally the quality of soil, water and air. Many technologies are available to deal with organic wastes but most of these are energy intensive. Sanitary land filling is becoming unviable due to non-availability of landfill space. In biogas technology investments are large and subsequent liquid effluents consume much energy for disposal and solid product from such processes having low energy value for soil have limited market as fertilizer. Most current technologies face problems of acidity, culture fatalities and problems of process waste disposal. Composting has been practiced for over 50 years. However in the composting process bioenergy of the organic waste is lost and therefore the product retains very little energy for use in soil. In view of energy cost of composting operation; low value and low yield of product the technology becomes useful if disposal is the objective. Organic waste conversion to biomass briquettes is a useful technology but the energy cost of drying and briquetting is high and hence such technology is also unviable in many cases.
There is thus a continuing long felt need for economically viable alternatives. An article by Krishnamoorthy, R.V;Vajranabhaiah,S.N; titled "Biological Activity of earthworm casts -an assessment of plant growth promoter levels in the casts" Proceedings of the Indian Academy of Sciences Animal sciences Vol. 95,no3,1986,pages 341-352) mentions worm casts of phytophagus (litter living) and geophagus (soil living) worms including Pheretima elongata. However the article does not teach any method or process technology to engage such populations for field applications.
An article by Shanthi,N.R.; Bhoyar.R.V.; Bhide,A..D "Vermicomposting via phytophagus worms;"vermicomposting of vegetable wastes "Compost Science an Utilisation Fall 1993; vol 1,no4 ,Oct 1993 .pages 27-30 indicates advantages of worm excreta as a product for agriculture use. The method described in the article which engages phytophagus worm does not lead to a regenerative grade product that can be used in soils that lack organic overload
An article by Asthana.G.P. titled "On the nitrogenous components in the earthworm Pheretima elongata", Indian Journal of Zoology -Vol 5 ,no2,1977,pages 12-16) indicates that geophagus worm supports many native nitrogen fixing population. This article does not teach how to exploit this feature to prepare fertiliser grade product.
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An article by Sihorwala,Tayeb.A;Kalra,Sudhir titled "Effect of different species of earthworm and their combination on carbon nitrogen ratio of black cotton soils and characterisation of vermi-composting powders produced from solid waste treatment by earthworm bio-technology" in Proceedings of the International Conference on Solid waste Technology and Management 13th (vol 2),7C/1,1-9 ,1997) mentions geophagus worms for solid waste conversion including using Pheretima elongata. This article also does not describe any viable method or process or technology for large scale solid waste conversion.
An article by Wong.S.H, Griffiths.D.A titled ."Vermicomposting in the management of pig waste in Hong Kong" in World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology ,Vol 7,no 6,pages 593-595,1991 discusses phytophagus worms for vermi-composting. The processes for composting suggested in this article are~faced with severe problems of worm disposal, culture run aways, soil acidity, culture fatalities and microbial quality of casts different from normal soils and hence are of limited value in agricultural applications.
Use of redworms in Vermicomposting using Eisenia Foetida [Lee, K. E., Earthworms - Their ecology and relationship with soils & land use, Academic Press, 1985] or such surface dwelling varieties is well known. However there are major drawbacks of such processes and formulations leading to low yield of vermicompost that is typically 100-200-kg/ton DM waste. Moreover, it requires well-macerated preferably animal excreta containing (Wong, S.H, et al., World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Vol. 7, no. 6, pp 593-595, 1991; Shanti, N. R. et al. "vermicomposting of vegetable wastes", Compost Science and Utilisation, vol 1, no. 4, pages 27-30, 1993) 1 percent or more protein nitrogen and 70 percent moisture (Sihorwala, Tayeb et al. "Effect of different species of earthworm and their combination on carbon nitrogen ratio of black cotton soils and characterization of vermi-composting powders produced from solid waste treatment Technology and Management by Earthworm Bio-technology" Proceedings of the 13th International conference on Solid Waste Technology and Management, vol 2, 7C/1, pp1-9, 1997) limitation is that this organism effective at densities 50 - 100/m2 cannot live in its own excreta and they move horizontally and migrate away as the metabolite accumulates. In order to prevent this migration converted material is to be separated and fresh material is to be added to the process. This leads to low loading rates thereby requiring large space for the vermicomposting process. Culture replacement is also necessary. In view of the generated acidic environment abnormal bio indicators of acidic environment do appear and the use of other chemical pest control measures become necessary. When the acidity becomes very high it becomes essential to unearth the entire space and prepare the place afresh leading to long turnover times, loss of productivity, etc. Such redworm cultures not being native to healthy soils their disposal becomes problematic. Other issues related to the use of Eisenia foetida (all surface dwelling varieties) are sudden loss of culture and pest incidence. [Bhawalkar U.S., Vermiculture bioconversion of Organic Residues, Ph.D. thesis, IIT Bombay 1996; Pattanaik, B.R., Waste Water Processing in Soil Filters, Ph.D. thesis, IIT Bombay, 2000]. Geophagus worms are known for their importance in agriculture (Krishnamoorthy, et al. "Biological Activity of earthworm casts - an assessment of plant growth promoter levels in the casts" Proceedings of the Indian academy of Animal Sciences vol 95, no. 3, pp 341-352, 1986.; Asthana, G. P. "On the nitrogenous components in the earthworm Pheretima elongate", Indian Journal of Zoology, vol 5, no. 2, pp 12-16, 1977).
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OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The basic objective of the present invention is thus directed to providing a process for large scale processing of organic wastes including animal/human faeces using techniques for organic solid waste conversion to biofertilizer hereinafter referred to as Soil Biotechnology (SBT) technique without formation of objectionable process wastes thereby eliminating the problems of waste disposal.
Another object of the invention is to provide a process for the manufacture of effective fertilizer grade, culture grade and soil grade SBT products from organic wastes in the presence of selective species, which would facilitate such conversion without any environmental problems.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide process for manufacture of effective SBT products from organic wastes using selective organisms that can operate at high rates without requiring extensive field area to carry out such process.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide processes for solid-organic waste management that can be easily set up and run with minimum cost and operational constraints.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide for,a process of organic solid waste management - an integrated process using selective organisms, soil, bacterial culture, minerals.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide for process for organic-solid waste conversion, which would achieve high bioenergy recovery efficiency.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a simple and cost effective process for organic-solid waste conversion to produce SBT products in high yields.
Yet it is another object of the invention is to produce pest resistant SBT products with high activity and shelf-life.
It has now been surprisingly found by way of the present invention that effective soil conditioning agents of fertilizer grade, culture grade and soil grade SBT products can be prepared by way of conversion of solid organic waste to biofertilizer when such conversion is carried out selectively in the presence of cultures of geophagus earthworms Pheretima elongata in combination with wild ruminant dung as source of potent bacterial culture derived from organics such as animal dung, straw and leaf litter, moisture and mineral source.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
Thus according to the basic aspect of the present invention there is provided a process for manufacture of biofertilizer from organic solid waste comprising:
• Processing the organic waste selectively in the presence of cultures of geophagus earthworm Pheretima elongata in combination with bacterial cultures such as herein defined and mineral source under controlled moisture content.
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According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a process for the manufacture of biofertilizer from organic solid waste comprising:
• providing a culture media comprising geophagus earthworm culture Pheretima elongata in is grown in an environment comprising plants with tap -roots, and/or adventitious roots including bacterial culture as herein defined, moisture and a mineral source;
• processing the solid waste in the presence of said culture media under controlled moisture content to obtain the biofertilizer; and
• Sieving to obtain the product of desired particle size.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a process for the manufacture of biofertilizer from organic waste comprising: i) providing
a) the mineral additives;
b) natural phosphate powder;
c) soil; and
d) bacterial culture;
ii) processing the mix of i) above with organic waste in a geophagus earthworm culture grown in an environment comprising plants with tap roots, and/or adventitious roots for sufficient period under controlled moisture content to thereby obtain the desired biofertilizer. .;
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a process for the manufacture of biofertilizer from organic solid waste comprising:
• providing a system of ridges and troughs;
• providing a culture media comprising geophagus earthworm culture Pheretima elongata grown in an environment comprising plants with tap roots, and/or adventitious roots including bacterial culture, moisture and a mineral source in said ridges having green plants to house said culture; and
• processing the organic waste in said system under controlled moisture content to obtain the biofertilizer in the presence of said culture media.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a bacterial source culture for use as source bacterial culture in producing biofertilizer from waste comprising:
a) providing geophagus earthworm culture Pheretima elongata grown in an environment comprising plants with tap roots, and/or adventitious roots providing organics such as hereindefined and mineral powder under controlled moisture content;
b) maintaining the mix above under conditions for developing the cultures and sieving as powder less than 500 ^ as the source bacterial culture .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
The above disclosed process of the invention provides for a simple and cost effective process of converting of solid waste to biofertilizer in high yield involving the selective use of the culture media comprising geophagus earthworm culture
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Pheretima elongata grown in an environment comprising plants with tap roots, and/or adventitious roots including bacterial culture, moisture and a mineral source.
Yield of the process of the invention is typically 200 -1500 kg/ton raw waste depending on fertilizer grade, culture grade, soil grade SBT products but depends on nature of feed.
Preferably, by adjusting additives and batch time can produce variety of product viz. fertilizer to culture grade to soil grade product. Typically products contain about 5-30% organics, about 55-90% minerals, about 10-20% moisture and rich in soil bacterial population and also containing geophagus earthworm culture. Cycle time of 14 weeks is typical. Smaller cycle time require more additives, mechanical shredding and intensive management.
According to one embodiment of the process of the invention involves:
a) providing an appropriate geophagus earthworm culture Pheretima elongata by developing the culture in an environment comprising plants with tap roots, and/or adventitious roots providing i) about 20-30 g/m2.day organics such as animal dung, straw, leaf litter ii) moisture about 30-40 % iii) preferred mineral powder of about 5-10 g/m2.day;
b) maintaining the mix above under conditions for developing the cultures and sieving as powder less than 500 JJ, for use as source bacterial culture;
c) processing the organic waste, preferred mineral powder of a specific particle size range, soil, bacterial culture source under controlled moisture in a geophagus earthworm cultured in an environment comprising plants with tap roots, and/or adventitious roots for a required period ; and
d) maintaining the mix for sufficient period to effect conversion to desired biofertilizer and sieving to the required size range.
In the above process of the invention the step of developing the bacterial culture required in a geophagus earthworm cultured in an environment comprising plants with tap roots, and/or adventitious roots is carried out by providing about 20-30 gm/m2.d organics such as ruminant animal (such animals in the wild or fed essentially on cellulosic residues) dung which is a source of potent bacterial culture, straw and leaf litter, Moisture 30-40 %, and preferred mineral powder less than 1000 \i size @ about 5-10 gm/m2.d; The mineral source used can be mineral powder in amounts of upto 200% w/w selected from sources containing silica (25 - 30% Si), alumina (about 6-8 % Al), Iron (about 1-6 % Fe), Potassium (about 2 - 8%), Calcium (about 2 -10%), Magnesium (about 1-3%), Phosphorous (about 0.003- 0.01%) etc. and containing micro nutrients.
In another embodiment of the invention mineraLadditives such as primary rock powder of about 0.3-0.6 kg. per kg waste, natural phosphate powder (about 0.02-0.05 kg./kg. waste) and soil (about 0.05-0.2 kg/kg. waste), bacterial culture (about 0.01 kg/kg waste) are added to enable organic conversion in a cultured in an environment comprising plants with tap roots, and/or adventitious roots to fertilizer grade, culture grade, soil grade product.
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Process control is achieved by adjusting loading rates, moisture levels and by addition of mineral powder so as to prevent anaerobic environment and as well to eliminate bioindicators of abnormality. Process monitoring is achieved by observing bioindicators of abnormality viz. mosquitoes, rats, odour and plant health. In accordance with another embodiment for large scale processing of organics the invention proposes the use of system of ridges and troughs of height/depth 1-3 M to carry out the conversion of organic waste for biofertilizer using the aforesaid geophagus earthworm cultured in an environment comprising plants with tap roots, and/or adventitious roots. The ridges can have the green plants that house the culture engaged in the process. For different capacities length of ridges and troughs can be adjusted. Higher loading as and when required can be achieved by adjusting ridge dimensions. The costs are low since energy inputs are low and thus would provide a cost-effective process for manufacture of biofertilizer.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, culture of the bacteria in the excreta of ruminants e.g. cow, bullock, buffalo, goat, sheep, etc. preferably fed on cellulose-based feed are selected. The bacterial culture is further propagated by mixing excreta with preferred mineral powder and developed further for about 4-6 weeks in geophagus earthworm cultured in an environment comprising plants with tap roots, and/or adventitious roots and harvested for use in different locations to give the appropriate bacterial culture.
In another embodiment of the invention the animal dung is mixed with preferred mineral powder and propagated further in a geophagus earthworm culture in an environment comprising plants with tap roots, and/or adventitious roots for about 7 -14days to give soil grade product.
In yet another embodiment of the invention hospital organic waste can be disposed in geophagus earthworm cultured in an environment comprising plants with tap roots, and/or adventitious roots. The space is organized to receive the hospital organic waste for treatment using the invented process.
Fertilizer grade product obtained following the process of the invention contains typically about 20-30% organics, about 50-65% minerals, and about 15 - 20% moisture. The culture grade product contains about 5-10% organic, about 70-80% minerals, about 10 - 15% moisture. The soil grade product contains about 10-15 % organic, about 65 - 75 % minerals and moisture about 10-15 %. All the products contain soil bacterial culture and geophagus earthworm culture.
The invention is explained hereunder in greater detail in relation to non-limiting exemplary embodiments discussed hereunder:
Example 1
100 kg of cow dung is taken. It is mixed with 100 kg of mineral additive at ambient temperature of 25-28°C. Free Moisture content of the prepared mix is around 25 %. The mix is incubated in an earthworm-cultured bed for 7 days and moisture is maintained by sprinkling water. During the seven-day process the mix is monitored for pH and pest incidence. At the end of 7 days it is sun dried and sieved to less than 500 microns.
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The final product obtained is of the following characteristics: (1) fragrant soil smell while free moisture is maintained out around 10-15 % (2) free flowing, (3) no pests and insects (4) contains about 10-15 % organics, about 65- 75 % minerals and 10-15 % moisture. The soil, product used as medium to grow potted plant shows vigorous plant growth indicating that the soil product is capable of being used as correction to eroded soils to restore productivity.
Example 2
100 kg of fresh food waste is taken and mixed with 50 kg of mineral powder, 100 g of bacterial culture and is processed in a geophagus earthworm cultured in an environment comprising plants with tap roots, and/or adventitious roots. Moisture is maintained at 20 percent and processing continued for 14 weeks.
The final product is of the following characterisations: (1) fragrant soil smell while free moisture is maintained at 15-20 % (2) free flowing, (3) no pests and insects, (4) contain about 5-10 % organic, about 70 - 85 % mineral and about 10-15 % moisture. The culture grade product used as input to grow potted plants shows vigorous plant growth indicating that the culture grade product is capable of being used as correction to eroded soils to restore productivity.
Example 3
An organic waste processing plant to handle 16 tons per day of market organic
waste is described. An area of 10800 m2 is earmarked. The space is organized as
20 loading bays each of 30 M (8.0m base - 10.0m top) x 1.0m deep. The
environment comprising plants with tap roots, and/or adventitious roots are
constructed on ground as ridges of size 30 M (2.0m base - 4.0m top) x 1.0m high.
The environment comprising plants with tap roots, and/or adventitious roots serves
as the reservoir of culture required for the process. Suitable space for storage of
additives and product are also provided.
The entire space is cultured with geophagus earthworms. Suitable green plants to
house the earthworm culture are planted on the ridges.
During loading, the waste is spread over the loading area. Mineral powder in the
range 0.3-0.6 kg/ kg waste, soil in the range 0.1-0.2 kg./kg waste; bacterial culture
0.01 kg/kg waste natural phosphates if required 0.02-0.05 kg/kg waste are
sprinkled. Moisture is maintained at 20-30% on the soil. The loaded area is
periodically turned manually. This may also be turned mechanically by a tractor and
lumps are mechanically shredded.
A 14 weeks schedule for loading and as well 14 weeks schedule for curing /
harvesting is engaged.
During harvesting the material from the curing bays are dug out, screened and
bagged.
For the batches with any abnormal bioindicators more mineral powder is sprinkled
and the material turned and allowed to process further for 2-3 days. The fertilizer
grade product formed has moisture of 15-20 %, 20-30% organic, 50-65 % minerals
and is free flowing.
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Example 4:
Hospital organic wastes are taken directly to geophagous earthworm cultured in an environment comprising plants with tap roots, and/or adventitious roots. The wastes are spread carefully on the processing area protected suitably via impervious lining. Soil in amount of 0.3 - 0.6 kg per kg waste and mineral powder @ 0.3 - 0.6 kg per kg waste are sprinkled. Loading is continued till the pit is full typically in 4 weeks. The processing is continued for 48 weeks. During processing the moisture in the pits was maintained at 30 - 40 %.
The processed material is turned periodically. Non-biodegradables are removed and destroyed. The soil is ploughed, mixed with dry leaves and kerosene. The whole mass is ignited and allowed to burn. The next batch is then taken.
ANALYTICAL METHODS
Analytical Methods engaged for the analysis of COD, BOD, Ammonium Nitrogen, suspended solids, Color have been adopted from "Standard Methods of Water and Wastewater Analysis [APHA, Standard Methods for examination of Water and Wastewater", American Public Health association, 18th edition, Washington, 1992. Water Analysis Handbook, Hach USA, 3rd. Edition 1997, Merck manual for photometer SQ 118, 1997.
Bioindicators are used at various stages of the processes to test for any toxic materials produced. Bioindicators such as fish, mosquito, rats, flies have been identified visually and reported as our visual observation. Bioindicators as a tool for assessment of pollution index of environment has been adopted from "Aquatic Chemistry" [by Stumm, Werner; Morgan, J. J.; "Aquatic Chemistry - an introduction emphasizing equilibria in natural waters, 2nd edition, Wiley Interscience, NY, 1981].
Tests for microbiological indicators like Conform organisms, Staphylococci, Kleibsella pneumonie, Salmonella, Shigella, Entamoeba hystolytica, Polio virus, Hepatitis virus were carried out using methodology from Standard Methods of Water and Wastewater Analysis [APHA, Standard Methods for examination of Water and Wastewater", American Public Health association, 18th edition, Washington, 1992]. The performance of the different substrates were noted as detailed under TABLE 1.
As would be evident from the results under TABLE 1, the material produced following the process of this invention find applications as a variety of soil conditioning agents of fertilizer grade, culture grade and soil grade. Further the products obtained are free of any harmful residues and have desirable shelf life. Equally important is the fact that the products are substantially free of-toxic substances, which make it environment friendly and safe for use

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Table 1 Performance of different substrates

Source Cow dung Food Waste Market-Vegetables Protein
Waste kg wet organic 100 300 200 200
Additive B kg 100 30 50 40
Additive L kg — 10 - 10
Additive H kg — 10 - -
PH 6.8-7.5 6.8-7.5 6.8-7.5 6.8-7.5
Moisture in product (%) 10-15 10-15 10-15 10-15
Batch Time days 7 200 100 100
Product kg 150 60 100 100
Conditioner Product type Soil Culture Fertiliser Fertiliser
Residues Nil Nil Nil Nil
Pests on Product Nil Nil Nil Nil
Shelf life of Product (months) 12 + 12+ 12+ 12+
B - silica rich mineral L - relatively low silica mineral H - iron rich mineral
The redox potential of 900mV indicates high oxygen availability and hence is a very healthy environment wherein the pathogen survival is unlikely. The nutrients in the waste get fixed in biomass and are internally recycled. The organic loading being small the nutrient levels in soil do not change much. Overall the results show that the procedure can handle hospital waste effectively.
TABLE 2 summarises the results of treatment of hospital waste prepared as in example 4. The results show that the hospital waste treated soil has characteristics similar to those of the control soil. Pathogens are not be detected both in control soil and in treated samples.
Table 2 Total N and P levels in Soil after Hospital Waste (HW) Process

Item Eh
mV N % P-% Total
Bacteria per
g soil Remarks
Control Soil 900 0.01 0.001 10"-108 *
Soil after 12 months HW 900 0.01 0.001 10"-10B *
HW Soil after curing in Flower bed 900 0.01-0.005 0.001 10"-10e *
HW Soil after heat treatment 900 0.01-0.005 0.001 Very small *
HW - Hospital Waste; *: Pathogens : not detected; Eh Redox potential - a high value indicates healthy soil
The SBT process disclosed in this invention thus provides a cost effective and simple solution to the problem of solid waste management without creating any toxic wastes or issues of waste disposal. The product produced from this process is
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environment friendly and can be used as a soil-conditioning agent for diverse applications. It also provides a method for the effective utilisation of the recoverable bio energy to produce products in high yields, and also offers avenues to systematically and cost effectively treat organic wastes from various sources such as hospitals, restaurants, markets, food, fermentation, agro-industries wastes etc.
Overall this process for soil conditioning makes it possible to enhance the soil productivity in a cost effective manner in a global perspective.
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We Claim
A process for treatment of organic solid waste optionally in a system of ridges and trough wherein the organic waste is selectively treated with
• cultures of geophagus earthworm Pheretima elongate grown in an environment comprising plants in the presence of organics such as excreta of ruminants to keep the bed active by regulation of bacterial population,
• mineral source up to 200 % w/w to provide nutrients for bioprocesses and pH control and optionally natural phosphate to enhance phosphate level,
• bacterial cultures from ruminants preferably feeding on cellulosic materials to process organics,
in presence of 30-40 % w/w moisture, followed by sieving.
A process for treatment of organic solid waste claimed in claim 1, wherein the
cultures of geophagus worm Pheretima elongata is grown in an environment
comprising plants with tap roots, and/or adventitious roots that in the presence
of about 20-30 gm/m2/day of organics such as excreta of ruminants preferably
feeding on cellulosic materials, minerals of particle sizes of about 5-10 gm/mz/day and moisture of about 30-40 % for a period of 4-6
weeks and harvesting the culture as a sieved powder.
A process for treatment of organic solid waste as claimed in claims1-2,
wherein the mineral source used is up to 200% w/w selected from sources
containing silica (25 - 30% Si), alumina (6-8 % Al), Iron (1-6 % Fe), Potassium
(2 - 8%), Calcium (2 -10%), Magnesium (1-3%), Phosphorous (0.003- 0.1%)
and containing micro quantities of Zn, Mo.
A process for treatment of organic solid waste as claimed in claim 1-3,
wherein the bacterial culture is obtained from excreta of ruminants selected
from cow, bullock, buffalo, goat, sheep, preferably fed on cellulose-based
feed.
A process for treatment of organic solid waste as claimed in claim 1,
comprising mixing of the
• organic waste with mineral additives preferably primary or weathered
mineral powder of 0.3-0.6 kg per kg waste,
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• optionally natural phosphate powder (0.02-0.05 kg./kg. waste) and soil (0.05-0.2 kg/kg. waste),
• bacterial culture (0.01 kg/kg waste) and
• optionally cultures of geophagus worm Pheretima elongata
optionally in an environment comprising tap root, adventitious root, and or surface root system to enable organic conversion to fertilizer grade, culture grade, soil grade biofertilizer.
6. A process for treatment of organic solid waste claimed in claims 1 to 5 wherein the organic waste used is selected from municipal, domestic, agricultural, industrial wastes and residues ranging from animal excreta, human excreta, vegetable and fruit residues, straw and leaf litter, cooked food, protein residues, slaughter wastes, dead animals, hospital organic wastes and their like.
7. A process for treatment of organic solid waste claimed in claims 1 to 6, wherein the process to produce culture grade biofertiliser in yields of 100-200 kg per ton organic comprise combining:

• the preferred mineral powder in amounts 0.3-0.6 kg per kg organic,
• the bacterial culture as claimed in claim 1 to 5,
• 0.01 kg per kg organic,
• local soil 0.05 - 0.1 kg/kg organic,
in the presence of cultures of geophagus worm Pheretima elongata processed for around 180 - 220 days by loading organic in amounts of 0.1-0.5 kg /sqm.day and maintaining moisture 30 to 40 % during process.
8. A process for treatment of organic solid waste claimed in anyone of claims 1
to 7, comprising a process to produce fertilizer grade biofertiliser in yields of
375-500 kg per ton organic by combining:
• the preferred mineral powder in amount of 0.3 - 0.6 kg per kg organic,
• the bacterial culture 0,01 kg per kg organic,
• local soil 0.05 - 0.1 kg/kg organic,
in the presence of cultures of geophagus worm Pheretima elongata processed for around 56-70 days by loading organic in amount of 1-5 kg/m2.d. and maintaining moisture 30 to 40%.
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9. A process for treatment of organic solid waste as claimed in -claims 1 to 6,
comprising a process for the produce of soil grade biofertilizer in yields of
1000 - 2000 kg per ton organic by combining:
• the preferred mineral powder of 1.0 kg per kg of organic food waste,
• bacterial culture 0.01 kg per kg organic,
• local soil 0.05 - 0.1 kg/kg organic,
in the presence of cultures of geophagus worm Pheretima elongata processed for 7-14 days by loading animal excrement in amount of 1-5 kg/m2.d and maintaining moisture 30-40 percent during process or for a period of 28-35 days in the case of finely divided organics such as food wastes.
10. A process for treatment of organic solid waste as claimed in claim 1 wherein
the animal excreta is optionally mixed with the preferred mineral and
processed for 7 days to yield a soil grade biofertilizer.


Date 30/10/2004


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animal excreta containing 1 percent or more protein nitrogen and 70 percent moisture. A limitation is that this organism effective at densities 50 - 100/m2 cannot live in its own excreta and they move horizontally and migrate away as the metabolite accumulates. In order to prevent this migration converted material is to be separated and fresh material is to be added to the process. This leads to low loading rates thereby requiring large space for the vermicomposting process. Culture replacement is also necessary. In view of the generated acidic environment abnormal bio indicators of acidic environment do appear and the use of other chemical pest control measures become necessary. When the acidity becomes very high it becomes essential to unearth the entire space and prepare the place afresh leading to long turnover times, loss of productivity, etc. Such redworm cultures not being native to healthy soils their disposal becomes problematic. Other issues related to the use of Eisenia foetida (all surface dwelling varieties) are sudden loss of culture and pest incidence. [Bhawalkar U.S., Vermiculture bioconversion of Organic Residues, Ph.D. thesis, IIT Bombay 1996; Pattanaik, B.R., Waste Water Processing in Soil Filters, Ph.D. thesis, IIT Bombay, 2000]
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The basic objective of the present invention is thus directed to providing a process for large scale processing of organic wastes including animal/human faeces using techniques for organic solid waste conversion to biofertilizer hereinafter referred to as Soil Biotechnology (SBT) technique without formation of objectionable process wastes thereby eliminating the problems of waste disposal.
Another object of the invention is to provide a process for the manufacture of effective fertilizer grade, culture grade and soil grade SBT products from organic wastes in the presence of selective species, which would facilitate such conversion without any environmental problems.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide process for manufacture of effective SBT products from organic wastes using selective organisms that can operate at high rates without requiring extensive field area to carry out such process.
2

Yet another object of the invention is to provide processes for solid-organic waste management that can be easily set up and run with minimum cost and operational constraints.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide for a process of organic solid waste management - an integrated process using selective organisms, soil, bacterial culture, minerals.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide for process for organic-solid waste conversion, which would achieve high bioenergy recovery efficiency.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a simple and cost effective process for organic-solid waste conversion to produce SBT products, in high yields.
Yet it is another object of the invention is to produce pest resistant SBT products with high activity and shelf-life.
It has now been surprisingly found by way of the present invention that effective soil conditioning agents of fertilizer grade, culture grade and soil grade SBT products can be prepared by way of conversion of solid organic waste to biofertilizer when such conversion is carried out selectively in the presence of cultures of geophagus earthworms Pheretima elongata in combination with wild ruminant dung as source of potent bacterial culture derived from organics such as animal dung, straw and leaf litter, moisture and mineral source.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
Thus according to the basic aspect of the present invention there is provided a
process for manufacture of biofertilizer from organic solid waste comprising:
• Processing the organic waste selectively in the presence of cultures of geophagus earthworm Pheretima elongata in combination with bacterial cultures such as herein defined and mineral source under controlled moisture content.
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According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a process for the manufacture of biofertilizer from organic solid waste comprising:
• providing a culture media comprising geophagus earthworm culture Pheretima elongata in a green space including bacterial culture as herein defined, moisture and a mineral source;
• processing the solid waste in the presence of said culture media under controlled moisture content to obtain the biofertilizer; and
• Sieving to obtain the product of desired particle size.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a process for the manufacture of biofertilizer from organic waste comprising: i) providing
a) the mineral additives;
b) natural phosphate powder;
c) soil; and
d) bacterial culture;
ii) processing the mix of i) above with organic waste in a geophagus earthworm culture green space for sufficient period under controlled moisture content to thereby obtain the desired biofertilizer.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a process for the manufacture of biofertilizer from organic solid waste comprising:
• providing a system of ridges and troughs;
• providing a culture media comprising geophagus earthworm culture Pheretima elongata as a green space including bacterial culture, moisture and a mineral source in said ridges having green plants to house said culture; and
• processing the organic waste in said system under controlled moisture content to obtain the biofertilizer in the presence of said culture media.
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According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a bacterial source culture for use as source bacterial culture in producing biofertilizer from waste comprising:
a) providing geophagus earthworm culture Pheretima elongata in a green space providing organics such as hereindefined and mineral powder under controlled moisture content;
b) maintaining the mix above under conditions for developing the cultures and sieving as powder less than 500 as the source bacterial culture .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
The above disclosed process of the invention provides for a simple and cost effective process of converting of solid waste to biofertilizer in high yield involving the selective use of the culture media comprising geophagus earthworm culture Pheretima elongata as a green space including bacterial culture, moisture and a mineral source.
Yield of the process of the invention is typically 200 -1500 kg/ton raw waste depending on fertilizer grade, culture grade, soil grade SBT products but depends on nature of feed.
Preferably, by adjusting additives and batch time can produce variety of product viz. fertilizer to culture grade to soil grade product. Typically products contain about 5-30% organics, about 55-90% minerals, about 10-20% moisture and rich in soil bacterial population and also containing geophagus earthworm culture. Cycle time of 14 weeks is typical. Smaller cycle time require more additives, mechanical shredding and intensive management.
According to one embodiment of the process of the invention involves: a) providing an appropriate geophagus earthworm culture Pheretima elongata by developing the culture in a green space providing i) about 20-30 g/m2.day organics such as animal dung, straw, leaf litter ii) moisture about 30-40 % iii) preferred mineral powder of about 5-10 g/m2.day;
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b) maintaining the mix above under conditions for developing the cultures and sieving as powder less than 500 for use as source bacterial culture;
c) processing the organic waste, preferred mineral powder of a specific particle size range, soil, bacterial culture source under controlled moisture in a geophagus earthworm cultured green space for a required period ; and
d) maintaining the mix for sufficient perjod to effect conversion to desired biofertilizer and sieving to the required size range.
In the above process of the invention the step of developing the bacterial culture required in a geophagus earthworm cultured green space is carried out by providing about 20-30 gm/m2.d organics such as ruminant animal (such animals in the wild or fed essentially on cellulosic residues) dung which is a source of potent bacterial culture, straw and leaf litter, Moisture 30-40 %, and preferred mineral powder less than 1000 |u size @ about 5-10 gm/m2.d; The mineral source used can be mineral powder in amounts of upto 200% w/w selected from sources containing silica (25 -30% Si), alumina (about 6-8 % Al), Iron (about 1-6 % Fe), Potassium (about 2 - 8%), Calcium (about 2 -10%), Magnesium (about 1-3%), Phosphorous (about 0.003-0.01%) etc. and containing micro nutrients.
In another embodiment of the invention mineral additives such as primary rock powder of about 0.3-0.6 kg. per kg waste, natural phosphate powder (about 0.02-0.05 kg./kg. waste) and soil (about 0.05-0.2 kg/kg. waste), bacterial culture (about 0.01 kg/kg waste) are added to enable organic conversion in a cultured green space to fertilizer grade, culture grade, soil grade product.
Process control is achieved by adjusting loading rates, moisture levels and by addition of mineral powder so as to prevent anaerobic environment and as well to eliminate bioindicators of abnormality. Process monitoring is achieved by observing bioindicators of abnormality viz. mosquitoes, rats, odour and plant health.
In accordance with another embodiment for large scale processing of organics the invention proposes the use of system of ridges and troughs of height/depth 1-3 M to carry out the conversion of organic waste for biofertilizer using the aforesaid geophagus earthworm cultural green space. The ridges can have the green plants
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that house the culture engaged in the process. For different capacities length of ridges and troughs can be adjusted. Higher loading as and when required can be achieved by adjusting ridge dimensions. The costs are low since energy inputs are low and thus would provide a cost-effective process for manufacture of biofertilizer.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, culture of the bacteria in the excreta of ruminants e.g. cow, bullock, buffalo, goat, sheep, etc. preferably fed on cellulose-based feed are selected. The bacterial culture is further propagated by mixing excreta with preferred mineral powder and developed further for about 4-6 weeks in geophagus earthworm cultured green space and harvested for use in different locations to give the appropriate bacterial culture.
In another embodiment of the invention the animal dung is mixed with preferred mineral powder and propagated further in a geophagus earthworm culture green space for about 7 -14days to give soil grade product.
In yet another embodiment of the invention hospital organic waste can be disposed in geophagus earthworm cultured green space. The space is organized to receive the hospital organic waste for treatment using the invented process.
Fertilizer grade product obtained following the process of the invention contains typically about 20-30% organics, about 50-65% minerals, and about 15 - 20% moisture. The culture grade product contains about 5-10% organic, about 70-80% minerals, about 10 - 15% moisture. The soil grade product contains about 10-15 % organic, about 65 - 75 % minerals and moisture about 10-15 %. All the products contain soil bacterial culture and geophagus earthworm culture.
The invention is explained hereunder in greater detail in relation to non-limiting exemplary embodiments discussed hereunder:
Example 1
100 kg of cow dung is taken. It is mixed with 100 kg of mineral additive at ambient
temperature of 25-28°C. Free Moisture content of the prepared mix is around 25 %.
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The mix is incubated in an earthworm-cultured bed for 7 days and moisture is maintained by sprinkling water. During the seven-day process the mix is monitored for pH and pest incidence. At the end of 7 days it is sun dried and sieved to less than 500 microns.
The final product obtained is of the following characteristics: (1) fragrant soil smell while free moisture is maintained out around 10-15 % (2) free flowing, (3) no pests and insects (4) contains about 10-15 % organics, about 65- 75 % minerals and 10-15 % moisture. The soil product used as medium to grow potted plant shows vigorous plant growth indicating that the soil product is capable of being used as correction to eroded soils to restore productivity.
Example 2
100 kg of fresh food waste is taken and mixed with 50 kg of mineral powder, 100 g
of bacterial culture and is processed in a geophagus earthworm cultured green
space. Moisture is maintained at 20 percent and processing continued for 14
weeks.
The final product is of the following characterisations: (1) fragrant soil smell while free moisture is maintained at 15-20 % (2) free flowing, (3) no pests and insects, (4) contain about 5-10 % organic, about 70 - 85 % mineral and about 10-15 % moisture. The culture grade product used as input to grow potted plants shows vigorous plant growth indicating that the culture grade product is capable of being used as correction to eroded soils to restore productivity.
Example 3
An organic waste processing plant to handle 16 tons per day of market organic waste is described. An area of 10800 m2 is earmarked. The space is organized as 20 loading bays each of 30 M (8.0m base - 10.0m top) x 1.0m deep. The green spaces are constructed on ground as ridges of size 30 M (2.0m base - 4.0m top) x 1.0m high. The green space serves as the reservoir of culture required for the process. Suitable space for storage of additives and product are also provided.
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The entire space is cultured with geophagus earthworms. Suitable green plants to house the earthworm culture are planted on the ridges.
During loading, the waste is spread over the loading area. Mineral powder in the range 0.3-0.6 kg/ kg waste, soil in the range 0.1-0.2 kg./kg waste; bacterial culture 0.01 kg/kg waste natural phosphates if required 0.02-0.05 kg/kg waste are sprinkled. Moisture is maintained at 20-30% on the soil. The loaded area is periodically turned manually. This may also be turned mechanically by a tractor and lumps are mechanically shredded.
A 14 weeks schedule for loading and as well 14 weeks schedule for curing / harvesting is engaged.
During harvesting the material from the curing bays are dug out, screened and bagged.
For the batches with any abnormal bioindicators more mineral powder is sprinkled and the material turned and allowed to process further for 2-3 days. The fertilizer grade product formed has moisture of 15-20 %, 20-30% organic, 50-65 % minerals and is free flowing.
Example 4:
Hospital organic wastes are taken directly to geophagous earthworm cultured green space. The wastes are spread carefully on the processing area protected suitably via impervious lining. Soil in amount of 0.3 - 0.6 kg per kg waste and mineral powder @ 0.3 - 0.6 kg per kg waste are sprinkled. Loading is continued till the pit is full typically in 4 weeks. The processing is continued for 48 weeks. During processing the moisture in the pits was maintained at 30 - 40 %.
The processed material is turned periodically. Non-biodegradables are removed and destroyed. The soil is ploughed, mixed with dry leaves and kerosene. The whole mass is ignited and allowed to burn. The next batch is then taken.
ANALYTICAL METHODS:
Analytical Methods engaged for the analysis of COD, BOD, Ammonium Nitrogen, suspended solids, Color have been adopted from "Standard Methods of Water and Wastewater Analysis [APHA, Standard Methods for examination of Water and
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Wastewater", American Public Health association, 18 edition, Washington, 1992. Water Analysis Handbook, Hach USA, 3rd. Edition 1997, Merck manual for photometer SQ 118,1997.
Bioindicators are used at various stages of the processes to test for any toxic materials produced. Bioindicators such as fish, mosquito, rats, flies have been identified visually and reported as our visual observation. Bioindicators as a tool for assessment of pollution index of environment has been adopted from "Aquatic Chemistry" [by Stumm, Werner; Morgan, J. J.; "Aquatic Chemistry - an introduction emphasizing equilibria in natural waters, 2nd edition, Wiley Interscience, NY, 1981],
Tests for microbiological indicators like Conform organisms, Staphylococci, Kleibsella pneumonie, Salmonella, Shigella, Entamoeba hystolytica, Polio virus, Hepatitis virus were carried out using methodology from Standard Methods of Water and Wastewater Analysis [APHA, Standard Methods for examination of Water and Wastewater", American Public Health association, 18th edition, Washington, 1992]. The performance of the different substrates were noted as detailed under TABLE 1.
Table 1: Performance of different substrates

Source Cow dung Food Waste Market-Vegetables Protein
Waste kg wet organic 100 300 200 200
Additive B kg 100 30 50 40
Additive L kg — 10 - 10
Additive H kg — 10 - -
PH 6.8-7.5 6.8-7.5 6.8-7.5 6.8-7.5
Moisture in product (%) 10-15 10-15 10-15 10-15
Batch Time days 7 200 100 100
Product kg 150 60 100 100
Conditioner Product type Soil Culture Fertiliser Fertiliser
Residues Nil Nil Nil Nil
Pests on Product Nil Nil Nil Nil
Shelf life of Product (months) 12 + 12+ 12+ 12+
B - silica rich mineral L - relatively low silica mineral H - iron rich mineral
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As would be evident from the results under TABLE 1, the material produced following the process of this invention find applications as a variety of soil conditioning agents of fertilizer grade, culture grade and soil grade. Further the products obtained are free of any harmful residues and have desirable shelf life. Equally important is the fact that the products are substantially free of toxic substances, which make it environment friendly and safe for use.
The redox potential of 900mV indicates high oxygen availability and hence is a very healthy environment wherein the pathogen survival is unlikely. The nutrients in the waste get fixed in biomass and are internally recycled. The organic loading being small the nutrient levels in soil do not change much. Overall the results show that the procedure can handle hospital waste effectively.
TABLE 2 summarises the results of treatment of hospital waste prepared as in example 4. The results show that the hospital waste treated soil has characteristics similar to those of the control soil. Pathogens are not be detected both in control soil and in treated samples.
Table 2: Total N and P levels in Soil after Hospital Waste (HW) Process

Item Eh
mV N % P-% Total
Bacteria per
g soil Remarks
Control Soil 900 0.01 0.001 107 - 108 *
Soil after 12 months HW 900 0.01 0.001 107-108 *
HW Soil after curing in Flower bed 900 0.01-0.005 0.001 107-108 *
HW Soil after heat treatment 900 0.01-0.005 0.001 Very small *
HW - Hospital Waste; *: Pathogens : not detected; Eh Redox potential - a high value indicates healthy soil
The SBT process disclosed in this invention thus provides a cost effective and simple solution to the problem of solid waste management without creating any toxic
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wastes or issues of waste disposal. The product produced from this process is environment friendly and can be used as a soil-conditioning agent for diverse applications. It also provides a method for the effective utilisation of the recoverable bio energy to produce products in high yields, and also offers avenues to systematically and cost effectively treat organic wastes from various sources such as hospitals, restaurants, markets, food, fermentation, agro-industries wastes etc.
Overall this process for soil conditioning makes it possible to enhance the soil productivity in a cost effective manner in a global perspective .
WE CLAIM
1. A process for manufacture of biofertilizer from organic solid waste comprising : Processing organic wastes selectively in the presence of cultures of geophagus earthworm Pheretima elongata in combination with bacterial cultures such as herein defined and mineral source under controlled moisture content.
2. A process for manufacture of biofertilizer as claimed in claim 1 comprising providing a culture media comprising geophagus earthworm culture Pheretima elongata in a green space including bacterial culture as herein defined, moisture and a mineral source;
processing the solid waste in the presence of said culture media under controlled moisture content to obtain the biofertiliser; and sieving to obtain the product of desired particle size.
3. A process for manufacture of biofertilizer as claimed in anyone of claims 1 or 2
comprising:
i) providing
a) the mineral additives;
b) natural phosphate powder;
c) soil ; and
d) bacterial culture;
ii) processing the mix of i) above with organic waste in a geophagus earthworm culture green space for sufficient period under controlled moisture content to thereby obtain the desired biofertilizer.
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4. A process for manufacture of biofertilizer as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 3
comprising:
providing a system of ridges and troughs;
providing a culture media comprising geophagus earthworm culture Pheretima
elongata as a green space including bacterial culture .moisture and a mineral
source in said ridges having green plants to house said culture; and
processing the organic waste in said system under controlled moisture content to
obtain the biofertilizer in the presence of said culture media.
5. A process for manufacture of biofertilizer as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 4
comprising :
a) providing an appropriate geophagus earthworm culture Pheretima elongata by developing the culture in a green space providing i) 20-30 g/m2.day organics such as herein defined ii) moisture about 30-40 % iii) mineral powder of 5-10 g/m2.day ;
b) maintaining the mix above under conditions for developing the cultures and sieving as powder less than 500 \i for use as source bacterial culture ;
c) processing the organic waste, preferred mineral powder of a specific particle size range, soil, bacterial culture source under controlled moisture in a geophagus earthworm cultured green space for a required period ; and
d) maintaining the mix for sufficient period to effect conversion to desired biofertiliser and sieving to the required size range.

6. A process for manufacture of biofertilizer as claimed in claim 5 wherein the step of developing the bacterial culture required in a geophagous earthworm cultured green spaces is carried out by providing about 20-30 gm/m2.d organics such as excreta of ruminants in the wild, Moisture 30-40 %, and preferred rock powder less than 1000 (i size @ about 5-10 gm/m2.d .
7. A process for manufacture of biofertilizer as claimed in anyone of claims 5 to 6 wherein the mineral source used is upto 200% w/w selected from sources
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containing silica (25 - 30% Si), alumina (6-8 % Al), Iron (1-6 % Fe), Potassium ( 2 - 8%), Calcium (2 -10%), Magnesium (1-3%), Phosphorous (0.003- 0.1%) and containing micro quantities of Zn, Mo.
8. A process for manufacture of biofertilizer as claimed in claim 1 comprising : adding mineral additives such as herein defined preferably primary or weathered rock powder of 0.3-0.6 kg per kg waste, natural phosphate powder (0.02-0.05 kg./kg. waste) and soil (0.05-0.2 kg/kg. waste), bacterial culture (0.01 kg/kg waste) to said organic waste to enable organic conversion in a cultured green space to fertilizer grade, culture grade, soil grade product.
9. A process for manufacture of biofertilizer as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 8 comprising :
using a system of ridges and troughs of height/depth preferably 1-3m to carry out
the conversion of organic waste for biofertilizer using the aforesaid geophagus
earthworm cultural green space ;
said ridges provided with green plants to house the culture engaged in the
process.
10. A process for manufacture of biofertilizer as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 9 wherein the culture of the bacteria in the excreta of ruminants is selected from cow, bullock, buffalo, goat, sheep, preferably fed on cellulose based feed, said bacterial culture further propagated by mixing excreta with preferred mineral powder and developed further for about 4-6 weeks in geophagus earthworm cultured green space and harvested for use in different locations to thereby obtain the appropriate bacterial culture.
11. A process for manufacture of biofertilizer as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 9 wherein the animal dung is mixed with preferred mineral powder and propagated further in a geophagous earthworm culture green space for 7 days to give soil grade product.
12. A process for manufacture of biofertilizer as claimed in claim 1 comprising :
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disposing hospital organic waste in geophagus earthworm cultured green space.
13. A process for manufacture of biofertilizer as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 12 wherein the Geophagous earthworm Pheretima elongata is developed as covered green space by combining 1) 20 -30 g/m2.d organics such as herein defined 2) moisture 30-40 .percent, 3) preferred mineral powder less than 1000 micron in amounts of 5-10 g/m2.d. 4) Soil - upto 5 - 10g/m2.d.
14. A process as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 13 wherein the bacterial culture used comprise excreta of wild ruminant animals preferably cows, buffalos, bullocks, sheep, goats; and the like fed primarily on cellulosic residues, with preferred mineral powder of particle size less than 1000 micron for 6 -8 weeks in geophagous earthworm cultured green space.
15. A process claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 14 wherein during the processing period the moisture is maintained at 30-40 % and the culture is obtained from below litter layer as powder less than 500 micron.
16. A process claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 15 wherein the mineral powder used is ground material in the size range 500 -1000 microns.
17. A process claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 16 wherein the organics used are selected from municipal, domestic, agricultural, industrial wastes and residues ranging from animal excreta, human excreta, vegetable and fruit residues, straw and leaf litter, cooked food, protein residues, slaughter wastes, hospital organic wastes and the like.
18. A process claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 17 wherein the process for the production of culture grade product of less than 500 in yields of 100 -200 kg per ton organic comprise combining the preferred mineral powder in amounts 0.3-0.6 kg per kg organic, the said bacterial culture, 0.01 kg per kg organic, local soil 0.05 - 0.1 kg/kg organic, processed in a geophaguos earthworm cultured green space for around 180 - 220 days by loading organic an amount of 0.1-0.5 kg/m2.d. maintaining moisture 30 - 40 percent during process.
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19. A process claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 17 comprising a process for the production of fertilizer grade product of less than 500> in yields of 375-500 kg per ton organic by combining the preferred mineral powder in amount of 0.3 - 0.6 kg per kg organic, the said bacterial culture 0.01 kg per kg organic, local soil 0.05 -0.1 kg/kg organic, processed in a geophaguos earthworm cultured green space for around 56-70 days by loading organic in amount of 1-5 kg/m2.d. and maintaining moisture 30-40 percent during process.
20. A process claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 17 comprising a process for the production of soil grade product of less than 500JJ. in yield of 1000 - 2000 kg per ton organic by combining the preferred mineral powder of 1.0 kg per kg of organic, said bacterial culture 0.01 kg per kg organic, local soil 0.05 - 0.1 kg/kg organic, processed in a geophaguos earthworm green space for around 7-14 days by loading animal excrement in amount of 1-5 kg/m2.d and maintaining moisture 30-40 percent during process or for a period of 28-35 days in the case of finely divided organic such as food waste.
21. A process claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 17 comprising a process for the treatment of hospital organic waste by combining the preferred mineral powder in proportion 0.3 - 0.6kg per kg waste, 0.3 - 0.6kg soil/kg waste, 0.1 kg per kg waste bacterial culture processed in a geophagous earthworm covered green space for 10-14 months, the product burnt with litter and the final product recovered and cured preferably for 28 weeks, wherein the fertiliser material produced is generally used insitu and allowed to leave the premises.
22. A fertilizer grade product obtained following the process as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 21 containing 20-30% organics, 50-65% minerals, and 15 - 20% moisture.
23. A product obtained following the process as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 21 wherein the culture grade product contains about 5-10% organic, about 70-85% minerals, about 10 - 15% moisture.
24. A product obtained following the process as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 21 wherein the soil grade product contains about 10-15 % organic, about 65 - 75%
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minerals and moisture about 10-15 %. All the products contain soil bacterial culture and geophagus earthworm culture.
25. A bacterial source culture for use as source bacterial culture in producing
biofertiliser from waste comprising :
geophagus earthworm culture Pheretima elongata in a green space having organics such as hereindefined and mineral powder under controlled moisture content developed and sieved as powder less than 500 \x as the source bacterial culture.
26. A bacterial source culture as claimed in claim 25 comprising 20-30 gm/m2.d organics such as herein defined, Moisture 30-40 %, and preferred rock powder less than 1000 n size @ about 5-10 gm/m2.d. and processed in a earthworm cultured green space.
27. A bacterial source culture as claimed in anyone of claims 25 to 26 wherein the mineral source comprise upto 200% w/w selected from sources containing silica (25 - 30% Si), alumina (6-8 % Al), Iron (1-6 % Fe), Potassium (2 - 8%), Calcium (2 -10%), Magnesium (1-3%), Phosphorous (0.003- 0.1%) and containing micro nutrients.
28. A bacterial source culture as claimed in anyone of claims 25 to 27 comprising mineral additives such as herein-defined preferably primary mineral powder of 0.3-0.6 kg. per kg waste, natural phosphate powder (0.02-0.05 kg./kg. waste) and soil (0.05-0.2 kg/kg. waste), bacterial culture (0.01 kg/kg waste) to said organic waste to enable organic conversion in a cultured green space to fertilizer grade, culture grade, soil grade product.
29. A process for the manufacture of bacterial source culture for use as source bacterial culture in producing biofertiliser from waste comprising:
a) providing geophagus earthworm culture Pheretima elongata in a green space providing organics such as herein defined and mineral powder under controlled moisture content;
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b) maintaining the mix above under conditions for developing the cultures and sieving as powder less than 500 as the source bacterial culture .
30. A process for manufacture of biofertilizer from organic solid waste, using geophagus earthworm culture Pheretima elongata in a green space, a bacterial source culture for use in such process substantially as herein described illustrated with reference to the examples.

Applicant, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay
Prof. s. Suryanarayan
resarch & development indian institude Of Tachnology Bombay Mumbai-400 076. India
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We Claim
1. A process for manufacture of biofertilizer from organic solid waste and/or treatment of organic solid waste for disposal wherein the organic wastes are processed under controlled pH and moisture at appropriate rate in the presence of cultures of geophagus earthworm Pheretima elongata in combination with minerals, optionally natural phosphate powder, and bacterial cultures from ruminants preferably feeding on cellulosic materials, followed by sieving to obtain the product.
2. A process for manufacture of biofertilizer from organic solid waste and/or treatment of organic solid waste claimed in claim 1, wherein the cultures of geophagus worm Pheretima elongata is grown in an environment comprising plants with tap roots, and/or adventitious roots that in the presence of about 20-30 gm/m2/day of organics such as excreta of ruminants preferably feeding on cellulosic materials, minerals of particle sizes 3. A process for manufacture of biofertilizer from organic solid waste and/or treatment of organic solid waste as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bacterial culture is obtained from excreta of ruminants selected from cow, bullock, buffalo, goat, sheep, preferably fed on cellulose-based feed.
4. A process for manufacture of biofertilizer from organic wastes and/or treatment of organic solid waste as claimed in claim 1, comprising mixing of the organic waste with mineral additives preferably primary or weathered mineral powder of 0.3-0.6 kg per kg waste, optionally natural phosphate powder (0.02-0.05 kg./kg. waste) and soil (0.05-0.2 kg/kg. waste), bacterial culture (0.01 kg/kg waste) and optionally cultures of geophagus worm Pheretima elongata to enable organic conversion to fertilizer grade, culture grade, soil grade product and optionally in an environment comprising tap root, adventitious root, and or surface root system .
5. A process for manufacture of biofertilizer and/or treatment of organic solid waste as claimed in claims1-3, wherein the mineral source used is upto 200% w/w selected from sources containing silica (25 - 30% Si), alumina (6-8 % Al), Iron (1-6 % Fe), Potassium (2 - 8%), Calcium (2 -10%), Magnesium (1-3%), Phosphorous (0.003- 0.1%) and containing micro quantities of Zn, Mo.
6. A process for manufacture of biofertilizer and/or treatment of organic solid waste claimed in claims 1 to 5 wherein the organic waste used is selected from municipal, domestic, agricultural, industrial wastes and residues ranging from animal excreta, human excreta, vegetable and fruit residues, straw and leaf litter, cooked food, protein residues, slaughter wastes, dead animals, hospital organic wastes and their like.
7. A process for manufacture of biofertilizer and/or treatment of organic solid waste claimed in claims 1 to 6, wherein the process for the production of culture grade biofertiliser product in yields of 100-200 kg per ton organic comprise contacting the preferred mineral powder in amounts 0.3-0.6 kg per kg organic, the bacterial culture as claimed in claim 1 to 5, 0.01 kg per kg organic, local soil 0.05 - 0.1 kg/kg organic, in the presence of cultures of geophagus worm Pheretima elongata processed for around 180 - 220 days by loading organic in amounts of 0.1-0.5 kg /sqm.day and maintaining moisture 30 to 40 % during process.
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8. A process for manufacture of biofertilizer and/or treatment of organic solid waste claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 6, comprising a process for the production of fertilizer grade product in yields of 375-500 kg per ton organic by contacting the preferred mineral powder in amount of 0.3 - 0.6 kg per kg organic, the bacterial culture 0.01 kg per kg organic, local soil 0.05 - 0.1 kg/kg organic, in the presence of cultures of geophagus worm Pheretima elongata processed for around 56-70 days by loading organic in amount of 1-5 kg/m2.d. and maintaining moisture 30 to 40%
9. A process for manufacture of biofertilizer and/or treatment of organic solid waste as claimed in claims 1 to 6, comprising a process for the production of soil grade product in yields of 1000 - 2000 kg per ton organic by combining the preferred mineral powder of 1.0 kg per kg of organic food waste, bacterial culture 0.01 kg per kg organic, local soil 0.05 - 0.1 kg/kg organic, in the presence of cultures of geophagus worm Pheretima elongata processed for 7-14 days by loading animal excrement in amount of 1-5 kg/m2.d and maintaining moisture 30-40 percent during process or for a period of 28-35 days in the case of finely divided organics such as food wastes.
10. A process for manufacture of biofertilizer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the animal excreta is optionally mixed with the preferred mineral and processed for 7 days to yield a soil grade product.
11. A process for treatment and disposal of organic waste as claimed in claim 1 to 5 wherein hospital organic waste is processed by combining with the preferred mineral powder in proportion 0.3 - 0.6kg per kg waste, 0.3 - 0.6kg soil/kg waste, 0.1 kg per kg waste bacterial culture, in the presence of cultures of geophagus worm Pheretima elongata for 10-14 months, the product burnt with litter and the final product recovered and cured preferably for 28 weeks.
12. A process called soil biotechnology for manufacture of biofertilizer from organic solid waste and/or treatment of organic solid waste (also called as organics) for disposal wherein the disposal environment will comprise of plants with the tap root, adventitious roots and or surface coot system.

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Documents:

384-mum-2002-cancelled page(02-08-2004).pdf

384-mum-2002-claims(granted)(02-08-2004).doc

384-mum-2002-claims(granted)-(02-08-2004).pdf

384-mum-2002-correspondence(10-1-2005).pdf

384-mum-2002-correspondence-ipo-(03-12-2004).pdf

384-mum-2002-form 1(26-04-2002).pdf

384-mum-2002-form 19(11-12-2003).pdf

384-mum-2002-form 2(granted)(02-08-2004).doc

384-mum-2002-form 2(granted)-(02-08-2004).pdf

384-mum-2002-form 3(19-11-2004).pdf

384-mum-2002-form 3(26-04-2002).pdf

384-mum-2002-form pct-isa-210(15-12-2004).pdf

384-mum-2002-petition under rule 137(09-11-2004).pdf

384-mum-2002-petition under rule 138(09-11-2004).pdf

384-mum-2002-power of attorney(24-04-2002).pdf

384-mum-2002-power of attorney(26-04-2002).pdf


Patent Number 203425
Indian Patent Application Number 384/MUM/2002
PG Journal Number 19/2007
Publication Date 11-May-2007
Grant Date 01-Nov-2006
Date of Filing 26-Apr-2002
Name of Patentee INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, BOMBAY
Applicant Address HAVING ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE AT POWAI, MUMBAI - 400 076, STATE OF MAHARASHTRA, INDIA AND AN AUTONOMOUS EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE, AND ESTABLISHED IN INDIA UNDER THE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ACT 1961.
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 1) B. R. PATTANAIK, 2) U. S. BHAWALKAR HAVING ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE AT POWAI, MUMBAI - 400 076, STATE OF MAHARASHTRA, INDIA AND AN AUTONOMOUS EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE, AND ESTABLISHED IN INDIA UNDER THE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ACT 1961.
PCT International Classification Number N/A
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 NA