HYDROLYTIC DEGRITTER

1 . A method of separating grit from organic waste comprising:

a) adding raw organic waste to a tank fitted with a mixing apparatus;

b) adding water to the organic waste in the tank to obtain a slurry mixture;

c) maintaining the temperature of the slurry at a temperature of at least about 50° C. while mixing the contents of the tank with the mixing apparatus for a period sufficient for the grit to settle to the bottom of the tank and

d) separating the settled grit from the remaining slurry in the tank.

2 . The method according to claim 1 wherein the temperature is maintained at about 50° C. to about 70° C.

3 . The method according to claim 1 wherein the slurry has about 8% to 12% solids.

4 . The method according to claim 1 wherein the contents are mixed and incubated for about 18 to 24 hours.

5 . The method according to claim 1 wherein the grit is removed by at least one of pumping or bleeding off from the bottom of the tank.

6 . The method according to claim 1 wherein after the grit is removed, the remaining mixture in the tank is pumped to an anaerobic digester for digestion.

7 . The method according to claim 1 wherein the organic raw waste is raw animal manure.

8 . The method according to claim 7 wherein the manure is chicken manure.

9 . A system for separating grit from a low solids raw organic waste slurry comprising:

a) a tank equipped with a mixing apparatus and containing the slurry;

b) a device for removing grit that has settled to the bottom of the tank selected from the group comprising a pump or a device to bleed or remove the grit from the bottom of the tank; and

c) a device for maintaining the slurry at a temperature of at least about 50° C. for a period of time sufficient for the grit to settle out from the slurry.

10 . The system which further comprises a device for performing anaerobic digestion on the slurry in the tank after the grit is removed.