System and method for reprocessing animal bedding
A method and system reprocess soiled animal bedding material commingled with animal manure. In one aspect the soiled animal bedding material is separated in a shaker to send at least a preponderance the manure to a holding tank. In another aspect the bedding is cleaned, rinsed and color is restored. The bedding material is subsequently dried and a bedding product, fertilizer product, and/or compacted product is formed. Alternatively, the bedding material is dried (without a compacting step) to form a product. In another aspect, the steps of separation, cleaning, rinsing and/or color restoration may be omitted.
1. A process for reprocessing soiled animal bedding material commingled with manure, comprising in sequence the steps of:
a. separating said soiled bedding material in a first shaker/screener to send at least a preponderance of said manure to a holding tank and a remainder of said soiled bedding material to a second shaker/screener;
b. cleaning said remainder of said soiled bedding material in said second shaker/screener using a first cleaning agent and transferring said cleaned bedding material to a third shaker/screener;
c. rinsing said cleaned bedding material in said third shaker/screener with a first rinse for a first rinsing period and dewatering said cleaned and rinsed bedding material;
d. collecting waste liquid resulting from at least one of said cleaning, rinsing, or dewatering steps; and
e. drying said cleaned, rinsed and dewatered bedding material to form recycled bedding material.
2. A process as recited by claim 1 , further comprising the step of color restoration.
3. A process as recited by claim 2 , wherein said color restoration is applied during said rinsing of said clean bedding material.
4. A process as recited by claim 2 , wherein said color restoration comprises paint.
5. A process as recited by claim 4 , wherein said paint comprises antimicrobial and antifungal agents.
6. A process as recited by claim 2 , wherein said color restoration comprises dye.
7. A process as recited by claim 2 , wherein said color restoration is a color selected from the group consisting of white, cream, shades of beige, and blonde.
8. A process as recited by claim 2 , wherein said color restoration comprises coloring selected from the group of organic and non-organic pigments.
9. A process as recited by claim 2 , wherein said color restoration is applied during said cleaning said remainder of said soiled bedding material.
10. A process as recited by claim 1 , wherein more than one cleaning and/or rinsing steps are carried out.
11. A process as recited by claim 1 , wherein antimicrobial and fungicide agents are added.
12. A process as recited by claim 1 , wherein deodorizers, antimicrobial and antifungal agents are added.
13. A process as recited by claim 1 , wherein said cleaning agent comprises sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).
14. A process as recited by claim 1 , wherein vinegar is used in the process for cleaning and deodorizing said bedding.
15. A process as recited by claim 1 , wherein lemon is used in the process for cleaning and deodorizing said bedding.
16. A process as recited by claim 1 , wherein additives are added to said bedding after said bedding is dried.
17. A process as recited by claim 16 , wherein said additives comprise one or more deodorizer.
18. A process as recited by claim 16 , wherein said additives comprise one or more insect repellents selected from the group consisting of citronella, lavender, and botanicals.
19. A process as recited by claim 1 , further comprising using magnets and metal detectors for removal and detection of ferrous and non-ferrous materials in said bedding.
20. A process as recited by claim 1 , further comprising the step of packaging said recycled bedding material.
21. A process as recited by claim 20 , wherein said packaging is carried out by a bagging system configured to receive said recycled bedding material and package it into bags.
22. A process as recited by claim 1 , further comprising the step of composting said separated manure.
23. A process as recited by claim 1 , wherein said bedding material comprises wood shavings.
24. A process as recited by claim 1 , further comprising the step of compacting said dried bedding material to form a compacted product.
25. A system as recited by claim 24 , wherein said compacting is carried out by a press.
26. A process as recited by claim 24 , further comprising the step of packaging said compacted product.
27. A process as recited by claim 26 , wherein said packaging is carried out by a bagging system configured to receive said compacted product and package it into bags or wrappers.
28. A process as recited by claim 27 , wherein said bags or wrappers includes an accelerant.
29. A process as recited by claim 27 , wherein additives such as hickory, mesquite and other flavor enhancements are added for cooking over.
30. A process as recited by claim 24 , wherein said compacted product is formed as pellets.
31. A process as recited by claim 24 , wherein said compacted product is formed as briquettes.
32. A process as recited by claim 24 , wherein said compacted product is a manufactured log.
33. A process for reprocessing soiled animal bedding material commingled with manure comprising the following steps, in sequence:
separating said soiled bedding material in a first shaker/screener to send at least a preponderance of said manure to a holding tank and a remainder of said soiled bedding material to a second shaker/screener;
cleaning said remainder of said soiled bedding material in said second shaker/screener using a first cleaning agent and transferring said cleaned bedding material to a third shaker/screener;
rinsing said cleaned bedding material in said third shaker/screener with a first rinse for a first rinsing period;
dewatering said cleaned and rinsed bedding material;
collecting waste liquid resulting from at least one of said cleaning, rinsing, or dewatering steps;
decontaminating said cleaned, rinsed and dewatered animal bedding material by heating and drying said cleaned, rinsed and dewatered animal bedding material in a dryer; and
processing said dried bedding material to yield an end product.
34. A system for reprocessing soiled animal bedding material commingled with manure to form recycled bedding material, comprising:
a. a first shaker/screener adapted to separate out at least a preponderance of said soiled manure from said bedding material, and adapted to send a remainder of said soiled bedding material to a second shaker/screener;
b. said second shaker/screener adapted to clean said remainder of said soiled bedding material using a first cleaning agent, and adapted to send said cleaned bedding material to a third shaker/screener;
c. said third shaker/screener adapted to rinse said cleaned bedding material for a first rinsing period, and adapted to send said cleaned and rinsed bedding material to a dewatering device;
d. said dewatering device adapted to dewater said cleaned and rinsed bedding material, and adapted to send said cleaned, rinsed and dewatered bedding material to a drier;
e. a waster liquid collecting tank adapted to collect any waste liquid discharged from said second shaker/screener, said third shaker/screener, or said dewatering device; and
f. said drier adapted to dry said cleaned, rinsed and dewatered bedding material to form recycled bedding material.