Method and apparatus for operating a composter device
A method for operating a composter device including directing exhaust from a composting container to a reservoir by way of a first fluid pathway, directing ambient air to the reservoir by way of a second fluid pathway, and mixing the exhaust from the first fluid pathway and the ambient air from the second fluid pathway.
1. A method of operating a composter having a composting container and a condensate reservoir, comprising:
directing exhaust from the composting container to the condensate reservoir by way of a first fluid pathway;
directing ambient air to the condensate reservoir by way of a second fluid pathway fluidly isolated from the first fluid pathway;
drawing air along the first fluid pathway and along the second fluid pathway with a fan;
mixing the exhaust from the first fluid pathway and the ambient air from the second fluid pathway in the condensate reservoir; and
transferring heat from the first fluid pathway to the second fluid pathway prior to the mixing in the condensate reservoir.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the transferring heat lowers the relative humidity of the exhaust.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the transferring heat condenses liquid from the exhaust, and the first fluid pathway directs the condensed liquid to the condensate reservoir.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the mixing further includes selectively controlling the ratio of exhaust and ambient air in the condensate reservoir.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the selectively controlling the ratio is controlled to create a mixture of air in the condensate reservoir effective to evaporate liquid in the condensate reservoir over multiple days.
6. The method of claim 5 further includes venting the mixture of air in the condensate reservoir to the ambient air by way of a third fluid pathway.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein directing ambient air to the condensate reservoir further includes directing ambient air through a porous wall of the composter to an interior of the composter, and directing air in the interior of the composter to the condensate reservoir.
8. The method of claim 6 wherein the third fluid pathway includes a pathway configured to direct the mixture of air in the condensate reservoir through a filter prior to venting.
9. The method of claim 6 wherein e fan moves the mixture of air in the condensate reservoir through the third fluid pathway.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein tea fan generates a low pressure to draw air along the first fluid pathway and along the second fluid pathway.
11. The method of claim 4 wherein selectively controlling the ratio of exhaust and ambient air in the condensate reservoir further includes controlling a controllable valve and operating the controllable valve based on the at least one of a temperature sensor or humidity sensor.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein directing exhaust from the composting container to the condensate reservoir by way of a first fluid pathway further includes drawing the exhaust by the fan.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein drawing the exhaust further includes drawing the exhaust at a rate between 0.25 cubic feet per minute and 1 cubic feet per minute.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein the transferring heat reduces the temperature of the exhaust from the first fluid pathway by 20 to 30 degrees Celsius.
15. The method of claim 1 wherein directing ambient air to the condensate reservoir by way of a second fluid pathway includes drawing the ambient air by the fan.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein drawing the ambient air further includes drawing the ambient air at a rate between 20 cubic feet per minute to 30 cubic feet per minute.