Compost Tea Apparatus and Method

Abstract

An apparatus and method of producing compost tea with an elongated container having a vortex chamber, filter, and outlet wherein compost is placed inside the vortex chamber, nozzles spray water into the compost chamber under pressure forcing nutrients and micro-organisms from the compost into the water which passes through the filter and out the outlet into a holding tank. The filter retains compost solids in the vortex chamber. The water is re-circulated through the apparatus until desired composition is reached.

1 . An apparatus for producing compost tea comprising: 
 an elongated container having a filter mounted therein, the container having a vortex chamber for holding compost therein, a plurality of spray nozzles communicating with a water source positioned to spray inside the vortex chamber to entrain nutrients and micro-organisms in the water, the container further having at least one outlet in communication with a tank for receiving the nutrient and micro-organism entrained water from the container, the filter mounted in the container to filter water flowing from the spray nozzles to the outlet.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus for producing compost tea of  claim 1  wherein the container is formed in two separable parts comprising a bottom section and a top section and including a means of releasably joining the top section and the bottom section.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus for producing compost tea of  claim 2  wherein the at least one outlet is positioned on the top section.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus for producing compost tea of  claim 3  wherein the bottom section has an inner surface defining the vortex chamber wall having the plurality of spray nozzles mounted thereon, an open end having a bottom flange affixed thereto and a closed end defined by a bottom cap, the top section having an open end having a top flange affixed thereto and a closed end defined by a top cap, the bottom flange releasably joining to the top flange and having the filter disposed there-between, the filter comprising a perforated sheet disposed between a lower gasket and an upper gasket.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus for producing compost tea of  claim 4  wherein the perforated sheet is conically shaped extending upwardly into the top section, the perforated sheet further having a flat bottom extending radially outwardly to engage between the lower gasket and the upper gasket.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus for producing compost tea of  claim 2  wherein the bottom section has an inner surface defining the vortex chamber wall having the plurality of spray nozzles mounted thereon, an open end having a bottom flange affixed thereto and a closed end defined by a bottom cap; and 
 the top section further comprises an interior surface, an open end having a top flange affixed thereto and a closed end defined by a top cap having a top wall, a filter mounted in the top cap, the filter comprising a filter insert adapted to engage one end of a cylindrical perforated screen having an outer surface, a top ring abutting the top wall and adapted to engage the other end of the perforated screen, the top flange adapted to engage the filter insert creating a watertight seal, wherein the screen outer surface is spaced inwardly from the top section interior surface defining a circumferential gap there-between in communication with the outlet.    
   
   
       7 . The apparatus for producing compost tea of  claim 2  wherein the bottom section comprises an inner surface defining the vortex chamber wall, an open end having a bottom flange affixed thereto and a closed end defined by a bottom cap having a bushing defining an inlet affixed therein wherein the inlet is in communication with the water source, an elongated manifold having an open end mounted to the bushing defining a manifold inlet and a manifold cap closing the other end, the manifold inlet in communication with the inlet, the manifold further having the plurality of spray nozzles mounted thereon, the inlet directing water into the manifold and toward the spray nozzles; and 
 the top section further comprises an interior surface, an open end having a top flange affixed thereto and a closed end defined by a top cap having a top wall, a filter mounted in the top cap, the filter comprising a filter insert adapted to engage one end of a cylindrical perforated screen having an outer surface, a top ring abutting the top wall and adapted to engage the other end of the perforated screen, the top flange adapted to engage the filter insert creating a watertight seal, wherein the screen outer surface is spaced inwardly from the top section interior surface defining a circumferential gap there-between in communication with the outlet.    
   
   
       8 . The apparatus for producing compost tea of  claim 7  wherein when the top section and bottom section are releasably joined, the closed end of the manifold extends beyond the bottom flange and inwardly from the top wall of the top section, the screen has an inner surface in communication with the vortex chamber, and at least one or more of the plurality of spray nozzles directs spray toward the screen inner surface.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus for producing compost tea of  claim 7  wherein the at least one outlet is one of a multiplicity of outlets in communication with the circumferential gap, a loop providing communication between the multiplicity of outlets, and a recirculation line providing communication between the loop and the tank.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus for producing compost tea of  claim 6  wherein the at least one outlet is one of a multiplicity of outlets in communication with the circumferential gap, a loop providing communication between the multiplicity of outlets, and a recirculation line providing communication between the loop and the tank.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the container has a bottom cap closing one end and an open end having a flange affixed thereto, the bottom cap having a bushing therein defining the outlet, a blind flange adapted to releasably couple with the flange, a gasket adapted to provide a water-tight seal when positioned between the blind flange and the flange, a container inner surface defining the vortex chamber having compost provided therein, the plurality of spray nozzles mount on the inner surface; and 
 the filter comprising an elongated cylindrical hollow filter body having a series of windows therein, a filter cap closing one end and a filter outlet end defining a filter outlet communicating with the outlet, an elongated cylindrical perforated screen adapted to engage the filter body covering the windows, wherein the windows and screen perforations provide fluid communication between the vortex chamber and the filter outlet.    
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the container operates in a horizontal position.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the blind flange has a retainer ring affixed thereto, the retainer ring adapted to communicably receive the filter cap, securing the filter cap and filter in position during operation.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the container comprises a bottom cap closing one end and an open end having a flange affixed thereto, the bottom cap having a bushing therein communicating with the water source, a bottom wall adjacent the vortex chamber defined by the bottom cap, a blind flange adapted to releasably couple with the flange, a gasket adapted to provide a water-tight seal when positioned between the blind flange and the flange, the blind flange having a top wall adjacent the vortex chamber, a container inner surface, a manifold mounted in the container providing communication between the bushing and the plurality of spray nozzles, a plurality of outlets, a loop line communicating with the tank and providing communication between the plurality of outlets; 
 the manifold further comprising an open end defining a manifold inlet and manifold cap closing the other end, the plurality of spray nozzles mount on the manifold and are in communication with the manifold inlet, the bushing adapted to engage the manifold open end wherein the inlet directs water into the manifold inlet, and the manifold directs water to the plurality of spray nozzles;    the filter comprising an elongated hollow cylindrical filter body having one end affixed to the bottom wall and the other end open having a filter insert affixed thereto, the container open end adapted to engage the filter insert creating a water-tight seal, the filter body further having an outer surface spaced inwardly from the container inner surface defining a circumferential gap communicating with the plurality of outlets, the filter body further adapted to communicably receive an elongated cylindrical perforated screen having an inner surface defining the vortex chamber, a series of windows provided in the filter body and covered by the screen providing communication between the vortex chamber and the circumferential gap such that water flowing into the inlet of the container flows through the manifold and is sprayed from the spray nozzles into the vortex chamber and thence flows through the filter to the circumferential gap which directs the water to the container outlets.    
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of spray nozzles are positioned to direct spray in a counter-clockwise circumferential direction about the axis of the vortex chamber.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the plurality of spray nozzles are positioned to direct spray in a counter-clockwise circumferential direction about the axis of the vortex chamber.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the plurality of spray nozzles are positioned to direct spray in a counter-clockwise direction on a line parallel to the tangency of their mounting position on the manifold and perpendicular to the vortex chamber axis.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the plurality of spray nozzles are positioned to direct spray in a counter-clockwise circumferential direction about the axis of the vortex chamber.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the plurality of spray nozzles are positioned to direct spray in a counter-clockwise direction on a line parallel to the tangency of their mounting position on the manifold and perpendicular to the vortex chamber axis.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the plurality of spray nozzles mount in a helical arrangement.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the plurality of spray nozzles mount in a helical arrangement.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the plurality of spray nozzles mount in alternately staggered linear rows.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the container operates with its axis in a horizontal position and the plurality of spray nozzles further comprise three linear rows of spray nozzle assemblies, a first row positioned at approximately a 6 o'clock position, a second row positioned at approximately an 8 o'clock position, and a third row positioned at approximately a 2 o'clock position, wherein the first and second row of nozzle assemblies direct their spray in a counter-clockwise circumferential direction about the vortex chamber axis, the third row of nozzle assemblies direct spray at a ninety degree angle from their assembly, the nozzles further directing spray in a generally counter-clockwise circumferential direction about the vortex chamber axis and toward the filter, the third row assemblies mounted at an angle of approximately 22 degrees from a tangency of the assembly mounting position to the container inner surface.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the plurality of outlets are arranged helically.  
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 4  further comprising at least one additional spray nozzle mounted on the container inner surface directing spray radially inwardly toward the vortex chamber axis, and at least one additional spray nozzle mounted in the bottom cap directing spray along a line parallel to the vortex chamber axis, the one additional spray nozzle mounted on the container and the one additional spray nozzle mounted in the bottom cap both communicating with the water source.  
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the apparatus further comprises: 
 a moveable cart having a top surface, an A-Frame mounting the top surface, a pump mounting the top surface and having an intake and a discharge, a manifold having a plurality of ports, a feed water line provided with a feed water valve provides communication between the water source and the intake, a supply water line having a quick disconnect assembly provides communication between the discharge and the manifold, a plurality of nozzle supply lines provide communication between the plurality of manifold ports and the plurality of spray nozzles, a recirculation line provides communication between the container outlet and the tank, wherein the tank is provided with water and is the water source;    a pair of hinge assemblies each having a first barrel affixed to a riser clamp assembly and a second barrel affixed to the A-Frame, the first barrel and second barrel align axially and are adapted to receive a pin having a stop on one end, the first barrel further comprises a lock screw adapted to engage the pin and releasably coupling the pin to the first barrel while the pin is free to rotate in the second barrel, the riser clamp further adapted to engage an outer surface of the container, the pin stop further having an elongated handle affixed thereto facilitating rotation of the container about the pair of hinge assembly axes, a tubular handle support has one end hingedly affixed to the A-Frame and the other end adapted to cooperatively support the handle so that the container is supported in an approximately horizontal position when the handle is so supported.    
   
   
       27 . An apparatus for producing compost tea comprising: 
 a water source comprising a tank provided with water,    a moveable cart having a top surface, an A-Frame adapted to hingedly support an elongated container having an outlet mounts the top surface, a pump having an intake and a discharge also mounts the surface,    the container having a bottom cap closing one end and a top cap closing the other end, the container having a cylindrical inner surface defining a vortex chamber provided with compost, a plurality of spray nozzles directing spray in a circumferential direction about the vortex chamber axis mount the inner surface,    a filter mounted in the container to filter the water flowing from the spray nozzles to the container outlet, wherein the filter is cylindrical and has a closed top end and an open bottom end in communication with the vortex chamber, a filter outer surface spaced inwardly from the container inner surface defining a circumferential gap there-between that is in communication with the container outlet, so that water flowing from the vortex chamber is directed into the open end of the filter and flows through the filter into the circumferential gap which then directs the water toward the container outlet;    a feed water line providing communication between the tank and the pump intake; a supply water line providing communication between the pump discharge and a manifold having a plurality of ports, a plurality of nozzle supply lines providing communication between the plurality of ports and the plurality of spray nozzles, a recirculation line providing communication between the container outlet and the tank, so that the pump draws water from the tank through the feed water line, pumps the water through the supply water line to the manifold which provides communication to each of the plurality of nozzle supply lines, the nozzle supply lines further providing the water to the spray nozzles which spray the water into the vortex chamber soaking and agitating the compost creating compost tea, the compost tea water flows from the vortex chamber through the filter and toward the outlet, and the recirculation line communicates the water from the outlet back to the tank.    
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 27  for producing compost tea wherein the spray nozzles mount on the container inner surface in a helical arrangement.  
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 27  wherein the container is formed in two separable parts comprising a top section and a bottom section and including a means for releasably joining the top section and the bottom section.  
   
   
       30 . The apparatus of  claim 29  wherein the filter closed top end abuts a top wall of the top cap and the open end of the filter has a filter insert affixed thereto, the filter insert adapted to engage in the top section creating a water-tight seal so that the filter insert directs water flowing from the vortex chamber into the open end of the filter.  
   
   
       31 . The apparatus of  claim 27  wherein the container has at least one spray nozzle mounted in the bottom cap and in communication with a nozzle supply line, the spray nozzle directing spray straight along a line parallel with the vortex chamber axis.  
   
   
       32 . An apparatus for producing compost tea comprising: 
 water source comprising a tank provided with water;    a moveable cart having a top surface, an A-Frame adapted to hingedly support an elongated container having an outlet mounts the top surface, a pump having an intake and a discharge also mounts the surface;    the container having a bottom cap closing one end and an open end having a flange affixed thereto, a blind flange releasably coupling to the flange, the container having a cylindrical inner surface defining a vortex chamber provided with compost, a plurality of spray nozzles directing spray in a circumferential direction about the vortex chamber axis mount the inner surface;    a filter mounted in the container to filter the water flowing from the spray nozzles to the container outlet, wherein the filter is cylindrical and has a closed top end and open end defining a filter outlet in communication with the container outlet, a filter outer surface spaced inwardly from the container inner surface, so that water flowing from the vortex chamber flows through the filter toward the container outlet;    a feed water line providing communication between the tank and the pump intake; a supply water line providing communication between the pump discharge and a manifold having a plurality of ports, a plurality of nozzle supply lines providing communication between the plurality of ports and the plurality of spray nozzles, a recirculation line providing communication between the container outlet and the tank, so that the pump draws water from the tank through the feed water line, pumps the water through the supply water line to the manifold which provides communication to each of the plurality of nozzle supply lines, the nozzle supply lines further providing the water to the spray nozzles which spray the water into the vortex chamber soaking and agitating the compost creating compost tea water, the compost tea water flows from the vortex chamber through the filter and toward the outlet, and the recirculation line communicates the compost tea water from the outlet back to the tank.    
   
   
       33 . The apparatus for producing compost tea of  claim 32  wherein the spray nozzles direct their spray in a counter-clockwise circumferential direction about the vortex chamber.  
   
   
       34 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein the blind flange has a top wall adjacent the vortex chamber, a filter cap defines the closed end of the filter, a retainer ring adapted to communicably receive the filter cap mounts on the top wall, so that the retainer ring secures the filter cap in position when the blind flange is coupled to the container flange.  
   
   
       35 . The apparatus for producing compost tea of  claim 32  wherein the container operates with its axis in a horizontal position and the plurality of spray nozzles further comprise three linear rows of spray nozzle assemblies, a first row positioned at approximately a 6 o'clock position relative to the container axis, a second row positioned at approximately an 8 o'clock position relative to the container axis, and a third row positioned at approximately a 2 o'clock position relative to the container axis, wherein the first and second row of nozzle assemblies direct their spray in a counter-clockwise circumferential direction about the vortex chamber axis, the third row of nozzle assemblies direct spray at a ninety degree angle from their assembly, the nozzles further directing spray in a generally counter-clockwise circumferential direction about the vortex chamber axis and toward the filter, the third row assemblies mounted at an angle of approximately 22 degrees from a tangency of the assembly mounting position to the container inner surface.  
   
   
       36 . An apparatus for producing compost tea comprising: 
 a water source comprising a tank provided with water;    a moveable cart having a top surface, an A-Frame adapted to hingedly support an elongated container having an inlet and a plurality of outlets mounts the top surface, a pump having an intake and a discharge also mounts the surface;    the container having a bottom cap closing one end and a open end having a flange affixed thereto, a blind flange releasably coupling to the flange, the container having a cylindrical inner surface, an elongated manifold having a manifold cap closing one end and an open end defining an inlet opening in communication with the container inlet mounts inside the container, a plurality of spray nozzles mount on the manifold directing spray in a circumferential direction;    a filter mounted in the container to filter the water flowing from the spray nozzles to the plurality of outlets, wherein the filter is cylindrical and has a closed end and an open end and an inner surface defining a vortex chamber provided with compost, a filter outer surface spaced inwardly from the container inner surface defining a circumferential gap there-between that is in communication with the plurality of outlets, a loop line provides communication between the plurality of outlets and a recirculation line, so that the water flowing in vortex chamber flows through the filter into the circumferential gap which then directs the water toward the plurality of outlets;    a feed water line providing communication between the tank and the pump intake; a supply water line providing communication between the pump discharge and the manifold which communicates water to the plurality of spray nozzles mounted thereon, the recirculation line providing communication between the loop line and the tank, so that the pump draws water from the tank through the feed water line, pumps the water through the supply water line to the manifold which communicates the water to each of the plurality of spray nozzles which spray the water into the vortex chamber soaking and agitating the compost creating compost tea water, the compost tea water flows from the vortex chamber through the filter and toward the plurality of outlets, and the loop line communicates the compost tea water from the plurality of outlets to the recirculation line which in turn communicates the compost tea water back to the tank.    
   
   
       37 . The apparatus of  claim 37  wherein the filter comprises an elongated hollow cylindrical filter body having one end affixed to a bottom wall of the bottom cap and the other end open having a filter insert affixed thereto, the container flanged end adapted to engage the filter insert creating a water-tight seal, the filter body further having an outer surface spaced inwardly from the container inner surface defining the circumferential gap, the filter body further adapted to communicably receive an elongated cylindrical perforated screen having an inner surface defining the vortex chamber, a series of windows provided in the filter body and covered by the screen providing communication between the vortex chamber and the circumferential gap.  
   
   
       38 . A method of producing compost tea comprising the steps of: 
 providing a tank provided with water,    providing a container having a vortex chamber, a plurality of spray nozzles mounted in the container and directing spray inside the vortex chamber, and an outlet,    providing compost in the vortex chamber,    providing a filter between the vortex chamber and the outlet,    providing pump means having an intake and a discharge,    providing a first communication means between the tank and the intake, a second communication means between the discharge and the plurality of spray nozzles, and a third communication means between the outlet and the tank,    providing power means to the pump means to pump water from the tank to intake, from the intake to the container by the second communication means, into the container by the plurality of spray nozzles, so that water entering the vortex chamber through the plurality of spray nozzles soaks and agitates the compost filling the vortex chamber and entraining nutrients and micro-organisms from the compost into the water forming compost tea water, thence the compost tea water flows under pressure provided by the pump through the filter to the outlet and through the third communication line back to the tank,    removing power means from the pump when the desired compost tea composition is obtained,    disconnecting the first communication line and third communication line from the tank, and    removing remaining compost from the vortex chamber.