Discontinuous helical auger contained within a heated vessel filled with sawdust for the purpose of high efficiency breakdown of toilet and other organic wastes

Abstract

The invention consists of a discontinuous helical auger contained within a heated vessel filled with sawdust. The auger enables thorough turning of sawdust enclosed within a heated vessel enabling function of the assembly as a waterless biotoilet. Control of auger rotation works to maximize the biodegradation of human toilet waste through physical breakdown of organic matter, through stimulation of evaporation of the aqueous fraction, and through supporting a benign microflora to effect biodegradation. This discontinuous helical auger enables maintenance of a flat horizontal upper planar surface of the sawdust mass while maximizing aeration of the sawdust mass. The angle of the helical blade and discontinuities therein work to draw the organic matter very gradually toward the opposite end of the biotoilet from the toilet hole, maximizing dewatering and aerobic breakdown.

1 : The discontinuous helical auger is a novel architecture that optimizes safe and environmentally responsible treatment of organic matter waste within an in-vessel organic matter biodegrader machine, that is to say, within an enclosed vessel that contains mechanical equipment and a relatively inert physical matrix amendment that together act as a basis for biodegradation of organic matter and evaporation of any water released. 
   
   
       2 : The discontinuous helical nature of the auger blade allows for virtually complete turning of the entire matrix material (e.g. sawdust) mass while preventing mounding of sawdust within the vessel. In effect, the flow of this matrix material is such that progress is imperceptible of introduced organic matter from the toilet hole end to the distal end of the in-vessel composter where spent sawdust is periodically removed. 
   
   
       3 : Attaching the discontinuous helical blade to the rotating axis of the auger with spokes allows for minimization of the weight of the auger as opposed to a solid surface auger. This allows for a great volume of sawdust to be turned over and aerated with relatively small motors, saving electricity. 
   
   
       4 : The discontinuous helical nature of the auger with its terminal sweepers enable virtually entire turnover of the matrix material mass and any organic matter included within this matrix. This means that clumping of sawdust and introduced solid and liquid matter is avoided both on the sides and the ends of the drum, and on the auger itself. This prevents anaerobic pockets leading to anaerobic fermentation reactions giving rise to unpleasant odor. Accordingly, the architecture of the auger directly reduces malodor emanating from the in-vessel biodegrader toilet. 
   
   
       6 : The self-cleaning nature of the discontinuous helical auger allows for placement of temperature, moisture, and other electrical sensors within the auger itself. A principal challenge for many in-vessel systems is keeping the electrical sensors clean. 
   
   
       7 : The complete turnover capacity of the discontinuous helical auger allows for the distribution of heat applied, e.g. to the walls of the containing vessel. With thermostatic control, this allows for the uniformity of temperature across the entire body of the mass. This uniform temperature control enabled by the auger allows for the selection of specific microflora, enabling the biodegrader biotoilet to both inactivate animal pathogens originally present in the introduced organic matter such as  Escherium coli  in human faeces, while establishing optimum growth conditions for beneficial, benign microflora that biodegrade organic matter aerobically.