Composting system and method

Abstract

This disclosure provides a composting system and method. The system comprises: (a) a container configured to contain a composition and comprising (i) insulated walls, (ii) an air intake and (iii) a vent; and (b) a composition contained in the container. The composition comprises aerobic microorganisms, a carbon source and a nutrient source sufficient to support growth of the aerobic microorganisms. The container is sufficiently insulated so that heat generated by aerobic respiration is sufficiently retained in the container to maintain a heat gradient in the container. The container is dimensioned to generate a stack effect that moves air into the air intake, through the composition and out the vent. The moving air provides oxygen to support growth of aerobic microorganisms, making the stack effect self-sustaining as long as a carbon source and nutrients last. The insulation can maintain temperatures in the composting cell sufficient to kill pathogenic microorganisms.

1 . A device comprising:
 (a) a container configured to contain a composition and comprising: (i) insulated walls, (ii) an air intake and (iii) a vent; and   (b) a composition contained in the container, wherein the composition comprises aerobic microorganisms, a carbon source and a nutrient source sufficient to support growth of the aerobic microorganisms under aerobic conditions;   wherein the container comprises insulation sufficient to retain heat generated by aerobic respiration by the aerobic microorganisms in the composition, and has dimensions configured, to create a stack effect that moves air into the air intake, through the composition and out the vent, and   wherein the moving air provides an aerobic environment to the aerobic microorganisms to support growth of the aerobic microorganisms.   
     
     
         2 .- 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A method comprising:
 (a) providing a container configured to contain a composition and comprising (i) insulated walls, (ii) an air intake and (iii) a vent;   (b) providing, in the container, a composition comprising: (i) aerobic microorganisms, (ii) a carbon source and (iii) a nutrient source sufficient to support growth of the aerobic microorganisms in an aerobic environment; and   (c) growing the aerobic microorganisms in the composition by maintaining an aerobic environment, wherein the aerobic environment is provided by maintaining a stack effect that moves air into to the air intake, through the composition and out the vent,   wherein the movement of air is maintained by heating air in the container with heat generated by aerobic respiration of the aerobic microorganisms, and contained in the container by the insulation.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  comprising growing the aerobic microorganisms in the composition to produce a population of predominantly thermophilic bacteria. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the thermophilic bacteria produce heat sufficient to inactivate microorganisms of the human microbiome. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the heat generated through aerobic respiration heats the composition to between 45° C. and 125° C. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the aerobic microorganisms are mezophilic bacteria and methane producing bacteria and wherein the composting material attains a termperature exceeding the survival temperature range of the mezophilic, methane producing bacteria. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18  wherein aerobic respiration generates heat, and wherein the heat produces a self-sustaining stack effect for at least 7 days. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 18  wherein aerobic respiration generates heat, and wherein the heat produces a self-sustaining stack effect for at least 30 days. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 18  wherein aerobic respiration generates heat in the container at a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient time to kill pathogenic microorganisms in the composition. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 18  growing the aerobic microorganisms for a time sufficient to kill substantially all pathogenic microorganisms in the composition. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 18  wherein nutrient source comprises excrement. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising detecting one or more operational taxon units in the composition before, during or after growing. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 18  wherein microorganisms in the composition produce methane and the method further comprises ducting air containing methane from the container to a second container configured for composting and wherein a material in the second container removes methane from the ducted air. 
     
     
         30 . A method comprising:
 (a) collecting human excrement;   (b) mixing the human excrement with a carbon source; and   (c) composting the mixture in a device of  claim 1  to create a compost.   
     
     
         31 .- 34 . (canceled)