Chris M Choate

US Patent:

7015028, Mar 21, 2006

Filed:

Apr 30, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/427454

Inventors:

Chris E. Choate - Discovery Bay CA, US
Paul A. Sherman - Petaluma CA, US
Ruihong Zhang - Davis CA, US

Assignee:

Alta Environmental Services, Inc. - Dixon CA

International Classification:

B09B 3/00
B01D 1/00
C02F 1/00
C12M 1/00
C12M 3/00

US Classification:

4352625, 2105121, 210600, 4352891

Abstract:

A multi-stage process and system for treating organic waste materials includes steps of hydrolyzing the materials in an anaerobic vessel, transferring the liquid product of hydrolysis to an anaerobic digester, and further decomposing the waste materials under aerobic conditions to yield a compost product usable as a soil amendment. Biogas produced by digestion of the hydrolysis liquid product may be burned to generate electricity or heat, and the liquid digester product may be recirculated for use as an inoculant to aid hydrolysis of subsequently processed batches of waste materials.

US Patent:

7316921, Jan 8, 2008

Filed:

Jan 6, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/031218

Inventors:

Chris E. Choate - Discovery Bay CA, US
Paul A. Sherman - Petaluma CA, US
Ruihong Zhang - Davis CA, US

Assignee:

Alta Environmental Services, Inc. - Dixon CA

International Classification:

B09C 1/10
C02F 3/34
C07G 17/00
C12M 1/00

US Classification:

4352831, 435262, 4352625, 435267, 4352891

Abstract:

A multi-stage process and system for treating organic waste materials includes steps of hydrolyzing the materials in an anaerobic vessel, transferring the liquid product of hydrolysis to an anaerobic digester, and further decomposing the waste materials under aerobic conditions to yield a compost product usable as a soil amendment. Biogas produced by digestion of the hydrolysis liquid product may be burned to generate electricity or heat, and the liquid digester product may be recirculated for use as an inoculant to aid hydrolysis of subsequently processed batches of waste materials.

US Patent:

7811456, Oct 12, 2010

Filed:

Oct 10, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/287519

Inventors:

Chris E. Choate - Discovery Bay CA, US
James H. Lord - Los Gatos CA, US

Assignee:

Recology Inc. - San Francisco CA

International Classification:

C02F 3/28
C02F 11/04

US Classification:

210603, 4352625

Abstract:

Systems and methods are provided for converting organic waste materials from a municipal waste stream to useful products, such as fuels. Through the use of a biomixer and a hydropulper, as well as through sorting and screening, the organic waste materials are progressively reduced in size and cleaned of contamination. The resulting uniform biomass is suitable for anaerobic digestion to produce biogas and a residual solid that is suitable for producing a high quality compost. A quantity of liquid organic waste material can be added to the biomixer, to the hydropulper and/or to the anaerobic digester. The quantity of liquid organic waste material can be obtained by separating the liquids from any containers and can be stored in a holding tank prior to being added to the biomixer, the hydropulper and/or the anaerobic digester.

US Patent:

7955839, Jun 7, 2011

Filed:

Jun 25, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/821854

Inventors:

Chris E. Choate - Discovery Bay CA, US
James H. Lord - Los Gatos CA, US

Assignee:

Recology Inc. - San Francisco CA

International Classification:

C12M 1/00

US Classification:

4352901, 4352625, 210603

Abstract:

Systems and methods are provided for converting organic waste materials from a municipal waste stream to useful products. Organic waste materials having a wide range of compositions such as, for example, yard waste, food waste, paper, and the organic fraction of municipal solid waste are converted into a uniform biomass that is suitable for conversion to useful products, such as fuels. Through the use of a biomixer and a hydropulper, as well as through sorting and screening, the organic waste materials are progressively reduced in size and cleaned of contamination. The resulting uniform biomass is suitable for anaerobic digestion to produce biogas and a residual solid that is suitable for producing a high quality compost.

US Patent:

20060065608, Mar 30, 2006

Filed:

Sep 29, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/954550

Inventors:

Chris Choate - Discovery Bay CA, US
Greg Pryor - Dixon CA, US
Bennie Anselmo - San Rafael CA, US

International Classification:

C02F 11/12

US Classification:

210768000, 210173000

Abstract:

Methods for generating a biomass product having a high volatile solid content, biomass products made by the methods, and apparatus for performing the method are provided. An exemplary method fractions an organic waste stream into a residual component and a biomass component, and the biomass component is further processed to reduce the sizes of the particles therein to produce the biomass product. The volatile solid content of the biomass product, in some embodiments, is at least 80% of a total solid content. An exemplary apparatus for generating the biomass product includes a separation drum, such as a Trommel screen, having a screen for passing the biomass component, and a grinder for further processing the biomass component to produce the biomass product.

US Patent:

20060124559, Jun 15, 2006

Filed:

Jan 30, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/343515

Inventors:

Chris Choate - Dixon CA, US
Greg Pryer - Dixon CA, US
Bennie Anselmo - Dixon CA, US

International Classification:

C02F 11/12

US Classification:

210768000

Abstract:

Methods for generating a biomass product having a high volatile solid content, biomass products made by the methods, and apparatus for performing the method are provided. An exemplary method fractions an organic waste stream into a residual component and a biomass component, and the biomass component is further processed to reduce the sizes of the particles therein to produce the biomass product. The volatile solid content of the biomass product, in some embodiments, is at least 80% of a total solid content. An exemplary apparatus for generating the biomass product includes a separation drum, such as a Trommel screen, having a screen for passing the biomass component, and a grinder for further processing the biomass component to produce the biomass product.

US Patent:

20070231885, Oct 4, 2007

Filed:

Oct 19, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/584680

Inventors:

Chris E. Choate - Discovery Bay CA, US
James H. Lord - Los Gatos CA, US

International Classification:

C12M 1/10

US Classification:

4352903

Abstract:

A rotating drum is provided for the biological/mechanical conversion of organic waste material to a valuable biomass. An aerotolerant anaerobic bacteria within the rotating drum promotes the fermentation of the waste material, while the tumbling of the waste material due to the rotation of the drum mechanically shears the waste material. Air carrying volatile organic compounds released by the fermentation process can be collected from the drum and scrubbed to recover the volatile organic compounds. The cleansed air can then be recirculated back into the drum. The waste material can be screened prior to fermentation in the drum to remove a fraction of the smallest particles. The biomass produced by the drum can also be screened.

US Patent:

20080193994, Aug 14, 2008

Filed:

Nov 27, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/998178

Inventors:

Chris E. Choate - Discovery Bay CA, US
James H. Lord - Los Gatos CA, US

International Classification:

C12P 5/02
C12M 1/00
C12M 1/02

US Classification:

435167, 4352901, 4352902

Abstract:

Solid organic waste is processed into a suitable feedstock that can be mixed with sewage for anaerobic digestion. The processing of the solid organic waste initially transforms the solid organic waste into a uniform biomass. The uniform biomass is then subjected to hydrolysis and volatile acid fermentation to dissolve the soluble compounds leaving a small residual solid component. The liquid in which the soluble compounds are dissolved is then mixed with sewage in an anaerobic digester to produce biogas including methane. The residual solid component can be composted.