Peat moss processing apparatuses and methods

Abstract

An apparatus includes a top portion and a middle portion. The top portion includes an inlet for receiving peat moss. A feeding mechanism delivers the peat moss from the top portion to the middle portion. A compression mechanism housed in the middle portion includes at least one roller assembly for at least partially dewatering the peat moss. The roller assembly can include upper and lower rollers. Peat moss passing between the rollers can be pressed to reduce moisture content of the peat moss. The lower roller can include perforations allowing moisture to drain away from the peat moss. Speeds of rotation of the rollers and/or a distance between the rollers can be adjustable. A bottom portion underneath the middle portion can include an outlet for discharging the peat moss.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for processing peat moss, comprising:
 a top portion comprising an inlet for receiving the peat moss;   a middle portion underneath the top portion;   a feeding mechanism configured to deliver the peat moss from the top portion to the middle portion; and   a compression mechanism housed in the middle portion, the compression mechanism comprising at least one roller assembly for at least partially dewatering the peat moss.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one roller assembly comprises an upper roller and a lower roller positioned relative to the upper roller so that peat moss passing between the upper and lower rollers is pressed to reduce moisture content of the peat moss. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the lower roller comprises a plurality of perforations arranged over an exterior cylindrical surface, the perforations allowing moisture to drain away from the peat moss. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein:
 speeds of rotation of the upper and lower rollers are adjustable;   and/or a distance between the upper and lower rollers is adjustable.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the compression mechanism comprises a plurality of roller assemblies. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the feeding mechanism comprises a flow regulator comprising a plurality of bars and gaps arranged between the bars. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the feeding mechanism comprises a feed roller arranged below the flow regulator, the feed roller rotatable about its axis to deliver materials from the top portion to the middle portion. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the feed roller comprises a plurality of teeth that are disposed about a periphery of the feed roller and extend outwardly therefrom. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the teeth extend at least partially through the gaps between the bars of the flow regulator. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising a guiding mechanism for directing the peat moss from the feeding mechanism to the compression mechanism, the guiding mechanism comprising at least one guide plate. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the at least one guide plate is arranged sloping at an angle;   the at least one guide plate comprises a perforated surface to allow moisture to drain away from the peat moss; and/or   the at least one guide plate is configured to vibrate.   
     
     
         12 . A peat moss processing system comprising a plurality of the apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality are arranged in parallel, and comprising a conveyor mechanism arranged to collect the peat moss discharged therefrom. 
     
     
         13 . A method of processing peat moss, comprising:
 receiving the peat moss at an inlet of a top portion of an apparatus;   feeding the peat moss from the top portion to a middle portion of the apparatus; and   in the middle portion, pressing the peat moss with at least one roller assembly to at least partially dewater the peat moss.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of pressing comprises passing the peat moss between upper and lower rollers to reduce moisture content of the peat moss. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising draining moisture away from the peat moss through a plurality of perforations arranged over an exterior cylindrical surface of the lower roller. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising:
 adjusting speeds of rotation of the upper and lower rollers; and/or   adjusting a distance between the upper and lower rollers.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising pressing the peat moss with a plurality of roller assemblies. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of feeding comprises:
 passing the peat moss through a flow regulator comprising a plurality of bars and gaps arranged between the bars;   rotating a feed roller arranged below the flow regulator; and   adjusting a rotational speed of the feed roller.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising:
 guiding the peat moss with at least one guide plate;   draining moisture away from the peat moss through a perforated surface of the at least one guide plate; and   vibrating the at least one guide plate.   
     
     
         20 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an inlet for receiving peat moss;   a flow regulator arranged below the inlet to receive the peat moss therefrom, the flow regulator comprising a plurality of bars and gaps arranged between the bars;   a feed roller arranged below the flow regulator to receive the peat moss therefrom, the feed roller rotatable about its axis to deliver the peat moss downwardly, the feed roller comprising a plurality of teeth that are disposed about a periphery of the feed roller and extend outwardly therefrom, the teeth extending at least partially through the gaps between the bars of the flow regulator;   a guide plate arranged below the feed roller to receive the peat moss therefrom, the guide plate sloping at an angle, the guide plate configured to vibrate and comprising a perforated surface to allow moisture to drain away from the peat moss;   a roller assembly arranged below the guide plate to receive the peat moss therefrom, the roller assembly comprising an upper roller and a lower roller positioned relative to the upper roller so that peat moss passing between the upper and lower rollers is pressed to reduce moisture content of the peat moss, the lower roller comprising a plurality of perforations arranged over an exterior cylindrical surface, the perforations allowing moisture to drain away from the peat moss; and   an outlet below the roller assembly for discharging the peat moss.