A New Machine for Clean and Rapid Separation of Vermicast, Earthworms and Undigested Substrate in Vermicomposting Systems

Abstract

A new substrate-earthworm-vermicast separator /SEYS) system to achieve the simultaneous separation of undigested substrate, earthworms and vermicast from vermireactor contents is presented. It employs a nux of light to drive earthwom1s away from the substrate-vermicast mixtures and into a separate compartment while a set of motor-driven sieves achieve separation of other solids. The machine simulates threshing action on the sieves and the light-sieve combination facilitates separation of denser solids (vermicast) from lighter solids (undigested substrate), and of earthworms, simultaneously. Trials with paper waste-vermicast and cowdung-vermicast mixtures revealed that over 90% of the vermicast can be cleanly separated within 8- 10 minutes of harvester operation. The innovation saves time and effort while providing clean-cut and non-destructive separation of vennicast as welt as earthworms.