(JP8309320-A)      Appts. comprises a cylindrical fermentation tank (13) placed vertically to receive crude refuse from its lower part and discharge compost generated by fermentation of crude refuse from its upper part, means (14) provided in the fermentation tank to stir crude refuse and lift it upward, and means to generate the flow directing from the upper part to the lower part when the crude refuse is lifted upward by the stirring means.    Pref. appts. has a stirring means having a spiral blade (16) attached to a rotation shaft (15) providing the space between the spiral blade and inner wall of fermentation tank gradually larger toward the front of spiral blade to generate the flow from the upper part to the lower part.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For fermenting crude refuse, e.g. waste vegetables discharged from general homes by combining it with aerobic fermentation bacteria to reduce its vol. Crude refuse can be treated automatically from crushing and dewatering to fermentation.    (US5753498-A)      A refuse treatment assembly incorporates a standing cylindrical fermentation reactor (13) with an internal mixer assembly (14). Refuse is introduced to the lower section of the reactor (13) and rises under the influence of the mixer (14) to the upper section where it is converted to compost and removed. The novelty is that the fermentation reactor (13) incorporates a flow generator assembly which sends a flow of mixed refuse and compost from the top to the bottom of the reactor while the mixer (14) pushes refuse from the bottom to the top of the reactor. The mixer assembly (14) is a helical blade (16, 41). The horizontal gap between the blade tip (16) and the inner face of the reactor (13) increases upwardly; alternatively there may be a gap (40) between the rotating shaft (38) and blade (41) which increases with height.    USE -   The rotating helical blade drives esp. household and plant refuse from bottom to top and a mixture of refuse and compost from top to bottom.    ADVANTAGE -   The opposing flows creates a homogeneous mixture of refuse and compost and both accelerates the composting process and produces a continuous process.    (DE19619966-C2)      A refuse treatment assembly incorporates a standing cylindrical fermentation reactor (13) with an internal mixer assembly (14). Refuse is introduced to the lower section of the reactor (13) and rises under the influence of the mixer (14) to the upper section where it is converted to compost and removed. The novelty is that the fermentation reactor (13) incorporates a flow generator assembly which sends a flow of mixed refuse and compost from the top to the bottom of the reactor while the mixer (14) pushes refuse from the bottom to the top of the reactor. The mixer assembly (14) is a helical blade (16, 41). The horizontal gap between the blade tip (16) and the inner face of the reactor (13) increases upwardly; alternatively there may be a gap (40) between the rotating shaft (38) and blade (41) which increases with height.    USE -   The rotating helical blade drives esp. household and plant refuse from bottom to top and a mixture of refuse and compost from top to bottom.    ADVANTAGE -   The opposing flows creates a homogeneous mixture of refuse and compost and both accelerates the composting process and produces a continuous process.