Table of Contents
- Preface
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Installation & Start-Up
- 3. Usage
- 4. Maintenance and Troubleshooting
- 5. Touchscreen Reference
- 1. About Screen
- 2. Alerts Screen
- 3. BioBrain Screen
- 4. Category Selection Screen
- 5. Configuration Menu Screen
- 6. Cycles Configuration Screens
- 7. Dashboard Screen
- 8. Date / Time Configuration Screen
- 9. Functions Configuration Screen
- 10. Language Configuration Screen
- 11. Main Menu Screen
- 12. Model Configuration Screen
- 13. Network Configuration Screens
- 14. Operation Screens
- 15. Password Configuration Screen
- 16. System Status Screen
- 17. Usage Report Screen
- 18. USB Data Screens
- 19. Weight Configuration Screens
- A. Contacting BioHiTech Support Contacting Manco Support
- B. Machine Specifications
- C. Network Connectivity
- D. Default Machine Parameters
- Index
List of Tables
- 1.1. Revolution Series Digester 24-Hour Capacity
- 2.1. Machine Dimensions
- 2.2. Operation Levels Parameters
- 3.1. Feeding Schedule and Load Size
- 3.2. Tower Lamp Status
- 4.1. Recommended Maintenance Schedule
- 4.2. Troubleshooting Guide
- 4.3. Digester Touchscreen Alerts
- 4.4. Digester Fault Codes
- B.1. Machine 24-Hour Operational Capacities
- B.2. Machine Dimensions
- B.3. Machine Weight
- B.4. Daily Water Consumption
- B.5. Typical Effluent Discharge
- B.6. Monthly Power Consumption
- D.1. Cycles Configuration Parameters
- D.2. Function Parameters
- D.3. Default Passwords
- D.4. Temperature Parameters
- D.5. Operation Levels Parameters
Table of Contents
This manual provides information on how to install, operate, maintain, and support the Revolution Series Digester high volume organic waste decomposition system.
This manual is intended for individual operations personnel who use and support the machine on a day-to-day basis.
Note
Please be sure to read all sections of this manual prior to installing, operating, or repairing the Digester.
Please report any errors, omissions, or corrections to BioHiTech America.
BioHiTech America
80 Red Schoolhouse Road
Suite 101
Chestnut Ridge, NY10977
Phone: 888.876.9300
Email: support@biohitech.com
For more information about contacting BioHiTech America, see Appendix A, Contacting BioHiTech Support Contacting Manco Support .
 |
Moving parts can cause serious injury or death. Before attempting repairs, follow proper shutdown procedures and remove power before commencement of service.
Safety is of primary concern when installing, operating, or repairing the Revolution Series™ Digester. If you are unsure of how to proceed with a repair or adjustment, consult this manual, a qualified maintenance technician, or customer support. For more information about contacting BioHiTech America, see Appendix A, Contacting BioHiTech Support Contacting Manco Support . For more information about contacting Manco, see Appendix A, Contacting BioHiTech Support Contacting Manco Support .
Only trained and experienced personnel should attempt installation, maintenance, or repair work on this equipment. Follow all safety procedures including lock-out/tag-out procedures carefully. Ensure that any loose fitting clothing or jewelry is tucked in or not worn to avoid being pulled into the machine.
Before attempting repairs, follow proper shutdown procedures and remove power before commencement of service. Never attempt to clean or service any area of the machine without removing power at the main disconnect. Read, follow, and obey these safety rules!
The Revolution Series™ Digester is a high-volume organic waste disposal solution that breaks down food waste into wastewater than can be safely discharged into standard wastewater disposal systems. The Digester uses a highly refined formula of microorganisms to decompose carbon-based food waste in a short period of time, without odor or pests.
 |
The capacity of the machine refers to the average weight of food waste processed in a 24-hour period. It is important to note that while each Digester model has a standardized maximum capacity specification, capacity can vary based on usage trends and waste content.
Table 1.1. Revolution Series Digester 24-Hour Capacity
| Model | Seed | Sprout |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 500 lbs. (230 kg) | 650 lbs. (300 kg) |
Key Machine Components
The Revolution Series Digester is comprised of several key components:
Agitator - The agitator is used to aerate the food mixture inside the mixing chamber so that food digestion is effectively maintained. Aerating the food mixture also provides the microorganisms ample amounts of oxygen for optimum performance.
Tower Lamp - The tower lamp provides an easy-to-under stand visual indicator for the status of the machine. For example, when the lamp is lit green, the machine has capacity available for more food. When the tower lamp is lit red, the machine is at full capacity.
Load Cells – A series of four high-resolution load cells continuously weigh the Digester and its contents. Weight tracking allows the machine to monitor its available capacity and is used for weight tracking purposes.
Touchscreen - A friendly, easy-to-use touchscreen allows operators to operate, configure, and monitor the Digester.
High Pressure Washing Pump - There are a series of high pressure washing pump nozzles within the drain discharge area that remove washing oil and fat residues to help prevent blockages in the perforated bottom of the mixing chamber.
Electric Solenoid Valves - These valves regulate the flow of water to various functions of the machine.
Integrated Computer System - Each Digester is controlled by a state of the art computer that controls the configuration and operation of the Digester to create the ideal environment for microorganism performance.
Internet Ready - Finally, each Digester is Internet-capable, allowing the machine to send and receive data from BioHiTech Cloud to deliver real-time reporting and remote operational capabilities for end-users.
BioHiTech Cloud™ is an advanced data and analytics solution that allows business to measure, track, and manage their food waste. BioHiTech Cloud provides web-based access to Digester utilization, performance, cost-savings, and environmental impact. BioHiTech Cloud provides a rich set of tools to allow you to roll-up, drill-down, and analyze the success of your organic food waste diversion efforts.
 |
 |
Please refer to the BioHiTech Cloud User's Manual or BioHiTech Cloud Administrator's Manual for information regarding the usage or configuration of BioHiTech Cloud.
For more information about BioHiTech cloud, please visit our web site at: biohitech.com/cloud
Table of Contents
Please review the requirements outlined in this section before your Digester ships to your location.
Note
All work and costs associated with the site preparation phase are the responsibility of the customer.
With guidance from the customer, BioHiTechManco recommends a location for the Digester that blends seamlessly into their current workflow and processes. Units are typically placed either at the food waste's point of generation, or its final point of collection.
Easy access to power, water, and drainage aids in determining a unit's location. Finding a location that has adequate and relatively easy access to power, water, and drainage helps minimize site preparation costs.
The location of the Digester should have a level surface.
The optimal space for the machine has at least 1 - 2 feet (about one half meter) of clearance on both sides of the machine. The additional room is necessary to help facilitate maintenance of the machine.
 |
See the chart below on the Digester's physical dimensions, based on the model.
Table 2.1. Machine Dimensions
| Model | Dimensions (W x H x D) | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| BioHiTech Seed™ | 30" x 48" x 30" 76 cm x 123 cm x 76 cm | 535 lbs. 242 kg. |
| BioHiTech Sprout™ | 40" x 48" x 30" 102 cm x 123 cm x 76 cm | 670 lbs. 303 kg. |
Note
Please inform your installer of your exact power configuration before your unit ships to ensure that your Digester is configured correctly for your power supply.
Power requirements may vary by country.
The following power requirements must be met in the United States:
-
Inside the United States: Access to a 15 Amp, 115V AC Power Outlet (NEMA 5-15).
-
Outside the United States: Access to a 15 Amp, 230V AC Power Outlet (plug type will be sourced locally and may vary by country).
-
The outlet should be a non-GFI (Ground Fault Interrupter) outlet. GFI outlets are not supported at this time.
-
15 Amp breaker required (minimum)
-
Integrity of power source is vital; incoming power must supply consistent voltage
Warm water is essential to the operation of the Revolution Series™ Digester.
The following water requirements must be met:
-
A dedicated warm water source with a 3/4 inch male pipe fitting is also required within 6 feet (2 meters) of the machine. Water connections are located at the back of the machine. Incoming water lines should be fully flushed before connection to the Digester.
-
If an extension hose is needed: a 3/4" by 3/4" stainless steel high efficiency hose with a 3/8" inner diameter should be used.
-
The water source should provide water at 90° to 110° F (32° to 43° C). Some customers may choose to use a mixing valve and a thermometer to ensure a proper temperature.
Water Mixing Valve -
Incoming water pressure should be between 50 - 80 PSI (3.5 - 5.5 bars) at 4 gallons (15 liters) per minute.
-
The water source should be dedicated to machine operation only. Sharing the water source with other usage is not recommended.
Proper drainage is essential for safe disposal of wastewater from the Digester into the sewer system. Both Digester models (BioHiTech Seed™ and BioHiTech Sprout™) have an integrated pump which allows connection to any existing sanitary sewer line.
The following drainage requirement must be met:
-
3 inch (7.5 cm ) or greater floor drain or hard connection to a 1.5 inch (4 cm) or greater drain line
-
The pump has over 15 feet (4.5 meters) of head. The pump should not pump greater than 15 feet (4.5 meters) of height.
-
The drainage pipe should exit the bottom of the Digester and then rise a minimum of 2 feet (60 cm) for proper pressure for the drainage pump. If draining into a lower area, then drainage pipe can be routed downwards after the 2 feet of rise.
Drainage - 2 feet upwards, then downwards -
If processing large amounts of meat and dairy products, a grease interceptor should be considered.
Please review the following guidelines when transporting and leveling your Digester:
Forklift - In the event your machine must be moved with a forklift, be sure to lift it at the base frame between the left and right casters at the bottom of the machine. Extreme caution is necessary to avoid damaging the external cover.
Short Distance Moves - In short distance moves, a forklift or pallet jack is strongly advised to move the machine after the machine is unloaded. Movement of the machine using the casters may cause excessive vibration that can damage certain electrical components. Movement of the machine using the casters should be avoided at all times except for adjustments to the machine at the final installation location.
Leveling - The final location of the machine should be a level surface. The positioning legs will be installed at each corner of the machine and may be used as a level adjuster.
Caution
Excessive vibration or rough handling may cause loosening of machine elements and/or electrical devices, which may impair installation and performance. A qualified service technician should be used for all service and installation requirements.
The following procedure is used to install the Revolution Series™ Digester:
-
Place the Digester in its desired location.
-
Adjust the legs to ensure that the machine is level.
-
Plug the Digester's power cable into the power outlet.
-
Power on the Digester. Perform a weight test.
-
Connect the Digester's drainage pipe into existing sewer hookup.
-
Connect the warm water source to the Digester.
The final location of the Digester should have a level surface. Use the following procedure to move the Digester into place:
-
Use a pallet jack to raise unit off the floor to enable installation of the stationary legs. Install the legs and lower the Digester onto its legs.
-
Remove the pallet jack.
-
Check to make sure that the Digester is level. Do this by using a wrench to make sure that an equal amount of force is required to turn the screw under each leg. When complete, lock down the lock nut to make sure it does not move due to vibration. Use a level to confirm that the unit is level front-to-back and left-to-right.
Note
DO NOT use the rocking technique to check to see if the Digester is balanced.
Plug the Digester's power cable into the power outlet. In the United States, a NEMA 5-15 115V AC power plug is used. Internationally, the plug will be a 230V AC plug and the plug type will be sourced locally and vary by country.
 |
-
Remove the front panel of the Digester.
-
Open the electronics box located behind the front panel.
-
Inside of the electronics box, locate the circuit breaker on the far left. Move the blue lever into the UP position.
Circuit Breaker
The Digester's integrated real-time scale is important for the proper operation of the machine as well as for data collection and analytics to track machine utilization. Therefore, it is important to test the accuracy of the scale system before it is put into use. If the scale system is not accurate, re-calibration of the scale system will be necessary.
Locate the touchscreen on the front, left-hand side of the unit. After powering on the unit, the touchscreen display should be displaying the Dashboard.
The dashboard shows the current weight inside of the machine, similar to the screenshot below:
 |
Using a known weight, test the accuracy of the Digester's weight scale by performing the following procedure:
-
Take note of the Current Weight parameter on the touchscreen display.
-
Place the known weight on top of the Digester. Typically something in the range of 20-50 lbs (10-25 kg.) will suffice.
-
Take note of the Current Weight parameter on the touchscreen display. The current weight should be reading an equivalent amount higher equal to the weight placed on top of the Digester.
-
Remove the weight from the Digester.
-
The Current Weight parameter on the touchscreen display should return back to its original value.
If the weight values are not consistent with the weight placed on top of the machine, use the touchscreen Display to re-calibrate the Digester's integrated load cell system.
For more information on how to perform a weight calibration, please refer to the Revolution Series Digester Operation's Manual.
The drainage hook-up can be found underneath the Digester.
 |
Piping can be routed to the nearest sanitary sewer hookup. The pump inside of the Digester has 10 feet (3 meters) of head (height).
Note
A gravity-based drainage system can be used, if the Digester's pump is first removed. Contact BioHiTech Support for more details.
It is recommended to split the incoming water source to provide one line to feed the Digester and the other to give wash down (hose down) capability for washing down the inside of the Digester food chamber using a hose.
The photo below shows a typically incoming water feed:
 |
Ensure that all incoming water lines are fully flushed before connecting to the Digester.
Connect the incoming water supply to the Digester. Because the Digester has a male pipe fitting, the end of the water feed connection should be a ¾” female pipe fitting as shown below:
 |
On the Seed and Sprout models, this water connection can be found on the bottom side of the Digester.
Once the Digester is installed, the following procedure can be used to start up the machine:
-
Power up the machine.
-
Test the components.
-
Ensure accurate weight configuration.
-
Add the consumables.
To power on the Digester, refer to Section 3.4, “Powering On”.
Now that the unit is power on, a series of tests can be performed to ensure that all components are working properly:
-
Locate the touchscreen display to the right of the food door hatch. The touchscreen display should be displaying the Dashboard Screen as shown below:
Dashboard -
Touch the button on the upper-right corner of the touchscreen to access the main menu.
-
You will be prompted to enter your Digester password. Please use the password provided to you by your installer. If you have forgotten your password, please contact Customer Support for assistance.
Enter Password -
After entering your password, the Main Menu will be displayed as shown below.
Main MenuPress the button to get to the Operation Screen. Confirm that the unit is in Manual Mode. If the Digester is in Automatic Mode, then press the button to place the machine into manual mode.
Operation Screen -
Once the machine is in manual mode, press the button so that the various machine components can be individually tested.
Manual Mode -
From the Manual Controls screen, test the individual components of the Digester, including Agitator, Shower, Wash, and Tower Lamp. Note that you can use the and buttons at the top of the screen to navigate through all of the controls and components for testing.
Manual ControlsThe following components should be tested:
-
Agitation - Ensure that the agitator can properly run in forward and reverse. Note that the food hatch door must be closed for the agitator to spin. You will need to perform this test with the food hatch door closed and then re-open the door to see if the paddle arms have moved from their original position.
-
Shower - Ensure that the shower function is operating. While the shower cycle is running, water should be spraying into the food chamber from the top. Note: Ensure sure that there are no water leaks around, underneath, or inside of the machine.
-
Washing - Ensure that the washing function is operating. While the washing cycle is running, water should be spraying in the drain pan underneath the food chamber. Note: Ensure sure that there are no water leaks around, underneath, or inside of the machine.
-
Lamp Test - Ensure that the tower lamp can cycle through both colors (green and red).
If any components fail to work properly, please contact Customer Support for assistance.
-
-
Use the button at the top of the screen to navigate back to the Operation Screen and press the button to place the machine back into automatic mode.
Congratulations!
Component testing is now completed.
The following procedure can be used to verify and configure the various weight parameters of the Digester:
-
After the Digester has been powered on, the touchscreen should be displaying the Dashboard Screen as shown below.
Dashboard ScreenTouch the button on the upper-right corner of the touchscreen to access the main menu.
-
You will be first prompted to enter your Digester password. For new machines, this password is 4150. If this password does not work, please contact Customer Support for assistance.
Enter Your Password -
After entering your password, the Main Menu will be displayed as shown below.
Main MenuFrom the Main Menu, touch the button to show the Configuration Menu as shown below.
Configuration Menu -
From the Configuration Menu, press the button to go to the Weight Configuration Menu.
Weight Configuration Menu -
From the Weight Configuration Menu, press the button to optionally change the Digester's default unit of measure.
Weight Units of Measure Configuration -
From the Weight Configuration Menu, press the button to review (and optionally change) the operation levels.
Weight Configuration MenuThe operation levels, vary by model (size) of Digester:
Table 2.2. Operation Levels Parameters
Model Tower Red Shutdown BioHiTech Seed™ 200 lbs (90 kg) 250 lbs (115 kg) BioHiTech Sprout™ 250 lbs (115 kg) 300 lbs (135 kg)
Press the button to save your changes.
-
Optionally, from the Configuration Menu, press the button to appropriately tare the machine to zero (empty).
If the machine is empty, the button can be used to set the machine's tared weight to 0. Press the button to save your changes.
Weight Taring ConfigurationOtherwise, the machine's tare weight can be explicitly set in the New Tare Weight field. Press the button to save your changes.
Now that all utilities have been connected and all components tested, the Digester can be loaded with Bio-Media and microorganisms.
Perform these steps to complete the machine start-up process:
-
Load Bio-Media - Open the food hatch door and dump the contents of the Bio-Media bag into the food chamber. Close the food hatch door. Do not place the bag itself into the food chamber.
Bio-Media -
Introduce Microorganisms - Before introducing microorganisms into the machine, place a small amount of food waste (typically 30 lbs or 15 kg) into the machine as a primer.
-
Close the food hatch door and allow the machine to run for ten minutes.
-
After ten minutes, open the door and place the two water-soluble microorganism packets into the Digester.
-
Close the food hatch door.
MicroorganismsDigester start up is now completed. The machine is now ready for use.
-
Table of Contents
The Digester uses a process called aerobic digestion to naturally break down organic food waste into wastewater that can be safely discharged into the sanitary sewer system. Since the digested food waste is converted into wastewater, it is natural to use the municipal sewer systems to transport that water to treatment facilities where it will be recovered.
Aerobic digestion uses oxygen and microorganisms to naturally breakdown food waste. Microorganisms are microscopic, living, single-celled organisms called bacteria. Most microorganisms in the world are very beneficial, as they are the housekeepers of the planet; they remove toxins from water and soil and degrade organic matter from dead plants and animals. Without microorganisms, life would be impossible.
Microorganisms perform their work by producing enzymes. Microorganisms are really quite smart – they can detect the organics present in waste and produce only the enzymes that are needed to break down the organics. There are thousands of strains of microorganisms, each with unique characteristics that are important to the organic waste digestion process. BioHiTech partners with companies and industry experts to determine the optimal mix of microorganisms that will breakdown any specific waste profile that your facility may have. Regardless of waste profile, BioHiTech can provide the perfect mix of microorganisms for your application.
The Digester itself provides the optimal environment for the microorganisms to break down food waste. The agitator and paddle arms inside of the Digester constantly aerates the food waste inside of the machine, providing a constant source of oxygen for the microorganisms. No grinding or pre-processing of food is necessary for the Digester. The natural aerobic digestion process will breakdown the food.
Enzymes created by microorganisms to breakdown the food particles during the digestion process produce wastewater. As the digestion process continues, these digested food particles become smaller and smaller. When the food particles become small enough, they will pass through the Digester screen, exiting the Digester and into the sanitary sewer system. This wastewater has a greatly reduced organic component, making it safe for discharge. BioHiTech America works to manage and reduce key regulated discharge components, including: Biological Oxygen Demand, Chemical Oxygen Demand, total suspended solids, oils, grease, and pH. BioHiTech America works with you to make sure that all local regulatory requirements are met.
The Digester provides the optimal environment for the aerobic digestion process to naturally break down food waste. As such, there are many key features of the Digester:
-
Food Habitat - The food habitat inside of the Digester provides an optimal environment of moisture and warmth for aerobic digestion to naturally breakdown food waste. The bottom of the food habitat consists of a screen with small holes. As food waste is broken down, the waste will pass down the holes where it can pass into the sewer system.
Food HabitatAgitator and Paddle Arms - The food habitat also consists of an array of paddle arms. When the food hatch door is closed, the agitator will make the paddle arms rotate inside of the habitat, constantly churning the food waste and introducing the food waste to oxygen. This constant introduction of oxygen is important to the aerobic digestion process.
Paddle ArmMicroorganisms - The microorganisms do all of the work to break down the organic content in food waste. Microorganisms are introduced into the Digester through the use of water-soluble packets. They are occasionally replenished.
Microorganism PacketBio-Media - A collection of specially engineered plastic media is introduced into the Digester at start-up. This media provides an enhanced habitat for the microorganisms. It does not degrade during the digestion process and remains in the habitat.
Bio-MediaTower Lamp - The tower lamp provides a quick visual indicator for the state and capacity of the machine.
Tower LampTouchscreen Display - The touchscreen display, located to the right of the food door hatch, provides a detailed machine status. The touchscreen display can be used to operate, manage, and configure the machine.
TouchscreenShowering Nozzles - Inside the top of the food habitat are a series of shower nozzles that routinely spray warm water into the food habitat chamber. This showering feature helps keep the food waste warm and moist, which is an optimal environment for aerobic digestion.
Washing Nozzles - Underneath the screen of the food habitat are a series of high pressure water nozzles that spray water into the bottom screen of the Digester. These washing nozzles help keep the screen clean as well as the discharge tray in the bottom of the Digester.
The following diagram highlights key components visible on the exterior of the Digester:
 |
| A - Tower Lamp | E - Emergency Stop Button |
| B - Food Hatch Door | F - Side Panel (Removable) |
| C - Food Hatch Door Handle | G - Front Panel (Removable) |
| D - Touchscreen Display | H - Pedestal Legs (Adjustable) |
The following procedure should be use to load organic waste into the Digester:
-
Check Tower Lamp - Check the tower lamp to ensure that it is okay to place waste into the Digester:
-
If the tower lamp is green, you may feed the machine.
-
If the tower lamp is red, the machine is full and should NOT be fed.
Tower Lamp -
-
Open Hatch Door - Open the food hatch door by pulling upward on the food hatch door handle.
Door Handle -
Visual Inspection - Perform a quick visual inspection to ensure that the machine is not too full, or contains foreign objects.
Caution
If foreign objects are found inside of the Digester, carefully and safely remove them before adding more waste.
If you are unsure about the safety of removing the objects, please contact your supervisor or contact BioHiTech for assistance.
-
Load Waste - Load your food waste into the Digester. If placing a large volume of waste into the machine, please note the status of the tower lamp. If the light turns red, stop loading waste into the Digester.
-
Close Hatch Door - Close the food hatch door firmly.
Once the food hatch door is closed, the Digester will resume its agitation and water cycles to provide the optimal environment for the microorganisms.
Food Types - The general rule of thumb is that the Digester can consume any organic waste that can be consumed by a human. However, please read and understand the types of materials that may or may not be placed into the Digester.
 |
Food Temperature – Items deposited into the Digester should be at room temperature. Avoid throwing in frozen food or very hot foods (like hot soup). Extreme food waste temperatures can have a negative impact on the microorganism habitat, decreasing performance and possibly killing the microorganisms.
Non-Organic Materials - It is important to note that all chemicals, metals, and foreign objects are not suitable for the machine and may cause permanent damage and/or void your warranty.
Ideally, the Digester should be fed every one to four hours. More often (hourly) feeding is preferred. Refer to the table below for optimal feeding sizes.
Table 3.1. Feeding Schedule and Load Size
| Model | Seed | Sprout |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Capacity | 500 lbs (230 kg) | 650 lbs (300 kg) |
| Feed Size (every 4 hours) | 85 lbs (35 kg) | 110 lbs (50 kg) |
| Feed Size (hourly) | 20 lbs (9 kg) | 25 lbs (12 kg) |
The tower lamp on the Digester will indicate whether or not the machine can be fed. See the section below for more information about the tower lamp.
Caution
Overloading – The maximum feeding capacity should not exceed the agitator shaft. Do not overload the machine.
Note
Overloading – Oxygen is essential to microorganism performance; overloading the machine will cause the microorganisms to perform inefficiently. Feed scheduling is highly recommended.
The Digester continuously monitors its weight. If the weight becomes too high, then the Digester is full and should no longer be fed organic waste. The tower lamp on the back of the machine informs the machine operator of the weight status of the machine.
Please check the status of the tower lamp before placing organic waste into the Digester.
Table 3.2. Tower Lamp Status
| Light | Status | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Solid Green | The Digester has plenty of available capacity. | Feed the Digester. |
| Solid Red | The Digester is full. | Do NOT feed the Digester. |
| Flashing Red | There is a fault condition. | Use the touchscreen to view alerts. Correct the fault condition. |
| Colors Cycle | The Digester is in Manual Mode. | Keep the Digester in Manual Mode if that is the desired state, or change it back into Auto Mode. |
| No Lights | There may be a wiring issue or a burned out light bulb. | Check wiring or replace bulb. |
-
Observe the tower lamp when feeding the Digester. Only add waste when the light is green. If the tower lamp is red, do NOT add more waste.
-
Do not leave the hatch door open for extended periods of time.
-
Feed the Digester frequently throughout the day.
-
A mixed diet containing produce, dairy, bakery items, fish, meat, and poultry should be introduced throughout the day.
-
The smaller the food item size, the better, as digestion will occur at a faster rate. Chopping of larger items such as watermelons and squash is recommended.
-
Avoid adding large quantities of baked goods at one time.
-
Avoid adding frozen items; allow them time to thaw. Food will digest best at room temperature.
-
Keep the machine clean and free from all debris, particularly around the hatch seal area.
-
Make sure that the inside of the machine is hosed off daily. Remove non-organic debris from the inside of the Digester.
-
Refer to the Acceptable Materials decal on the machine for what should and should not be added to this Digester.
-
DO NOT add any cleaning agents, chemicals, or boiling water as they will kill the microorganisms.
-
DO NOT add any cardboard, china, glass, paper, plastic, rubber bands, or silverware as these non-organic items will cause damage to the machine.
-
DO NOT add large meat bones (T-bones, ham ,and shank bones) as they will cause damage to the machine
-
DO NOT add grease, fat, or fryer oil. The Digester is not intended for this purpose.
-
DO NOT hose down the outside of the machine. The touchscreen display must not get wet.
For your safety, the Digester is equipped with an emergency stop button to instantly shutdown the machine in case of an emergency.
Examples of such an emergency include:
-
Smoke or fire near the machine or from the machine
-
Overflow and spillage of water or food waste
-
Something placed inside of the Digester habitat which may cause damage to the machine
The emergency stop button is located to the right of the food door hatch and is bright orange in color.
 |
To engage the emergency stop button, simply press down on the button. The Digester is equipped with safety relays to ensure that all aspects of the machine should come to an instant stop.
Note
When the emergency stop button is engaged (pressed down), an orange led light should be illuminated on the button.
To disengage the emergency stop button, simply twist the button clockwise. The button should pop-up, and the orange led light should no longer be illuminated.
Warning
Users of the machine should exercise caution. If the emergency stop button cannot be safely reached or pressed, the user should exercise caution and evacuate to safety.
The touchscreen display on the Digester can be used to control, manage, and troubleshoot issues with the machine. While most users of the Digester will never need to use the touchscreen display, understanding it's purpose and features are key to successful operation and management of the machine.
The touchscreen is located on the left side of the machine, to the left of the food door hatch:
|
The Dashboard Screen is typically displayed when the machine is running. The screenshot below shows an example of the Dashboard.
|
The Dashboard Screen will show useful information such as:
-
Operating Mode - the machine's current mode of operation (Auto or Manual).
-
Current Weight - the amount of food waste inside of the food drum.
-
Available Capacity - how much food waste can go inside of the machine until it is considered full
-
Instructional Messages - an instructional message will be displayed at the bottom of the screen
Press the button at the top of the screen to access more touchscreen functionality, including machine operation, configuration, and information on alerts.
If something requires your immediate attention, the Dashboard Screen will normally display informational text at the bottom of the screen, as shown below.
 |
For more information about the Dashboard Screen, visit Section 7, “Dashboard Screen”.
In order to access any touchscreen functionality beyond what is readily available on the Dashboard Screen, you will be asked to enter your touchscreen password as shown below.
|
Your password should have been provided to you during machine installation. You can change your password at any change. For more information on changing your password, see Section 15, “Password Configuration Screen”.
The Digester has two modes of operation:
-
Manual Mode - When the Digester is running in Manual mode, the machine will not run any of its pre-configured cycles (for agitation, showering, and washing). However, the machine may be manually operated using the touchscreen.
Manual mode is typically used for servicing, repair, and troubleshooting.
-
Auto Mode - When the Digester is running in Auto mode, the machine will automatically agitate and dispense water upon pre-configured cycles.
Note that a machine can be in two different states wile running in Auto mode, including:
-
Auto Running - the machine is normally running it's cycles.
-
Auto (Smart) - the machine is running in Smart Mode, which optimizes power consumptions, water utilization, and digestion rates.
-
Auto Stop - the machine is temporarily stopped from its normal running cycles due to an alert or fault condition.
-
To change operation modes, go to the Operation Screen to toggle between Auto and Manual mode. See Section 14, “Operation Screens” for more information.
|
When a machine is in Auto mode, you can use the System Status Screen to see which cycles are running at any given time. See Section 16, “System Status Screen” for more information.
 |
When a machine is in Manual mode, you can use the Operation Screen to manually control the machine. See Section 14, “Operation Screens” for more information.
|
Periodically, it will be necessary to deal with various types of alerts that occur with the Digester.
Some alerts will be informational only. The machine will be running normally, but something may require your attention. The screen shot below illustrates an alert where the operation of the machine is not impacted:
 |
Some alerts will stop the operation of the machine. These alerts should be dealt with immediately. The screenshot below illustrates an alert where the machine has stopped:
 |
In both cases, simply touch the button to view more information about the alerts and clear the alerts. For more information on the Alerts Screen, see Section 2, “Alerts Screen”. For more information on alerts in general, see Section 4, “Touchscreen Alerts”.
All configuration of the Digester can be performed form the touchscreen by selecting the button from the Main Menu.
|
The configuration menu can be used to calibrate the weight scale system, configure tower lamp levels, and customize agitations and water cycles. For more information on configuration, see Section 5, “Configuration Menu Screen”.
Table of Contents
Routine maintenance is key to keep a Digester performing optimally.
The following activities should be performed on a daily basis:
-
Clean the outside of the machine. Using a wet towel, wipe down and clean the external face of the machine. Be cautious of using any soap or cleaning solution that might get inside the food drum.
Cleaning the exteriorCaution
Never use a hose to clean the exterior of the machine. The hose may harm the touchscreen electronics.
-
Wipe down the inside rim of the food hatch door using a putty knife or rag.
-
Inspect the interior food drum for inorganic materials or prohibited food items. Using a gloved hand and utensil, remove the materials from the food drum. It is important to remove these items as prohibited items may cause damage to the machine.
Removing inorganic materials
The following activities should be performed on a weekly basis:
-
Wipe down the inside of the door hatch using a putty knife or a rag.
-
Clean the inside of the machine, using a hose:
-
Be sure to hit the inside-top, left and right walls, and upper rear corners.
-
When spraying the inside-top, make sure to clear the nozzles hanging down.
Using a hose to clean the interiorCaution
DO NOT over spray the inside of the machine. Over spraying can flush out microorganisms, reducing machine performance.
Caution
DO NOT use the hose to clean the outside of the machine.
-
-
Ensure that the paddle arms are fastened to the shaft. If the paddle arms are flapping or rattling, contact BioHiTech Support.
-
Ensure that the incoming water temperature remains between 105° and 120° F (40° and 50° C).
Microorganisms should be replenished every two months.
Replenishing the Microorganisms is simple:
-
Open the Digester hatch door.
-
Toss in 2 water-soluble pouches containing the microorganisms.
Microorganism Packet -
Close the hatch door.
The microorganisms will be thoroughly incorporated into the media after five minutes. Feedings can resume.
Microorganisms can be ordered directly from BioHiTech. Visit us at biohitech.com and click the CUSTOMER button at the top of the web page.
Plastic Bio-Media should be replaced every 12 months.
|
Note
If you have an annual service contract, your service provider will perform these services.
To replace the Bio-Media in the Digester, use the following procedure:
-
Using the touchscreen display, place the Digester into Manual Mode.
-
Open the Digester food hatch.
-
Using an external water source, hose out and clean the remainder of the internal Digester. Using a shovel, dig out the existing Bio-Media and waste from the Digester. Dispose of the old Bio-Media and waste.
BioHiTech recommends removing waste from the front of the Digester. While the unit is in Manual Mode, the Agitator can be moved, helping to move the paddle arms out of the way to make removal of waste easier.
-
Using an external water source, hose out and clean the remainder of the internal Digester drum.
-
When compete, load the new media into the machine.
Do not forget to add a new batch of microorganisms!
Bio-Media can be ordered directly from BioHiTech. Visit us at biohitech.com and click the CUSTOMER button at the top of the web page.
Use the following procedure to shutdown your Digester prior to maintenance or repair.
-
Unlock and remove the front panels of the Digester. To remove the panels, pull forward and upward.
-
Unlock and open the Digester's electrical panel door (note that there are two locks). Open this door.
Electrical Panel Lock -
Inside of the electrical panel, turn off the circuit breaker (switch in the DOWN position).
Circuit Breaker -
Unplug the Digester from its power source.
The unit is now free of any electrical flow.
-
Following existing on-site tagging policies, tag the unit as shutdown and not available for use.
Note
If the unit will be turned off for more than 72 hours, it is recommended to clean out the Bio-Media and existing food waste from the Digester.
Additionally, it will be necessary to add new media and microorganisms when the machine is started back up again.
The following maintenance schedule is recommended for the Digester.
Table 4.1. Recommended Maintenance Schedule
| Frequency | Activity |
|---|---|
| Every month | Add new microorganisms |
| Every six months | Full machine inspection |
| Every twelve months | Habitat clean out; new Bio-Media and microorganisms |
Bad Odors
Bad odors are a symptom of the aerobic digestion process not occurring properly.
Follow these steps to troubleshoot an odor issue:
-
Make sure that the machine is running in Auto mode.
-
Make sure that ALL paddle arms are turning inside of the food habitat.
Note
The paddle arms will not turn while the food hatch door is opened, so it will be necessary to periodically open and close the food hatch door to see if the paddle arms are changing position.
-
Inspect the food habitat and remove any inorganic material from inside of the machine (such as towels, napkins, cloths, and plastic wrap).
Note
Be sure to inspect the paddle arms and the agitator shaft. It is common for inorganic materials such as towels, napkins, cloths, and plastic wrap to get wrapped around the paddles arms or the shaft.
-
Remove any food debris on the walls of the inside of the food habitat using a hose. Make sure to hose down any food debris sitting on the top of the side and back walls.
-
Check the incoming water temperature. The water temperature should be between 105°F - 120°F (40°C - 50°C)
-
Ensure that the shell temperature (food habitat temperature) is above 100°F (37°C).
-
Inspect the drain for any types of blockages or back ups.
-
If processing acidic foods, add baking soda (one box).
-
Add one pack of microorganisms.
-
Consider a complete clean out of the machine.
Slow Digestion
Slow digestion may result in the machine constantly being full with low throughput.
Follow these steps to troubleshoot an issue with slow or poor digestion:
-
Make sure that the machine is running in Auto mode.
-
Make sure that there is no forbidden food inside of the Digester, including: husks, shells, big bones, raw rices, inorganic material, etc..
-
Check the incoming water temperature. The water temperature should be between 105°F - 120°F (40°C - 50°C).
-
Ensure that the shell temperature (food habitat temperature) is above 100°F (37°C).
-
Make sure that ALL paddle arms are turning inside of the food habitat.
Note
The paddle arms will not turn while the food hatch door is opened, so it will be necessary to periodically open and close the food hatch door to see if the paddle arms are changing position.
-
Ensure that microorganisms have been replenished within the last two months.
-
Ensure that food mixture is not too dry or too wet (the food mixture should not be soupy).
-
Ensure that a healthy mixture of food types. Mix proteins, carbohydrates, and small amounts of fats when feeding.
-
Check the pH of the effluent. If below 5, consider adding baking soda.
Other Issues
The following troubleshooting chart lists common problems and their solutions.
If an alert appears on your touchscreen display, refer to Section 4, “Touchscreen Alerts” for more information.
If further assistance is required, please contact BioHiTech America or a qualified service technician for further assistance. For more information about contacting BioHiTech America, see Appendix A, Contacting BioHiTech Support Contacting Manco Support .
Table 4.2. Troubleshooting Guide
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| No power | Check that unit is plugged in, breakers are on, and power key is turned on. |
| No water is entering Digester | Check that main water supply is available. Check both electronic water valves to ensure they are opening and closing properly. |
| Shell temperature is low | Check water supply; make sure hot water is available. Check heating system, make sure it is on, and set to proper temperature. |
| Tower lamp is not working | Check the LEDs inside the tower lamp; change if needed. |
| Tower lamp is red and the unit won't run | Check the weight. If unit is overfed, remove excess weight and press the Error Reset button on the Auto Working screen. |
| Unit has power but will not function | Check manual over ride button, if it has been pressed, reset it. Check temperature, it must be at least 15° Celsius to function. Check food hatch and make sure it is completely closed. Check alarm message screen for details, if assistance is needed, contact a BioHiTech Support representative. |
| Load cells not displaying the proper weight | Make sure nothing is resting or leaning on the Digester. Make sure that the unit is level and balanced, with all four legs firmly on the floor. Ensure that there is no water in the electronics cabinet. Re-calibrate the load cells weighing system using the touchscreen display. |
| Agitator is not spinning smoothly and quietly | Make sure bearings are tightly fastened, greased, and free of rust. |
| Noise coming from inside | Make sure all paddle arms are tightly fastened to shaft of mixing chamber. Check mixing chamber and remove any debris (e.g., cutlery, pits, etc.) |
| No data seen in BioHiTech Cloud | Go the to Networking Menu on the touchscreen and run a networking test. |
| Networking Test fails | Contact your IT Networking department to confirm the IT Networking settings. If using an RJ45 wall jack, contact your IT Networking department to confirm that the wall jack is appropriately set up. If using a cellular modem, please refer to the documentation of the modem to confirm network connectivity. |
The Digester may occasionally generate an alert if it detects an issue that requires attention. Alerts are displayed on the Touchscreen Display on the Dashboard Screen and the Alerts Screen. Use the table below to assist in resolving the alert.
Table 4.3. Digester Touchscreen Alerts
Table of Contents
- 1. About Screen
- 2. Alerts Screen
- 3. BioBrain Screen
- 4. Category Selection Screen
- 5. Configuration Menu Screen
- 6. Cycles Configuration Screens
- 7. Dashboard Screen
- 8. Date / Time Configuration Screen
- 9. Functions Configuration Screen
- 10. Language Configuration Screen
- 11. Main Menu Screen
- 12. Model Configuration Screen
- 13. Network Configuration Screens
- 14. Operation Screens
- 15. Password Configuration Screen
- 16. System Status Screen
- 17. Usage Report Screen
- 18. USB Data Screens
- 19. Weight Configuration Screens
The About Screen shows useful information about the Digester's software version numbers. This screen is normally not required to be accessed by the end user. This screen is usually accessed by a BioHiTech Support Technician. This screen is accessed from the Main Menu.
 |
The Alerts Screen shows the most recent alerts generated by the Digester. The Digester may generate alerts when it detects a mechanical, electrical, or hardware problem. This screen is accessed from the Main Menu Screen as well as from the Dashboard Screen when alerts are active:
|
Alerts are listed on this screen, along with the date and time that the alert was first generated by the Digester. Alerts that are still active are highlighted in bright green. For more information on alerts in general, seeSection 4, “Touchscreen Alerts”.
 |
Use the button to clear a fault related to the drive/motor. To clear historical alert information, press the button.
The BioBrain Functions Screen is used to monitor and control the embedded, smart computer that is located inside of the Digester; this computer is named the "BioBrain". This screen is normally not required to be accessed by the end user; only when directed by a BioHiTech Support Technician. This screen is accessed from the Network Configuration Menu.
 |
The bottom of the screen shows two status indicators:
-
The status of the Ethernet Link for the BioBrain's Internet connection is displayed on the lower-left corner of the screen.
-
The status of the BioBrain itself is displayed in the lower-right corner of the screen.
There are three actions that can be taken on this screen:
-
Pressing the button will force the software on the BioBrain computer to restart. This is useful for BioHiTech Support Technicians to determine if there is a software problem with the unit.
-
Pressing the button will force the BioBrain to restart all Networking Services. This is useful when troubleshooting issues with networking issues at the client site.
-
Pressing the button will force the BioBrain computer to restart. This is useful for BioHiTech Support Technicians to determine if there is a software or hardware problem with the unit.
An optional feature of the Digester allows users to classify waste as it is being placed into the machine. This feature allows waste to be categorized by food type, department, cost-center, vendor, and tenant. This feature requires BioHiTech Cloud and may require additional configuration by BioHiTech. Please contact BioHiTech America for more information about waste categorization.
If waste categorization is enabled on the Digester, end users will be asked to categorize their food waste on the touchscreen when the food hatch door is opened. Simply use the touchscreen to select the desired category. At this point, waste may be placed into the Digester for accurate record-keeping.
Pressing the button may be used to distinguish different categories of waste placed into the Digester during one feeding (door opening) or the Digester. Press this button between load categories.
 |
The Configuration Menu Screen displays all configuration options available for the Digester.
|
-
Press to configure and calibrate the weighing system of the Digester and to configure tower lamp weight levels for the tower lamp. See Section 19, “Weight Configuration Screens” for more information.
-
Press to configure the agitation and water cycles used by the Digester. See Section 6, “Cycles Configuration Screens” for more information.
-
Press to monitor, test, and configure networking parameters for the Digester. See Section 13, “Network Configuration Screens” for more information.
-
Press to change the touchscreen operator passwords. See Section 15, “Password Configuration Screen” for more information.
-
Press to view more configuration options, as outlined below.
 |
-
Press to configure miscellaneous functions of the Digester. See Section 9, “Functions Configuration Screen” for more information.
Press to set the date and time on the Digester. See Section 8, “Date / Time Configuration Screen” for more information.
Press to set the language used for text displayed on the touchscreen. See Section 10, “Language Configuration Screen” for more information.
Press to set designate the model of Digester being used. See Section 12, “Model Configuration Screen” for more information.
The Cycles Configuration Screens are used to adjust the various mechanical cyles of the Digester. These cycles include:
-
Agitation - controls how often the paddle arms rotate inside of the drum.
-
Showering - controls how often water is sprayed into the top of the drum.
-
Washing - controls how often water is sprayed under the bottom of the drum.
The screenshot below shows the two cycle configuration screen. Use the button to modify the settings for the agitator function, showering function, or the washing function.
 |
 |
Use the and buttons to select a value between 1 and 5, Custom, or Off. Values between 1 and 5 represent standardized settings with pre-configured values. A value of 1 represents a lower cycle with less agitation/water up to a value of 5, which represents a much high cycle with must more agitation/water. Choosing the Custom option allows you to customize these settings exactly to your needs. Choosing the Off option turns off that cycle entirely.
To save the desired cycle settings, press the button. If a value of 0 is selected for the cycles, the custom cycle parameters will be displayed, as shown below:
 |
When a Custom setting is chosen for a given cycle, you will have the ability to customize the cycle settings directly. The following parameters are used to customize the cycle:
-
Delay Time - The amount of time (in seconds) before the cycle starts from the beginning of the period.
-
Active Time - The amount of time (in seconds) that the cycle activity is active (agitation, washing) after it starts.
-
Period Time - The total amount of time (in seconds) of the cycle period.
-
Reset on Load - The amount of weight required for the cycle time to reset. This allows large loads to reset their cycle times immediately, running more often.
-
Weight Multiple - The amount of weight required before a multiplier is applied to the Active Time. This allows large loads to have longer active periods.
-
Multiplier Increase - The amount of multiplier increase seen for every Weight Multiple on a single load (feeding) of the machine.
The Dashboard Screen is the screen that is typically displayed when the Digester is operating. The following information is normally displayed on this screen:
-
Mode - The operating mode of the Digester (Manual or Auto).
-
Current Weight - The current weight of the contents inside of the machine.
-
Available Capacity - The available capacity of the machine, before the tower lamp turns red.
-
Instructional Message - Green- or red-colored text may be displayed on the screen, such as "Keep Feeding", "Don't Feed", etc.
Note
If the Touchscreen is inactive for two minutes, the touchscreen will always reset back to the Dashboard Screen.
Press to access the system menu, where the system can manually controlled and configured. See Section 11, “Main Menu Screen” for more information.
The screenshot below shows the Dashboard in its typical state. The machine is running in Auto Mode, with available capacity.
|
The screenshot below shows the Dashboard when the machine is full. Note that the machine is in Auto mode and still operating normally.
 |
The screenshot below shows the Dashboard when the machine is full and overweight. Note that the machine is stopped. Alerts must be addressed. Use the button to address these alerts. See Section 2, “Alerts Screen” for more information.
|
The screenshot below shows the Dashboard when the machine has alerts. Note that the machine is in Manual mode and stopped. Alerts must be addressed. Use the button to address these alerts. See Section 2, “Alerts Screen” for more information.
|
The screenshot below shows the Dashboard when the machine has Alerts and is running in Manual Mode. Alerts must be addressed. Use the button to address these alerts. See Section 2, “Alerts Screen” for more information.
 |
To access any functionality in the touchscreen, you will be asked to enter your touchscreen password as shown below:
|
The Date / Time Configuration Screen is used to set the date and time on the Digester. Date and time configuration is typically performed at system start up or when the machine has been powered down for an extended period of time.
Note
Not all models support manual setting of the date and time.
 |
Use the Year, Month, and Day fields to set the current date as follows:
-
Year - enter the 4-digit year
-
Month - enter a value between 1 and 12 to denote the current month (1 for January, 2 for February, etc.)
-
Day - enter a value between 1 and 31 to denote the current day of the month
Use the Hour, Minute, and Second fields to set the current time as follows:
-
Hour - enter a value between 0 and 23 to represent the current hour. Note: Like military time, values greater than 12 represent PM hours.
-
Minute - enter a value between 0 and 59 to denote the current minute.
-
Second - enter a value between 0 and 59 to denote the current second.
The Functions Configuration Screen is used to set various features and functions of the Digester.
 |
These parameters are for controlling the variable speed drive (which drives the motor/agitator in the Digester):
-
Smart Mode - Disable or Enable Smart Mode. When the Digester is running in Smart Mode, it will optimize water usage, power consumption, and food digestion.
-
Drive Torque Limit - The maximum amount of torque on the motor before it stops. The values in in hundredths of Amps. For example: 150 would be equivalent to 1.50 Amps. This value should not be changed without consulting BioHiTech.
-
Drive Torque Retry Limit - The maximum number of retries before the Digester generates a fault and stops the system.
Warning
Drive Torque parameter values should not be changed without consulting BioHiTech. Changing these parameters could damage the equipment.
The Language Configuration Screen is used to set the language that is used to display text on the touchscreen interface of the Digester.
 |
Select the desired language from the list and press the button to save the desired selection.
The Main Menu Screen is the starting point to access all touchscreen functionality on the Digester. To return to the Dashboard, press the button at the top of the screen.
|
The following options are available from the main menu:
-
- allows you to control and operate the machine. See Section 14, “Operation Screens” for more information.
-
- shows the current status of various components of the machine. See Section 16, “System Status Screen” for more information.
-
- allows you to view and reset machine alerts. See Section 2, “Alerts Screen” for more information.
-
- allows you quickly see daily, weekly, and monthly usage data of the machine. See Section 17, “Usage Report Screen” for more information.
-
- allows you to manage the machine's configuration. See Section 5, “Configuration Menu Screen” for more information.
-
- shows information about the machine software. See Section 1, “About Screen” for more information.
Pressing the button in the upper-left part of the screen exits the main menu and returns you to the Dashboard Screen.
The Model Configuration Screen is used to designate the model of Digester being used.
 |
Select the desired model from the list.
The Network Configuration Screen allows you to configure and test the network parameters of the Digester. Proper network configuration is vital for sending data to BioHiTech Cloud for reporting and analytics. Network configuration is also important for remote management and maintenance of the machine.
 |
Pressing the button at the top of the screen will return you to the Configuration Menu Screen .
The following buttons are available on this screen:
-
- displays the current network configuration parameters and Ethernet status of the machine.
-
- runs a thorough network test of the machine to ensure that the machine can properly transmit data over the Internet to BioHiTech Cloud.
-
- configures the network parameters on the Digester to access a local area network through static IP networking configuration or dynamic network configuration (DHCP).
-
- used for troubleshooting, allows the BioBrain computer inside of the Digester to be restarted or reset.
The Network Status Screen shows information about the status of the current network configuration. Pressing the button at the top of the screen will return you to the Network Configuration Menu Screen.
 |
The following fields are visible on the Network Status Screen:
-
Ethernet Link - shows the current status (Up or Down) of the Ethernet link.
-
BioBrain - shows the current status (Up or Down) of the BioBrain computer located inside of the Digester.
-
MAC Address - shows the hardware MAC Address of the Digester.
-
Network Type - shows the type of network configuration (DHCP or Static) currently being used by the Digester.
-
IP Address - shows the IP Address of the Digester.
-
Route/Gateway - shows the IP address of the primary route (gateway).
-
Net Mask - shows the network mask being used by the Digester.
-
DNS Servers - shows the IP address(es) of the Domain Name Service (DNS) servers being used for name resolution.
-
Cellular Signal - if using a cellular data modem, shows the current signal strength. This value represents the RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indication) of the cellular connection.
-
A value between -40 and -70 indicates excellent signal strength
-
A value between -70 and -80 indicates low signal strength
-
A value between -80 and -100 indicates extremely poor signal strength
-
-
Cellular Uptime - if using a cellular data modem, shows how long the cellular modem has been turned on and active.
When changing the network configuration on the machine, you will be asked to confirm that you are interested in making configuration changes.
 |
When configuring the networking settings, there are two options:
-
- Dynamic Networking (DHCP). This setting is used when the network is setup to use DHCP or if a cellular data modem is used.
-
- Static Networking. This setting is used when very specific, non-changing networking parameters are used.
Note
Contact your IT (Information Technology) Department if unsure of the networking parameters to use.
 |
If static networking is selected, the Static Network Parameters screen will be displayed, where the individual network address parameters can be entered directly onto the touchscreen. When done, press the button to save the changes.
Note
Only IPV4 networking parameters are supported at this time. The system does not support IPV6.
 |
-
IP Address - the static IP address that should be assigned to the Digester.
-
Route/Gateway - the IP address of the default route or gateway.
-
Net Mask - the IP network mask that should be applied to the current local area network.
-
DNS Server 1 - the IP address of the primary DNS (Domain Name Service) server.
-
DNS Server 2 - the IP address of the secondary DNS (Domain Name Service) server. This field is optional.
After the networking configuration settings are saved, press the button to perform a network test.
 |
The Network Test Screen allows you to run a comprehensive suite of networking tests to ensure that the BioBrain and Digester can successfully communicate over the Internet to BioHiTech Cloud.
 |
Press the button at the bottom to run the networking tests. Next to each of the eight tests, a green Pass status or a red Fail will be displayed. The networking tests is considered successful only if all networking tests pass.
Note
Normally all networking tests can be completed in under twenty seconds. If there are problems with the networking configuration, it may take as long as ten minutes to complete all of the tests.
The Operation Screen is used to toggle the Digester between Auto and Manual mode. The machine should normally be in Auto mode. Manual mode is typically reserved for manual machine operation, troubleshooting, or if a fault condition occurs on the machine. See Section 4.3, “Operating Modes” for more information about the automatic and manual operating modes of the Digester.
The screenshot below shows the Operation Screen when it is in Auto mode. Press the button to change the operating mode to Manual mode.
|
The screenshot below shows the Operation Screen when it is in Auto mode. However, in this screenshot the machine is not in a running state due to critical alerts that need to be addressed. Press the button to change the operating mode to Manual mode. Press the button to view, address, and reset the machine alerts.
 |
The screenshot below shows the Operation Screen when it is in Manual mode. Press the button to change the operating mode to Auto mode. Press the button manually control the machine. This feature is only available when the machine is in Manual mode.
|
The screenshot below shows the Manual Controls Screen #1. Note that there are three manual controls screens. Press the button to go to Operation Screen.
|
The following features are available on Manual Controls Screen #1:
-
Agitator - press the or button to manually control operation of the agitator.
Note
On some models, the agitator can only be turned on if the food hatch door is closed.
Caution
Using the agitator while the food hatch door is open should only be performed by trained service personnel.
-
Agitator Rotations - The agitator can be used to spin the paddle arms by a quarter, half, or full rotation by pressing the , , or button. This feature is useful when cleaning the machine, inspecting the paddle arms, or checking the food habitat for debris.
-
Agitator Speed - The agitator speed can be changed by pressing the , , or button.
-
Agitator Direction - The agitator direction can be changed by pressing the or button.
-
Shower - press the or button to turn on or turn off the top showering function.
The screenshot below shows the Manual Controls Screen #2. Press the button to go back to Operation Screen #1. Press the button to go back to Operation Screen #3.
 |
The following features are available on Manual Controls Screen #2:
-
Wash - press the or button to turn on or turn off the bottom washing function.
-
Lamp Test - press the or button to turn on or turn off the traffic lamp test cycle. During the traffic lamp test cycle, all lights on the lamp will alternate in illumination. This test is a good way to confirm that all bulbs are functioning properly.
The Passwords Configuration Screen is used set the passwords on the Digester. One of these passwords must be entered in order to access the Main Menu from the Dashboard.
There are three passwords available on the Digester:
-
Operator Password - If this password is entered, the user has limited access to the touchscreen functions. Specifically, the user will be unable to access the Configuration Menu.
-
Administrator Password - If this password is entered, the user will have full access to all features in the main menu.
-
Service Password - This is a password reserved for BioHiTech support personnel.
Note
Depending on your current level of access, you may not see all of these options. You will only see the passwords that you have the ability to change.
The screenshot below shows the Password Configuration Menu Screen. Touch one of the buttons to change the appropriate password.
 |
The screenshot below shows the Password Configuration Screen.
 |
Touch inside the New Password input box and use the onscreen keypad to enter a new password. Passwords should be between 4 and 6 digits (numbers). Touch the button when finished.
Remember Your Password
Please take note of your password. Forgetting your password will prevent you from managing the Digester and may incur a service visit to have the password reset.
The System Status Screen displays the status of the Digester and its various sensors and mechanical components.
|
At the top of the screen, the operating mode (Auto or Manual), the current weight (inside the drum), and available capacity is displayed.
The bottom half of the screen displays the state of the following components, including:
-
Door State - denotes whether the food hatch door is currently open or closed.
-
Agitator State - denotes whether the agitator is currently on or off.
-
Agitator Direction and Speed - denotes direction (forward or reverse) and the speed of the agitator.
-
Shower - denotes whether the top shower function is currently on or off.
-
Wash - denotes whether the bottom washing function is currently on or off.
-
Tower Lamp - denotes whether the green or red lamp is illuminate on the tower.
The Usage Report Screen displays utilization data for various time periods. Utilization is a measure of how much organic waste was placed into the Digester over a given time frame.
The screenshot below shows an example usage report.
 |
The Usage Report will show utilization metrics for the following time periods:
-
Today - utilization for the current day, starting at 12:00am.
-
Yesterday - utilization for the prior day, starting at 12:00am and ending at 11:59pm.
-
This Week - utilization for the current week, starting with Sunday at 12:00am.
-
Last Week - utilization for the prior week, staring Sunday at 12:00am and ending on Saturday at 11:59pm.
-
This Month - utilization for the current month, starting at 12:00am on the first day of the month.
-
Last Month - utilization for the prior month, starting at 12:00am on the first day of the month and ending at 11:59pm on the last day of the month.
The USB Data Screens are displayed when performing a data capture from the Digester using a USB thumb drive.
Note
USB data retrieval is an optional feature. Contact your local sales representative for details.
The screenshot below demonstrates when a data retrieval is in progress. Do not remove the USB drive while this screen is displayed, as data is being actively copied to the USB drive.
 |
The screenshot below is displayed when data is done copying to the USB drive. At this time the USB drive may be safely removed.
 |
The screenshot below is displayed if there is an error copying data to the USB drive. Take note of the error code and contact BioHiTech customer support.
 |
The Weight Configuration Screens allow for the configuration of all aspects of the weight scale system built into the Digester. The Digester has four load cells, placed in the four corners of the Digester above the machine's four foot pedestals. A load cell indicator reads the stress of the four load cells and translates those signals into a weight for the entire Digester and its contents. These configuration screens allow you to calibrate this weight translation, the tare weight (so that the weight of the Digester itself is subtracted to the weight), and the various weight levels used by the tower lamp (such as "Tower Red").
The screenshot below shows the Current Weight Configuration Screen. This screen shows the current weight parameters currently being used by the Digester.
 |
The screen will show the following values:
-
Current Weight - shows the current weight of the Digester, which incorporates the tare weight.
-
Tare Weight - shows tare weight.
-
Tower Red - shows the weight level required for the machine's red tower lamp to turn on.
-
Shutdown - shows the weight level required for the machine to become "overweight" and shutdown.
To change any of these settings or to re-calibrate the weight scales, press the button. When this button is pressed, the Weight Configuration Menu will be displayed as shown below.
|
The following options are available on this screen:
-
Calibrate - Press this button to calibrate the weight scale system.
-
Operation Levels - Press this button to configure the tower lamp and shutdown levels.
-
Re-Tare - Press this button to re-tare the weight scale.
-
Units of Measure - Press this button to set the weight unit of measure.
When the button is pressed, the touchscreen will walk you through the process of calibrating the weight scale system of the Digester. To perform this task, you will need an object that is of a known weight (the heavier, the better). You will also need to know the weight of the Digester itself, refer to Appendix B, Machine Specifications for more information. Finally, this process is normally done when the food chamber is empty, otherwise you will need to estimate the amount of food waste inside of the Digester as well.
The four screen shots below illustrate the weight calibration procedure.
 |
 |
 |
 |
The screen shot below illustrates the Operation Levels Screen. Use this screen to set the various operational weight levels of the Digester.
|
The following operational levels can be set on this screen:
-
Tower Red - shows the weight level required for the machine's red tower lamp to turn on.
-
Shutdown - shows the weight level required for the machine to become "overweight" and shutdown.
To change an operational level, touch the input box of the value to change. Use the onscreen numeric keypad to enter a new weight value. When the configuration parameters have been set, press the button to save your changes.
The screen show below illustrates the Weight Tare Configuration Screen. Use this screen to configure the system tare weight.
|
To enter a new tare weight, touch the input field for New Tare Weight. Use the onscreen numeric keypad to enter a new tare weight value. Press the button save your changes.
Optionally, if the food chamber inside of the Digester is empty, press the to tare the weight system to zero.
The screenshot below shows the Unit of Measure Configuration Screen. Use this screen to toggle the weight units between imperial pounds (lbs) units and the metric kilograms (kg) units.
|
If you need assistance with your Revolution Series™ Digester, please contact BioHiTech. BioHiTech can be reached 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
If you need assistance with your Revolution Series™ Digester, please contact Manco. Manco can be reached 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
Customer Support can be used for:
-
Replacement parts
-
Ordering supplies
-
Scheduling unplanned maintenance or service
-
Scheduling clean outs
-
Assistance with troubleshooting problem with your Digester
Note
Depending on warranty and support plans purchased, additional charges may apply.
Online Support
For optimal customer support, please submit a support request online at: biohitech.com. Customers should click the CUSTOMER button at the top of the web page.
Other benefits of using the Customer Portal include:
-
Access to documentation
-
Access to online training videos
Phone Support
Alternatively, BioHiTech America phone support can be reached at 888.876.9300, Press Option 2 at the prompt.
Manco phone support can be reached on 0800 274 986.
By Mail
Written correspondence may be directed to:
BioHiTech America
80 Red Schoolhouse Road
Suite 101
Chestnut Ridge, NY10977
Phone: 888.876.9300
Email: support@biohitech.com
Manco Environmental Limited
PO Box 58 – 609, Botany
Manukau 2163 New Zealand
Phone: 0800 274 986
Email: info@manco.co.nz
This section outlines the specifications of each machine model.
Table B.1. Machine 24-Hour Operational Capacities
| Model | 24-Hour Capacity (lbs) | 24-Hour Capacity (kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Seed | 535 lbs | 242 kg |
| Sprout | 670 lbs | 303 kg |
Note
The numbers above represent 24-hour capacities of machines operating in good conditions with a standard organic diet. Real world performance may vary based on organic diet, temperature, feeding schedule, hours of operation, etc.
Table B.2. Machine Dimensions
| Model | Dimensions W x H x D (inches) | Dimensions W x H x D (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Seed | 30" x 48" x 30" | 76 cm x 123 cm x 76 cm |
| Sprout | 40" x 48" x 30" | 102 cm x 123 cm x 76 cm |
Table B.4. Daily Water Consumption
| Model | Consumption (gallons) | Consumption (liters) |
|---|---|---|
| Seed | 15-30 gal | 55-115 l |
| Sprout | 20-40 gal | 75-150 l |
Note
The numbers above represent typical daily water consumption. Real world consumption may vary based on machine utilization and water cycle configuration.
Table B.5. Typical Effluent Discharge
| Model | Daily Discharge (gallons) | Daily Discharge (liters) |
|---|---|---|
| Seed | about 30-60 gal | about 110-230 l |
| Sprout | about 40-80 gal | about 150-300 l |
Note
The numbers above represent typical daily effluent discharge. Real world discharge volumes may vary based on machine utilization, water cycle configuration, and organic diet.
Table B.6. Monthly Power Consumption
| Model | Monthly Power Consumption |
|---|---|
| Seed | 70 - 150 kilowatt hours / month |
| Sprout | 70 - 150 kilowatt hours / month |
Note
The numbers above represent typical daily effluent discharge. Real world power consumption may vary based on machine utilization, typical machine load, and machine configuration.
 |
 |
Note
These requirements are only necessary for Digesters that will be connected to the Internet for the BioHiTech Cloud ™ service.
Network Connectivity Options
There are two network connectivity options for the Revolution Series Digester:
-
An RJ45 Ethernet connection in close proximity to the Digester
-
A cellular modem rented from BioHiTech America
A dedicated hard line RJ45 Ethernet connection is the preferred network connection type due to the reliability of the hardline connection. However, in areas where providing access to an RJ45 Ethernet connection is not possible, a cellular modem may be purchased from BioHiTech.
Note
When using the cellular modem, be sure that adequate cellular coverage is available at the location of the Digester.
Network Configurations
If you are using the cellular modem purchased from BioHiTech, then no more network configuration is required. The Digester will connect to the cellular modem via DHCP (dynamic network) to the wireless cellular network.
For RJ45 Ethernet connections, additional network configuration may be necessary.
The Digester can used with both Dynamic/DHCP and Static IP configuration.
If static IP configuration is used, the Digester will require the following configuration parameters:
-
IP Address - the IP address that you wish to assign to the Digester
-
Net Mask - The net mask of the network
-
Gateway IP Address - the IP address of the gateway or router on your network
-
DNS Server(s) - the IP address(es) of your DNS server(s). The Digester can accept used to two IP addresses for DNS servers.
Firewall Considerations
The Digester requires only outbound Internet Access on TCP port 443 (HTTPS, secure HTTP).
Firewalls should be configured to allow outbound Internet access on TCP port 443 to the following IP addresses:
-
54.221.243.115
-
54.209.122.209
-
54.209.181.132
-
54.208.204.191
-
54.85.105.167
-
54.85.142.150
If the BioBrain will be using default external DNS, then the following IP addresses should be allowed outbound Internet access on UDP port 53:
-
8.8.8.8
-
8.8.4.4
Optionally, the following IP address can be allowed outbound Internet access on UDP port 4321:
-
54.85.142.150
Bandwidth Utilization
Average bandwidth utilization is about 3MB per day per Digester.
SSL Proxies
The Digester does not support SSL/TLS proxy servers at this time.
This section will outline the default configuration parameters to be used for your Digester.
Cycles
The following parameters can be configured on the Cycles configuration section.
Functions
The following parameters can be configured on the Functions configuration section.
Table D.2. Function Parameters
| Parameter | Default Setting / Value |
|---|---|
| Drive Torque Limit | 150 |
| Drive Torque Retry Limit | 3 |
Language
The default language of the system should be set to English.
Networking
If you are using a cellular data mode, then the system should be configured to use DHCP (dynamic) networking.
If you are using a wired connection, please contact the customer's IT (Information Technology) or Networking Department, who should be able to provide all configuration parameters.
Passwords
The following parameters can be configured on the Passwords configuration area.
Table D.3. Default Passwords
| Parameter | Default Setting / Value |
|---|---|
| Operator Password | 3023 |
| Administrator Password | 4150 |
Temperature
The following parameters can be configured on the Temperature configuration area.
Table D.4. Temperature Parameters
| Parameter | Default Setting / Value |
|---|---|
| Target Shell Temp | 113 °F (45 °C) |
| Shell Temp Sensor | Enabled |
| Water Temp Sensor | Enabled |
Unit of Measure
The default unit of measure can be set to either Imperial Units (United States) or Metric based on customer preference.
Note
Make sure to use values that reflect the appropriate units of measure when entering weights and temperatures.
Weights
The following parameters can be configured on the Weights configuration area. Note that these parameter vary by model.
Table D.5. Operation Levels Parameters
| Parameter | Seed | Sprout |
|---|---|---|
| Tower Red | 200 lbs. (90 kg.) | 250 lbs. (115 kg.) |
| Shutdown | 250 lbs. (115 kg.) | 300 lbs. (135 kg.) |
A
- acceptable food types, Acceptable Food Waste
- aerobic digestion, Aerobic Digestion
- agitation, Cycles Configuration Screens
- agitator, Digester Features, Operation Screens
- agitator direction, Operation Screens
- agitator rotations, Operation Screens
- agitator speed, Operation Screens
- alerts, Alerts Screen
B
- bio-media, Machine Consumables, Bio-Media Replenishment
- Bio-Media, Digester Features
- biobrain, BioBrain Screen
- BioHiTech Cloud, BioHiTech Cloud, Network Configuration Screens
C
- capacity, The Revolution Series Digester, Feed Schedule, Machine Specifications
- circuit breakers, Powering On
- cleaning, Best Practices, Daily Cleaning and Inspection, Weekly Cleaning
- configuration, Configuration Menu Screen
- cycle configuration, Cycles Configuration Screens
D
- dashboard, Dashboard Screen
- date and time configuration, Date / Time Configuration Screen
- default parameters,
- dimensions, Location, Machine Specifications
- drainage, Drainage, Drainage
- drive torque limits, Functions Configuration Screen
E
- effluent, Machine Specifications
- electrical, Electrical Connection
F
- feeding, Feeding the Digester, Feed Procedure, Best Practices
- feeding schedule, Feed Schedule
- food habitat, Digester Features
- functions, Functions Configuration Screen
H
- hose hookup, Additional Hose Hookup
I
- installation procedure, Installation Procedure
L
- language support, Language Configuration Screen
- legs, Fixed Legs
- leveling, Transportation
- load cell indicator, Weight Configuration Screens
- location, Location
- lock-out, Lock-Out / Tag-Out (Shutdown) Procedure
M
- manual operation, Operation Screens
- media, Machine Consumables
- microorganisms, Machine Consumables, Aerobic Digestion, Digester Features, Feed Schedule, Best Practices, Microorganism Replenishment
- model, Model Configuration Screen
- motor reset functions, Functions Configuration Screen
N
- network configuration, Network Configuration Screens
- networking, Network Connectivity
- non-organic waste, Acceptable Food Waste
P
- paddle arms, Digester Features
- password, Password Configuration Screen
- plug, Electrical Connection
- Power, Power
- power consumption, Machine Specifications
- power on sequence, Powering On
S
- servicing schedule, Servicing Schedule
- shower, Operation Screens
- showering, Digester Features, Cycles Configuration Screens
- shutdown, Lock-Out / Tag-Out (Shutdown) Procedure
- specification sheets, Machine Specifications
- specifications, Machine Specifications
- start-up, Start-Up Procedure, Start-Up Test, Weight Configuration, Machine Consumables
- support, Contacting BioHiTech Support Contacting Manco Support
T
- tag-out, Lock-Out / Tag-Out (Shutdown) Procedure
- temperature, Acceptable Food Waste
- testing, Start-Up Test
- touchscreen, Start-Up Test, Digester Features
- About Screen, About Screen
- Alerts Screen, Alerts Screen
- BioBrain Functions Screen, BioBrain Screen
- Category Selection Screen, Category Selection Screen
- Configuration Menu, Configuration Menu Screen
- Current Weight Configuration Screen, Weight Configuration Screens
- Cycles Configuration Screens, Cycles Configuration Screens
- Dashboard Screen, Dashboard Screen
- Date and Time Configuration Screen, Date / Time Configuration Screen
- Functions Configuration Screen, Functions Configuration Screen
- Language Configuration Screen, Language Configuration Screen
- Main Menu, Main Menu Screen
- Model Configuration Screen, Model Configuration Screen
- Network Configuration Screens, Network Configuration Screens
- Operations Screens, Operation Screens
- Password Configuration Screen, Password Configuration Screen
- System Status Screen, System Status Screen
- Usage Report Screen, Usage Report Screen
- USB Data Screens, USB Data Screens
- Weight Calibration Screen 1, Weight Configuration Screens
- Weight Calibration Screen 2, Weight Configuration Screens
- Weight Calibration Screen 3, Weight Configuration Screens
- Weight Calibration Screen 4, Weight Configuration Screens
- Weight Configuration Menu, Weight Configuration, Weight Configuration Screens
- Weight Configuration Screens, Weight Configuration Screens
- Weight Operation Levels Screen, Weight Configuration Screens
- Weight Tare Configuration Screen, Weight Configuration Screens
- Weight Unit of Measure Configuration Screen, Weight Configuration Screens
- tower lamp, Digester Features, The Tower Lamp, Best Practices
- tower lamp test, Operation Screens
- transporting, Transportation
U
- USB data retrieval, USB Data Screens
- utilization, Usage Report Screen
W
- wash pump, Operation Screens
- washing, Digester Features, Cycles Configuration Screens
- waste categorization, Category Selection Screen
- water, Water, Water Feed
- water consumption, Machine Specifications
- weight calibration, Weight Configuration Screens
- weight test, Weight Test
- weight, machine, Machine Specifications