An anaerobic digester is disclosed including a single orbicular vessel having
two chambers configured for the separate treatment of high-solids and low-solids
phases of organic matter. The vessel combines a high solids, plug flow path wherein
low solids liquids are separated and directed to a high rate treatment path. The
invention provides a novel and simple apparatus for the anaerobic conversion of
both high solid and low solid wastes to methane, carbon dioxide, a liquid effluent
that can be used as fertilizer, and a solid residue that can be used as a soil
amendment. The invention combines the advantages of high solids loop digesters
and low solids high rate digesters into a single orbicular vessel. Due to the orbicular
geometry, in which a first chamber is a path surrounding and orbiting a second
chamber, the apparatus has greater thermal and material efficiencies.