Abstract
The Vortex–Acoustic Bio‑Refinery (VABR) is a conceptual modular system designed to convert municipal sewage sludge into ASTM‑compliant biodiesel using a combination of vortex‑based solids concentration, dual‑frequency acoustic processing, and catalyst‑assisted chemical transformation. The invention proposes a low‑pressure, low‑temperature alternative to high‑pressure hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL), with the goal of reducing mechanical complexity, improving operator safety, and enabling decentralized deployment at wastewater treatment facilities. The VABR concept integrates fluid‑dynamic separation, acoustic disruption of organic structures, and catalyst‑supported biodiesel‑compatible reactions. This disclosure outlines the scientific principles, conceptual system architecture, and potential advantages of the VABR compared to existing waste‑to‑fuel technologies. It is released under the CERN‑OHL‑P open hardware license to preserve the concept as open prior art and support future research.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Caldwell, Michael Victor Mr., "The Vortex–Acoustic Bio‑Refinery (VABR): A Modular Low‑Pressure System for Converting Sewage Sludge Into ASTM‑Compliant Biodiesel", Technical Disclosure Commons, (March 16, 2026)
https://www.tdcommons.org/dpubs_series/9543