Abstract: A method for producing an agglomerated solid bio-material comprises providing a particulate torrefied wood mass or a comminuted wood mass and blending with a particulate melt-flowable extract (MFE) recovered from an organosolv pulping process. The particulate torrefied biomass or the comminuted biomass is blended with the MFE to form a blended mixture wherein the particulate torrefied bio-mass or the comminuted wood mass is the primary component. The blend is agglomerated under pressure at a temperature of at least approximately 38° C. (100° F.) to form the agglomerated solid material which exhibits hydrophobic characteristics.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe binder materials from birch bark, methods of making the binder materials, fuel compositions comprising the binder materials, methods of forming the fuel compositions in the form of pellets and/or briquettes, and the like.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe water-resistant and durably high energy-density binder materials from cutin-containing materials, methods of making the binder materials, fuel compositions comprising the binder materials, methods of forming the fuel compositions in the form of pellets and/or briquettes, and the like.

Abstract: A hearth furnace 10 for producing metallic iron material has a furnace housing 11 with a drying/preheat zone 12 capable of providing a drying/preheat atmosphere for reducible material, a conversion zone 13 capable of providing a reducing atmosphere for reducible material, a fusion zone 14 capable of providing an atmosphere to at least partially reduced metallic iron material, and optionally a cooling zone 15 capable of providing a cooling atmosphere for reduced material containing metallic iron material. A hearth 20 is movable within the furnace housing 11 in a direction through the drying/preheat zone 12, then the conversion zone 13, then the fusion zone 14, and then the cooling zone 15.

Abstract: A hearth furnace 10 for producing metallic iron material has a furnace housing 11 with a drying/preheat zone 12 capable of providing a drying/preheat atmosphere for reducible material, a conversion zone 13 capable of providing a reducing atmosphere for reducible material, a fusion zone 14 capable of providing an atmosphere to at least partially reduced metallic iron material, and optionally a cooling zone 15 capable of providing a cooling atmosphere for reduced material containing metallic iron material. A hearth 20 is movable within the furnace housing 11 in a direction through the drying/preheat zone 12, then the conversion zone 13, then the fusion zone 14, and then the cooling zone 15.