Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to torrefied biomass briquettes and methods for producing the same that make use of a mixture of lightly torrefied material (LTM) and highly torrefied material (HTM) and/or make use of torrefied materials that are subjected to a hydrolysis pretreatment prior to being torrefied.

Abstract: A method is provided in which pretreated and densified cellulosic biomass particulates can be hydrolyzed at a high solids loading rate as compared with the solids loading rate of loose hydrolysable cellulosic biomass fibers. The resulting high concentration sugar-containing stream can be easily converted to biofuels or an entire suite of other useful bioproducts.

Abstract: A system for treating biomass for the production of a composition of lignin pellets .is disclosed. Pellets comprising at least 50 percent lignin by dry weight is disclosed. Also disclosed are pellets produced from a lignin composition by a process comprising: pre-treating lignocellulosic biomass into pre-treated biomass; separating the pre-treated biomass into a first liquid component comprising sugars and a first solids component comprising cellulose and the lignin composition; hydrolysing the first solids component of the pre-treated biomass into a hydrolysed biomass comprising sugars and the lignin composition; separating the hydrolysed biomass into a second liquid component comprising sugars and a second solids component comprising the lignin composition; supplying the second solids component comprising the lignin composition to a pelleting apparatus to produce the pellets; wherein the lignocellulosic biomass comprises cellulose, hemi-cellulose and lignin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for and apparatus for processing sugar bagasse which produces a significantly increased level of thermal output. More specifically, the thermal output of the processing method and the apparatus used therefore produces far more energy for transfer to an electricity generating module of the plant for generating electricity.

Abstract: A product comprising at least one densified biomass particulate of a given mass having no added binder and comprised of a plurality of lignin-coated plant biomass fibers is provided, wherein the at least one densified biomass particulate has an intrinsic density substantially equivalent to a binder-containing densified biomass particulate of the same given mass and h a substantially smooth, non-flakey outer surface. Methods for using and making the product are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of transforming low rank coals into high quality metallurgical coke, and the coke products produced by such methods.

Abstract: A method for production of fuel pellets from a biological material, preferably saw dust, wood or similar, where the method comprises the following steps: supplying the material to a drying step (1) and dry the material to a relative humidity from 40-65 weight-percent to 30-45 weight-percent; supplying the material from the dryer step (1), optionally via an intermediate storage step (2), to a reactor step (3, 3?) and heat the material to 200-300° C. by supply of steam; keeping the material in the reactor at the achieved temperature in sufficient time to soften the material; reducing the pressure of the reactor step (3, 3?) in at least two steps, in order to defibrate the material and release of lignin, and supply the material from the reactor step (3, 3?) to an additional drying step (5), optionally via an intermediate storage step (4), and optionally pelletizing of the material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for producing fuel briquettes from high moisture fine coal. The apparatus includes a coal fine pelletizer, a pellet dryer and a fuel briquette former all provided in-line for the efficient production of fuel briquettes. The method comprises forming pellets from coal fines, drying those pellets to a desired moisture content of about 1 to about 10% and forming fuel briquettes from the dried pellets.

Abstract: Provided is a manufacturing method for a briquetted solid fuel that can reduce the briquetting cost while maintaining the strength of the briquetted product. A mixed oil that includes a heavy oil and a solvent oil, and a porous coal are mixed to obtain a slurry. The slurry is dewatered by heating to obtain a dewatered slurry. Solvent oil is separated from the dewatered slurry to obtain a cake, the cake is heated, and solvent oil is further separated from the cake to obtain a modified coal. Moisture is added to the modified coal to obtain a moist modified coal with a moisture content of 3 wt % to 10 wt %, and then the moist modified coal is briquetted under pressure.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for upgrading carbonaceous materials. Also disclosed are apparatuses for upgrading carbonaceous materials. Also disclosed are systems for upgrading carbonaceous materials. Also disclosed are upgraded carbonaceous materials.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for producing fuel briquettes from high moisture fine coal. The apparatus includes a coal fine pelletizer, a pellet dryer and a fuel briquette former all provided in-line for the efficient production of fuel briquettes. The method comprises forming pellets from coal fines, drying those pellets to a desired moisture content of about 1 to about 10% and forming fuel briquettes from the dried pellets.

Abstract: A charcoal heating material, such as charcoal briquettes, includes a porous structure that facilitates the flow of oxygen about the charcoal, and thereby, enables the briquettes to ignite easily and quickly. In particular the lightweighted charcoal briquettes have a density from about 0.50 grams per cubic centimeter to about 0.80 grams per cubic centimeter. Methods of forming charcoal heating materials include mixing a rheology modifying agent and a moisture phase with a charcoal mixture to facilitate absorption of additional water into the solid matrix, providing increased porosity and lightweighting of the finished briquette after drying.

Abstract: A super compactor receives a carbon-containing material and delivers a brick suitable as fuel for power generation. A compaction chamber receives the carbon-containing material and has at least one ram reciprocating along a travel path and exerting a predetermined amount of pressure on the carbon-containing material. The compaction chamber also has an end effector plate or a movable slide gate against which the carbon-containing material is compressed, promoting the removal of moisture from the carbon-containing material, and one or more dewatering apertures or a membrane permitting moisture to pass through but blocking the carbon-containing material. A collector captures the moisture that passes through the dewatering apertures or membrane. A power unit provides power to the at least one ram. A heated extrusion chamber receives the carbon-containing material from the compaction chamber and heats and compacts the carbon-containing material to bind the carbon-containing material into the form of a brick.

Abstract: A briquette is comprised essentially of coal particles and solid lignin where the briquette does not include binders other than the lignin. A method of preparing briquettes from coal particles and lignin comprises grinding, drying, mixing, and briquetting. A system of preparing briquettes from coal particles and lignin can either be located proximally to a power plant or delivered by trucks, trains, ships, or air freight to the power plant.

Abstract: A fuel pellet made substantially of flax stem fiber. The fuel pellet is made from waste material available at minimal cost that produces pellets that burn at a high temperature, generate little smoke and less than about 4% ash residue, and can be stored for long periods without deteriorating. Preferred fuel pellets include at least about 60% flax stem fiber; wherein at least about 60% of the particles are less than about a quarter of an inch in length. The fuel pellet is processed by first selecting or processing the flax stem fiber so that it has a moisture content of from about 5 to about 12%. The bulk flax stem fiber material is then processed in a hammermill or the like to reduce the size of the fiber particles. The processed flax is then extruded through a commercial pelletizing machine. The pellets are then cut and then dried.

Abstract: Fuel composition which combusts instantaneously, comprising from 40 to 95% by weight of an instantaneously combusting fossil fuel and from 60 to 5% by weight of a non-fossil solid fuel chosen from the group comprising urban solid waste, elastomeric and non-elastomeric polymer materials and mixtures thereof, this fuel being suitably treated so as to be instantaneously combustible. Method and plant for the instantaneous combustion of the said composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coal dewatering system, method and apparatus. The dewatering system includes a preheater vessel (82) having a chamber (101) for heating coal, an inlet (84) to permit the passage of coal into the chamber (101), and an outlet (86) for permitting the passage of coal from the chamber (101). The dewatering vessel also includes a heating mechanism (98) associated with the preheater vessel (82) to heat coal contained in the chamber (101) and a non-return valve (92) to substantially prevent heated coal removed from the preheater chamber (101) via the outlet (86) from re-entering the preheater vessel (82) via the outlet (86). The dewatering system further includes a dewatering unit (60) adapted to receive the heated coal from the outlet (86) via the non-return valve (92) and to thereby dewater the coal.

Abstract: I claim a process for producing a superior fuel from biomass by first torrefying the biomass and then densifying it to make pellets, cubes or logs with the steps of: heating biomass to a temperature of 150-300 C and preferably to 200-280 C in a heating device, and densification of the resulting torrefied biomass in a device that compresses the hot biomass to make pellets, cubes or logs. The process can be partially or totally self heating by burning the gaseous products of torrefaction in the oven surrounding the torrefication apparatus. The energy required for size reduction after torrefaction is greatly reduced and the energy required for densification is also greatly reduced.

Abstract: A solid combustible composition having an apparent density lower than 0.6 g/cm3 and comprising a first portion consisting of an urban solid waste, a second portion consisting of elastomeric material and a third portion consisting of non-elastomeric polymeric material.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process for the production of low ash fuel using calcined petroleum coke by crushing and screening of calcined petroleum coke below 3 mm size, mixing the crushed and screened materials to achieve a bulk density in the range of 760 to 800 kg/m3, mixing 10-100% of the resultant calcined petroleum coke with 0 to 50% coke breeze, pre-soaking the mix so obtained with 5-10% water, mixing with hinder followed by kneading in presence of live stream, then briquetting and curing of the raw briquettes in a furnace in a controlled oxidising atmoshpere to obtain the low ash fuel.

Abstract: The system for producing combustion ash of cellulose-containing wastes, provided with a kneading device 3 for kneading cellulose-containing wastes with a prescribed amount of liquid fuel oil, a molding device 5 for molding said kneaded mixture, and a combustion furnace 7 for burning said moldings, is characterized in that the humidity conditioning furnace 6 for adjusting the water content of said moldings is arranged between said molding device and said combustion furnace. Since the water content of said moldings is adjusted by the humidity conditioning furnace at the time of burning said moldings, the organic substances (cellulose or the like) are burned almost perfectly. Consequently, the present invention has the advantage of being able to produce combustion ash of good quality without generating such combustion residue as graphite and black smoke.

Abstract: A process for forming durable, mechanically strong compacts from coal particulates without use of a binder is disclosed. The process involves applying a compressive stress to a particulate feed comprising substantially water-saturated coal particles while the feed is heated to a final compaction temperature in excess of about 100° C. The water present in the feed remains substantially in the liquid phase throughout the compact forming process. This is achieved by heating and compressing the particulate feed and cooling the formed compact at a pressure sufficient to prevent water present in the feed from boiling. The compacts produced by the process have a moisture content near their water saturation point. As a result, these compacts absorb little water and retain exceptional mechanical strength when immersed in high pressure water. The process can be used to form large, cylindrically-shaped compacts from coal particles (i.e.

Abstract: A process for making a fuel product including blending a sewage sludge with an acid, mixing an oxide-containing chemical with the blended sludge so as to cause a reaction which elevates a temperature of the sludge, pressurizing the mixed sludge to a pressure of greater than 14.7 p.s.i.a. for a period of time of no less than 15 seconds, mixing the pressurized mixed sludge with coal fines, and solidifying the mixture of pressurized mixed sludge and coal fines. The oxide-containing chemical is either calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide. The acid is sulfamic acid. The step of solidifying includes pelletizing the mixture. The solidified mixture has a BTU content of greater than 5000 BTU per pound.

Abstract: An improved pelletized fuel consisting essentially of from about 70% to about 98% coal fines and from about 2% to about 30% waste thermoplastic polymeric material (plastic) and a method of producing the improved pelletized fines are disclosed. The plastic is shredded or granulated before mixing with the coal fines, and the mixture is heated to a temperature to soften or melt at least a major portion of the plastic. The heated mixture is then shaped by applying a pressure of at least about 600 PSI and pressing the mixture through a pelletizing or extrusion die, or shaping the mixture in a briquetting operation.

Abstract: A method for recovering coal from a mixture containing fine particles of coal, the mixture including fine coal particles, water, and impurities, the method including feeding the mixture to a first liquid/solid separator that removes relatively large pieces of material from the mixture producing a first stream containing recoverable fine coal particles, and pumping the first stream from the first liquid/solid separator to at least one second liquid/solid separator, the at least one second liquid/solid separator separating recoverable fine coal particles from the first stream producing a product flow containing fine coal particles and a discharge stream containing, e.g., water and impurities. In one aspect, the coal in the product flow is then dried and/or pelletized. In one aspect fine coal particles in the product flow have a largest dimension of less than 100 microns. In one aspect, fine coal particles in the product flow have a largest dimension of at least about 40 microns.

Abstract: A solid combustible composition having an apparent density lower than 0.6 g/cm.sup.3 and comprising a first portion consisting of an urban solid waste, a second portion consisting of elastomeric material and a third portion consisting of non-elastomeric polymeric material.

Abstract: A burnable article such as a fire log or a barbecue briquette is formed of a top fire-igniting layer, a middle fire-catching layer, and a body layer. The fire-igniting layer has a composition, in weight percent, of from about 47 to about 67 percent carbonized wood, from about 22 to about 34 percent barium nitrate, from about 3 to about 11 percent sodium nitrate, from about 3 to about 11 percent starch, from about 0.25 to about 0.65 percent zeolite, and from about 0.25 to about 0.65 percent potassium alum, the total of the constituents of the fire-igniting layer being 100 percent. The fire-catching layer has a composition, in weight percent, of from about 57 to about 67 percent carbonized wood, from about 18 to about 28 percent barium nitrate, from about 3 to about 11 percent sodium nitrate, from about 4 to about 12 percent starch, from about 0.15 to about 0.35 percent zeolite, and from about 0.15 to about 0.35 percent potassium alum, the total of the constituents of the fire-catching layer being 100 percent.

Abstract: In a material handling system in which a chemical treatment and water are added to a bulk solid, a method and apparatus for minimizing the amount of moisture added to the bulk solid while effectively controlling dust in the system. A moisture analyzing means monitors the surface moisture level of the bulk solid, and a calibration/measuring means determines the proper amount of chemical and water to be fed to the system for dust control. There are associated means for feeding the chemical treatment and water to the bulk solid, and a dust analyzing means, which monitors dust levels in the system and sends an electrical signal to the calibration/measuring means in order to adjust chemical feed and water flow in the system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pelletized fuel composition comprising coal fines in an amount of from 60% to 80% by weight, paper making sludge in an amount of from 10% to 30% by weight, and a shredded polymeric material in an amount of from 0.5% to 15% by weight. Surprisingly and unexpectantly, a high percentage of correctly sized pellets having a desired degree of hardness and structural integrity result without the necessity of a binder, the use of very high pressures or drying the completed pellets by heating at elevated temperatures. A method of manufacturing the fuel composition involving pelletizing at a pressure of from about 1,000 psig to about 4,000 psig is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cellulosic composition 42 is provided which may be used as a charcoal briquette replacement, germination medium, oil and animal excretion absorbent, or as a source of nourishment.

Abstract: A process for making fuel cubes from straw includes the steps of drying and cutting the straw, adding lime to the straw and applying ammonia to the straw. The straw is then placed in a densification machine or cuber where solid bricks are formed. The ammonia breaks down the natural crystalline lattice structure of the straw's cellulose thus allowing it to be compacted.

Abstract: A process of dewatering and agglomerating fine coal. The process consists of treating an aqueous fine coal slurry with a chemical binding agent prior to filtration or drying. The preferred chemical binding agent is an emulsifiable process oil. The process results in more efficient dewatering and low dustiness of the treated coal.

Abstract: A combustible carbonaceous briquette and method of making the briquette wherein a finely divided carbonaceous material is formed into a desired briquette shape under high pressure whereby carbonaceous particles are bound together by a pre-cooked mixture of an organic binder and a water-swellable clay. The combustible carbonaceous material is present in the briquette composition in an amount of about 85% to about 96% by weight; the organic binder is present in an amount of about 2% to about 8% by weight; and the water-swellable clay is present in an amount of about 1% to about 5% by weight. The weight ratio of organic binder to water-swellable clay, dry weight basis, is in the range of from about 1.5 to about 3.0 to 1.

Abstract: A method is provided for removing moisture and improving the handling and storage characteristics or low-rank coal by demoisturizing the coal and rendering the coal surfaces hydrophobic, separating the fines and agglomerating the fines in a slurry.

Abstract: A finely-divided carbonaceous material is dewatered and reconstituted in a combined process by adding a binding agent directly into slurry of finely divided material and dewatering the material to form a cake or consolidated piece which can be hardened by drying at ambient or elevated temperatures. Alternatively, the binder often in the form of a crusting agent is sprayed onto the surface of a moist cake prior to curing.