Abstract: The present invention does not require a demanganese agent such as a sulfide or a combustible gas in the removal of manganese of cast iron. The method for removing manganese of cast iron according to the present invention is implemented by performing the removal of a manganese component by allowing a furnace to be in an oxygen atmosphere, and by blowing air into a molten cast iron in the furnace, while a carbon component in the molten cast iron is being maintained at an approximately constant amount. Alternatively, the method for removing manganese of cast iron according to the present invention is implemented by performing the removal of the manganese component by allowing the furnace to be in an oxygen atmosphere and by stirring the molten cast iron in the furnace, while the carbon component in the molten cast iron is being maintained at an approximately constant amount.

Abstract: A solidified biomass consisting of semi-carbonized or pre-semi-carbonized solid matter is pressure-formed from raw biomass material while being heated under a substantially sealed-up condition to allow hemicellulose among the main components of the raw biomass material, i.e. lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose, to be thermally decomposed and to allow a low-temperature reaction to occur between the cellulose and lignin while maintaining their skeletons. The pre-semi-carbonized solid matter or semi-carbonized solid matter has a maximum compressive strength of 60-200 MPa and calorific value of 18-23 MJ/kg.

Abstract: There is provided a method for obtaining a pure melt in which the impurities Mn, Al, Ti, Pb, Zn, and B are removed from molten cast iron and depletion of useful C and Si is suppressed, the method wherein an excess oxygen flame having a theoretical combustion ratio of fuel and oxygen (amount of oxygen (volume)×5/amount of fuel (volume)) of 1 to 1.5 is directly exposed to the surface of pre-melted molten cast iron, the temperature of the molten cast iron is held at 1250° C. or more and less than 1500° C. while the melt surface is superheated and an acidic slag is brought into contact with the melt, and an oxygen-containing gas is injected into the interior of the molten cast iron.

Abstract: A biocoke producing apparatus has a reaction vessel that has a preset temperature range and pressure range for, without carbonizing of the pulverized biomass, inducing a pyrolytic or thermal curing reaction of lignin and hemicellulose thereof. The reaction vessel has a pressurization device for pressurizing to the pressure range, a heating device for heating to the temperature range in the state of the pressurization and a cooling device for cooling after maintaining of the above state. Multiple reaction vessels are provided. A pulverization delivery conveyor is provided superior to these reaction vessels, and each of the multiple reaction vessels is connected via a connection tube to the conveyor. The connection tube is provided with a pulverizate charging device for charging a given amount of pulverized biomass in accordance with a timing of pulverizate charging to the reaction vessels.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for producing biocoke usable as a substitute fuel for coal coke from biomass as a raw material. The apparatus comprises pulverizing means for pulverizing a biomass raw material attributed to photosynthesis; heating means for heating to the temperature range in which the hemicellulose of the pulverized biomass raw material is pyrolyzed so as to exhibit bonding effects; pressurization means for, in the state of the heating, pressurizing to the pressure range in which the lignin of the pulverized biomass exhibits a thermal curing reaction and maintaining the pressure; and cooling means for cooling after maintaining the state of the pressurization. The apparatus further comprises temperature detecting means provided at the exit end of the region being heated by the heating means and regulation means for judging a reaction terminal point in accordance with the result of the temperature detection and regulating the timing for transfer from heating to cooling.

Abstract: A method of producing biocokes in which pulverized biomass is fed and pressed in a reaction container is provided, wherein the pulverized biomass in a substantially-packed state is pressure-formed while being heated in a temperature range and a pressure range to obtain a semi-carbonized solid matter or pre-semi-carbonized solid matter and then cooled to produce biocoke. The method may includes a filling step; a reaction step; heating the pulverized biomass by means of a heating device to the temperature range and keeping such state for a prescribed period of time to form a shaped matter of the pulverized biomass in the reaction container, and then cooling the shaped matter by switching from the heating device to a cooling device; and an ejecting step.

Abstract: A solidified biomass consisting of semi-carbonized or pre-semi-carbonized solid matter is pressure-formed from raw biomass material while being heated and has a maximum compressive strength of 60-200 MPa and calorific value of 18-23 MJ/kg. A method for producing the solidified biomass: includes crushing raw biomass material; loading a barrel with the crushed raw biomass material; inserting a pressure applying piston into a hollow of the barrel; pressure-forming the crushed raw biomass materials by applying pressure with the pressure applying piston while heating the material; obtaining semi-carbonized or pre-semi-carbonized solid matter by retaining constant time of the heating and the pressurizing; cooling the semi-carbonized or pre-semi-carbonized solid matter while maintaining pressure to obtain a cooled solid; and taking out and drying the cooled solid, wherein the pressure applying piston and the hollow of the barrel have very small clearance between their outer and inner peripheries.