Abstract: A chain flail debarking apparatus including a flail chamber accommodating at least first and second rotatable flail shafts being supported on a movable flail assembly framework, and both of the first and second rotatable flail shafts having a plurality of chains, a disc chipper for receiving the debarked logs and trees from the flail chamber and generating wood chips having a desired shape and size, and a single drive for driving both the disc chipper and at least the first and second rotatable flail shafts in the flail chamber.

Abstract: A portable grinding/shredding/chipping system with a drive track assembly which is manipulatable to facilitate altering the orientation of the portable grinding/shredding/chipping system. This arrangement results in improved loading and processing, of both long and short materials, as well as facilitates connection of a transport dolly and a transport truck/tractor without requiring any additional lifting mechanism. A pivotable housing provides greater access to the rotor and has an over-center arrangement which prevents the pivotable housing from inadvertently moving or pivoting back into engagement with the rotor. The portable grinding/shredding/chipping system is provided with a belt drive assembly which facilitates modification of the rotational speed of the rotor by merely replacing a sheave of the belt drive assembly. Lastly, both head and tail pulleys are driven by a respective motor so that a catinary of the discharge conveyor is radiussed which shortens an axial length of the system.

Abstract: A combustion/pyrolization system comprising a combustion/pyrolization chamber supported by the base frame, and a perforated grate forms a bottom surface of the combustion/pyrolization chamber and facilitates passage of char and boichar therethrough. The combustion/pyrolization chamber is open along at a top and an air manifold supplies a first source of combustion air across the top of the combustion/pyrolization chamber to form an air curtain. A char collection/transfer chamber is located below the perforated grate for collecting at least the char and boichar that passes therethrough, and a conveying mechanism transfers the char and boichar out of the combustion/pyrolization system for collection and use. An air plenum chamber cools the char collection/transfer chamber such that the supplied secondary air becomes heated, and the heated secondary air flows into the char collection/transfer chamber and through the perforated grate into the combustion/pyrolization chamber to provide secondary combustion air.

Abstract: A combustion/carbonizing system which comprises a base frame and a combustion chamber frame which is pivotably attached to the base frame. The combustion chamber frame defines an open top combustion chamber having a bottom perforated plate. A plenum is formed below the perforated plate for collecting biochar which passes therethrough. A first source of combustion air is supplied across the top of the combustion chamber while a second source of combustion air passes through the perforated plate into the combustion chamber. The combustion/carbonizing system is capable of operating in a continuous manner for combustion wood or waste material to the desired degree required by the end user for the purpose of reducing the volume of the material as well as the associated emissions while generating valuable char and boichar as an end product. For some applications, the combustion/carbonizing system may be operated to combust completely the wood or waste material.

Abstract: A plunger assembly for mounting adjacent to a vertical opening of a debarking chain flail apparatus. The plunger assembly comprises first and second opposed mounting members which are securable to an undersurface thereof, and each one of mounting members defines a generally C-shaped recess. First and second plunger rails are interconnected via a plunger body, and the plunger body comprising opposed left side and right side plunging side surfaces. The first plunger rail is captively received within and guided by the first mounting frame while the second plunger rail is captively received within and guided by the second mounting frame. A first hydraulic cylinder interconnects the first mounting frame with the first plunger rail while a second hydraulic cylinder interconnects the second mounting frame with the second plunger rail to facilitate plunging in two opposed directions. The mounting frame may be mounted to the apparatus by a pair of plunger cradle and associated cradle hydraulic cylinders.

Abstract: A chip discharge chute having a flexible chute main section having an upstream end connectable from a chipping machine output, a main section elevation mechanism connected to the downstream end of the chute main section for controlling a height of the downstream end of the flexible main section with respect to a chip receiving area, and a chute deflector section pivotably connected to the downstream end of the flexible main section for receiving chips from the downstream end of the chute main section and a downstream end with a downwardly directed ejection opening for discharging chips into the chip receiving area.

Abstract: A chip discharge chute having a flexible chute main section having an upstream end connectable from a chipping machine output, a main section elevation mechanism connected to the downstream end of the chute main section for controlling a height of the downstream end of the flexible main section with respect to a chip receiving area, and a chute deflector section pivotably connected to the downstream end of the flexible main section for receiving chips from the downstream end of the chute main section and a downstream end with a downwardly directed ejection opening for discharging chips into the chip receiving area.

Abstract: A material reducing apparatus comprising a feed conveyor, for conveying material to be reduced, and a feed roller cooperating with the feed conveyor. An upwardly rotatable rotor carrying a plurality of strikers which facilitate reduction of the material to be reduced and an anvil cooperating with the plurality of strikers to facilitate further reduction of the material to be reduced. A grate assembly, located adjacent an arcuate path of the rotor, which permits sufficiently reduced material to pass therethrough. The material reducing apparatus further includes a failsafe system which comprising an accelerometer supported by the rotor and coupled to a control system such that the accelerometer, upon detection of the rotor contacting a hard material, sends a signal to the control system. If the signal indicates a sufficiently large material, the control system reverses a rotational direction of the feed roller so that the feed roll rotates to withdraw the hard material from contact with the rotor.

Abstract: A material reducing apparatus comprising a feed conveyor, for conveying material to be reduced, and a feed roller cooperating with the feed conveyor. An upwardly rotatable rotor carrying a plurality of strikers which facilitate reduction of the material to be reduced and an anvil cooperating with the plurality of strikers to facilitate further reduction of the material to be reduced. A grate assembly, located adjacent an arcuate path of the rotor, which permits sufficiently reduced material to pass therethrough. The material reducing apparatus further includes a failsafe system which comprising an accelerometer supported by the rotor and coupled to a control system such that the accelerometer, upon detection of the rotor contacting a hard material, sends a signal to the control system. If the signal indicates a sufficiently large material, the control system reverses a rotational direction of the feed roller so that the feed roll rotates to withdraw the hard material from contact with the rotor.

Abstract: A comminuting striker assembly for mounting on a rotor of a comminuting apparatus comprising: a striker having first and second opposed faces, the first face defining at least one cutting edge, and a striker retainer, the striker and striker retainer defining cooperating primary support surfaces and cooperating alignment components.

Abstract: A material drying apparatus for substantially eliminating the liquid content of a sludge, the apparatus including a first stage operating at ambient pressure for heating the sludge; a second stage operating with partial vacuum for receiving heated sludge from the first stage for further heating and for drying the sludge by evaporation of substantially all liquid therefrom leaving a dry particulate material; and an evacuated cyclonic stage for applying sufficient centrifugal force to the dry particulate material to render this material odorless.

Abstract: A comminuting striker assembly for mounting on a rotor of a comminuting apparatus comprising: a striker having first and second opposed faces, the first face defining at least one cutting edge, and a striker retainer, the striker and striker retainer defining cooperating primary support surfaces and cooperating alignment components.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of, and methods to obtain, ion exchanger complexes with psychotropic drugs for reducing toxic side effects and lethality when overdosing the drug. The invention includes methods and compositions for modifying the total amount of drug released from the complex in the gastro-intestinal tract by adding a substance which affects the ion exchange process. The additional substance may be a salt which generates an ion with higher or similar affinity to the ion exchanger when compared to the drug. The additional substance may be a counter ion in an additional complex with an ion exchanger.