Abstract: A gripper assembly for a portable biochar kiln and system is disclosed. An example of a gripper includes an attachment for connecting to a loader, the attachment having a mating surface configured for engagement with the biochar kiln. The example gripper assembly also includes a substantially C-shaped claw having a first arm and a second arm. The example gripper assembly also includes a motor on the attachment. The motor operates to open and close the first and second arms in a pinch-and-release motion to grasp and release the biochar kiln. The motor further operates to rotate the first and second arms to tilt the biochar kiln for dumping operations. The motor further operates to raise and lower the first and second arms to raise and lower the biochar kiln relative to the ground for moving operations.

Abstract: An example managed biochar kiln includes drum walls, a drum floor, and a lid formed to be fitted to a top edge of the drum walls to close a top end of the drum walls and form a combustion chamber between the lid, the drum walls, and the drum floor. The example managed biochar kiln also includes a chimney stack attachable to the lid. The example managed biochar kiln also includes a valve on the lid operable by an electronic controller to vary airflow through the chimney and out of the lid.

Abstract: A controlled kiln and manufacturing system for biochar production, including control systems and subsystems. An example controlled kiln (100) includes a drum (200), a lid (120) and a floor (250) together forming a combustion chamber configured to contain feedstock for conversion into biochar. A catalytic converter (700) may be operatively coupled with an outlet of the kiln (100). A conversion process completion detection subsystem may be operative to issue notifications. An example biochar manufacturing system includes at least one of the controlled kilns (100), a feedstock filling station (1010, 1020, 1030) for providing feedstock to kiln 100, a firing line (1040) for receiving the kiln containing feedstock, a tipping station (1050) for receiving biochar from the kiln, a biochar sizing station, and an automated handler (800) configured to move the kiln between the feedstock filling station (1010, 1020, 1030), the firing line (1040) and the tipping station (1050).

Abstract: A controlled kiln and manufacturing system for biochar production includes control systems and subsystems. An example biochar kiln exhaust apparatus, includes a chimney configured for heating by pyrolysis and for exhausting smoke from the combustion chamber. The example biochar kiln exhaust apparatus also includes a plurality of exhaust inlet pipes configured to pass smoke from the combustion chamber to the chimney.

Abstract: An example flow regulation system for a biochar kiln includes an air inlet port of the biochar kiln. The example flow regulation system also includes a port cover coupled to the air inlet ports. The example flow regulation system also includes an external flow regulation assembly coupled with the port cover. The example flow regulation system also includes a controller operating the external flow regulation assembly based on monitoring conditions of the biochar kiln to open and close the air inlet port.

Abstract: A gripper assembly for a portable biochar kiln and system is disclosed. An example of a gripper includes an attachment for connecting to a loader, the attachment having a mating surface configured for engagement with the biochar kiln. The example gripper assembly also includes a substantially C-shaped claw having a first arm and a second arm. The example gripper assembly also includes a motor on the attachment. The motor operates to open and close the first and second arms in a pinch-and-release motion to grasp and release the biochar kiln. The motor further operates to rotate the first and second arms to tilt the biochar kiln for dumping operations. The motor further operates to raise and lower the first and second arms to raise and lower the biochar kiln relative to the ground for moving operations.

Abstract: An example exhaust system for a biochar kiln includes a chimney of the biochar kiln. The example exhaust system for a biochar kiln also includes a first forced air inlet on the chimney to draw smoke through the chimney during a preheating stage to prime the chimney. The example exhaust system for a biochar kiln also includes a second forced air inlet operatively coupled with the chimney. The second forced air inlet activated to increase airflow when air naturally occurring in a smoke stream in the chimney is insufficient, the second forced air inlet deactivated when there is sufficient air.

Abstract: An example exhaust system for a biochar kiln includes a chimney of the biochar kiln. The example exhaust system for a biochar kiln also includes a first forced air inlet on the chimney to draw smoke through the chimney during a preheating stage to prime the chimney. The example exhaust system for a biochar kiln also includes a second forced air inlet operatively coupled with the chimney. The second forced air inlet activated to increase airflow when air naturally occurring in a smoke stream in the chimney is insufficient, the second forced air inlet deactivated when there is sufficient air.

Abstract: An example exhaust system for a biochar kiln includes a chimney of the biochar kiln. The example exhaust system for a biochar kiln also includes a first forced air inlet on the chimney to draw smoke through the chimney during a preheating stage to prime the chimney. The example exhaust system for a biochar kiln also includes a second forced air inlet operatively coupled with the chimney. The second forced air inlet activated to increase airflow when air naturally occurring in a smoke stream in the chimney is insufficient, the second forced air inlet deactivated when there is sufficient air.

Abstract: An example managed biochar kiln includes drum walls, a drum floor, and a lid formed to be fitted to a top edge of the drum walls to close a top end of the drum walls and form a combustion chamber between the lid, the drum walls, and the drum floor. The example managed biochar kiln also includes a chimney stack attachable to the lid. The example managed biochar kiln also includes a valve on the lid operable by an electronic controller to vary airflow through the chimney and out of the lid.

Abstract: An example flow regulation system for a biochar kiln includes an air inlet port of the biochar kiln. The example flow regulation system also includes a port cover coupled to the air inlet ports. The example flow regulation system also includes an external flow regulation assembly coupled with the port cover. The example flow regulation system also includes a controller operating the external flow regulation assembly based on monitoring conditions of the biochar kiln to open and close the air inlet port.

Abstract: An example heat recovery apparatus includes a chimney configured to exhaust air and smoke from a biochar kiln combustion chamber. The example heat recovery apparatus also includes a heat exchanger configured to recover heat from the chimney and provide the heat to a secondary application.

Abstract: A controlled kiln and manufacturing system for biochar production includes control systems and subsystems. An example biochar kiln exhaust apparatus, includes a chimney configured for heating by pyrolysis and for exhausting smoke from the combustion chamber. The example biochar kiln exhaust apparatus also includes a plurality of exhaust inlet pipes configured to pass smoke from the combustion chamber to the chimney.

Abstract: A controlled kiln and manufacturing system for biochar production includes control systems and subsystems. An example biochar kiln exhaust apparatus, includes a chimney configured for heating by pyrolysis and for exhausting smoke from the combustion chamber. The example biochar kiln exhaust apparatus also includes a plurality of exhaust inlet pipes configured to pass smoke from the combustion chamber to the chimney.

Abstract: A controlled kiln and manufacturing system for biochar production includes control systems and subsystems. An example controlled kiln (100) includes a drum (200), a lid (120) and a floor (250) together forming a combustion chamber configured to contain feedstock for conversion into biochar. A catalytic converter (700) may be operatively coupled with an outlet of the kiln (100). A monitor and control subsystem may be operative to issue notifications or automatically end biochar conversion. A ventilation and exhaust system including independently controllable air inlet ports (240), a chimney (300) and smoke inlet pipes (330) enables regulation of smoke flow from a combustion chamber of the kiln while a heat exchanger (1000) enables providing exhaust heat to one or more secondary applications.

Abstract: A controlled kiln and manufacturing system for biochar production, including control systems and subsystems. An example controlled kiln (100) includes a drum (200), a lid (120) and a floor (250) together forming a combustion chamber configured to contain feedstock for conversion into biochar. A catalytic converter (700) may be operatively coupled with an outlet of the kiln (100). A conversion process completion detection subsystem may be operative to issue notifications. An example biochar manufacturing system includes at least one of the controlled kilns (100), a feedstock filling station (1010, 1020, 1030) for providing feedstock to kiln 100, a firing line (1040) for receiving the kiln containing feedstock, a tipping station (1050) for receiving biochar from the kiln, a biochar sizing station, and an automated handler (800) configured to move the kiln between the feedstock filling station (1010, 1020, 1030), the firing line (1040) and the tipping station (1050).

Abstract: A controlled kiln and manufacturing system for biochar production includes control systems and subsystems. An example controlled kiln (100) includes a drum (200), a lid (120) and a floor (250) together forming a combustion chamber configured to contain feedstock for conversion into biochar. A catalytic converter (700) may be operatively coupled with an outlet of the kiln (100). A monitor and control subsystem may be operative to issue notifications or automatically end biochar conversion. A ventilation and exhaust system including independently controllable air inlet ports (240), a chimney (300) and smoke inlet pipes (330) enables regulation of smoke flow from a combustion chamber of the kiln while a heat exchanger (1000) enables providing exhaust heat to one or more secondary applications.

Abstract: A generator controller, in its various embodiments, displays genset fault messages, a genset elapsed time hour meter, service countdown reminder, monitors battery voltage changes over multiple periods of time to establish and display the “battery level,” uses the “battery level” to automatically start and stop the genset, and accepts multiple run requests from AC loads such as HVAC systems, and incorporates safety or other start inhibit features.

Abstract: A generator controller, in its various embodiments, displays genset fault messages, a genset elapsed time hour meter, service countdown reminder, monitors battery voltage changes over multiple periods of time to establish and display the “battery level,” uses the “battery level” to automatically start and stop the genset, and accepts multiple run requests from AC loads such as HVAC systems, and incorporates safety or other start inhibit features.

Abstract: A generator controller, in its various embodiments, displays genset fault messages, a genset elapsed time hour meter, service countdown reminder, monitors battery voltage changes over multiple periods of time to establish and display the “battery level,” uses the “battery level” to automatically start and stop the genset, and accepts multiple run requests from AC loads such as HVAC systems, and incorporates safety or other start inhibit features.