Abstract: A system for pre-conditioning of biomass for subsequent torrefaction of the biomass comprises a burner producing combustion gases. A feed screw unit has an inlet for receiving the biomass, an outlet for outletting the biomass, and a feed screw for displacing the biomass from the inlet to the outlet. A sleeve surrounds and is in heat exchange relation with at least part of the feed screw unit. A pneumatic circuit receives combustion gases from the burner, the pneumatic circuit connected to an inlet of the sleeve for directing combustion gases therein to heat the biomass by indirect contact via the heat exchange relation, the pneumatic circuit having a pipe section extending from the outlet of the feed screw unit to a torrefaction reactor with combustion gases flowing from the outlet of the sleeve to the torrefaction reactor to convey the biomass and the combustion gases to the torrefaction reactor.

Abstract: A system for pre-conditioning of biomass for subsequent torrefaction of the biomass comprises a burner producing combustion gases. A feed screw unit has an inlet for receiving the biomass, an outlet for outletting the biomass, and a feed screw for displacing the biomass from the inlet to the outlet. A sleeve surrounds and is in heat exchange relation with at least part of the feed screw unit. A pneumatic circuit receives combustion gases from the burner, the pneumatic circuit connected to an inlet of the sleeve for directing combustion gases therein to heat the biomass by indirect contact via the heat exchange relation, the pneumatic circuit having a pipe section extending from the outlet of the feed screw unit to a torrefaction reactor with combustion gases flowing from the outlet of the sleeve to the torrefacton reactor to convey the biomass and the combustion gases to the torrefaction reactor.

Abstract: A method for the torrefaction of biomass comprises receiving biomass having a given moisture content. The biomass is heated in a generally inert environment by indirect contact. The biomass is subsequently torrefied by exposing the biomass to a flow of combustion gases in the generally inert environment. The biomass is outlet with a reduced moisture content.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus comprises a casing defining an inner cavity with an upper cylindrical portion and a lower hopper portion. An inlet feeds gas and solids into the inner cavity and causes movement of the solids in a downward spiral path in the casing. A solids outlet at a bottom of the lower hopper portion outlets the solids from the casing. A gas outlet exhausts gases from the casing. An annular arrangement of ports in a wall of the casing injects an other gas in the inner cavity. The ports are oriented to guide the other gas into following a partially vertical path into the inner cavity to disrupt the movement of the solids in the downward spiral path to allow a capture of the solid particles by the capturing solids. A gas source is connected to the arrangement of ports.

Abstract: An apparatus for thermo-transformation of wood planks comprises a chamber delimited by upright perforated walls, a top wall and end walls and having a closable entry for receiving wood planks into the chamber. A shell surrounds the chamber and is spaced therefrom to define a first vertical plenum with the first perforated wall, a second vertical plenum with the second perforated wall, and a horizontal plenum with the top wall. A ventilation system is in fluid communication with the plenums to produce a flow of heated air in the plenums. Vanes are actuatable to close/open access to the vertical plenums, to allow heated air into at least one of the vertical plenums, through the chamber via the perforated walls, and out from at least the other of the vertical plenums, to return to the ventilation system. A method for the thermo-transformation of wood is also provided.

Abstract: A method for the torrefaction of biomass comprises receiving biomass having a given moisture content. The biomass is heated in a generally inert environment by indirect contact. The biomass is subsequently torrefied by exposing the biomass to a flow of combustion gases in the generally inert environment. The biomass is outlet with a reduced moisture content.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus measures wet-bulb temperature. The sensor apparatus comprises a casing. A measuring device comprises a sock at its probe end. A washing unit having a fluid outlet in the casing projects a fluid on the sock to remove residue and to humidify the sock. An actuator displaces the measuring device between a washing position and a measuring position. In the washing position, the sock is in register with the washing unit in the casing. In the measuring position, the measuring device has the sock out of the casing and away from the washing unit to measure an ambient wet-bulb temperature. A method for measuring a wet-bulb temperature is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for recuperating heat from a convection dryer comprises an exhaust air conduit having an exhaust inlet adapted to receive exhaust air from a convection dryer, and an exhaust outlet adapted to exhaust the exhaust air. An ambient air conduit has an ambient inlet adapted to receive ambient air, and an ambient outlet adapted to feed the ambient air toward a convection dryer. A heat exchanger unit has a first conduit portion within the exhaust air conduit and a second conduit portion within the ambient air conduit, the first conduit portion and the second conduit portion being arranged concurrently in a heat exchanger configuration for the ambient air to absorb heat from the exhaust air when passing therethrough. A filtering device is in the exhaust air conduit upstream of the heat exchanger unit for filtering airborne residue out of the exhaust air.

Abstract: An apparatus for thermo-transformation of wood planks comprises a chamber delimited by upright perforated walls, a top wall and end walls and having a closable entry for receiving wood planks into the chamber. A shell surrounds the chamber and is spaced therefrom to define a first vertical plenum with the first perforated wall, a second vertical plenum with the second perforated wall, and a horizontal plenum with the top wall. A ventilation system is in fluid communication with the plenums to produce a flow of heated air in the plenums. Vanes are actuatable to close/open access to the vertical plenums, to allow heated air into at least one of the vertical plenums, through the chamber via the perforated walls, and out from at least the other of the vertical plenums, to return to the ventilation system. A method for the thermo-transformation of wood is also provided.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus comprises a casing defining an inner cavity with an upper cylindrical portion and a lower hopper portion. An inlet feeds gas and solids into the inner cavity and causes movement of the solids in a downward spiral path in the casing. A solids outlet at a bottom of the lower hopper portion outlets the solids from the casing. A gas outlet exhausts gases from the casing. An annular arrangement of ports in a wall of the casing injects an other gas in the inner cavity. The ports are oriented to guide the other gas into following a partially vertical path into the inner cavity to disrupt the movement of the solids in the downward spiral path to allow a capture of the solid particles by the capturing solids. A gas source is connected to the arrangement of ports.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus comprises a casing defining an inner cavity with an upper cylindrical portion and a lower hopper portion. An inlet feeds gas and solids into the inner cavity and causes movement of the solids in a downward spiral path in the casing. A solids outlet at a bottom of the lower hopper portion outlets the solids from the casing. A gas outlet exhausts gases from the casing. An annular arrangement of ports in a wall of the lower hopper portion of the casing injects an other gas in the inner cavity. The ports are oriented to guide the other gas into following a partially vertical path into the inner cavity to disrupt the movement of the solids in the downward spiral path to allow a capture of the solid particles by the capturing solids. A gas source is connected to the arrangement of ports.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus measures wet-bulb temperature. The sensor apparatus comprises a casing. A measuring device comprises a sock at its probe end. A washing unit having a fluid outlet in the casing projects a fluid on the sock to remove residue and to humidify the sock. An actuator displaces the measuring device between a washing position and a measuring position. In the washing position, the sock is in register with the washing unit in the casing. In the measuring position, the measuring device has the sock out of the casing and away from the washing unit to measure an ambient wet-bulb temperature. A method for measuring a wet-bulb temperature is also provided.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus comprises a casing defining an inner cavity with an upper cylindrical portion and a lower hopper portion. An inlet feeds gas and solids into the inner cavity and causes movement of the solids in a downward spiral path in the casing. A solids outlet at a bottom of the lower hopper portion outlets the solids from the casing. A gas outlet exhausts gases from the casing. An annular arrangement of ports in a wall of the lower hopper portion of the casing injects an other gas in the inner cavity. The ports are oriented to guide the other gas into following a partially vertical path into the inner cavity to disrupt the movement of the solids in the downward spiral path to allow a capture of the solid particles by the capturing solids. A gas source is connected to the arrangement of ports.

Abstract: A disk-brake pad device includes a carbon-carbon lining pad. The disk-brake pad device attaches the pad to the caliper. At least one pad-positioning surface of the caliper has merging therefrom at least one pad-actuating piston. A first plate element (1) of heat-insulating material, called a screen element, is located against the positioning surface. At least one second element (2) of heat-insulating material, called a spacer element, of adequate thickness, having reduced frontal contacts is located against the first element (1). A carbon-carbon lining pad (3) of high-temperature friction material is located against the second element (2). The first element (1) and/or the second element (2) acts to retain the lining pad (3) and to fix the first element and/or the second element to the caliper.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a clutch with structural friction plates, especially of carbon-carbon, comprising a drive flywheel, a first driving plate forming a first non-clutching interface with the flywheel, at least one pair of driven plates connected to an output shaft, and a driving plate being interposed between each pair of driven plates. A second driving plate and a thrust plate form a second non-clutching interface with the second driving plate. A casing has a mechanism operable to apply pressure to the thrust plate and is provided with bars fitted into radial recesses of the driving plates and being fixed to the flywheel. A packing-up device eliminates the play at at least one of the non-clutching interfaces and the device presses the driving plate against the adjacent part.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disc brake for an automobile including a disc comprising an outer part made of carbon/carbon mounted to slide axially on an inner part fixed to a stub axle. Pads, configured as rings coaxial to the disc, define braking surfaces which totally cover the axial faces of the outer part. The pads, also preferably formed of carbon/carbon, are mounted in a pad support in the form of a cage thermally protected from the pads by radiators. Jacks are interposed between an annular shield of the pad support and one of the pads to shift the pad relative to the disc.

Abstract: The present invention concern a clutch with structural friction plates, especially of carbon-carbon, comprised of a drive flywheel, a first driving plate forming a first non-clutching interface with the flywheel, at least one driven plate connected to an output shaft, a driving plate interposed between each pair of driven plates, a second driving plate, a thrust plate forming a second non-clutching interface with the second driving plate, and a casing. A mechanism is operable to apply pressure to the thrust plate and is provided with bars fitted into radial recesses of the driving plates and is fixed to the flywheel. The mechanism includes a "progressive" device interposed in at least one of the non-clutching interfaces which urges the driving plate of the interface towards the adjacent driven plate and against an abutment.