Abstract: An integrated and sustainable process is presented for the co-generation of pig iron and electric energy in a blast furnace installation in which dried wood replaces charcoal as the fuel, as the reducing and as the carburizing agent. Furthermore, this application incorporates the process—until now independent—of transforming wood into coal, inside the blast furnace.

Abstract: Provided are a continuous drying apparatus and method. The apparatus includes a combustion chamber, a heat exchange chamber, a filter, a mixing chamber, and a drying chamber. Biomass to be dried is loaded into an upper end of the drying chamber and falls on a rotating plate at a bottom of the drying chamber. Heated gas from the combustion chamber is mixed with recycled gas output from the drying chamber, and with recycled gas output from the heat exchange chamber, is filtered and is directed to the mixing chamber. Gas circulates within the mixing chamber and is directed into a lower end of the drying chamber at a drying temperature. The biomass loaded into the drying chamber is dried by the gas, and is extracted off the rotating plate.

Abstract: Provided are a continuous drying apparatus and method. The apparatus includes a combustion chamber, a heat exchange chamber, a filter, a mixing chamber, and a drying chamber. Biomass to be dried is loaded into an upper end of the drying chamber and falls on a rotating plate at a bottom of the drying chamber. Heated gas from the combustion chamber is mixed with recycled gas output from the drying chamber, and with recycled gas output from the heat exchange chamber, is filtered and is directed to the mixing chamber. Gas circulates within the mixing chamber and is directed into a lower end of the drying chamber at a drying temperature. The biomass loaded into the drying chamber is dried by the gas, and is extracted off the rotating plate.