Abstract: A biomass processing system produces charcoal briquettes in a closed loop system. The system includes a first and second torrefaction/drying augers drying green raw sawdust and providing the dried material to a carbonizing auger. Charcoal released from the carbonizing auger is formed into charcoal briquettes. Process gas created during the charcoal production is used to provide heat required by the process.

Abstract: A biomass processing system produces charcoal briquettes in a closed loop system. The system includes a first and second torrefaction/drying augers drying green raw sawdust and providing the dried material to a carbonizing auger. Charcoal released from the carbonizing auger is formed into charcoal briquettes. Process gas created during the charcoal production is used to provide heat required by the process.

Abstract: A locomotive diesel engine emissions control suite includes retarding fuel injection timing and heating the diesel fuel. Switch locomotives are now required to comply with USEPA emission standards under 40 CFR Part 1033 regulations. Retarding the fuel injection timing reduces peak temperatures during combustion which in turn reduces production of Nitrogen oxides (NOx) but also increases emissions of particulate matter (PM), Carbon Monoxide (CO), and Hydrocarbons (HC) in the exhaust. Unrelated efforts to reduce the smoke in diesel exhaust by pre-heating the diesel fuel showed an unexpected reduction in PM, CO, and HC. Such heating of the diesel fuel did not affect the reduction in NOx but reduced emissions of PM, CO, and HC to acceptable levels. Further experiments showed that two degrees of fuel injection retarding and fuel heated to 120 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit resulted in meeting the 40 CFR Part 1033 regulations.

Abstract: A bio oil pyrolysis and conditioning system produces a useful fuel oil. The pyrolysis system includes an auger carrying biomass feed material though an oxygen rare pyrolysis chamber. Vapor phase bio oil is collected at three locations along the length of the pyrolysis chamber and carried from the pyrolysis chamber to condensers and quenched by a water spray before release into the condensers. The water also serving as a solvent to reduce pH in the liquid phase raw bio oil. The raw bio oil is carried to a conditioning system where the raw bio oil resides in a separation tank where the water separates and is removed producing refined bio oil. Ethanol is mixed with the refined bio oil to provide the fuel oil.

Abstract: A biomass processing system produces a refined bio oil. The system includes a first auger carrying the biomass through a torrefaction/drying chamber to dry the biomass and a second auger carries biomass feed material though the torrefaction/drying chamber to produce vapor phase bio oil. The vapor phase bio oil is collected carried from the torrefaction/drying chamber to condensers and quenched by a water spray before release into the condensers. The water spray also serving as a solvent to reduce pH in the liquid phase raw bio oil. The raw bio oil is carried to a conditioning system where the raw bio oil resides in a separation tank where the water separates and is removed producing refined bio oil. Ethanol may be mixed with the refined bio oil to produce fuel oil or petroleum asphalt may be mixed with the refined bio to obtain a substitute for road asphalt.

Abstract: A bio oil pyrolysis and conditioning system produces a useful road asphalt. The pyrolysis system includes an auger carrying biomass feed material though an oxygen rare pyrolysis chamber. Vapor phase bio oil is collected at three locations along the length of the pyrolysis chamber and carried from the pyrolysis chamber to condensers and quenched by a water spray before release into the condensers. The water also serving as a solvent to reduce pH in the liquid phase raw bio oil. The raw bio oil is carried to a conditioning system where the raw bio oil resides in a separation tank where the water separates and is removed producing refined bio oil. The refined bio oil is mixed with an equal or greater amount of petroleum asphalt to obtain a substitute for road asphalt.

Abstract: A tug boat diesel engine emissions control suite includes modified fuel injectors including a fuel injection timing retard feature, and diesel fuel heating. Tug boats are now required to comply with USEPA emission standards under 40 CFR Part 94 regulations. Retarding the fuel injection timing reduces peak temperatures during combustion which in turn reduces production of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) but also increases emissions of particulate matter (PM), Carbon Monoxide (CO), and Hydrocarbons (HC) in the exhaust. Heating the diesel fuel provides a reduction in increased PM, CO, and HC to acceptable levels. Experiments showed that a novel modification to a plunger in the fuel injectors providing up to six degrees of fuel injection timing retarding, and fuel heated to 120 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, resulted in meeting the 40 CFR Part 94 regulations.

Abstract: A locomotive diesel engine emissions control suite includes retarding fuel injection timing and heating the diesel fuel. Switch locomotives are now required to comply with USEPA emission standards under 40 CFR Part 1033 regulations. Retarding the fuel injection timing reduces peak temperatures during combustion which in turn reduces production of Nitrogen oxides (NOx) but also increases emissions of particulate matter (PM), Carbon Monoxide (CO), and Hydrocarbons (HC) in the exhaust. Unrelated efforts to reduce the smoke in diesel exhaust by pre-heating the diesel fuel showed an unexpected reduction in PM, CO, and HC. Such heating of the diesel fuel did not affect the reduction in NOx but reduced emissions of PM, CO, and HC to acceptable levels. Further experiments showed that two degrees of fuel injection retarding and fuel heated to 120 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit resulted in meeting the 40 CFR Part 1033 regulations.

Abstract: A biodiesel generation system incorporates acid esterification through a hydro-cavitation based nano reactor. A feed material is a mixture of approximately 30 percent Palm Fatty Acid Distillate (PFAD) mixed with Para Toluene Sulfonic Acid (PTSA) as an acid catalyst and methanol as a reagent. The PFAD is approximately 90 percent Free Fatty Acid (FFA) resulting in the feed material being approximately 27 percent FFA. The acid catalyst in the feed material facilitates an esterification process to produce biodiesel. The feed material is pumped through the hydro-cavitation based nano reactor and forced through a nano orifice where, by a phenomenon of hydro cavitation, collapsing nano liquid molecules can generate instantaneous temperatures of 1000 degrees centigrade resulting in quick reaction taking place at the surface of collapsing nano molecules. Partially reacted feed material may be recycled through the nano reactor several times to complete the reaction.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for rapid production of biodiesel fuel. The apparatus includes a packed column followed by a high pressure kinetic reactor. A homogeneous stream of feed oil (vegetable oil or animal fat), methanol, and a catalyst is metered, mixed, fed into a packed column, and finally into the high pressure kinetic reactor where the conversion into biodiesel fuel is completed. The packed column is packed with rings (either Raschig rings or pall rings or equivalent). The homogeneous stream enters from the bottom with rings kept in a fluidized bed state to allow greatest surface area for reaction to take place. Approximately 40 to 70 percent reaction is typically achieved in the packed column. The high pressure kinetic reactor receives the partially reacted homogeneous stream and breaks fluid molecules into nano molecules with very high instantaneous temperatures and availability of large surface areas which allow complete reaction without external heat.