Abstract: A continuous process is described whereby particulate woody materials are carbonized in a fluidized bed to form solid and gaseous fuel. The process includes injecting particulate woody materials, on a continuous basis, into a fluidized bed of previously carbonized material. Off-gas from carbonization with entrained charcoal fines is continuously removed from above the bed, and coarse charcoal is continuously removed from the surface of the bed. If desired, a high ash, coarse fraction may also be continuously removed from immediately above the bed grid. The off-gas and entrained fine charcoal are separated in a cyclone system, and the charcoal fines with the coarse charcoal fraction from the bed surface are collected for use as solid fuel. Off-gas from the separator may be scrubbed, if desired, or utilized directly as an enriched gaseous fuel.

Abstract: A solid, low-sulfur, industrial fuel having a fuel value similar to bituminous coal, and a continuous process for producing the fuel from woody materials are presented. The process includes the step of initially predrying the materials if they are moist until the water content thereof is less than about 15%. The woody materials are then subjected to a limited carbonization. The materials are heated in a furnace or kiln until noticeable carbonization begins, and carbonization is permitted to continue until the fiberous structure of the materials disappears to thereby maximize production of solid fuel having a high content of volatile combustible matter. Subsequently, the solid fuel is cooled and conditioned against spontaneous combustion. The solid fuel may then be pulverized or compacted, and immediately used, stored, or transported. The process of this invention optionally may also produce a small quantity of gas having a fuel valve sufficiently high for use as burner fuel in the predryer.

Abstract: An improved process for producing solid fuel from woody materials, which fuel may be characterized as having a low and relatively nonabrasive ash, is described. The process includes the steps of carbonizing the woody materials to form charcoal; cooling, conditioning and stabilizing the charcoal; crushing the charcoal typically to a particle size that will pass through about a 16 mesh or finer screen, beneficating the crude crushed charcoal by separating, on the basis of density, a dense fraction which may constitute from about 5 to 25 or more weight percent of the crude charcoal; and subsequently milling the beneficated product, if desired, to form a powdered fuel, or for compacting to make barbeque briquettes.