Abstract: Certain disclosed pellets, briquettes, and other compacted products contain multiple components and have a composition tailored to meet specific requirements for a given application. Frequently, at least one of the components is a biomass component. The compacted biomass products can be used in various applications including power generation, animal bedding, and waste absorbent. One particular embodiment involves using compacted body or mass as a fuel supplement or fuel replacement for coal or other fossil fuel(s) in co-firing power plants. Other specific applications include bedding for various animals including fowl, horses, and rabbits. Another application comprises pelletized absorbents such as cat litter for absorbing liquid and/or solid waste products.

Abstract: Certain disclosed pellets, briquettes, and other compacted products contain multiple components and have a composition tailored to meet specific requirements for a given application. Frequently, at least one of the components is a biomass component. The compacted biomass products can be used in various applications including power generation, animal bedding, and waste absorbent. One particular embodiment involves using compacted body or mass as a fuel supplement or fuel replacement for coal or other fossil fuel(s) in co-firing power plants. Other specific applications include bedding for various animals including fowl, horses, and rabbits. Another application comprises pelletized absorbents such as cat litter for absorbing liquid and/or solid waste products.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite fire product comprising mixing materials, that include wax, at least one dry material and at least one non-dry material with a moisture content of at least 15%, blending and heating the mixed materials, compressing and heating the blended mixture, the compression pressure being at least 500 psi and the temperature being at least 100 F, and extruding the compressed mixture to form the composite fire product.

Abstract: The invention relates to the provision of an article which includes a quantity of defibrillated cellulose fibres, in which, in certain embodiments, the fibres can be used to form substantially the entire article by the cellulose fibres acting as self bonding agents such as for example in the formation of heating briquettes which can be ignited to create a heating and/or flame effect. In another embodiment, a plastics material can be incorporated into the article with the cellulose fibres acting as a matrix in which the plastics material is held.

Abstract: An artificial firelog and firestarter chip producing apparatus comprising a cutting assembly, a compression conveyor auger assembly and a die. The apparatus converts standard waxed corrugated cardboard boxes into artificial firelogs by first slicing cardboard sheets into cardboard strips, then chopping the cardboard strips into cardboard segments in the cutting assembly. The cardboard segments are compressed and in the compression conveyor auger assembly and extruded in the die to form generally circular, longitudinally-shaped sections of a firelog. Firestarter chips are fabricated by the cutting assembly, which slices cardboard sheets in conjunction with paper sheets into cardboard and paper strips, then chopping the cardboard strips into cardboard segments and the paper strips into paper mix.

Abstract: A synthetic firelog is made from substantially 100% leaves mixed with a binder. Preferably, the synthetic firelog is comprised of a base material that is substantially 100% tree leaves. The leaves may be from any of a variety of trees, including, but not limited to, oak, maple, poplar, or birch trees, or mixtures thereof. Most preferably, the leaves consist primarily of oak tree leaves. However, it will be appreciated that numerous varieties of tree leaves, and mixtures thereof, may be used. The binder is a wax material, preferably paraffin wax. A method for making the synthetic firelog is disclosed.

Abstract: An artificial firelog and firestarter chip producing apparatus comprising a cutting assembly, a compression conveyor auger assembly and a die. The apparatus converts standard waxed corrugated cardboard boxes into artificial firelogs by first slicing cardboard sheets into cardboard strips, then chopping the cardboard strips into cardboard segments in the cutting assembly. The cardboard segments are horizontally disposed between the rifling and compressed in the compression conveyor auger assembly and extruded in the die to form generally horizontally disposed, circular, longitudinally-shaped sections of a firelog. Firestarter chips are fabricated by the cutting assembly, which slices waxed cardboard sheets in conjunction with paper sheets into waxed cardboard and paper strips, then chopping the waxed cardboard strips into waxed cardboard segments and the paper strips into paper segments and waxed cardboard segments mix.

Abstract: A mixture includes paraffin wax and a thickening agent, the thickening agent being pseudoplastic above the melting point of the paraffin wax. The paraffin wax ideally makes up 50-99% w of the mixture, and the thickening agent 1-40% w of the mixture. The thickening agent includes diatomaceous earth. The mixture may include abrasive material, fibrous particles, and talc to affect its texture when applied to an article. Also disclosed is a synthetic log of combustible material including wood waste and a hydrocarbon (such as paraffin wax), and a coating applied in a state of low viscosity so as to partially or wholly cover the surface of the log, which then sets. This coating is ideally the mixture defined above. The log may be wrapped in a sleeve which features a transparent window, so the coating can be viewed, especially if the coating is only applied to part of the log's surface.

Abstract: An artificial firelog and firestarter chip producing apparatus comprising a cutting assembly, a compression conveyor auger assembly and a die. The apparatus converts standard waxed corrugated cardboard boxes into artificial firelogs by first slicing cardboard sheets into cardboard strips, then chopping the cardboard strips into cardboard segments in the cutting assembly. The cardboard segments are compressed and in the compression conveyor auger assembly and extruded in the die to form generally circular, longitudinally-shaped sections of a firelog. Firestarter chips are fabricated by the cutting assembly, which slices cardboard sheets in conjunction with paper sheets into cardboard and paper strips, then chopping the cardboard strips into cardboard segments and the paper strips into paper mix.

Abstract: An artificial firelog and firestarter chip producing apparatus comprising a cutting assembly, a compression conveyor auger assembly and a die. The apparatus converts standard waxed corrugated cardboard boxes into artificial firelogs by first slicing cardboard sheets into cardboard strips, then chopping the cardboard strips into cardboard segments in the cutting assembly. The cardboard segments are horizontally disposed between the rifling and compressed in the compression conveyor auger assembly and extruded in the die to form generally horizontally disposed, circular, longitudinally-shaped sections of a firelog. Firestarter chips are fabricated by the cutting assembly, which slices waxed cardboard sheets in conjunction with paper sheets into waxed cardboard and paper strips, then chopping the waxed cardboard strips into waxed cardboard segments and the paper strips into paper segments and waxed cardboard segments mix.

Abstract: A low cost and an environmentally-friendly synthetic firelog is made by mixing specially processed waxed-cardboard or other wax coated papers of varying proportions with a binder/fuel. The binder/fuel consists of a petroleum wax or a mixture of waxes, the nature and extent of which is suitably modified by in situ admixture with the paraffin wax already present in the waxed-cardboard. Sawdust or other wood fillers may also be added. Upon thorough incorporation of the materials, the resulting mixture is extruded, molded, compressed, or otherwise formed, such that the resulting mass is sufficiently solid to hold its shape at normal room temperature.

Abstract: A solid burnable fuel composition which contains a major proportion of spent dried coffee grounds is described. The fuel composition includes at least 50% dried spent coffee grounds and a combustible wax which are mixed together and compressed into a suitable shape for combustion. The fuel composition may further include a small amount, 10% or less, of a coking agent useful to control burn rate and to prevent cracking of compressed fuel during combustion. Small amounts of cellulosic material may also be incorporated to improve the structural properties of the composition. Due to its superior heat and flame production, dried spent coffee grounds are an excellent fuel source for processed fuel products such as fire-logs and fuel pellets. The advantage is a hotter, cleaner burn which produces less soot and smoke, releases fewer harmful pollutants and provides a brighter flame over a longer period of time.

Abstract: A firestarting device and a method of making the same is provided. The firestarting device includes an ignition ring formed from a mass of combustible material and having a predetermined thickness. The ignition ring defines an aperture therethrough having a width greater than the thickness of the ignition ring. A support structure formed from the mass of combustible material supports the ignition ring above a supporting surface. It is contemplated that the combustible material be formed from a combination of wax and combustible particles. The wax having a melting point in the range of 136.degree. Fahrenheit to 166.degree. Fahrenheit and the wood particles being finer than 55 mesh.

Abstract: An artificial firelog which contain 2% to about 6%.sub.w coriander seed added to create a crackling sound that mimics the sounds produced during the burning of natural logs. The random crackling sound continues for approximately the same time period as observed with the burning of natural wood firelogs and has an amplitude and frequency of crackling sound that mimics burning natural wood logs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid burnable fuel composition which contains a major proportion of spent dried coffee grounds for forming into high density pellets, synthetic fire-logs and fire kindling products. A homogeneous mixture of at least 50% coffee, with 30% or less by weight of a combustible binder is compressed and extruded in the form of fire-logs. A pellet fuel comprising entirely coffee provides a higher energy fuel source than prior art fuel sources. Coffee has a higher calorific value than hardwood, providing an efficient fuel material requiring less combustible binder, such as wax, than prior art fire-logs, and offering a higher energy value pellet than wood without added binder.

Abstract: Solid combustible agent for disaggregating soot and tarry deposits in chimney flues, said agent comprising an aggregate of cellulosic particulate material, chemical and/or catalytic soot disaggregating agent and binder. This agent is preferably used alone, i.e. in the substantial absence of an already ignited fire, when combusted to treat the flue.

Abstract: In order to provide a block (1) of solid fuel material which has good burning time, good flame form and a clean flame, the block (1) is comprised of a mixture of solid particulate, cellulosic, organic combustible material, and stearic or palmitic acid together with, optionally, one or more fatty acids or esters. The mixture has a density of from 0.94 to 1.01 gm/cc. The block (1) has a slit (2) extending longitudinally of the block. The slot (2) communicates with a space (3). Combustible gases collect in the space (3) and form a flame at the mouth of the slit (2).

Abstract: A wax-based brick such as a wax and sawdust brick for starting fires in fireplaces and the like is shaped to reduce the area of contact between adjacent bricks in a stack to make the bricks easy to separate from the stack even when the wax has slightly melted. The bricks may have a central cross-section which is octagonal, hexagonal, trapezoidal, or generally rectangular with convex or concave upper and lower walls. The end portions of the bricks have generally rectangular cross-sections to facilitate stacking.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for manufacturing solid fuel which includes the steps of mixing a biomass, a heavy hydrocarbon and a sorbent to form a hydrocarbon-biomass slurry, the biomass being characterized by a particle size and distribution of about 50% between about 250-2000 .mu.m and about 50% less than about 250 .mu.m, and more preferably as follows:______________________________________ distribution particle size ______________________________________ 10-20% 1250-2000 .mu.m 10-20% 500-1250 .mu.m 10-20% 250-500 .mu.m balance .ltoreq.250 .mu.m ______________________________________compacting the slurry to form a solid fuel agglomerate; and baking the agglomerate so as to form a solid fuel briquette having a resistance to compression of at least about 22 kg/cm.sup.2. The mixing step includes the step of mixing the biomass, hydrocarbon and sorbent in the following proportions, by weight: ______________________________________ biomass 50-70%; hydrocarbon 30-45%; and sorbent 5-10%.

Abstract: A method for making artificial fireplace logs includes the initial step of mixing a quantity of grass clippings and leaves with a quantity of wood chips and sawdust to form a mixture. A liquid binder is then added to the mixture until the binder coats the mixture. The coated mixture is then compressed in a mold to form a compacted mass. Once the mass has solidified, it is removed from the mold. Preferably, the proportion of grass clippings and leaves is in a range of 60%-80% by weight of the total weight of all materials of the compacted mass.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for manufacturing solid fuel which includes the steps of mixing a biomass, a heavy hydrocarbon and a sorbent to form a hydrocarbon-biomass slurry, the biomass being characterized by a particle size and distribution of about 50% between about 250-2000 .mu.m and about 50% less than about 250 .mu.m, and more preferably as follows:______________________________________ distribution particle size ______________________________________ 10-20% 1250-2000 .mu.m 10-20% 500-1250 .mu.m 10-20% 250-500 .mu.m balance .ltoreq.250 .mu.m ______________________________________compacting the slurry to form a solid fuel agglomerate; and baking the agglomerate so as to form a solid fuel briquette having a resistance to compression of at least about 22 kg/cm.sup.2. The mixing step includes the step of mixing the biomass, hydrocarbon and sorbent in the following proportions, by weight: ______________________________________ biomass 50-70%; hydrocarbon 30-45%; and sorbent 5-10%.

Abstract: Waste sludge that contains water, solids and oil, is mixed with a filter aid that has filter aid characteristics and a heating value of at least 1,000 Btu/lb. The admixture obtained is subjected to filtration yielding a high-Btu combustible material, useful as fuel. This combustible material, optionally after drying to remove water, is very suitable for use as fuel in a cement kiln.

Abstract: An improved fuel block of compressed combustible particles and a binder has a controlled burn rate preferably for use adjacent citrus fruit trees to prevent frost damage. The fuel block preferably has a cylindrical body and is formed with a longitudinally extending series of individual spaced depressions in the side surface of the body. The side surface of the fuel body is tightly wrapped with a combustible paper which forms air pockets with the side surface of the spaced depressions. These air pockets in combination with the paper, provide a series of alternating fast and slow burn layers which enable the body to burn in progressive layers instead of burning the entire body at the same time. An outer protective plastic wrapper protects the fuel body and wrapper paper from the weather until ready for use. A central hole is formed through the fuel body to assist in the initial lighting of the top surface of the body.