Abstract: A fuel pellet and a method of manufacturing a fuel pellet capable of burning in either a stoker or pulver furnace, comprising from about 0 to about 80% by weight of cellulosic material, from about 1% to about 50% by weight of densified thermoplastic material, and from about 0 to about 50% by weight of coal. The cellulosic material, densified thermoplastic material and coal are ground from about 80 Mesh to about 200 Mesh, and then blended into a mixture wherein the contents are evenly distributed throughout. Following the blending process, the mixture is forced through a pelletizer. As the pellets are removed from the pelletizer they are immediately cooled so that the densified thermoplastic particles do not melt. The resulting fuel pellets produce from about 10,000 BTU per pound to about 16,000 BTU per pound and leave an ash deposit of about 0 to about 6% by weight, and a sulfur dioxide output of about 0 to about 3% by weight.

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: A waste-derived fuel is prepared to have a particular chemical composition, including ash content, ash composition and fuel value, and physical properties as required by a particular fuel user or burning process. The fuel is prepared by collecting different waste materials, chemically analyzing each waste material, and then blending and mixing together several different waste materials in appropriate proportions to provide the desired chemical composition and fuel value. The fuel is prepared to have a homogenous, uniform, and constant composition over time. The fuel is suited for use by itself or mixed with conventional fuels to be burned as a primary fuel in the main burner of a cement kiln and pre-calciner. In that case, the fuel is preferably formulated to provide an ash composition that approximates the composition of normal cement raw material mix. The fuel can provide increased amounts of particular elements or compounds as required by the fuel user.

Abstract: A solid fuel briquet, such as a charcoal briquet for cooking, which displays selected ignition and burn characteristics over a variety of shapes and compositions, as well as a method for forming such a briquet, are provided. The briquet is defined by an ignition phase of less than about 18 minutes, preferably less than about 15 minutes and a burn phase of greater than about 35 minutes, preferably 40 minutes and most preferably 45 minutes, with respect to any desired briquet shape. The briquet is made by predensifying a coal portion of the briquet into pellets. The pellets are then blended with wood char and any other optional ingredients and compacted into briquets. The resulting briquet contains dense coal regions, surrounded by regions of char and any adjunct briquet ingredients.

Abstract: A combustible article consists of agglomerated wood chips and polyethylene/polypropylene material partially coated with paraffin. The polyethylene/polypropylene material acts as a fuel as well as a binder; the paraffin is provided to facilitate lighting. The composite fire log is produced by combining wood and polyethylene/polypropylene chips or shavings in a mixer; mixing to produce a substantially uniform aggregate and heating to a temperature below the melting point of the polyethylene/polypropylene material; pressing the hot mixture in a press to form a briquette or fire log of predetermined shape; and dipping the bottom of the resulting log in molten paraffin.

Abstract: This invention relates to a series of treatments, both physical and chemical, to plant biomass resulting in the production of ethanol, lignin, and a high protein animal feed supplement. In plants having a high silica content, a fourth product is obtained, silica/caustic oxide (silicates solution, waterglass.) Both the 5-Carbon and 6-Carbon sugars are fermented to ethanol using an existing closed-loop fermentation system employing a genetically engineered thermophilic bacteria developed by Agrol, Ltd. The lignin and absolute ethanol are mixed producing a high energy fuel.

Abstract: A method of preparing a high heating value fuel product having the steps of blending a hydrocarbon-containing material with a dried sewage sludge, mixing a monomeric polyalcohol to the blend of the hydrocarbon-containing material and the dried sewage sludge, introducing a pozzolanic agent to the mixture, and forming the mixture into a form suitable for handling. The hydrocarbon-containing material is a waste material having a heating value of greater than 7,000 BTU. The monomeric polyalcohol is a chemical selected from the group of triethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, and glycerine propylene glycol. The pozzolantc agent is either lime fly ash, kiln dust, or other lime-containing product.

Abstract: In the process, the wet sewage sludge originating from a preceding mechanical dewatering is mixed with brown coal, brown coal coke or their mixtures in a weight ratio of sewage sludge to brown coal or its mixtures with brown coal coke of 1:3 to 3:1 and subsequently compacted wet at moderate compaction pressures above 50 bar to dimensionally stable mouldings. The briquetted mouldings can then be fed to a power station boiler as an auxiliary fuel to a thermal utilization or utilized chemically in a pyrolysis or gasification process for the production of fuel gas or synthesis gas.

Abstract: A fuel pellet and a method of manufacturing a fuel pellet capable of burning in either a stoker or pulver furnace, comprising from about 0 to about 80% by weight of cellulosic material, from about 20% to about 50% by weight of densified thermoplastic material, and from about 0 to about 50% by weight of coal. The cellulosic material, densified thermoplastic material and coal are ground from about 80 Mesh to about 200 Mesh, and then blended into a mixture wherein the contents are evenly distributed throughout. Following the blending process, the mixture is forced through a pelletizer. As the pellets are removed from the pelletizer they are immediately cooled so that the densified thermoplastic particles do not melt. The resulting fuel pellets produce from about 10,000 BTU per pound to about 16,000 BTU per pound and leave an ash deposit from about 0 to about 6% by weight, and a sulfur dioxide output from about 0 to about 3% by weight.

Abstract: A refuse derived fuel (RDF) pellet having about 11% or more particulate calcium hydroxide which is utilized in a combustionable mixture. The pellets are used in a particulate fuel bring a mixture of 10% or more, on a heat equivalent basis, of the RDF pellet which contains calcium hydroxide as a binder, with 50% or more, on a heat equivalent basis, of a sulphur containing coal. Combustion of the mixture is effective to produce an effluent gas from the combustion zone having a reduced SO.sub.2 and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon content of effluent gas from similar combustion materials not containing the calcium hydroxide.

Abstract: Methods for producing a combustible fuel product from a biological sludge are provided. A removable bulking agent is mixed with the sludge and the mixture aerobically composted under conditions effective to substantially reduce the level of pathogenic microorganisms and provide a fuel product with a heating value of about 3,800 Btu/lb after removal of the bulking agent.

Abstract: A solid fuel containing a recycled residue from anaerobic fermentation or anaerobic digestion of an organic material. The solid fuel can also contain a volatile solid fossil fuel. The residue is preferably derived from an anaerobic digestion process of municipal solid waste, raw sewage sludge, biomass feedstock, industrial waste, agricultural waste or mixtures thereof. The volatile solid fossil fuel preferably contains a coal constituent of lignite, anthracite coal, meta-anthracite coal, bituminous coal and/or sub-bituminous coal. Regardless of whether the solid fuel contains only recycled residue or recycled residue bound with a volatile solid fossil fuel, the solid fuel can be formed into pellets or energy cubes.

Abstract: A method of forming organic charcoal briquets from a mix of quantities of discrete coconut charcoal particles, borax, pulverized limestone, binder starch and water as well as the fuel product produced thereby.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are described for processing waste into a clean fuel. The waste comprises organic and inorganic portions. A float tank is filed with a liquid, e.g., water, of a selected depth. The waste is introduced into the liquid and separates into its organic portion, which floats near the surface of the liquid, and into its inorganic portion, which falls towards the bottom of the tank. The liquid depth is selected to be sufficiently large to permit the separation of the organic and inorganic portions. Then the organic and inorganic portions are removed. Sufficient liquid is extracted from the separated organic portion to provide the clean fuel. The fuel, illustratively, is formed as pellets. In a further aspect of this invention, further liquid is added to the separated organic portion to form a mixture thereof, which is pulped to provide a slurry thereof of a relatively high moisture content. Liquid is extracted by mechanical means, e.g.

Abstract: A process for making fuel cubes from straw includes the steps of drying and cutting the straw, adding lime to the straw and applying ammonia to the straw. The straw is then placed in a densification machine or cuber where solid bricks are formed. The ammonia breaks down the natural crystalline lattice structure of the straw's cellulose thus allowing it to be compacted.

Abstract: A pelletized fuel is disclosed, made with cellulosic fiber and thermoplastic resin. Preferred embodiments of the pelletized fuel are adapted to be fed in admixture with coal, into conventional coal fired furnaces using conventional coal handling equipment. The preferred pelletized fuel has appropriate mass density and bulk density, and is shaped such that it maintains a generally uniform admixture with the coal during conventional handling, and, upon combustion, produces heat similar to that of coal, thereby minimizing the process adaptations required to convert a furnace from using a conventional coal fuel supply, to a fuel supply comprising a mixture of coal and the pelletized fuel. The invention comprehends methods of making the pelletized fuel, and methods of firing a furnace using the pelletized fuel.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for liquifying tires is shown including a plurality of tire modules (12) holding tires which are immersed in and preheated by a slurry located in a tank (22). After preheating, the tire module (12) and tires held thereon are removed from the preheat tank (22) and are immersed in a slurry located in a high temperature tank (28). The temperature of the slurry in the high temperature tank (28) is sufficient to liquify the tires. As the tires liquify, the slurry produced is retained in the high temperature tank (28) to immerse further tires and also overflows from the high temperature tank (28) to the preheat tank (22) and then to a storage tank (36). The slurry from the storage tank (36) can be pumped to the burner (42) of the heat exchanger (48) for heating the slurry in the high temperature tank (28) or can be used for other uses.

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: Process for the treatment of a hazardous material containing a thermochemically destructible component comprising contacting the material with a carbon char, thereafter loading the carbon char into a reaction vessel having two ends, initiating a flame front at one end of the loaded vessel, introducing an oxidant to the other end of the vessel, and allowing the flame front to move through the carbon char in the direction of the end through which the oxidant is introduced and away from the end at which the flame front was initiated.

Abstract: New and improved briquettes and a process for using the briquettes for both flavoring and heating food when ignited whereby the briquettes have a residual amount of olive oil which, upon ignition, not only heats food but flavors it with the oiled vapors.

Abstract: Method to produce fuel from solid urban refuse, a traditional alternative fuel, which is known as "refuse derived fuel", being mixed in desired quantities with dry, mature compost.

Abstract: A method of preparing a high heating value fuel product that comprises the steps of blending a high heating value sludge material with a cellulosic material, adding a microencapsulation reagent to the blended mixture of the sludge and the cellulosic material, introducing a pozzolanic agent to the blended mixture for controlling the rate of solidification, and forming the blended mixture into a form suitable for handling. The sludge is a material having a heating value of greater than 7,000 BTU. This sludge may be a complex mixture of organic hazardous waste streams. The cellulosic material is a silica-containing particulate material having a high heating value. The microencapsulating reagent is a mixture having a 4-15 weight percent of a chemical selected from the group of triethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, and glycerin propylene glycol. The microencapsulation reagent further may include a 20-32 weight percent calcium chloride solution. The pozzolanic agent is added to the mixture at a constant rate.

Abstract: The disclosed briquets comprise solid carrier means and a seasoning liquid impregnated into the carrier means; with the carrier means being both wet in appearance and to the touch and forming between 70-90% of the weight of the briquets and the seasoning liquid forming between 10-30% of the weight of the briquets. The carrier means are dried and absorbant, and may be 1-3 inch blocks of hard wood (oak) or crushed shells of fruitwood nuts including pecans, black walnuts, pistachios, almonds, and/or chestnuts. The seasoning liquid is noncombustible and includes: wine, soy sauce, molasses, whiskey, liquid smoke, real lemon extract, vinegar, and/or water; and bay leaves, onion powder, garlic powder, and/or Jamacian all spice. The liquid and solid components of the seasoning liquid are blended together in a ratio by weight of between 0.1-3% solid to 99.9-97% liquid materials.

Abstract: A solid fuel obtained by mixing highly combustible, fusible materials such as polymer resin, and low calory powder such as fuel combustion ashes containing unburnt carbon components and inorganic component, and molding the mixture. The solid fuel has a controlled calorific value and a controlled combustion rate with a good shape retention.

Abstract: A system is proposed for the treatment of essentially all the wastes arising in a community, and for recovering useable products therefrom, based on a combination of pre-sorting and mechanical and manual separation. Clean dry secondary organic wastes such as paper and textiles are separately baled for re-use, contaminated secondary organic wastes are prepared for re-use as fuel; primary organic waste such as wood and other vegetable matter is prepared, as appropriate, as fuel, as compost or for re-use as wood chips. Mixed wastes are separated by size and by density according to the ease of separation and the increased re-use potential of the separated as opposed to the mixed materials.

Abstract: A process is described for treating a feed wastewater from a food preparation plant to recover substantially all of its fats and up to 50% of its proteins in a chemical float sludge which is selectively admixed with an absorptive bulking agent, such as sawdust, at a dry-basis weight ratio of 3-4 pounds of bulking agent to one pound of total sludge solids to produce a biomass mixture which is selectively dried and regulated in size to a maximum of 1/8-inch to produce a biomass fuel, characterized by a fuel value of approximately 11,000 Btu per pound, which is highly suitable for self-sustained burning in a gasifier-type suspension burner. After removal of the float sludge, the partially purified wastewater is aerobically treated with microorganisms to produce activated sludge, a selected portion thereof being recycled to the feed wastewater before admixing coagulation and flocculation chemicals therewith.

Abstract: A solid fuel comprised of waste materials and a method of using the same are disclosed. The composition is made up of a heating value component, a neutralizing component and a nuisance waste component. Each of these components is a material which is readily available as a waste. Each component may be either solid or liquid, however, the total composition may not be more than 40% liquid. The nuisance waste component is a compound or mixture of compounds which often present disposal problems for industry. The nuisance wastes may include chlorinated hydrocarbons such as polychlorinated biphenyls, sulfur containing compounds, biological wastes and/or metals which are converted to stable and more easily disposed of compounds as the fuel briquette is burned in a kiln or furnace so that an inexpensive fuel is created from the waste products.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the removal or separation of pollutants, such as sulphur or metal compounds from waste gases, by contacting the waste gases with aqueous binder suspensions, comprising using a sewage sludge as the binder suspension. The binder suspension is preferably constituted by a sewage sludge mixed with comminuted, dried autumn leaves or an extraction residue thereof and to which are added further additives, particularly alkaline substances. Apart from the excellent manner in which sewage sludge binds pollutants, roasting is made more economic due to the high carbon content of the sewage sludge.

Abstract: A method for the production of highly comminuted flour of wood and other types of vegetable biomass suitable for the use as fuel, in that coarsely ground wood or other type of coarsely ground vegetable biomass is treated with a dilute solution of an alkaline substance, and subsequently exposed to elevated temperatures, whereafter the treated coarsely ground material is subjected to grinding, whereby a finely divided powder with a narrow particle size distribution is obtained.