Biomass energy product and processing method

• US 20060112616A1
• Filed: 12/06/2005
• Published: 06/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biomass Worldwide Group Limited
• Original Assignee: Biomass Worldwide Group Limited
• Inventors: Noll, Anthony P., Ligon, Herbert A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,967,877 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 44/589
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 5/40 essentially based on materials of non-mineral origin
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 5/442 Wood or forestry waste
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 5/445 Agricultural waste, e.g. corn crops, grass clippings, nut shells or oil pressing residues
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 5/46 on sewage, house, or town refuse C10L5/403, C10L5/406 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F23G 2201/303 Burning pyrogases
• CPC Class Codes: F23G 2201/304 Burning pyrosolids
• CPC Class Codes: F23G 2201/601 different calorific values
• CPC Class Codes: F23G 2201/90 Cooling
• CPC Class Codes: F23G 2203/206 with charging ports in the sidewall
• CPC Class Codes: F23G 2203/208 with interior agitating members
• CPC Class Codes: F23G 2209/22 Waste papers
• CPC Class Codes: F23G 2209/26 Biowaste
• CPC Class Codes: F23G 2900/50205 Waste pre-treatment by pyrolysis, gasification or cracking followed by condensation of gas into combustible oil or fat
• CPC Class Codes: F23G 2900/50214 Separating non combustible matters
• CPC Class Codes: F23G 5/0276 using direct heating
• CPC Class Codes: F23G 5/04 drying
• CPC Class Codes: F23G 5/20 having rotating or oscillating drums
• CPC Class Codes: F23G 7/10 of field or garden waste or biomasses
• CPC Class Codes: F23L 7/005 Evaporated water; Steam
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/10 Biofuels, e.g. bio-diesel
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/30 : Fuel from waste, e.g. synthetic alcohol or diesel

Abstract

An energy product made from biomass, and a method of making an energy product from biomass. The energy product is made by processing biomass in a pressurizable reaction vessel with heat, pressure and agitation.

Claims

1. An energy product comprising:

a cellulosic pulp product derived from biomass processed in a reaction vessel in the presence of heat and pressure, in which the biomass is subjected to agitation caused by rotation of the vessel.

2. The energy product of claim 1 in which said cellulosic pulp is formed into a selected shape for combustion, said cellulosic pulp derived from biomass processed in a reaction vessel in the presence of heat and pressure, in which the biomass is subjected to agitation caused by rotation of the vessel.

3. The energy product of claim 2 in which said cellulosic pulp is compressed into said selected shape for combustion.

4. The energy product of claim 1, in which the heat and pressure is in the form of steam at 15 pounds or less of pressure applied to the contents of the reaction vessel.

19. The energy product of claim 1 which further comprises partially melted plastic pieces from an MSW source stream as energy additives.

5. An energy product comprising:

cellulosic pulp derived from biomass processed in a reaction vessel in the presence of heat and less than 15 pounds or less of pressure, in which the biomass is subjected to agitation caused by rotation of the vessel.

6. The energy product of claim 5, in which the biomass stream is from MSW.

7. The energy product of claim 5, in which said cellulosic pulp has a reduced crystallinity of cellulose compared to the original MSW biomass from which it is derived.

8. The energy product of claim 5, in which said heat and pressure and agitation are sufficient to reduce the crystallinity of cellulose of said biomass.

9. The energy product of claim 5 in which said cellulosic pulp has a reduced crystallinity of hemicellulose compared to the original MSW biomass from which it is derived.

10. The energy product of claim 5, in which said heat, pressure and agitation are sufficient to induce a chemical reaction causing the reduction of the hemicellulosic content of said biomass to compounds chemically less complex than hemicellulose.

11. An energy product comprising:

cellulosic pulp derived from biomass processed in a reaction vessel in the presence of heat and pressure in the form of steam at 15 pounds or less of pressure applied to the contents of the reaction vessel for approximately 45 minutes, which combined with agitation caused by rotation of the vessel creates an environment sufficient to reduce crystallinity of cellulose of said biomass, and to chemically reduce hemicellulosic in said biomass to compounds chemically less complex than hemicellulose.

12. A method for creating an energy product from the cellulosic fraction of biomass, which comprises the steps of:

adding biomass to a sealable reaction vessel configured for agitation of said biomass;

closing said reaction vessel;

rotating said reaction vessel while adding steam at 15 pounds or less to said reaction vessel;

unsealing the reaction vessel, and removing the treated biomass from the reaction vessel; and

separating the cellulosic fraction of the treated biomass from other fractions of the treated biomass.

13. The method for creating an energy product from the cellulosic fraction of biomass of claim 12, which further includes the step of agitating the biomass in the reaction chamber by rotation of the reaction vessel and by action of auger vanes within said reaction vessel.

14. The method for creating an energy product from the cellulosic fraction of biomass of claim 12, which includes the step of providing a reaction chamber with an access door at one end, with a door cover which may be sealed on said access door during the heating and pressure step, and unsealed from said access door for input and removal of biomass.

15. The method for creating an energy product from the cellulosic fraction of biomass of claim 12, which further includes the step of cooling the treated biomass after removal from the reactor.

16. The method for creating an energy product from the cellulosic fraction of biomass of claim 12, which further includes the step of providing a condensation chamber for said reaction vessel, in which gases from said reaction chamber may be routed and condensed to remove odors and off-gas before the biomass is discharged from the reaction vessel.

17. The method for creating an energy product from the cellulosic fraction of biomass of claim 12, which further includes the step of rotating the reaction vessel and heating the biomass for approximately 45 or less minutes by injecting steam through one or more sparging lines associated with said reaction vessel.

18. The method for creating an energy product of claim 12, which includes the step of adding said biomass to a generally cylindrical reaction vessel with internal auger flights for agitation and moving of said biomass.