BIOMASS DRYER/BURNER SYSTEM

• US 20100202949A1
• Filed: 02/08/2010
• Published: 08/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Peter Valente
• Original Assignee: Peter Valente
• Inventors: Valente, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 8,475,564 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 423/246
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/502 Carbon monoxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/14 by absorption
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/77 Liquid phase processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/78 with gas-liquid contact
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 2200/02 Biomass, e.g. waste vegetative matter, straw
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 25/005 Treatment of dryer exhaust gases incineration of volatiles F26B23/022

Abstract

The present invention provides a biomass dryer/burner having an air cleaning apparatus adapted to accept emissions from the biomass dryer/burner and to convert said emissions to clean air to meet government emission standards. The biomass dryer/burner unit includes a dryer adapted to dry biomass, such as demolition waste or cut trees. The biomass dryer/burner unit optionally including a burner adapted to burn biomass. The biomass dryer/burner further producing emissions requiring cleaning before exhausting to the atmosphere. The air cleaning apparatus including a spray scrubber fluidly connected to the biomass dryer/burner adapted to moisten emissions, a recirculation tank in fluid communication with a collection tank, and the recirculation tank further having a sensor adapted to measure contaminant levels contained within the recirculation air filtration system. The sensor contained within the recirculation tank measures levels of carbon monoxide. If the air contained within the recirculation air filtration system measures above a predetermined contaminant level, then the air contained within the recirculation air filtration system is directed back into the spray scrubber. If the air contained within the recirculation air filtration system is below a predetermined level, then the air is exhausted into the atmosphere.

Claims

1. A biomass modification system having an air filtration apparatus adapted to accept emissions to scrub said emissions to meet air quality standards, said air filtration apparatus comprising:

a biomass modifier, the biomass modifier operable to accept and modify biomass, the biomass modifier producing emissions;

a spray scrubber fluidly connected to the biomass modifier, the spray scrubber adapted to moisten the emissions from the biomass modifier; and

a recirculation air filtration system fluidly connected to the spray scrubber, the recirculation air filtration system having at least one filter, a collection tank having a floor contained therein allowing sediment to settle on the floor of the collection tank, a recirculation tank in fluid communication with the collection tank, the recirculation tank having a sensor adapted to measure contaminant levels.

2. The air cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the biomass modifier is a biomass burner.

3. The air cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the biomass modifier is a biomass dryer.

4. The air cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the biomass modifier is a biomass burner and dryer combination.

5. The air cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spray scrubber includes a sensor.

6. The air cleaning apparatus of claim 5, wherein the sensor of the spray scrubber senses emissions thereby automatically activating upon sensing of the emissions.

7. The air cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor within the recirculation tank measures levels of carbon monoxide.

8. The air cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the recirculation air filtration system is pressurized.

9. The air cleaning apparatus of claim 8, wherein the recirculation air filtration system includes at least one pressure gauge.

10. The air cleaning apparatus of claim 8, wherein the recirculation air filtration system includes at least one pressure release valve.

11. The air cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the filter is adapted to remove particles having a diameter of 10 microns or less.

12. The air cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein said filter is adapted to remove particles having a diameter of 5 microns or less.

13. The air cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the recirculation air filtration system further includes at least one pump.

14. The air cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the collection tank includes at least one planar baffle plate.

15. The air cleaning apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least one baffle plate is electrically charged operable to further remove particulate matter and to neutralize odors.

16. The air cleaning apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least one baffle plate of the collection tank includes an aperture permitting fluid communication between divisions of the holding tank, the divisions created by the baffle plates.

17. The air cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the collection tank contains chemicals adapted to neutralize the emissions.

18. The air cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the collection tank is stainless steel.

19. The air cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spray scrubber includes a plurality of spray mechanisms adapted to moisten the emissions.

20. The air cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spray scrubber includes a pool of water contained therein wherein the emissions are forced across or through the pool of water to moisten the emissions.

21. The air cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein said recirculation tank further includes a secondary spray mechanism.

22. A method for cleaning emissions from a biomass modification system to a level in compliance with government regulations for clean air, said method comprising the steps of:

modifying biomass, the modification process of the biomass producing emissions having a contaminant level;

spraying emissions exhausted from the modification process with water and chemicals, spraying emissions within a spray scrubber, the spray scrubber producing an air/water mixture;

filtering the air/water mixture through at least one filter;

pumping the air/water mixture into at least one collection tank, allowing the air/water mixture to settle thereby leaving a sediment on a floor of the collection tank;

pumping the air/water mixture into a recirculation tank having a sensor, said sensor measuring the contaminant level; and

pumping the air/water mixture back to the spray scrubber from the recirculation tank if the contaminant level is above a predetermined level;

or

exhausting the air/water mixture if the contaminant level is below a predetermined level.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the biomass is modified by a burner.

24. The method according to claim 22, wherein the biomass is modified by a dryer.

25. The method according to claim 22, wherein the sensor measures carbon monoxide levels.