Process for the preparation of fuel pellets

• US 4,398,917 A
• Filed: 03/23/1982
• Issued: 08/16/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Charles J. Reilly
• Original Assignee: Charles J. Reilly
• Inventors: Reilly, Charles J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gantz, Delbert E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCFARLANE, ANTHONY R
• Application Number:
  US06/360,991
• Time in Patent Office: 511 Days
• Field of Search: 44/10 B, 44/10 A, 44/10 E, 44/1 E, 106/163 R, 264/109
• US Class Current: 44/590
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 5/44 on vegetable substances
• 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

A simple and efficient process is provided for the preparation of fuel pellets comprised of, in whole or in part, a modified cellulosic material.

By contacting a cellulosic material with certain enzymes, such as cellulase, the cellulose structure is modified so that the material flows more easily and therefore less energy need be expended in formation of the pellets. Hence, higher production is obtained by increased input and output to and from the pellet mill. Moreover, the pelletizing die itself is subjected to less abrasion and hence has a longer life.

Claims

1. A process for the preparation of fuel pellets comprised of, in whole or in part, at least one modified cellulosic material which process comprises the steps of:

(a) contacting a communated cellulosic material with at least one enzyme under conditions whereby said cellulosic material is modified to the extent that it is softer and more pliable and less mechanical energy is needed to form the material into said pellets,

(b) partially drying and communating said modified material,

(c) pelletizing said modified material and

(d) drying the resulting pellets to further reduce the moisture content.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein said enzyme is cellulase.

3. The process of claim 1 wherein said enzyme is a complex comprised of endo and exo glucanases.

4. The process of claim 1 wherein said enzyme is comprised of endo and exo glucanases and a pre-hydrolysis factor (C₁).

5. The process of claim 1 wherein said enzyme is cellulase derived from Trichoderma viride microorganism.

6. The process of claim 1 wherein said cellulosic material is wood.

7. The process of claim 6 wherein said wood is in the form of wood chips.

8. The process of claim 1 wherein the cellulosic material is subjected to a preconditioning to partially swell the cellulose molecules.

9. The process of claim 8 wherein the preconditioning is effected by contacting the cellulosic material with a base.

10. The process of claim 8 wherein the preconditioning is effected by contacting the cellulosic material with an acid.

11. The process of claim 9 wherein said base is sodium hydroxide.

12. The process of claim 9 wherein said base is potassium hydroxide.

13. The process of claim 9 wherein said base is ammonium hydroxide.

14. The process of claim 9 wherein the preconditioning is effected by contacting the cellulosic material with an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution having a concentration of from about 0.01 to about 10 weight percent.

15. The process of claim 1 wherein at least one of said enzymes is cellulase and contacting of the cellulosic material is achieved by spraying the cellulosic material with an aqueous solution of said cellulose.

16. The process of claim 15 wherein said cellulase is employed as an aqueous solution having a concentration of from about 0.05 to about 0.1 weight percent.

17. The process of claim 1 wherein said fuel pellets are comprised of, in part, communated coal.

18. The process of claim 17 wherein said communated coal is coal fines.

19. The process of claim 18 wherein the ratio of said coal fines to said cellulosic material is from about 1:

3 to about 3;

1.

20. A process for the preparation of fuel pellets comprised of in whole or in part, at least one modified cellulosic material which process comprises the steps of:

(a) spraying a communated cellulosic material with an aqueous solution containing from about 0.05 to about 0.1 weight percent of cellulase,

(b) partially drying and communating the sprayed cellulosic material,

(c) pelletizing the cellulosic material and

(d) drying the resulting pellets to further reduce the moisture content.

21. The fuel pellet prepared by the process of claim 20.