Process for preparing and using sweet sorghum in a fuel product
First Claim
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1. A method of storing sweet sorghum preparatory to pelletizing it for use as a combustible fuel product comprising:
- removing a majority of sugar-containing fluid from said sorghum to leave a residue of ligno-cellulosic bagasse;
piling said bagasse on a hard surface;
compressing said piled bagasse to form a compacted mass, whereby said compressing frees air trapped within said bagasse to inhibit microbial and fungal oxidative degradation thereof; and
storing said compacted mass preparatory to pelletizing the same.
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Abstract
A method for preparing and using a combustible fuel product using sweet sorghum is disclosed. A sorghum variety high in sugar, high in biomass, and low in nitrogen is first processed to remove a majority of sugars therefrom. The remaining ligno-cellulosic residue, commonly known as bagasse, is converted into combustible pellets or alternatively stored for future pelletization. Storage is accomplished by first piling the bagasse on a hard surface. The bagasse is then compressed to form a compacted mass. Compression frees trapped air in the pile, hindering oxidative degradation by bacteria and other microorganisms.
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5 Claims
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1. A method of storing sweet sorghum preparatory to pelletizing it for use as a combustible fuel product comprising:
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removing a majority of sugar-containing fluid from said sorghum to leave a residue of ligno-cellulosic bagasse; piling said bagasse on a hard surface; compressing said piled bagasse to form a compacted mass, whereby said compressing frees air trapped within said bagasse to inhibit microbial and fungal oxidative degradation thereof; and storing said compacted mass preparatory to pelletizing the same. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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Specification
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Current AssigneeFarone, William A., Gunnerman, Rudolf W.
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Original AssigneeFarone, William A., Gunnerman, Rudolf W.
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InventorsGunnerman, Rudolf W., Farone, William A.
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Primary Examiner(s)Dees, Carl F.
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Application NumberUS06/685,851Time in Patent Office638 DaysField of Search44/1 D, 44/10 A, 44/15 BUS Class Current422/40CPC Class CodesC10L 5/44 on vegetable substancesY02E 50/10 Biofuels, e.g. bio-dieselY02E 50/30 Fuel from waste, e.g. synth...
