Method and apparatus for fabrication of fuels from pressed biomass and use thereof

• US 7,811,339 B2
• Filed: 01/28/2004
• Issued: 10/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hans Werner
• Original Assignee: Hans Werner
• Inventors: Werner, Hans
• Primary Examiner(s): Hill, Jr.; Robert J
• Assistant Examiner(s): McCaig; Brian
• Application Number:
  US10/543,232
• Publication Number:
  US 20060130396A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,449 Days
• Field of Search: 445/89, 445/90, 445/91, 445/92, 445/93, 445/94, 445/95, 445/96, 445/97, 445/98, 445/99, 44578-580, 343/43, 343/45, 343/97, 343/98, 343/99, 100/39
• US Class Current: 44/589
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 5/361 Briquettes
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 5/363 Pellets or granulates
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 5/365 Logs
• 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

Method and apparatus for fabrication of fuel from form pressed biomass wherein biomass, particularly grass, is dried prior to pressing, for example, into pellets, and use of such fuels, particularly in form of grass pellets, for energy generation.

Claims

1. A method for the fabrication of fuels from biomass of different types and/or origin, comprising:

mixing the biomass of different types and/or origin having high humidity content, such that undesired emissions from burning the fuels are avoided;

subjecting the biomass mixture to a first chopping process;

subjecting the chopped biomass mixture to a pressing process for reducing its water content downstream of the first chopping process;

drying the chopped biomass mixture using heat downstream of the pressing process; and

form pressing the dried and chopped biomass mixture.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the biomass contains impurities, the method further comprising:

separating the impurities from the biomass upstream of the first chopping process.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the pressure is controlled during the drying step, and the pressure is reduced after a predefined period of time.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the biomass is subjected to a second chopping process downstream of the pressing process.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein granulates, pressed articles, pellets, or briquettes are fabricated by the form pressing of the biomass.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the biomass is foliage and leaves, grass and wood, cut products from plants, or a combination thereof.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein energy necessary for carrying out the method is at least partially generated by burning fuel fabricated according to the method.

8. A fuel product made according to the method of claim 1 wherein the chopped, dried, and form-pressed biomass mixture is entirely of biomass.

9. A method for the fabrication of fuels from biomass of different types and/or origin, comprising:

subjecting a plurality of different biomasses individually to a first chopping process;

subjecting the different chopped biomasses to a pressing process for reducing their water content downstream of the first chopping process;

drying the different chopped biomasses using heat downstream of the pressing process;

mixing the different chopped and dried biomasses downstream of the drying process such that undesired emissions from burning the fuels are avoided; and

form pressing the biomass mixture.

10. The method according to claim 9 wherein at least one of the different biomasses contains impurities, the method further comprising:

separating the impurities from at least one of the different biomasses upstream of the first chopping process.

11. The method according to claim 9 wherein the pressure is controlled during the drying step, and the pressure is reduced after a predefined period of time.

12. The method according to claim 9 wherein the different biomasses are subjected to a second chopping process downstream of the pressing process.

13. The method according to claim 9 wherein granulates, pressed articles, pellets, or briquettes are fabricated by the form pressing of the biomass mixture.

14. The method according to claim 9 wherein the different biomasses are foliage and leaves, grass and wood, cut products from plants, or a combination thereof.

15. The method according to claim 9 wherein energy necessary for carrying out the method is at least partially generated by burning fuel fabricated according to the method.

16. A fuel product made according to the method of claim 9 wherein the formed-pressed biomass mixture is entirely of biomass.

17. A method for the fabrication of fuels from biomass, comprising:

separating impurities from the biomass;

subjecting the biomass to a first chopping process upstream or downstream of the separation of impurities;

subjecting the biomass to a pressing process for reducing the water content downstream of the first chopping process;

drying the biomass using heat downstream of the pressing process; and

form pressing the biomass downstream of the drying.

18. The method according to claim 17 wherein the pressure is controlled during the drying step, and the pressure is reduced after a predefined period of time.

19. The method according to claim 17 wherein the biomass is subjected to a second chopping process downstream of the pressing process.

20. The method according to claim 17 wherein granulates, pressed articles, pellets, or briquettes are fabricated by the form pressing of the biomass.

21. The method according to claim 17 wherein the biomass is foliage and leaves, grass and wood, cut products from plants, or a combination thereof.

22. The method according to claim 17 wherein energy necessary for carrying out the method is at least partially generated by burning fuel fabricated according to the method.

23. A fuel product made according to the method of claim 17 wherein the dried and form-pressed biomass is entirely of biomass.