A controller monitors oxygen levels in a bio-fuel fired device and automatically controls dampers, blowers and the like to reduce generation of smoke or other pollutants, thereby promoting proper operation of a catalytic converter.

An example managed biochar kiln includes drum walls, a drum floor, and a lid formed to be fitted to a top edge of the drum walls to close a top end of the drum walls and form a combustion chamber between the lid, the drum walls, and the drum floor. The example managed biochar kiln also includes a chimney stack attachable to the lid. The example managed biochar kiln also includes a valve on the lid operable by an electronic controller to vary airflow through the chimney and out of the lid.

An example managed biochar kiln includes drum walls, a drum floor, and a lid formed to be fitted to a top edge of the drum walls to close a top end of the drum walls and form a combustion chamber between the lid, the drum walls, and the drum floor. The example managed biochar kiln also includes a chimney stack attachable to the lid. The example managed biochar kiln also includes a valve on the lid operable by an electronic controller to vary airflow through the chimney and out of the lid.

A heat transfer media that provides more complete and more even use of the media volume by enhancing the characteristics and/or directions of fluid flow across the media. The heat transfer media includes a heat transfer block having one or more layers that include longitudinal flow passages for enabling fluid flow in the longitudinal direction across each layer, and also include transverse flow passage for enabling lateral cross-flow between the longitudinal flow passages. The heat transfer block may include a plurality of stackable plates, with each plate having fins laterally spaced apart to define longitudinally extending channels, and at least one aperture extending transversely through at least one fin for enabling transverse cross-flow between the longitudinal channels. The aperture may be configured as a recessed groove in the fin, and the fin may have ridge portions longitudinally spaced apart to at least partially define the recessed groove.

A heat transfer media that provides more complete and more even use of the media volume by enhancing the characteristics and/or directions of fluid flow across the media. The heat transfer media includes a heat transfer block having one or more layers that include longitudinal flow passages for enabling fluid flow in the longitudinal direction across each layer, and also include transverse flow passage for enabling lateral cross-flow between the longitudinal flow passages. The heat transfer block may include a plurality of stackable plates, with each plate having fins laterally spaced apart to define longitudinally extending channels, and at least one aperture extending transversely through at least one fin for enabling transverse cross-flow between the longitudinal channels. The aperture may be configured as a recessed groove in the fin, and the fin may have ridge portions longitudinally spaced apart to at least partially define the recessed groove.

A mixed low-carbon alcohol ignition agent in a gel paste or a thin cake, and a cylindrical fire-leading coal and a cylindrical coal placed underneath having a high volatile content and honeycomb-like vent holes which are made from solid fuels such as bitumite, lignite, biomass fuels, polyolefin and waste plastics as well as nontoxic excipients, are vertically combined into a coal pile to be combusted in a furnace core, and the number of the pile may be increased. A firing slip of paper is thrown in to ignite the ignition agent from the top, a long-flame combustion is generated soon, and the fire-leading coal catches fire. A high-temperature zone ranging from 400 C. to 800 C. may be rapidly formed in a simple large combustion chamber between the top of the coal pile and the fire-gathering plate. The radiant heat plus the conductive heat is greater than the convective heat, and the red hot coal layer on the surface of the fire-leading coal will gradually move down at a rapid speed, which causes the coal placed underneath to catch fire. The three major components of the coal pile are elaborately formulated and prepared. The material of the furnace core must fit the coal pile. The high-temperature zone is in the upper portion and the low-temperature zone is in the lower portion, which produces an orderly, long-flame, complete combustion and a static combustion without an air blast, thus realizing a combustion with zero smog throughout the whole process starting from the moment of ignition. In addition, the sulfur-fixing rate is high, the cleanliness of the exhaust gas is close to that of natural gas, the exhaust gas may be discharged directly, the heat-generating efficiency is high, the cost is low, the slag is used as a fertilizer, and it is suitable for various small- and micro-sized stoves for heating and warming.

Emissions control assemblies including substrates defining a plurality of channels that are configured to receive engine exhaust passing through the substrates, and heating elements configured to heat the substrates.

Apparatus and methods for debinding articles. The apparatus and methods may transform binder from furnace exhaust before the exhaust is discharged to the atmosphere. The apparatus may include a furnace retort and a reactor. The furnace retort may be configured to: exclude ambient air; and receive a carrier gas. The reactor may be configured to: receive from the retort (a) the carrier gas and (b) material removed in the retort from the article; and combust, at a temperature no greater than 750? C., the material. The material may be decomposed binder. The material may be hydrocarbon from binder that is pyrolyzed in the retort. The carrier gas may include gas that is nonflammable gas.

Apparatus and methods for debinding articles. The apparatus and methods may transform binder from furnace exhaust before the exhaust is discharged to the atmosphere. The apparatus may include a furnace retort and a reactor. The furnace retort may be configured to: exclude ambient air; and receive a carrier gas. The reactor may be configured to: receive from the retort (a) the carrier gas and (b) material removed in the retort from the article; and combust, at a temperature no greater than 750? C., the material. The material may be decomposed binder. The material may be hydrocarbon from binder that is pyrolyzed in the retort. The carrier gas may include gas that is nonflammable gas.

A controlled kiln and manufacturing system for biochar production, including control systems and subsystems. An example controlled kiln (100) includes a drum (200), a lid (120) and a floor (250) together forming a combustion chamber configured to contain feedstock for conversion into biochar. A catalytic converter (700) may be operatively coupled with an outlet of the kiln (100). A conversion process completion detection subsystem may be operative to issue notifications. An example biochar manufacturing system includes at least one of the controlled kilns (100), a feedstock filling station (1010, 1020, 1030) for providing feedstock to kiln 100, a firing line (1040) for receiving the kiln containing feedstock, a tipping station (1050) for receiving biochar from the kiln, a biochar sizing station, and an automated handler (800) configured to move the kiln between the feedstock filling station (1010, 1020, 1030), the firing line (1040) and the tipping station (1050).