The present disclosure is broadly concerned with processing equipment and methods for processing of a biomass feedstock into one or more biomass particles of reduced size, and in particular, hemp. The vertical impact liberating equipment and methods can process whole hemp stalks into hemp particulates comprising distinct fractions of hemp hurds, bast fiber, and fines. Advantageously, in preferred embodiments, the biomass feedstock is pulled through a defined gap and into a defined chamber. This action causes a successive decrease and increase of pressure within the biomass feedstock, yielding the one or more biomass particles of reduced size.

The present disclosure is broadly concerned with processing equipment and methods for processing of a biomass feedstock into one or more biomass particles of reduced size, and in particular, hemp. The vertical impact liberating equipment and methods can process whole hemp stalks into hemp particulates comprising distinct fractions of hemp hurds, bast fiber, and fines. Advantageously, in preferred embodiments, the biomass feedstock is pulled through a defined gap and into a defined chamber. This action causes a successive decrease and increase of pressure within the biomass feedstock, yielding the one or more biomass particles of reduced size.

A cone mill comprises a rotating tool for moving friable material across a static conical screen. The tool is driven to rotate by a tool drive shaft. The mill includes a motor, the motor causing rotation of a motor drive shaft. The tool drive shaft and the motor drive shaft are located an angle with respect to each other and the mill comprises a universal joint for transferring rotary motion from the motor through the angle to the tool.

A cone mill comprises a rotating tool for moving friable material across a static conical screen. The tool is driven to rotate by a tool drive shaft. The mill includes a motor, the motor causing rotation of a motor drive shaft. The tool drive shaft and the motor drive shaft are located an angle with respect to each other and the mill comprises a universal joint for transferring rotary motion from the motor through the angle to the tool.

A pulverizer has arms connected to a vertically oriented rotating shaft at hubs. The arms are angled relative to radians extending from the shaft to be canted or offset. Pads can be oversized relative to the arms while being one of coplanar with the arms or recessed while possibly also having their radially inward face(s) angled to assist in resisting catching material thereon. A mechanical fuse connection can assist in connecting arms to the hub to prevent dangerous situations as well.

A pulverizer has arms connected to a vertically oriented rotating shaft at hubs. The arms are angled relative to radians extending from the shaft to be canted or offset. Pads can be oversized relative to the arms while being one of coplanar with the arms or recessed while possibly also having their radially inward face(s) angled to assist in resisting catching material thereon. A mechanical fuse connection can assist in connecting arms to the hub to prevent dangerous situations as well.

A pulverizer may have such features as an ability to detect wrapping as well as possibly deter wrapping. A processor may also adjust the speed of rotation of the arms within the pulverizer and/or the speed of feed of input for various considerations. In fact the rotation direction may be reversed for at least brief periods of time in an effort to remove wrapped material. Vibration may also be sensed and efforts to prevent damage may be instigated by a processor.

A pulverizer may have such features as an ability to detect wrapping as well as possibly deter wrapping. A processor may also adjust the speed of rotation of the arms within the pulverizer and/or the speed of feed of input for various considerations. In fact the rotation direction may be reversed for at least brief periods of time in an effort to remove wrapped material. Vibration may also be sensed and efforts to prevent damage may be instigated by a processor.

The invention relates to a device (10; 50) for mechanically comminuting materials, including a vertically extending comminuting chamber (14) having an upwardly extending supply side (15) and a downwardly extending discharge side. The comminuting chamber is enclosed by an in circular cylindrical and/or conical downwardly expanded comminuting chamber wall (12), and in which at least one rotor (16, 18) rotating about a vertical rotor axis (R) is arranged, which is provided with striking tools (38) that extend radially into the comminuting chamber, at least during operation. The rotors(16, 18) are held in a stationary manner with respect to a support base (20) of the device, and the comminuting chamber wall is supported on the support base. According to the invention, the comminuting chamber wall is held in place by way of a lifting device in the direction of the rotor axis (R) in a height adjustable manner relative to the support base (20). The lifting device (36) has a working position, in which the lower edge of the comminuting chamber wall (12) is arranged close to the support base (20) or to a part connected thereto, and a maintenance position, in which the lower edge (32) of the comminuting chamber wall (12) is vertically raised above at least one of the striking tools (22, 24). The invention allows easy maintenance and an uncomplicated exchange of the striking tools of the comminuting device.

The invention relates to a device (10; 50) for mechanically comminuting materials, including a vertically extending comminuting chamber (14) having an upwardly extending supply side (15) and a downwardly extending discharge side. The comminuting chamber is enclosed by an in circular cylindrical and/or conical downwardly expanded comminuting chamber wall (12), and in which at least one rotor (16, 18) rotating about a vertical rotor axis (R) is arranged, which is provided with striking tools (38) that extend radially into the comminuting chamber, at least during operation. The rotors(16, 18) are held in a stationary manner with respect to a support base (20) of the device, and the comminuting chamber wall is supported on the support base. According to the invention, the comminuting chamber wall is held in place by way of a lifting device in the direction of the rotor axis (R) in a height adjustable manner relative to the support base (20). The lifting device (36) has a working position, in which the lower edge of the comminuting chamber wall (12) is arranged close to the support base (20) or to a part connected thereto, and a maintenance position, in which the lower edge (32) of the comminuting chamber wall (12) is vertically raised above at least one of the striking tools (22, 24). The invention allows easy maintenance and an uncomplicated exchange of the striking tools of the comminuting device.