Systems and methods for processing and sorting a municipal solid waste stream are described herein. A system can include a processing sub-system configured to receive a municipal solid waste stream and to remove the non-processable waste, a processing apparatus configured and disposed to receive constituents of the municipal solid waste stream from the processing sub-system and reduce the size of the constituents of the waste stream to an average particle size of less than about inch, and separators configured to sort the waste stream into constituents based on density.

A system for pre-conditioning of biomass for subsequent torrefaction of the biomass comprises a burner producing combustion gases. A feed screw unit has an inlet for receiving the biomass, an outlet for outletting the biomass, and a feed screw for displacing the biomass from the inlet to the outlet. A sleeve surrounds and is in heat exchange relation with at least part of the feed screw unit. A pneumatic circuit receives combustion gases from the burner, the pneumatic circuit connected to an inlet of the sleeve for directing combustion gases therein to heat the biomass by indirect contact via the heat exchange relation, the pneumatic circuit having a pipe section extending from the outlet of the feed screw unit to a torrefaction reactor with combustion gases flowing from the outlet of the sleeve to the torrefacton reactor to convey the biomass and the combustion gases to the torrefaction reactor.

A system for pre-conditioning of biomass for subsequent torrefaction of the biomass comprises a burner producing combustion gases. A feed screw unit has an inlet for receiving the biomass, an outlet for outletting the biomass, and a feed screw for displacing the biomass from the inlet to the outlet. A sleeve surrounds and is in heat exchange relation with at least part of the feed screw unit. A pneumatic circuit receives combustion gases from the burner, the pneumatic circuit connected to an inlet of the sleeve for directing combustion gases therein to heat the biomass by indirect contact via the heat exchange relation, the pneumatic circuit having a pipe section extending from the outlet of the feed screw unit to a torrefaction reactor with combustion gases flowing from the outlet of the sleeve to the torrefacton reactor to convey the biomass and the combustion gases to the torrefaction reactor.

The present invention relates to a process for producing a lignin composition, which process comprises: providing a lignin slurry comprising water and a water miscible organic solvent; subjecting the lignin slurry to extraction at an extraction temperature of less than 100 C. for an extraction time of at least 1 minute to provide an extracted slurry; removing liquid from the extracted slurry to provide an extracted lignin; and suspending the extracted lignin in a polar organic solvent to provide a lignin composition having a dry matter content of at least 30% by weight. The present invention also relates to a lignin composition comprising hardwood Kraft lignin and a polar organic solvent, which composition has a dry matter content of at least 30% by weight. The present invention also relates to use of the lignin composition as a fuel.

Systems and methods for producing engineered fuels from solid waste material are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a waste stream at a multi-material processing platform and separating the waste stream to remove non-processable waste and marketable recyclables. The method further includes conveying processable materials to a material classification system and incorporating additives to produce an engineered fuel from the constituents of the waste stream.

Systems and methods for producing engineered fuels from solid waste material are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a waste stream at a multi-material processing platform and separating the waste stream to remove non-processable waste and marketable recyclables. The method further includes conveying processable materials to a material classification system and incorporating additives to produce an engineered fuel from the constituents of the waste stream.

Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. For example, systems and methods are described that can be used to treat feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, in a vault in which the equipment is protected from radiation and hazardous gases by equipment enclosures. The equipment enclosures may be purged with gas.

Disclosed are novel engineered fuel feed stocks, feed stocks produced by the described processes, methods of making the fuel feed stocks, methods of producing energy from the fuel feed stocks. Components derived from processed MSW waste streams can be used to make such feed stocks which are substantially free of glass, metals, grit and noncombustibles and contain a sorbent. These feed stocks are useful for a variety of purposes including as gasification and combustion fuels. In addition, one or more sorbents can be added to the feed stocks in order to reduce the amount of a variety of pollutants present in traditional fuel and feed stocks, including, but not limited, sulfur and chlorine. Further, these feed stocks with added sorbent can mitigate corrosion, improve fuel conversion, extend power generating plant lifetime, reduce ash slagging, and reduced operating temperature.

A super compactor receives a carbon-containing material and delivers a brick suitable as fuel for power generation. A compaction chamber receives the carbon-containing material and has at least one ram reciprocating along a travel path and exerting a predetermined amount of pressure on the carbon-containing material. The compaction chamber also has an end effector plate or a movable slide gate against which the carbon-containing material is compressed, promoting the removal of moisture from the carbon-containing material, and one or more dewatering apertures or a membrane permitting moisture to pass through but blocking the carbon-containing material. A collector captures the moisture that passes through the dewatering apertures or membrane. A power unit provides power to the at least one ram. A heated extrusion chamber receives the carbon-containing material from the compaction chamber and heats and compacts the carbon-containing material to bind the carbon-containing material into the form of a brick.

A method for treating waste in a mechanical or mechanical-biological waste treatment plant is provided. Waste is introduced into the waste treatment plant at at least one input point, the waste is homogenized by way of at least one agitator and the consistency of the waste in the waste treatment plant is determined. Water or waste which has a higher water content than the waste in the waste treatment plant is added in one scenario. Water is removed or waste having a lower water content is added in another scenario. Further, the method involves transporting the introduced waste to at least one output point, and removing the waste. The waste treatment plant is subdivided into at least two zones and in each zone the consistency of the waste is regulated separately by the input of waste and/or addition or removal of water.