Systems and methods of processing biomass include a conveyor unit associated with an inlet and/or outlet, a microwave generator, a microwave guide connecting the microwave generator to the conveyor unit that includes a microwave opening configured to receive microwave energy via the microwave guide, and a microwave suppression system including a tunnel associated with the material inlet and/or outlet, and including at least one flexible and/or movable microwave reflecting component within the tunnel, the microwave reflecting component configured to be deflected as biomass material passes through the tunnel and then returning to a resting, closed position when the biomass material is no longer passing through the tunnel. The conveyor unit is configured to receive and process the biomass material, including heating the biomass material to at least a first temperature by applying microwave energy to the biomass material.

The present invention concerns a process for the treatment of a feed comprising biomass, said process comprising at least the following steps: a) a step for drying said feed at a temperature in the range 20° C. to 180° C. for a period in the range 5 to 180 minutes, b) a step for torrefaction of the dried feed obtained from step a) in order to produce at least one solid torrefied biomass effluent, and c) a step for co-grinding the solid torrefied biomass effluent obtained from step b) in the presence of a second biomass feed in order to obtain a powder.

A method and apparatus for production of cellulose based fuel pellets from wood logs includes steps of comminuting the wood logs to particulate wood material. The particulate material heat treated in a reactor and the pressure is reduced in a manner causing defibration of the particulate material. The material is pelletized using the softened lignin at least partially as a binder for the pellets. The comminution of the wood logs is effected as a single-step operation in which the wood logs are charged to a comminution station where at least one rotating drum provided with cutting teeth is arranged in a manner to fully comminute the wood logs. The particulate material may be fractioned and a selected size fraction used for the further treatment.

The invention relates to a method for the purification of lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose obtained from purines, which can be burned in compliance with environmental standards as a substitute for wood. The method of the invention produces a novel bio-fuel.

This invention provides processes and systems for converting biomass into high-carbon biogenic reagents that are suitable for a variety of commercial applications. Some embodiments employ pyrolysis in the presence of an inert gas to generate hot pyrolyzed solids, condensable vapors, and non-condensable gases, followed by separation of vapors and gases, and cooling of the hot pyrolyzed solids in the presence of the inert gas. Additives may be introduced during processing or combined with the reagent, or both. The biogenic reagent may include at least 70 wt%, 80 wt%, 90 wt%, 95 wt%, or more total carbon on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may have an energy content of at least 12,000 Btu/lb, 13,000 Btu/lb, 14,000 Btu/lb, or 14,500 Btu/lb on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may be formed into fine powders, or structural objects. The structural objects may have a structure and/or strength that derive from the feedstock, heat rate, and additives.

Systems and methods for production for consistently sized and shaped petroleum coke from vacuum residue, one method including supplying processed vacuum residue to an extruder; heating the processed vacuum residue throughout a horizontal profile of the extruder from an inlet to an outlet of the extruder; venting hydrocarbon off-gases from the extruder along the horizontal profile of the extruder from the inlet to the outlet of the extruder; and cutting consistently sized and shaped petroleum coke at the outlet of the extruder.

Disclosed is a method for recycling a coal liquefaction residue. The method includes S1, drying a coal liquefaction residue and pulverizing to obtain a pulverized coal liquefaction residue; S2, subjecting the pulverized coal liquefaction residue to a solvothermal extraction in an autoclave to obtain an extract liquid and a residue; S3, distilling the extract liquid and recovering an organic solvent to obtain a solid extract.

A process of making a fuel product from a non-combustible high protein organic material such as a biological by-product or waste material. The moisture content of the high protein organic material is mechanically reduced and dried to reduce the moisture content to less than ten percent (10%). The high protein organic material is pulverized to a particle size of less than about 2 mm. The high protein organic waste material is fed into a combustion chamber and separated during combustion such as by spraying high protein organic waste material within the combustion chamber. Temperature and combustion reactions within the combustion chamber are controlled by controlling the moisture in the combustion atmosphere and energy injections at or downstream of the combustion chamber. The concentration of protein thermal decomposition by-products, temperature, and residence time and/or additions of energy plasma within the combustion chamber environment are controlled to degrade hazardous polyfluoro compounds.

The present invention relates to a process for producing a solid biomass fuel from agricultural waste such as grass, rice husk, yam, straw, corn cob or any combination thereof, as well as a solid biomass fuel produced by said process. Additionally, the present invention relates to a combustion process comprising combusting said solid biomass fuel so as to produce energy and a pre-treatment process for pre-treating one or more sources of biomass for use in the production of a solid biomass fuel.

Embodiments of the present invention may provide managing waste including providing non-sorted solid waste (1), processing non-sorted solid waste in a waste handling system (21), shredding (26) non-sorted solid waste to create shredded non-sorted solid waste (27) in a waste handling system; introducing shredded non-sorted solid waste into a thermochemical conversion reactor (4); heating and even chemically converting a shredded non-sorted solid waste; producing hydrochar (22) and a recyclable materials fraction (23); recycling water (24) used in the heating and chemically processing of the shredded non-sorted solid waste in a thermochemical conversion reactor in said waste handling system; sorting (25) the recyclable materials fraction; fueling (28) a thermochemical conversion reactor with hydrochar (22); and perhaps even recycling heat from a thermochemical conversion reactor in the waste handling system.