The invention is directed to a configuration comprising of more than one torrefaction batch reactors. A torrefaction batch reactor of the configuration comprises of a closed housing (2) having a gas inlet (4), a gas outlet (5) and a gas permeable biomass holding structure (6) positioned within the housing (2) defining a biomass holding space (7). The gas inlet (4) and the gas outlet (5) of the torrefaction batch reactor are alternatively fluidly connected to the following gas loops, (i) an air drying gas loop (20), (ii) a torrefaction gas loop (25), and (iii) a cooling gas loop (26). One or more batch reactors of the configuration are fluidly connected to the air drying gas loop (20) and one or more other batch reactors are fluidly connected to the torrefaction gas loop (25).

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.

A fluidized bed reactor for biomass treatment comprising a vessel extending in a first direction from a first end to a second end, an inlet at the first end of the vessel for feeding biomass particles into the vessel, an outlet at the second end of the vessel for outputting processed biomass, a first fluid inlet independently activatable to deliver a first volume of a gas in a second direction into a first region of the vessel, and a second fluid inlet spaced apart from the first fluid inlet in the first direction and independently activatable to deliver a second volume of the gas in the second direction into a second region of the vessel, the second region adjacent the first region.

Systems and methods associated with biomass decomposition are generally described. Certain embodiments are related to adjusting a flow rate of a fluid comprising oxygen into a reactor in which biomass is decomposed. The adjustment may be made, at least in part, based upon a measurement of a characteristic of the reactor and/or a characteristic of the biomass. Certain embodiments are related to cooling at least partially decomposed biomass. The biomass may be cooled by flowing a gas over an outlet conduit in which the biomass is cooled, and then directing the gas to a reactor after it has flowed over the outlet conduit. Certain embodiments are related to systems comprising a reactor and an outlet conduit configured such that greater than or equal to 75% of its axially projected cross-sectional area is occupied by a conveyor. Certain embodiments are related to systems comprising a reactor comprising an elongated compartment having a longitudinal axis arranged substantially vertically and an outlet conduit comprising a conveyor.

The present invention relates to a method and system for torrefaction of biomass and combustion of generated torrefaction gases. The torrefaction gases released from the biomass during the torrefaction reaction are withdrawn from the reactor and into a first burning zone. A secondary stream of air is introduced to the first burning zone to combust the torrefaction gases whereupon hot flue gases are obtained. Part of the hot flue gases are directed to a mixing unit. The rest of the hot flue gas is directed to a second burning zone for complete combustion of the flue gases. The fully combusted flue gases obtained in the second burning zone are directed to a heat recovery unit where the temperature of the flue gas is decreased. Part of the cold flue gases are directed to the mixing unit where it is mixed with the hot flue gases such that a stream of cooled flue gases is obtained. The stream of the cooled flue gases are diverted into the torrefaction reactor for direct heating of the biomass.

The production of steam-cracked biomass in the form of black pellets in the field of solid biofuels. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to the production of black pellets from a heterogeneous biomass. The aim of the present disclosure is to produce black pellets having good mechanical strength, good water resistance and an increased calorific value.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for thermochemically processing material, and in particular relates to the torrefaction of organic material such as biomass, in particular to improve the energy content of the material, the method involving enclosing the material in a reactor which is then evacuated by means of a fluid driven vacuum pump to establish an oxygen free environment within the reactor, heating the material to above 200° C. to liberate process by-products such as volatile gases and/or oils, extracting the liberated volatile gases and/or oils from the enclosure and entraining same within the fluid driving the vacuum pump.

A slurry suspension comprises: a) carbonaceous material particles having an average diameter D.sub.50 comprised between 0.1 μm and 200 μm; b) a non-ionic surfactant; c) an aqueous phase; and d) an organic phase.

A system and method for torrefying a combination of biomass and biochar colloidal dispersion is provided.

A biomass solid fuel manufacturing method, including: a heating step of carbonizing a biomass molded body formed by molding raw material biomass, in an external heating type rotary kiln, in which the rotary kiln includes a non-heating zone that is provided on an upstream side of a kiln body and is not provided with a heating unit on an outer circumference, the non-heating zone includes a spiral blade on an inner circumferential surface, and in the heating step, the biomass molded body is introduced to the non-heating zone of the kiln body.