APPARATUS AND CORRESPONDING METHOD TO PRODUCE BIOMASS CHARCOAL

Abstract

Apparatus to produce biomass charcoal (120) which can be inserted in a container whose section orthogonal to an axis (S) is subject to the specific application; the apparatus comprises an external casing (12, 12), associated internally with at least a tubular body (14, 14) located coaxial to create at least one interspace (16, 16) for the passage of primary air (A1) in which at least a support plane (34) is housed able to support the biomass (100) and able to allow a flow of primary air (A1) to feed the biomass (100), the tubular body (14, 14) has a pipe (55) for the passage of secondary air (A2) provided with a hole (15) in correspondence with its lower end and has exit means (22, 22) of the secondary air (A2) disposed in correspondence with an upper end coordinated with a plate (24, 24).

Claims

1. Apparatus to produce biomass charcoal (120) which can be inserted in a container whose section orthogonal to an axis (S) is subject to the specific application, characterized in that it comprises an external casing (12, 12), associated internally with at least a tubular body (14, 14) located coaxial to create at least an interspace (16, 16) for the passage of primary air (A1) in which at least a support plane (34) is housed able to support the biomass (100) and able to allow a flow of primary air (A1) to feed the biomass (100), said tubular body (14, 14) having a pipe (55) for the passage of secondary air (A2) provided with a hole (15) in correspondence with its lower end and having exit means (22, 22) of the secondary air (A2) disposed in correspondence with an upper end coordinated with a plate (24, 24).

2. Apparatus as in claim 1, characterized in that said tubular element (14) comprises peripheral holes (18) on its base and communicating with said interspace (16, 16).

3. Apparatus as in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said tubular body (14) is configured to coaxially house inside it a sliding body (20), said sliding body (20) having at least two axial positions.

4. Apparatus as in claim 3, characterized in that said sliding body (20) is selectively slidable along said axis (S) inside said tubular body (14) and in proximity to the internal wall of said tubular body (14).

5. Apparatus as in claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said sliding body (20) is associated in correspondence with the upper end to said plate (24) and cooperates with said tubular body (14), the whole being governed by at least two positions of the sliding body (20), in a first position with the holes (18) and the exit means (22) open and a closed position in which it at least partly closes said holes (18) and said exit means (22) as well as the interspace (16, 16) at the upper part, in correspondence with an aperture (19).

6. Apparatus as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said exit means (22) comprise at least a plurality of first apertures (23a).

7. Apparatus as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said exit means (22) comprise second apertures (23b) with an elongated circumferential shape, cooperating with said plate (24).

8. Apparatus as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that, said support plane (34) is a grid located coordinated with a base (26) of the external casing (12).

9. Apparatus as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that, in cooperation with said sliding body (20), said plate (24) has a through hole (40), in cooperation with said tubular body (14) and is associated with stopper means (36) that have at least two positions, one to close said through hole (40) and one to open said through hole (40) when the sliding body (20) is in the closed position.

10. Apparatus as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises a sensor element (48) selectively associated with temporal holding means (49) that hold the sliding body (20) in the open position.

11. Apparatus as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises a drive device (50) associated with the sliding body (20) able to determine at least the closed position of said sliding body (20).

12. Method to produce biomass charcoal (120) by combustion of a biomass (100), characterized in that it provides: in at least one interspace (16, 16) present between an external casing (12) and at least a tubular body (14), the biomass (100) is located above a support plane (34) in a desired quantity; said biomass (100) is ignited from above, being fed by primary air (A1) coming from below said support plane (34); secondary air (A2) is heated inside the tubular body (14) and exits from exit means (22, 22) combining with combustible gas (B) generated by the biomass (100) and producing a flame (110).

13. Method as in claim 12, characterized in that the flame (110) is conditioned by the presence of a plate (24) cooperating with said exit means (22).

14. Method as in claim 12 or 13, characterized in that said flame (110) can be affected by another supply of tertiary air (A3) coming from the outside and in counter-flow with respect to said combustible gas (B) and to said secondary air (A2).

15. Method as in any of the claims from 12 to 14, characterized in that when the biomass (100) has been entirely converted into biomass charcoal (120) and reaches the desired temperature, a temperature sensor (48) is activated that conditions the constraint to which a sliding body (20) is subjected, which sliding body (20) has exit means (22) and is associated with the plate (24), removing said constraint so that said sliding body (20) in the closed position closes both the holes (18) and the exit from the external casing (12) through the plate (24) so as to condition the combustion of the biomass (100) present in the interspace (16, 16).

16. Method as in any of the claims from 12 to 15, characterized in that when the sliding body (20) is in the closed position and the plate (24) closes the interspace (16, 16), a through hole (40) present in the plate (24) in axial cooperation with the sliding body (20) opens to allow the passage of cooling air (A0).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

[0048] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a possible embodiment of the apparatus for the production of biomass charcoal;

[0049] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section of the apparatus in FIG. 1;

[0050] FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the upper part of the apparatus in FIG. 1 in an open configuration;

[0051] FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the lower part of the device in FIG. 1 in an open configuration;

[0052] FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the upper part of the device in FIG. 1 in a closed configuration;

[0053] FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the lower part of the device in FIG. 1 in a closed configuration;

[0054] FIG. 7 is a detailed view of a section of the upper part of the device in FIG. 1 in an open configuration;

[0055] FIG. 8 is a detailed view of a section of the lower part of the device in FIG. 1 in an open configuration;

[0056] FIG. 9 is section of the upper part of the device in FIG. 1 in a closed configuration;

[0057] FIG. 10 is section of the lower part of the device in FIG. 1 in a closed configuration;

[0058] FIG. 11 is section of the upper part of the device in FIG. 1 in an open configuration;

[0059] FIG. 12 is section of the lower part of the device in FIG. 1 in an open configuration;

[0060] FIG. 13 is section of the upper part of the device in FIG. 1 in a closed configuration;

[0061] FIG. 14 is section of the lower part of the device in FIG. 1 in a closed configuration;

[0062] FIG. 15 is a schematic representation of the functioning of the device in an open configuration;

[0063] FIG. 16 is a schematic representation of the functioning of the device in a closed configuration;

[0064] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a second possible embodiment of the device in an open configuration;

[0065] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the device in FIG. 17 in a closed configuration;

[0066] FIG. 19 is a longitudinal section of the device in FIG. 17 in an open configuration;

[0067] FIG. 20 is a three dimensional view in longitudinal section of an executive variant of the present apparatus;

[0068] FIG. 21 is a schematic representation of the functioning of the apparatus in FIG. 20.

[0069] To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

[0070] The drawings are used to describe embodiments of an apparatus 10 for the production of biomass charcoal and is able to provide a process of micro-gasification in separate phases.

[0071] The apparatus can be used alone or inserted in a container belonging to a heater for example, or a boiler or other.

[0072] The apparatus 10 comprises an external casing 12, made for example of metal material or similar material resistant to high temperatures.

[0073] The external casing 12 can be cylindrical for example, or oval or cylindrical-toroidal, or semi-circular or prismatic or truncated cone shaped or similar, and has an axis S.

[0074] With reference to FIGS. 4 and 6, the external casing 12 is configured to be partly closed at the bottom by a base 26, except for the presence of the hole 28, and is open on the top in correspondence with an aperture 19.

[0075] The external casing 12 is associated with at least a tubular body 14 located coaxial with respect to the axis S of the external casing 12 which is free at the bottom.

[0076] The association of the external casing 12 and the tubular body 14 generates an interspace 16 or 16 which is configured to accommodate inside it a biomass 100 (FIG. 15).

[0077] The interspace 16 or 16 can be annular, and thus form a toric ring 16 (see FIGS. 8-14 for example), or can have a different shape and comprise separate chambers 16 (see FIG. 17 or FIG. 19).

[0078] The tubular body 14 is open in correspondence with the top, while in correspondence with its lower end it is open and has at least one hole 15, whereas in relation to the tonic ring 16 it has holes 18 which serve to send primary air A1 into the toric ring 16.

[0079] The hole 15 made in the tubular body 14 is positioned at the base of a pipe 55 made in the tubular body 14.

[0080] The hole 15 can be associated, by way of example, both with natural circulation and also with means that send air in an expressly desired quantity. The functioning of the means that send air can also vary during the functioning cycle.

[0081] The hole 28 advantageously corresponds to the hole 15 of the tubular body 14.

[0082] The base 26 can be associated with the tubular body 14 in any way whatsoever. In the drawings it is associated by way of example by means of a support bracket 32 attached solidly to the base 26 by mechanical attachment.

[0083] The toric ring 16 has inside it, at a certain height with respect to the bottom, a support plane 34 associated with the base 26 and able to support the biomass 100 introduced inside the toric ring 16, the support plane 34 being installed above the holes 18.

[0084] For example, the support plane 34 is a grid to allow the primary air A1 to pass and thus to feed the biomass 100.

[0085] In one embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the grid or support plane 34 can be a mesh of metal material, or material suitable to resist high temperatures, the weave of which has links of sizes suitable to prevent the biomass 100 from falling.

[0086] In another embodiment, not shown, the support plane 34 can be a metal plate provided with through holes of suitable smaller sizes.

[0087] The stream of air that enters from the hole 15 and does not pass through the holes 18, or secondary air A2, flows inside the pipe 55 of the tubular body 14 to mix with a combustible gas B (FIG. 15), which is the product of the pyrolysis process of the biomass 100.

[0088] Furthermore, depending on the phase of the cycle, the tubular body 14 uses the secondary air A2 as cooling air A0 (FIG. 16).

[0089] The tubular body 14 is configured to house inside it a sliding body 20 which is coaxial to the tubular body 14 and is configured to be complementary to it.

[0090] The sliding body 20 selectively slides inside the tubular body 14 along an axis S and is provided with exit means 22 disposed in correspondence with its upper end.

[0091] The exit means 22 allow the secondary air A2 to exit from the tubular body 14 and to combine with the combustible gas B produced in the tonic ring 16.

[0092] The exit means 22 comprise at least a plurality of first apertures 23a, through which the secondary air A2 is able to exit from the tubular body 14, and which are disposed on parallel and offset rows to allow a desired distribution of the secondary air A2.

[0093] In one embodiment shown in detail in FIG. 7, the exit means 22 also comprise second apertures 23b, with an elongated circumferential shape, to supply secondary air A2 in a laminar fashion.

[0094] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the external casing 12 and the tubular body 14 are configured with a cylindrical shape and therefore the toric ring 16 is circular, but it can also have other shapes depending on the geometric shapes of the external casing 12 and/or the tubular body 14.

[0095] The sliding body 20 is associated in correspondence with its upper end with a plate 24, which has a size sufficient to at least partly close above the toric ring 16.

[0096] The plate 24 is attached to the sliding body 20 so as to serve at least two positions of the sliding body 20, so that in the closed position it at least partly closes the upper aperture 19 of the toric ring 16.

[0097] In particular, the open position of the sliding body 20 defines the opening of the holes 18 and the exit means 22, in order to allow the primary air A1 to enter and the secondary air A2 to exit.

[0098] The closed position of the sliding body 20 causes the holes 18 and the exit means 22 to close, preventing the passage of the primary air A1 and the secondary air A2.

[0099] An intermediate position of the sliding body 20 causes the holes 18 to open and the exit means 22 to partly open, in order to reduce the secondary air A2 introduced and to promote the transformation of the red-hot biomass charcoal into combustible gas B and guarantee a better combustion thereof.

[0100] Sealing means are provided, to stop the passage of air.

[0101] In particular, the plate 24 determines the open and closed condition of the tonic ring 16 to continue or control the combustion process.

[0102] The plate 24 has a through hole 40 that cooperates with the sliding body 20.

[0103] In a variant embodiment, not shown, the plate 24 can have several through holes 40.

[0104] In an embodiment shown in FIGS. 2, 7, 9, the apparatus 10 comprises a stopper mean 36 that has a fixed position with respect to the external casing 12, being positioned in this way by support and positioning means 38.

[0105] When the sliding body 20 is open, the stopper mean 36 closes the through hole 40, while when it is in the closed position it disassociates from the through hole 40, leaving it open.

[0106] In one embodiment, shown in detail in the drawings, the apparatus 10 can comprise a temperature sensor element 48, for example a thermostatic sensor.

[0107] The sensor 48 is configured to detect the temperature of the biomass 100, or, the sensor 48 can also detect other physical parameters connected to the system and/or connected method.

[0108] The sensor element 48 is configured to control the position of a drive device 50, which in this case is an elastic element, suitable to determine the closed position of the sliding body 20.

[0109] The sensor element 48 also controls and manages a temporary holding mean 49, which determines an interference of the sliding body 20, holding it in the open position (FIGS. 4, 8, 12, 19) when active.

[0110] The drive device 50 is connected to elements 54 which are installed on the sliding body 20.

[0111] In one embodiment shown in the drawings, the base 26 can be provided with support elements 30 to keep the apparatus 10 raised with respect to any support surface.

[0112] In one embodiment shown in FIGS. 17-19, which can be combined with the embodiments described above, the external casing 12, the tubular body 14 and the sliding body 20 are configured by way of example as a parallelepiped, but they can also have other sections.

[0113] The present invention also concerns a method to produce biomass charcoal 120 using the apparatus 10.

[0114] The method according to the present invention provides:

[0115] to put the biomass 100 above the support plane 34 and between the external casing 12 and the tubular body 14;

[0116] to ignite from above the biomass 100 fed by the primary air A1 arriving from the holes 18 present in the tubular body 14 below the support plane 34;

[0117] to heat the secondary air A2 inside the tubular body 14 which subsequently exits from the exit means 22, combining with combustible gas B generated by the biomass 100, producing a flame 110 associated with the plate 24.

[0118] In an embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the flame 110 can be affected by a further contribution of tertiary air A3, natural or forced, coming from the outside and flowing in counter-flow with respect to the combustible gas B and to the secondary air A2, in order to improve the turbulence in the flame 110 and improve the mixing of the combustible gas B and the secondary air A2.

[0119] When the sliding body 20 is in the open position, the apparatus 10 is at least partly extracted from the tubular body 14, causing the holes 18, the exit means 22 and the toric ring 16 or the separate chambers 16 to open.

[0120] The plate 24 matches with the stopper mean 36, forming a substantially continuous surface.

[0121] The drive device 50 is in a condition of elastic elongation. However, the sliding of the sliding body 20 toward the base 26 is prevented by the interference exerted by the temporary holding mean 49 in its extracted condition.

[0122] When the sliding body 20 is in the closed position, the apparatus 10 is completely retracted inside the tubular body 14, causing the holes 18, the exit means 22 and the toric ring 16 to close; in this case, the plate 24 closes the aperture 19, causing the toric ring 16 to close.

[0123] The drive device 50 is in a condition of elastic rest, since it has caused the sliding of the sliding body 20 toward the base 26, once the temporary holding mean 49 is in its retracted condition.

[0124] The tubular body 14 is the only one that has its lower end and its top both completely open.

[0125] FIG. 15 shows schematically the path followed by the air and combustible gas B in the open position of the sliding body 20.

[0126] The toric ring 16 is filled with biomass 100 to a certain load level.

[0127] The free air enters through the aperture present in the base of the tubular body 14.

[0128] In correspondence with the holes 18 the primary air A1 enters into the toric ring 16 to begin the combustion of the biomass 100, igniting the upper part.

[0129] During the pyrolysis phase igniting the upper part thereof, the biomass 100 frees combustible gas B and progressively transforms into residual biomass charcoal 120.

[0130] The combustible gas B thus produced rises through the toric ring 16 toward the plate 24.

[0131] A second combustion takes place in correspondence with the exit means 22, caused by the combustion of the combustible gas B and the secondary air A2.

[0132] In this way, a stable flame 110 is created, controlled and diffused, with suitable size and characteristics.

[0133] Moreover, the flame 110 is improved by the possible supply in counter-flow of tertiary air A3 arriving from outside the apparatus 10.

[0134] Advantageously, the cooperation of the second apertures 23b with the plate 24 create a kind of air cushion between the flame 110 and the plate 24, with the function of preventing the formation of zones of flame in direct contact with the plate 24, thus preventing any worsening of the quality of the combustion and an increase in the production of non-combusted gases.

[0135] Furthermore, the secondary air A2 passing through the tubular body 14 is heated, thus improving its mixing with the combustible gas B and obtaining a more efficient combustion. In this way, the supply of primary air A1 is also self-regulated.

[0136] The particular shape of the apparatus 10 autonomously regulates the streams of primary air A1, secondary air A2 and combustible gas B without needing to install forced ventilation devices and corresponding auxiliary electronic components.

[0137] FIG. 16 shows schematically the path followed by cooling air A0 in the closed position of the sliding body 20.

[0138] The biomass 100, now transformed into biomass charcoal 120, is no longer fed with primary air A1, but the combustion process is interrupted, preventing the transformation of the biomass charcoal 120 into ash.

[0139] Now a stream of cooling air A0 enters into the tubular body 14, passes through it and exits from the through hole 40.

[0140] The cooling air A0 removes heat from the toric ring 16 and consequently from the biomass charcoal 120, so that it can be removed at a later time in safety.

[0141] In the variant of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the plate 24 is directly attached to the external casing 12. The tubular body 14 is made in a single piece and comprises the stopper 36 at its upper part.

[0142] The plate 24 and the stopper 36 form the toroidal-shaped aperture 19, or other shape. The flame 110 can suitably develop through the aperture 19.

[0143] The means to introduce secondary air A2 inside the toric ring 16 can in this case be formed by holes 22 located above the tubular body 14; the secondary air A2 therefore passes from the pipe 55 of the tubular body 14 to said holes 22 and then arrives in the upper part of the tonic ring 16.

[0144] The tertiary air A3 on the contrary is conveyed inside the toric ring 16 through the holes 56.

[0145] The holes 56 are disposed for example on the upper part of the external casing 12.

[0146] The variant shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 is advantageously useful when there is no interest in conserving the vegetable charcoal, but instead it is desired to burn the residual charcoal as well, totally exploiting the energy of the biomass for heating applications or suchlike.

[0147] The flame 110 that can be obtained with this last variant of the apparatus according to the invention is also optimally diffused and subjected to carburation, as in the other executive forms of apparatus described before.

[0148] It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the apparatus 10 as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

[0149] It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of apparatus 10, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.