US4334484A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Biomass gasifier combustor
Assignee: KENTUCKY RESEARCH FOUNDATION A CORP OF KY, University of
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Filing: 1980-01-18
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Granted: 1982-06-15
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Expires: 2000-01-18
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is directed to a biomass gasifier combustor which operates by gasification and combustion of the biomass to produce a clean effluent gas which can be used directly for grain drying or other applications where thermal energy is required. This biomass gasifier combustor burns crop residue clean enough so that the combustion gases can be used directly for grain drying without the need for a heat exchanger to isolate the combustion gases from the drying air. The biomass gasifier combustor includes a screw feeder tube having a screw feeder disposed therein. The screw feeder forces the biomass into a first combustion chamber. Primary combustion of the biomass produces a first combustion gas. A venturi gas pump creates a negative pressure region in the gasifier, drawing the first combustion gas into a second combustion chamber. A secondary combustion takes place, completely oxidizing the organics in the primary combustion gas and producing a clean exhaust gas which can be used directly for grain drying purposes. An improved first chamber includes a manifold section for preventing the biomass from escaping into the secondary combustion chamber, and a variable height grate for allowing the ash product to fall through the holes in the variable height grate. A damper may be provided at the air inlets to control the flow rates or primary and secondary air. A damper may be placed on the exhaust eductor or venturi pump for regulating the thermal output of the system. The level of biomass in the first combustion chamber may also be monitored and automatically controlled.
Inventors
- 👤 Fredrick A. Payne
- 👤 Ira J. Ross
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 15:18
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10J; C10J3/00; C10J3/02; C10J3/20; C10J3/30; C10J3/34; C10J3/40; C10J3/72; C10J3/74; F; F23; F23G; F23G5/00; F23G5/02; F23G5/027; F23K; F23K3/00; F23K3/16; C10J2200/00; C10J2200/15; C10J2200/158; C10J2200/36; C10J2300/00; C10J2300/09; C10J2300/0913; C10J2300/0916; C10J2300/092; C10J2300/0953; C10J2300/0956; C10J2300/16; C10J2300/1603; C10J2300/1606; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P20/00; Y02P20/141; Y02P20/145
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
463 words
An apparatus for producing a clean combustion gas in response to combustion of a biomass mixture disposed therein and for drying an object using said clean combustion gas, comprising: screw feeder means for feeding said biomass mixture into said apparatus, said feeder means being horizontally disposed for feeding said biomass mixture into said apparatus along a horizontal direction and having an augered configuration for forcedly feeding said biomass mixture into said apparatus; first combustion chamber means for receiving said biomass mixture from said feeder means and burning said biomass mixture therein thereby producing a first combustion gas, said feeder means extending transversely within said first combustion chamber means for levelling the biomass mixture received therein, said feeder means being horizontally disposed in a plane within said first combustion chamber means, said plane substantially corresponding to the maximum desired level of said biomass mixture in said first combustion chamber means, said feeder means sealing said first combustion chamber means from said atmosphere; level sensing means extending into said first combustion chamber means and connected to said feeder means for sensing the level of the biomass mixture in said first combustion chamber and for terminating the feed of said screw feeder means when said biomass mixture reaches a predetermined level; second combustion chamber means for receiving said first combustion gas and burning said first combustion gas therein thereby producing a second combustion gas; nozzle means for forcedly directing said second combustion gas from said second combustion chamber means onto said object, said second combustion gas drying said object; pump means communicating with said second combustion chamber means for creating a negative pressure region within said apparatus, said negative pressure region drawing said first combustion gas into said second combustion chamber means and forcedly directing said second combustion gas through said nozzle means and onto said object; said biomass mixture comprises a highly porous fuel having a low moisture content; means for producing a primary flow of air; primary air inlet port means responsive to the means for producing for permitting said primary flow of air to flow into said first combustion chamber means, the primary air flowing from said primary inlet port means through the porous fuel in said first combustion chamber means thereby burning the porous biomass mixture therein; and first gas outlet port means for permitting said first combustion gas to exit from said first combustion chamber means to said second combustion chamber means; whereby the level sensing means stops the feed of said screw feeder means when the biomass mixture in said first combustion chamber has reached a predetermined level, an even biomass distribution being achieved in said first combustion chamber means when the biomass mixture is levelled thereby permitting an even burn of said biomass in said first combustion chamber means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
463 words
An apparatus for producing a clean combustion gas in response to combustion of a biomass mixture disposed therein and for drying an object using said clean combustion gas, comprising: screw feeder means for feeding said biomass mixture into said apparatus, said feeder means being horizontally disposed for feeding said biomass mixture into said apparatus along a horizontal direction and having an augered configuration for forcedly feeding said biomass mixture into said apparatus; first combustion chamber means for receiving said biomass mixture from said feeder means and burning said biomass mixture therein thereby producing a first combustion gas, said feeder means extending transversely within said first combustion chamber means for levelling the biomass mixture received therein, said feeder means being horizontally disposed in a plane within said first combustion chamber means, said plane substantially corresponding to the maximum desired level of said biomass mixture in said first combustion chamber means, said feeder means sealing said first combustion chamber means from said atmosphere; level sensing means extending into said first combustion chamber means and connected to said feeder means for sensing the level of the biomass mixture in said first combustion chamber and for terminating the feed of said screw feeder means when said biomass mixture reaches a predetermined level; second combustion chamber means for receiving said first combustion gas and burning said first combustion gas therein thereby producing a second combustion gas; nozzle means for forcedly directing said second combustion gas from said second combustion chamber means onto said object, said second combustion gas drying said object; pump means communicating with said second combustion chamber means for creating a negative pressure region within said apparatus, said negative pressure region drawing said first combustion gas into said second combustion chamber means and forcedly directing said second combustion gas through said nozzle means and onto said object; said biomass mixture comprises a highly porous fuel having a low moisture content; means for producing a primary flow of air; primary air inlet port means responsive to the means for producing for permitting said primary flow of air to flow into said first combustion chamber means, the primary air flowing from said primary inlet port means through the porous fuel in said first combustion chamber means thereby burning the porous biomass mixture therein; and first gas outlet port means for permitting said first combustion gas to exit from said first combustion chamber means to said second combustion chamber means; whereby the level sensing means stops the feed of said screw feeder means when the biomass mixture in said first combustion chamber has reached a predetermined level, an even biomass distribution being achieved in said first combustion chamber means when the biomass mixture is levelled thereby permitting an even burn of said biomass in said first combustion chamber means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first gas outlet port means further comprises means for preventing large pieces of said biomass mixture from being carried from said first combustion chamber means into said second combustion chamber means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said first combustion chamber means further comprises ash port means for permitting the burned biomass mixture in said first combustion chamber means to fall from said first combustion chamber means into an ash collection chamber means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said ash port means comprises: plate means having a plurality of ports disposed therethrough; and support means connected to the lower wall surface of said first combustion chamber means for supporting said plate means within said first combustion chamber means, said support means having a plurality of substantially parallel flange support means for supporting said plate means and for variably adjusting the position of said plate means within said support means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further comprising regulating means associated with said nozzle means for regulating the rate of flow of said second combustion gas through said nozzle means thereby regulating the output temperature of said second combustion gas being directed onto said object.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first combustion chamber means and said second combustion chamber means are arranged in a single outer housing and communicate together from within said single outer housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first combustion chamber means and said second combustion chamber means are arranged in separate and distinct outer housings and communicate together via a first combustion gas connecting tube means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said screw feeder comprises a steel material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said feeding means is made of a steel material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said object comprises grain; and wherein the temperature of combustion of the mixed secondary air and first combustion gas in said gas combustion zone is approximately 1700° F.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
74 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a combustion grate horizontally disposed within said first combustion chamber means below said feeder means, said combustion grate being so spaced from said feeder means that a difference in temperature exists between said grate and said feeder means, said difference in temperature being enough to allow the use of a metal within said screw feeder means which has a melting point approximately that of steel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said second combustion chamber means further comprises: secondary air inlet port means for permitting a secondary flow of air to flow into said second combustion chamber means; and second gas outlet port means for permitting said second combustion gas to exit from said second combustion chamber means to said nozzle means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 12 further comprising means connected to said secondary air inlet port means for regulating the amount and the flow rate of said secondary flow of air into said second combustion chamber.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-06-14 | 1985-12-14 | 1986-06-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-06-14 | 1989-12-14 | 1990-06-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-06-14 | 1993-12-14 | 1994-06-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |