Solid fuel compositions, processes for preparing solid fuel, and combustion processes

Abstract

Solid fuel compositions consisting essentially of wet processed biomass are provided. Processes for preparing solid fuel are provided that can include pelletizing wet-processed biomass material. Combustion processes are provided that can include initiating combustion of a pelletized wet processed biomass material. Energy generation processes are included that can include gasifying a biomass pellet.

1 . A solid fuel consisting essentially of wet-processed biomass, the solid fuel having a density of at least 20 lbs/ft 3 . 
     
     
         2 . The solid fuel of  claim 1  wherein the solid fuel is in the form of pellets. 
     
     
         3 . The solid fuel of  claim 1  wherein the wet-processed biomass comprises extracted mint leaves. 
     
     
         4 . The solid fuel of  claim 3  wherein the wet-processed biomass comprises mint slug. 
     
     
         5 . The solid fuel of  claim 1  wherein the wet-processed biomass comprises fruit pomace. 
     
     
         6 . The solid fuel of  claim 5  wherein the wet-processed biomass comprises grape pomace. 
     
     
         7 . The solid fuel of  claim 1  wherein the wet-processed biomass comprises spent hops. 
     
     
         8 . The solid fuel of  claim 1  wherein the wet-processed biomass comprises barley waste. 
     
     
         9 . The solid fuel of  claim 1  wherein the wet-processed biomass comprises beet tailings. 
     
     
         10 . The solid fuel of  claim 1  further comprising less than or equal to about 50% (wt./wt.) unprocessed biomass. 
     
     
         11 . The solid fuel of  claim 10  wherein:
 the wet-processed biomass comprises mint slug; and   the unprocessed biomass comprises wood cuttings.   
     
     
         12 . The solid fuel of  claim 10  wherein the unprocessed biomass is one or more of straw, stover, and vegetable husks. 
     
     
         13 . The solid fuel of  claim 12  wherein the unprocessed biomass is straw and the straw is one or more of wheat, rice, and flax straw. 
     
     
         14 . The solid fuel of  claim 10  wherein the unprocessed biomass is switch grass. 
     
     
         15 . The solid fuel of  claim 1  further comprising glycerin. 
     
     
         16 . The solid fuel of  claim 1  wherein the solid fuel is in the form of a pellet. 
     
     
         17 . The solid fuel of  claim 16  wherein the pellet has a length longer than its diameter. 
     
     
         18 . The solid fuel of  claim 16  wherein the pellet has a circular cross section less than about ½ inch in diameter. 
     
     
         19 . The solid fuel of  claim 16  wherein any cross section of the pellet is less than about 1 inch in length. 
     
     
         20 . The solid fuel of  claim 16  wherein the pellets are configured for use in residential pellet stoves. 
     
     
         21 . The solid fuel of  claim 1  further comprising less than or equal to about 50% (wt./wt.) digestion waste. 
     
     
         22 . The solid fuel of  claim 21  wherein the digestion waste comprises sludge. 
     
     
         23 . The solid fuel of  claim 22  wherein the sludge is sewage sludge. 
     
     
         24 . The solid fuel of  claim 1  further comprising less than or equal to about 50% (wt./wt.) animal waste. 
     
     
         25 . The solid fuel of  claim 24  wherein the animal waste comprises cow manure. 
     
     
         26 . A process for preparing solid fuel comprising pelletizing material to produce a solid fuel pellet, the material comprising at least 50% (wt./wt.) wet-processed biomass material. 
     
     
         27 . The process of  claim 26  wherein the wet-processed biomass material is extracted soy beans. 
     
     
         28 . The process of  claim 26  wherein the material further comprises unprocessed biomass material. 
     
     
         29 . The process of  claim 28  wherein the wet-processed biomass material comprises mint slug and the unprocessed biomass material comprises straw. 
     
     
         30 . The process of  claim 28  wherein a weight of the wet-processed biomass material is at least equal to or greater than a weight of the unprocessed biomass material. 
     
     
         31 . The process of  claim 26  further comprising storing the solid fuel pellet in a container. 
     
     
         32 . The process of  claim 31  wherein the container is configured for distribution of the solid fuel pellet for residential use. 
     
     
         33 . A combustion process comprising:
 initiating combustion of a pelletized fuel, the pelletized fuel comprising a wet-processed biomass material; and   periodically providing additional quantities of the fuel to continue the combustion.   
     
     
         34 . The process of  claim 33  wherein the providing further comprises metering in an amount of solid fuel at predetermined rates. 
     
     
         35 . The process of  claim 33  further comprising utilizing the heat from the combustion as an energy source. 
     
     
         36 . The process of  claim 33  wherein the combustion is initiated and continued within a residential pellet stove. 
     
     
         37 . An energy generation process comprising gasifying a biomass pellet. 
     
     
         38 . The process of  claim 37  wherein the biomass pellet comprises biomass slug. 
     
     
         39 . The process of  claim 37  wherein the gasifying creates a carbon waste product. 
     
     
         40 . The process of  claim 39  wherein the carbon waste product is utilized as filtration media.