Production of solid bio-fuel from cynara. cardunculus (wild artichoke) cultivation

Abstract

The present invention concerns the production of solid biofuel (pellets, briquettes, etc) made from biomass that has, been produced in organized cultivation of the weed Cynara cardunculus, and its utilization instead of oil for heat production on a domestic or industrial use or for electricity production. The shifting conventional cropping systems to cynara cultivation will multiply the farmers profit and will open new horizons for the development of Greek rural areas also with the respective creation of many new jobs. Additionally, the produced biofuel will be much cheaper than oil or gas for heating, and its use will reduce the dependence from international energy monopolies and the exporting of precious exchange. Apart from the economic advantages, the present invention has direct positive effects on the environment with respect to the greenhouse effect, controlling the pollution with nitrates and agrochemicals, saving large amounts of irrigation water, eliminating soil erosion and land desertification and improving of soil fertility and other chemical and physical characteristics.

1 - 6 . (canceled) 
   
   
       7 . A solid bio-fuel comprising:
 dry processed biomass from  Cynara cardunculus  (wild artichoke) cultivation, said biomass having a heating value of at least 16 MJ/kg.   
   
   
       8 . The solid bio-fuel according to  claim 7 , wherein said processed biomass includes seeds of said  Cynara cardunculus  cultivation. 
   
   
       9 . The solid bio-fuel according to  claim 7 , wherein said processed biomass is in the form of at least one pellet. 
   
   
       10 . The solid bio-fuel according to  claim 9 , wherein said pellet has a length longer than its diameter. 
   
   
       11 . The solid bio-fuel according to  claim 9 , wherein said pellet has a substantially circular cross section less than about 1.2 cm in diameter. 
   
   
       12 . The solid bio-fuel according to  claim 9 , wherein any cross section of said pellet is less than about 5 cm in length. 
   
   
       13 . The solid bio-fuel according to  claim 9 , wherein said pellet is configured for use in residential pellet equipment selected from the group consisting of a stove, an oven, a burner, a greater furnace, and a blast furnace. 
   
   
       14 . The solid bio-fuel according to  claim 9 , wherein said pellet has a moisture content of about 8%. 
   
   
       15 . The solid bio-fuel according to  claim 7 , wherein said processed biomass is in the form of at least one briquette. 
   
   
       16 . The solid bio-fuel according to  claim 15 , wherein said briquette has a length longer than its diameter. 
   
   
       17 . The solid bio-fuel according to  claim 15 , wherein said briquette has a substantially circular cross section less than about 10 cm in diameter. 
   
   
       18 . The solid bio-fuel according to  claim 15 , wherein any cross section of said briquette is less than about 25 cm in length. 
   
   
       19 . The solid bio-fuel according to  claim 15 , wherein said briquette is configured for use in residential briquette equipment selected from the group consisting of a stove, an oven, a burner, a greater furnace, and a blast furnace. 
   
   
       20 . A method of producing a solid bio-fuel from  Cynara cardunculus,  said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) harvesting a crop of  Cynara cardunculus  (wild artichoke) cultivation;   (b) collecting biomass from said harvested crop;   (c) smashing and fragmenting said biomass; and   (d) forming said smashed and fragmented biomass into a pelletized product having a heating value of at least 16 MJ/kg.   
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein step (b) further comprising the step of producing biomass balls from said collected biomass. 
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein step (c) uses at least one hammer to smash and fragment said biomass balls. 
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein said pelletized product of step (d) is at least one pellet having a length longer than its diameter, a substantially circular cross section less than about 1.2 cm in diameter, and any cross section of said pellet is less than about 5 cm in length. 
   
   
       24 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein said pellet has a moisture content of about 8%. 
   
   
       25 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein said pelletized product of step (d) is at least one briquette having a length longer than its diameter, a substantially circular cross section less than about 10 cm in diameter, and any cross section of said pellet is less than about 25 cm in length. 
   
   
       26 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein said crop of  Cynara cardunculus  in step (a) has a moisture content of about 10%.