Hay-based fuel log and method of making the same

Abstract

A hay-based fuel log formed of a combination of pieces of hay and a binding agent. The hay pieces and the binding agent are compressed together into a solid shape. The hay-based fuel log is fabricated so that the majority of the hay-binder combination is made of the hay. The binder is selected to be sufficient to keep the hay pieces joined together in its selected shape. The binder may be wax paraffin, plastic, corn starch or potato starch or any combination thereof. The hay-based fuel log is fabricated by compressing the hay-binder mixture together with sufficient pressure to enable the hay pieces to stay together.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hay-based fuel log comprising a mixture of hay and a binder pressed together. 
     
     
         2 . The log of  claim 1  wherein the hay is approximately 70% to 80% by weight of the mixture and the binder is approximately 20% to 30% by weight of the mixture. 
     
     
         3 . The log of  claim 1  wherein the binder is wax paraffin. 
     
     
         4 . The log of  claim 1  wherein the binder is plastic. 
     
     
         5 . The log of  claim 1  wherein the binder is corn starch or potato starch. 
     
     
         6 . The log of  claim 1  wherein the binder is a combination of two or more binders selected from the group consisting of wax paraffin, plastic, corn starch and potato starch. 
     
     
         7 . The log of  claim 1  wherein the hay is hay pieces of approximately ⅛″. 
     
     
         8 . The log of  claim 1  wherein the log is of a cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         9 . A method of making a hay-based fuel log comprising the steps of:
 a. processing hay into hay pieces;   b. mixing the hay pieces with a binder to make a hay and binder mixture; and   c. pressing the mixture into the form of a log.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the hay pieces comprise approximately 70% to 80% by weight of the mixture and the binder is approximately 20% to 30% by weight of the mixture. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the binder is wax paraffin. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the binder is plastic. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the binder is corn starch or potato starch. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the binder is a combination of two or more binders selected from the group consisting of wax paraffin, plastic, corn starch and potato starch. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the hay pieces are approximately ⅛″ in length. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the step of pressing is carried out in a wood pellet machine press.