Thermal treatment system and method

Abstract

A improved solar biochar reactor, system including the reactor, and methods of forming and using the reactors and systems are disclosed. The methods and system as described herein provide sufficient solar energy to a biochar reactor to convert animal waste or other biomass to biochar in a relatively cost-effective manner.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A thermal treatment system, the system comprising:
 a solar concentrator having an area of concentrated solar power;   one or more fiber optic cables, the one or more fiber optic cables having a first end proximate the area of concentrated solar power and a second end; and   a solar reactor coupled to the second end of the one or more fiber optic cables, the reactor comprising:
 a container to receive material to be treated; and 
 insulating material surrounding the container. 
   
     
     
         2 . The thermal treatment system of  claim 1 , further comprising a urine diversion device. 
     
     
         3 . The thermal treatment system of  claim 1 , wherein the reactor is a hydrothermal carbonization reactor. 
     
     
         4 . The thermal treatment system of  claim 1 , wherein the reactor is a pyrolysis reactor. 
     
     
         5 . The thermal treatment system of  claim 1 , further comprising a rotating mechanism to expose the reactor to the one or more fiber optic cables. 
     
     
         6 . The thermal treatment system of  claim 1 , wherein the biomass comprises animal waste. 
     
     
         7 . The thermal treatment system of  claim 1 , wherein the fiber optic cables are isolated form the reactor. 
     
     
         8 . A method to treat biomass, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a solar collector to obtain concentrated solar thermal energy;   providing a reactor;   providing biomass to the reactor;   providing concentrated solar thermal energy to the reactor using one or more fiber optic cables; and   treating the biomass with the concentrated solar thermal energy.   
     
     
         9 . The method to treat biomass of  claim 8 , further comprising the step of rotating a carousel to expose the reactor to one or more fiber optic cables. 
     
     
         10 . The method to treat biomass of  claim 8 , wherein using one or more fiber optic cables comprises using fiber optic cable having fused ends. 
     
     
         11 . The method to treat biomass of  claim 8 , wherein the step of treating the biomass with the concentrated solar thermal energy comprises using hydrothermal carbonization. 
     
     
         12 . The method to treat biomass of  claim 8 , wherein the step of providing biomass waste to the reactor comprises providing animal waste to the reactor. 
     
     
         13 . The method to treat biomass of  claim 8 , wherein the step of treating the biomass with the concentrated solar thermal energy comprises using pyrolysis. 
     
     
         14 . The method to treat biomass of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of condensing the water vapor. 
     
     
         15 . The method to treat biomass of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of removing condensable tars within pyrolysis gas using a removable tar trap prior to further treatment or use of a gas. 
     
     
         16 . The method to treat biomass of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of removing odor causing compounds from the pyrolysis gas using one or more of a biochar and activated carbon packed filter bed. 
     
     
         17 . A method to treat animal waste, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a waste treatment system comprising a solar collector and a reactor, wherein the reactor receives concentrated solar energy from the solar collector;   exposing solid waste to the concentrated solar energy in the reactor to produce char; and   exposing liquid waste to one or more of concentrated and passive solar energy to treat the liquid waste.   
     
     
         18 . The method to treat animal waste of  claim 17 , wherein the step of providing a waste treatment system comprises providing a waste treatment system comprising a solar collector, a waste collection tank, and a conveyor, wherein the conveyor semi-continuously transports waste from a collection tank and receives concentrated solar energy from the solar collector. 
     
     
         19 . The method to treat animal waste of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of moving insulating material relative to the reactor. 
     
     
         20 . The method to treat animal waste of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of treating urine.