Process and System For Manufacturing Consistent BTU Value Of Solid Fuel From Solid Waste

Abstract

A method for manufacturing solid fuel, including estimating a heat value for at least a portion of a combustible waste stream. At least one type of combustible polymer is added to the combustible waste stream as needed to raise the estimated heat value of the portion of combustible waste stream to a desired heat value. The combustible waste stream is heated and mixed while adding a binder to the combustible waste stream to increase the structural integrity of a solid fuel formed from the mixed combustible waste stream. The heated and mixed combustible waste stream is pressed into briquettes of solid fuel which are substantially hydrophobic.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for manufacturing solid fuel, comprising:
 removing non-combustible and hazardous materials from a waste stream of substantially solid materials to produce a substantially combustible waste stream;   estimating a heat value for at least a portion of the combustible waste stream;   adding at least one type of combustible polymer to the combustible waste stream as needed to raise the estimated heat value of the portion of combustible waste stream to a desired heat value;   heating and mixing the combustible waste stream while adding a binder to the combustible waste stream to increase the structural integrity of a solid fuel formed from the mixed combustible waste stream; and   pressing the heated and mixed combustible waste stream into briquettes of solid fuel which are substantially hydrophobic.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the binder also increases the hydrophobic properties of the briquettes. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the binder includes at least one organic material. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the binder is heated to a temperature between 200 degrees F. to 350 degrees F. at least during mixing with the combustible waste stream. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the waste stream of substantially solid materials is obtained from at least one of residential solid waste and municipal solid waste. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the desired heat value is between 10,000 BTU to 13,000 BTU. 
     
     
         7 . Briquettes formed according to the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         8 . A method for manufacturing solid fuel, comprising:
 removing non-combustible and hazardous materials from a waste stream obtained from at least one of residential solid waste and municipal solid waste to produce a substantially combustible waste stream;   estimating a heat value for at least a portion of the combustible waste stream;   adding at least one type of combustible polymer to the combustible waste stream as needed to raise the estimated heat value of the portion of combustible waste stream to a desired heat value;   heating and mixing the combustible waste stream while adding a binder to the combustible waste stream to increase the structural integrity and increase the hydrophobic properties of briquettes formed from the mixed combustible waste stream; and   pressing the heated and mixed combustible waste stream into briquettes of solid fuel which are substantially hydrophobic.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the binder includes at least one organic material. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the desired heat value is between 10,000 BTU to 13,000 BTU. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the binder is heated to a temperature between 200 degrees F. to 350 degrees F. at least during mixing with the combustible waste stream. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the binder is in a substantially free flowing viscous condition when added to the combustible waste stream. 
     
     
         13 . Briquettes formed according to the method of  claim 8 .