Method and apparatus for de-watering biomass materials in a compression drying process

Patent · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:866084

Haygreen, John G ^[1]

---

1. Roseville, MN

A method and apparatus for more effectively squeezing moisture from wood chips and/or other "green" biomass materials. A press comprising a generally closed chamber having a laterally movable base at the lower end thereof, and a piston or ram conforming in shape to the cross-section of the chamber is adapted to periodically receive a charge of biomass material to be dehydrated. The ram is forced against the biomass material with suffcient force to compress the biomass and to crush the matrix in which moisture is contained within the material with the face of the ram being configured to cause a preferential flow of moisture from the center of the mass outwardly to the grooved walls of the chamber. Thus, the moisture is effectively squeezed from the biomass and flows through the grooves formed in the walls of the chamber to a collecting receptacle and is not drawn back into the mass by capillary action when the force is removed from the ram.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AS07-83ID12349
• Assignee: Regents of University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN)
• Patent Number(s): US 4630535
• OSTI ID: 866084
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
apparatus
de-watering
biomass
materials
compression
drying
process
effectively
squeezing
moisture
wood
chips
green
press
comprising
closed
chamber
laterally
movable
base
piston
conforming
shape
cross-section
adapted
periodically
receive
charge
material
dehydrated
forced
suffcient
force
compress
crush
matrix
contained
configured
preferential
flow
center
mass
outwardly
grooved
walls
squeezed
flows
grooves
formed
collecting
receptacle
drawn
capillary
action
removed
biomass materials
closed chamber
capillary action
biomass material
wood chips
drying process
grooves formed
periodically receive
/100/