APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DRYING BIOMASS

摘要

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for drying a biomass or organic material through one or more auger tubes that may be connected in series. Rotation of the augers drives the movement of the material longitudinally through the auger tubes. In addition, the one or more auger tubes are also heated by a hot liquid or water that may be circulated through a jacket(s) surrounding the one or more auger tubes, and a generally longitudinal flow of air or gas through the one or more auger tubes may be caused by operation of a fan or blower. The operation of a dryer apparatus of the present invention may also be monitored and controlled by a computer to optimize or improve drying conditions. Thus, one or more operational parameters of a dryer apparatus may be altered or controlled based on one or more measurements, such as temperature.

主权项

1. An apparatus for drying a material comprising:
an auger tube, the auger tube having an elongated jacket that surrounds most or all of the auger tube and encloses a jacketed space between the jacket and the auger tube; an auger, the auger being positioned within the interior of the auger tube; an auger motor, the auger motor being physically coupled to the auger for causing rotation of the auger; and a blower, the blower being in fluid communication with the interior of the auger tube for causing a flow of air or gas through the auger tube by operation of the blower, wherein the auger tube has a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end of the auger tube being on opposite longitudinal ends of the auger tube, and wherein the auger tube has an input opening for receiving the material into the interior of the auger tube and an output opening for allowing the material to exit the interior of the auger tube, the input opening being at or near the first end of the auger tube and the output opening being at or near the second end of the auger tube.