Methods for producing biomass-based fuel with pulp processing equipment

摘要

Disclosed is a method of manufacturing biomass-based pellets comprising: introducing a biomass-based bulk solid feedstock to a pulp digester used for pulp processing wherein the pulp digester has been converted from existing equipment for use in the manufacture of biomass-based pellets; ceasing supply of the biomass-based feedstock to the pulp digester; introducing steam into the pulp digester; allowing the biomass-based feedstock to cook in the pulp digester for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined temperature, creating a cooked biomass-based material; modifying lignin in the biomass-based feedstock via a pulp digester used for pulp processing; removing the cooked biomass-based material from the pulp digester; delivering the cooked biomass-based material from the pulp digester to a pellet mill; and pelletizing the cooked biomass-based feedstock to form the biomass-based pellets.