APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR OPERATING AND CONTROLLING COMBUSTOR FOR GROUND OR PARTICULATE BIOMASS

摘要

A system for combusting bridging fuel, e.g., biomass material (90). The apparatus (10) includes enclosure (12) defining a firebox. Combustion air manifold (20), exhaust manifold (26), and heat exchanger (24) are positioned along the center horizontal axis of firebox (12). Fuel feed conveyor (30) enters through the wall of firebox (12) and extends along the top of firebox (12). A temperature sensor (T2-T9) is positioned on the exterior of firebox (12). Controller (102) is operatively connected temperature sensor (T2-T9) and fuel feed conveyor (30). If the temperature sensor (T2-T9) exceeds a set point, controller (102) automatically operates fuel feed conveyor (30) to refill firebox (12) with fuel (90). This can reinsulate the wall of firebox (12) so that fuel (90) surrounds the combustion. Heat is extracted from the combustion by heat exchanger (24) while the exterior wall of firebox (12) is kept relatively cool by the insulating layer of fuel (12). Automatic fuel refill allows combustion to be continuous instead of requiring shut-down of combustion and re- ignition after filling firebox (12) with fuel (90).