Machine for producing pellets

Abstract

The invention relates to a machine (1) for producing pellets, comprising a grinding unit (2) configured to grind biomass to produce ground biomass pieces, a drying unit (3) connected to the grinding unit by a device for conveying the ground biomass, the drying unit being configured to dry the ground biomass pieces for forming pellets, and a pressing unit (4) connected to the drying unit (3) by a device for conveying ground and dried biomass, the pressing unit (4) being configured to form pellets from the ground and dried biomass pieces, the machine (1) for producing pellets further comprising a movable support (6) on which the grinding unit (2), the drying unit (3) and the pressing unit (4) are mounted, the movable support (6) being dimensioned for road transport.

Description

[0001] P2989PC00 1

[0002] PELLET PRODUCTION MACHINE

[0003] The present invention relates to a pellet production system from biomass, in particular wood, wood waste, branches, woody plants such as vine shoots, reeds, hemp, straw, and various biomasses from agriculture, forest management, the agri-food sector or communities.

[0004] It is well known to produce biomass pellets, particularly from wood or wood waste, for heat production by combustion, in industry or for domestic uses.

[0005] Typically, pellet production takes place, at least in part, at a factory where the raw material for pellets is brought in, either in its raw form to be ground, dried, and compressed at the factory, or already pre-processed, for example, ground, with drying and compression to form pellets carried out at the factory. Typically, the grinding, drying, and pellet-forming units are operated by different machines, with biomass transport and storage operations at various stages of production. While such systems allow for the optimization of each machine's use for the various stages, a major drawback is the storage and transport of biomass from harvesting sites to the production units.This drawback is particularly important when harvesting biomass in scattered locations, far from production units, or when the small quantities harvested do not justify the logistical complexity of storage, transport, and processing in factories.

[0006] It is known that a mobile machine for grinding and forming biomass pellets, as described in application EP28458954, is available, but this machine is limited in its ability to process vine shoots and requires the raw material to be stored and dried separately to achieve the desired moisture content. Separate drying presents a significant drawback, not only for the aforementioned logistical reasons, but also because producing high-quality pellets with uniform properties requires a precisely controlled moisture content in the ground material just before pressing.

[0007] In light of the foregoing, one objective of the invention is to provide a mobile biomass pellet production system that is efficient, economical, and capable of producing pellets of good quality with uniform properties. P2989PC00 2

[0008] It is advantageous to provide a pellet production system that is easily usable for various harvesting locations and for various harvest quantities.

[0009] It is advantageous to provide a pellet production system that can be used for various types of biomass such as wood and wood waste from forestry or agricultural operations, or branches, vines and other woody plants from agriculture.

[0010] It is advantageous to provide a pellet production system that is compact.

[0011] It is advantageous to provide a pellet production system that is energy-efficient.

[0012] Objects of the invention are realized by the independent claims. The dependent claims describe advantageous features of the invention.

[0013] In the present invention, a pellet production machine is described comprising a grinding unit configured to grind biomass to produce pieces of ground biomass, a drying unit connected to the grinding unit by a device for transporting the ground biomass, the drying unit configured for drying the pieces of ground biomass to form pellets, and a press unit connected to the drying unit by a device for transporting ground and dried biomass, the press unit being configured to form pellets from the pieces of ground and dried biomass, the pellet production machine further comprising a mobile support on which the grinding unit, the drying unit and the press unit are mounted, the mobile support being dimensioned for transport by road or by rail or ship, preferably having a width equal to or less than 4 meters and a height equal to or less than 4 meters,preferably having a width equal to or less than 3 meters.

[0014] According to a first aspect of the invention, the drying unit comprises a dry air production device including a pellet burner and a spark separator, the drying unit further comprising a drying drum connected downstream of the spark separator.

[0015] According to this first aspect, the spark separator comprises a central tubular separation device including a grid surrounding the center of the spark separator and a central tubular cyclone device including fins arranged around the grid configured to generate an air vortex inside the grid. P2989PC00 3

[0016] According to a second aspect of the invention, the drying unit includes a moisture measuring device disposed before the drying drum configured for collecting samples of crushed biomass pieces, the moisture measuring device including a flap actuated between a closed position and an open position for the passage of the sample into a container of the moisture measuring device.

[0017] According to a third aspect of the invention, the pellet press unit includes a preheating device including a storage tank for a heating material and a return conveyor configured for starting up and preheating the pellet press before the introduction of the ground biomass to be pelletized.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment, the spark separator includes a side inlet connected to the outlet of the pellet burner configured to generate a hot air vortex and configured to collect some of the sparks against a peripheral wall of the spark separator.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment, the spark separator includes a central outlet connected to the air box, the central outlet being above the central tubular separation device.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment, the spark separator includes an air box disposed at its outlet, the air box comprising a fresh air inlet and a dry air outlet, configured to adjust the temperature of the dry air injected into the drying drum.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, the drying unit includes a second moisture measuring device disposed after the drying drum configured for collecting samples of dried biomass pieces, the moisture measuring device including a flap actuated between a closed position and an open position for passing the sample into a container of the moisture measuring device.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment, the humidity measuring device includes a humidity sensor in the form of a capacitive sensor disposed in the container, for example on a removable bottom wall of the container.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment, the spark separator includes a spark separator cleaner comprising a pressurized air source, connected P2989PC00 4 to a removable nozzle system configured to blow pressurized air onto an inner surface of the central tubular separation device for cleaning said inner surface.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment, the drying unit includes an outlet device including at least two separation cyclones for collecting pieces of crushed and dried biomass at the outlet of the drying drum.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment, the machine further comprises an output unit including a pellet conveying device comprising cooling fans configured to blow outside environmental air through the pellets onto the pellet conveying device.

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment, the pellet transport device includes a conveyor belt with the mesh of the belt sized for the support of the pellets and the passage of air blown through the mesh of the belt.

[0027] In an advantageous embodiment, the mobile support is in the form of a truck trailer.

[0028] In an advantageous embodiment, the grinding unit comprises a first grinder constituting a coarse grinder, and a second grinder arranged below the first grinder constituting a fine grinder.

[0029] In an advantageous embodiment, the grinding unit includes an output device including an output hopper, a separation cyclone device, and a buffer storage hopper.

[0030] In an advantageous embodiment, the machine is configured for the transformation of biomass such as wood or wood waste or branches, woody plants such as vine shoots, straw, and various plants from agriculture or forest management, plant compost, manure, digestate, into pellets.

[0031] In an advantageous embodiment, the output unit includes a weighing module, and optionally a sieving module, at the outlet of the discharge conveyor to measure the weight of the pellets produced. P2989PC00 5

[0032] In an advantageous embodiment, the collection container of the humidity measuring device includes a bottom wall in the form of a piston actuated in displacement by a translational mechanism.

[0033] Other objects and advantageous aspects of the invention will become apparent from reading the claims and / or the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention in relation to the figures, in which:

[0034] Fig. 1a is a view of the right side (without outer wall) of a pellet production machine according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0035] Fig. 1b is a view of the left side of the machine in Fig. 1a;

[0036] Fig. 1c is a top view of the machine in Fig. 1a;

[0037] Fig. 1d is a front side view of the machine in Fig. 1a;

[0038] Fig. 2a is a view of a grinding device of a pellet production machine according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0039] Figs. 2b and 2c are views of a part of the grinding device of figure 2a showing the location of a first moisture measuring device according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0040] Fig. 3a is a side view of a drying device of a pellet production machine according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0041] Fig. 3b is a view of part of the drying device of figure 3a showing the location of a second humidity measuring device according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0042] Fig. 4a is a view of a spark separator of the drying device according to Fig. 3;

[0043] Fig. 4b is a partial cross-sectional view of the flame separator according to Fig. 4a;

[0044] Figs. 4c and 4d are vertical cross-sectional views of the spark separator according to Fig. 4a, with Fig. 4c showing a cleaning device in the lower position and Fig. 4d showing the cleaning device in the upper position;

[0045] Fig. 4e is a perspective view of a central tubular cyclone of the flame separator according to Fig. 4a;

[0046] Fig. 5 is a perspective and partially transparent view of a drying drum of the device according to Fig. 3;

[0047] Fig. 6 is a side view of a press unit and output unit of a pellet production machine according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0048] Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of part of Fig. 6 showing the press unit with the preheating device; P2989PC00 6

[0049] Figs. 8a and 8b are cross-sectional views of a portion of a transfer or outlet tube (shown without the worm gear inside the tube), with the moisture measuring device according to one embodiment of the invention, Fig. 8a showing the device in the closed position and Fig. 8b showing the device in the open position for taking a sample.

[0050] Referring to the figures, a pellet production machine 1 includes a grinding unit 2, a drying unit 3, a pressing unit 4, and an output unit 5.

[0051] The pellet production machine includes a mobile support unit 6, which can advantageously be in the form of a truck trailer, or can be directly integrated into a truck, or into a container that can be loaded onto a truck. A container could also be loaded onto a railcar for transport by train, or onto a boat for transport on a river, lake, or canal, for example, for the production of pellets from biomass harvested near the banks of a waterway.

[0052] The pellet production machine is mounted on a mobile support 6 and configured to allow it to be transported by road to or near the biomass harvesting site, for example, by using forest roads or by being towed, for example, by an agricultural tractor in or near a field where biomass is harvested. For road transport, the pellet production machine has external dimensions not exceeding 4 meters in height, 2.5 meters in width, and 13.5 meters in length.

[0053] Most advantageously, the arrangement of the grinding, drying, pressing and output units is configured to fit within the dimensions of road transport by truck, the units being arranged so as to allow a flow of biomass from an input to an output in the form of pellets, in an automated or semi-automated manner without leaving the machine.

[0054] The pellet production machine 1 can therefore be driven to or near a harvesting site to directly produce biomass pellets ready for combustion, animal feed, bedding, or fertilizer, among other uses. The finished pellets can be loaded onto a truck for transport to a storage and packaging facility, or can be packaged directly on-site into containers for transport and storage to other locations for use or sale. P2989PC00 7

[0055] The pellet production machine 1 according to the invention also allows a portion of the pellets produced to be used to generate the heat energy needed for drying biomass.

[0056] The grinding unit 2 has a feeding device 16, for example with an auger, into which the harvested biomass can be loaded and conveyed to the grinding unit 2. The grinding unit preferably comprises at least one first grinder 17a followed by at least one second grinder 17b. The first grinder is a coarse grinder, and the second grinder is a finer grinder that directly receives the material exiting the coarse grinder to grind the biomass to a size optimized for drying and pellet formation. The fine grinder is thus fed directly by the coarse grinder. The grinders can be adjusted to adapt the grinding size according to the type of biomass being ground. The grinders can also be arranged on either side of the dryer, with the coarse grinder located upstream and the fine grinder downstream.

[0057] The grinding unit 2 comprises an outlet device 18 with an outlet hopper 19, one or more separation cyclones 20, and a buffer storage hopper 21. The outlet hopper 19 discharges the ground material from the grinders via a transfer tube 50 with a screw conveyor, either to the buffer storage hopper 21 or, alternatively, directly into the drying drum 8. The outlet hopper 19 discharges dust-laden air from the grinders via the cyclone 20 through the top. The air recovery cyclone separates the dust and sends it via a screw conveyor 51 to the buffer storage hopper 21, while the dust-free air is discharged to the outside.

[0058] The ground biomass exiting the grinding unit 2, through a tube 53 of the outlet device 18 connected to the buffer storage hopper 21, is then introduced into a drum 8 of the drying unit 3.

[0059] The drying unit 3 comprises a dry air production device 7, a drying drum 8, and an outlet device 9. The dry air production device 7 advantageously includes a pellet burner 22 that produces hot, dry air, which is injected into the drying drum. The shredded biomass is also injected into the drying drum and transported by air drawn through the drum from its inlet to its outlet 8. The pellet burner 22 can (but does not necessarily) be fueled by pellets produced on-site by the pellet production machine. This not only increases the operating autonomy of the pellet production machine but also promotes highly efficient use of heating energy, which does not need to be transported elsewhere, as the fuel is sourced and produced directly on-site.

[0060] According to one aspect of the invention, the pellet burner 22 is connected directly to the drying drum 8, the air from the pellet burner being injected into the drying drum 8 by passing through a spark separator 23. The drying unit 3 therefore comprises the pellet burner 22 and the spark separator 23 connected to the outlet of the pellet burner in order to filter or remove sparks and thus avoid the injection of sparks into the drying drum.

[0061] The spark separator 23 includes a side inlet 24 connected to the pellet burner 22 configured to generate a cyclone-like flow of hot gas. The spark separator has a peripheral wall 25 that is essentially round, axisymmetric, or polygonal in shape, such that the air blown into the side inlet 24 swirls around a central axis of the peripheral wall 25. The spark separator includes a central tubular separation device 26 comprising a grid 27 surrounding a central space, and fins 29 around the grid forming a central tubular cyclone device 28 that conducts the hot, dry air to a central outlet 30 of the spark separator 23. The fins 29 are configured to create an air vortex that prevents sparks from passing through the grid 27 of the central tubular separation device 26.Most of the sparks blown into the side inlet 24 from the pellet burner 22 are captured by the inside of the peripheral wall 25 and some can be stopped by the vortex effect against the grid 27 so that the air exiting through the central outlet 30 is free of sparks.

[0062] The central outlet 30 of the spark separator can be coupled by an air box 31 which includes a fresh air inlet 32 ​​and a dry air outlet 33 connected to the drying drum 8.

[0063] The air box 31 allows a mixture of fresh air and hot air from the pellet burner 22 to be created in order to regulate the temperature of the drying air injected into the drying drum 8.

[0064] The air box 31 can be fitted with a damper 61 or valve allowing adjustment of the fresh air inlet opening and the hot / fresh air mixture, either manually or by fixed setting depending on the biomass to be dried, or automatically by being coupled to humidity probes and a temperature probe located in the drum or at the outlet of the air box 31 or at the inlet 62 of the drying drum. P2989PC00 9

[0065] A flame separator cleaner 48 includes a pressurized air source, for example a compressed air generator, connected to a removable nozzle system 52 configured to blow pressurized air onto the inner surface of the central tubular separation device 26 in order to clean it by removing particles accumulated on the grid 27, thus preventing clogging of the grid 27.

[0066] The removable nozzle system 52 comprises nozzles 54 coupled to a displacement device 56 configured to move the nozzles axially along the axis A of the central tubular separation device 26, as well as rotationally around the axis A so that the air projected by the nozzles sweeps the entire inner surface of the central tubular separation device 26. The actuation of the spark separator cleaner can be automatic and programmed in a machine control unit. The actuation can be automatic and programmed for operation at predefined intervals or at a specific stage, for example, at the end of the day, or after a predefined operating time. The actuation of the spark separator cleaner can also be controlled manually by an operator.

[0067] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the removable nozzle system comprises three nozzles 54 connected to and fixed to a vertical tube connected to a compressed air generator. The movement device 56 includes cables for rotating the device and a cylinder for raising and lowering the nozzles.

[0068] The drying drum 8 can have a predominantly elongated shape and a cylindrical or polygonal cross-section. Its interior includes walls 34b and stirring fins 34a that force the crushed biomass to be agitated, compelling it to follow a winding path to ensure a sufficiently long transit time for high-quality drying. The crushed biomass is transported by an airflow towards the drying drum's outlet. Furthermore, the biomass particles are very well distributed to improve drying. The material to be dried is fed into the drying drum 8 from the outlet 18 of the grinding unit 2 and is then drawn through the drum.

[0069] Upon exiting the drying drum, the ground and dried biomass enters an outlet device 9 comprising one or more separation cyclones 35. Preferably, the device includes several separation cyclones, in particular two separation cyclones 35 (instead of the single one commonly used in conventional systems). Multiple separation cyclones allow for a reduction in size while achieving performance similar to a larger diameter cyclone, thus enabling a more compact design for the purpose of having a mobile pellet production machine, particularly one with dimensions suitable for road transport by truck.

[0070] The output device 9 includes an output buffer hopper (of dry matter) 37 connected to the press unit 4 to supply ground and dried biomass to the press unit 4.

[0071] A suction turbine 36 at the end of the drying unit creates a regulated vacuum through the drying drum 8 and the cyclones 35 in order to move the material without disturbing the combustion in the pellet burner 22.

[0072] The drying air is heated by the pellet burner and then passes through the spark separator to remove any remaining embers after combustion. The air temperature is adjusted to the moisture content of the material being dried and is regulated by the power of the pellet burner 22 and also by a supply of fresh air via the air box 31.

[0073] The depression generated by the suction turbine 36 therefore passes through the two cyclones 35 in order to separate the dry material, which is conveyed via the auger 63, the outlet hopper 37 and the auger 39, to the press unit 4, and the aspirated humid air is vented to the outside.

[0074] The drying drum can be positioned with its central axis running alongside the container or truck trailer in the direction of transport, positioned on one side of the container or trailer to leave space on the other side for other units of the pellet production machine 1.

[0075] The drying drum 8 is mounted to rotate and coupled to an electric motor so that the drying drum rotates during the drying operation.

[0076] The press unit 4 includes a pellet press 11 for pressing the crushed and dried material into pellet form, the mechanical operation of a pellet press being well known in itself.

[0077] According to one aspect of the invention, the press unit includes a preheating device 12 with a heating material storage tank 40 and a return conveyor 41 that allows for the recycling of heating material before the first use of the pellet production machine. Indeed, for the operation of a pellet press 11, it is important that the pellet press reach a certain temperature, namely an operating temperature that is typically between 70°C and 90°C, for example, around 80°C.Since the pellet production machine is mobile and can be brought close to a biomass harvesting site for one-off use, or depending on the amount of biomass available, for a relatively short period, for quick and efficient use of the pellet production machine, there is an advantage to preheating the press unit in order to have a quick start-up when the pellet production machine arrives at the production site.

[0078] The pellets exiting the press unit 4 are conveyed by an outlet unit 5 to an outlet of the pellet production machine for loading onto another truck bed, for direct packaging, or for direct on-site storage, as required. The outlet unit includes a pellet conveying device, for example, a conveyor belt with mesh that transports the pellets into an outlet channel 14. The outlet unit therefore comprises the pellet conveying device and the outlet channel 14 surrounding the pellet conveying device.

[0079] According to one aspect of the invention, the outlet channel 14 of the outlet unit 5 includes cooling fans 44 preferably on the top or bottom of the outlet channel 14 configured to blow fresh air (outside ambient air) through the pellet transport device, for example through the mesh of the conveyor belt and thus through the pellets resting on the conveyor belt moving towards the outlet 45. The pellets arriving at the outlet 45 are therefore cooled and can be directly loaded onto a truck bed, into a container or into silos, bags or packaging bins.

[0080] The output unit 5 can also advantageously include a weighing module at the output 45 to weigh the pellets in batches at the output of the output unit 5 and before being poured into a container or skip or into bags or packaging containers.

[0081] The pellet production machine according to one aspect of the invention may further include a (first) moisture measuring device 38 which is advantageously arranged upstream of the drying drum 8, configured to collect samples of ground biomass to be dried in the drying drum in order to measure the moisture content of the sample with a moisture sensor. In one embodiment, the moisture measuring device 38 is arranged on the underside of the transfer tube 50.

[0082] The pellet production machine may further advantageously include a second moisture measuring device 38 disposed after the drying drum 8, P2989PC00 12 configured to collect samples of ground biomass at the outlet of the drying drum in order to measure the moisture content of the sample with a moisture sensor. In one embodiment, the moisture measuring device 38 is disposed on the underside of the outlet tube 63.

[0083] The first moisture measuring device 38 includes a valve 46 coupled to an actuator 47, the device being integrated under the transfer tube 50 of crushed biomass, with a screw inside the tube.

[0084] The second humidity measuring device 38 may have the same technical characteristics as the first humidity measuring device.

[0085] The collection container 49 may advantageously include a bottom wall 51 in the form of a piston actuated by a sliding actuator or mechanism 47. The sliding mechanism coupled to the piston is configured to move the piston from a low position (Figure 8b) where a sample can be collected, to an intermediate higher position to compress the sample during a moisture measurement, and then to a high position (Figure 8a) where, after the moisture measurement is complete, the sample is pushed back into the drum to empty the collection container and prepare it for a new sample collection. Compressing the sample ensures an accurate, well-calibrated, and uniform moisture measurement between samples.

[0086] Sample collection can be carried out according to a predefined program or at the request of an operator, in order to adjust the operation of the pellet burner 22 and, if necessary, the fresh air intake 32 via the air box 31, for regulating the drying air temperature through the drum. The drying process can therefore be adjusted to achieve a desired moisture content. The moisture content of the sample collected in the container 49 can be measured by a capacitive sensor or probe 60, positioned, for example, on the back wall.

[0087] Measuring the biomass moisture content before it enters the drying unit using the first moisture meter and again after it exits the drying unit using the second moisture meter 38 allows for optimal and precise control of the drying unit's operation. Indeed, measuring at the inlet and outlet makes it possible to anticipate and adjust drying requirements, and consequently the supply of hot air by the dry air production unit, in real time. P2989PC00 13

[0088] The path of biomass through the pellet production machine is shown in the figures by the sequence of arrows P1 to P13, this path being summarized below:

[0089] P1: Biomass input into the biomass input bin 13 and conveying to the inlet of the transfer tubes with screw conveyor 16,

[0090] P2: conveying biomass in the transfer tubes with screw conveyors 16 to the crushers 17,

[0091] P3: Passage of biomass through the shredders 17,

[0092] P4: conveying biomass in the transfer tube with screw conveyor 50 to the buffer storage hopper 21,

[0093] P5: passage of biomass through the buffer storage hopper 21,

[0094] P6: conveying biomass in the transfer tube with screw 53 to the drying drum 8,

[0095] P7: Passage of biomass through drying drum 8,

[0096] P8: Biomass exit from drying drum 8 and passage of dry biomass through separation cyclones 35,

[0097] P9: Biomass exit from separation cyclones 35 and conveyance of dry biomass in outlet tubes with auger 63 to the outlet buffer hopper 37, P10: Passage of dry biomass through the outlet buffer hopper 37,

[0098] P11: Dry biomass exits the outlet buffer hopper 37 and is conveyed through outlet tubes with a screw conveyor 39 to the press unit 4.

[0099] P12: Passage of dry biomass through press unit 4,

[0100] P13: conveying the pellets exiting the press unit 4 through the transfer channel 14 to the outlet 45 of the machine (and into the weighing module).

[0101] P2989PC00 14

[0102] List of references in the figures

[0103] Pellet production machine 1

[0104] Mobile support 6

[0105] Truck trailer

[0106] Grinding Unit 2

[0107] Biomass inlet bin 13

[0108] 16" worm gear transfer tubes

[0109] Crusher(s) 17

[0110] First Crusher (coarse crusher) 17a

[0111] Second Grinder (fine grinder) 17b

[0112] Output device 18 (of ground material)

[0113] Outlet hopper 19 (for crushed material)

[0114] Transfer tube with a 50 mm auger (for crushed material)

[0115] Separation Cyclone 20

[0116] Storage buffer hopper 21 (for crushed material)

[0117] Transfer tube with a 53 mm auger (for crushed material)

[0118] Drying Unit 3

[0119] Dry air production device 7

[0120] Pellet burner 22

[0121] 23 Flame Separator

[0122] Side entrance 24

[0123] Peripheral wall 25

[0124] Central tubular separation device 26

[0125] Grid 27

[0126] Central tubular cyclone 28

[0127] Fins 29

[0128] Central exit 30

[0129] Air box 31

[0130] Fresh air intake 32

[0131] Valve 61

[0132] Dry air outlet 33

[0133] 48 Flame System Cleaner

[0134] Source of pressurized air

[0135] Removable nozzle system 52

[0136] 54 Nozzles

[0137] Displacement device 56

[0138] Drying drum 8

[0139] Drum entrance 62

[0140] 34a mixing fins

[0141] Walls 34b

[0142] Drum exit

[0143] Outlet device 9 (dry matter)

[0144] Suction turbine 36

[0145] Separation cyclone 35 (dry matter)

[0146] Outlet tube (for dry material) with worm screw 63

[0147] Outlet buffer hopper (for dry matter) 37

[0148] Outlet tube (for dry material) with auger 39

[0149] Humidity measuring device 38 collection container 49 bottom wall 51 humidity probe 60 valve 46 P2989PC00 15 actuator 47 translation mechanism

[0150] Press Unit 4

[0151] Pellet press 11

[0152] Preheating device 12

[0153] Heating material storage tray 40

[0154] Cooling return conveyor (belt) 41

[0155] Output Unit 5

[0156] Pellet transport device

[0157] Carpet

[0158] Carpet stitches

[0159] Output channel 14

[0160] 44 Cooling Fans

[0161] Exit 45

[0162] Weighing module

[0163] Control unit

Claims

P2989PC00 16 Demands 1. Pellet production machine (1) comprising a grinding unit (2) configured to grind biomass to produce pieces of ground biomass, a drying unit (3) connected to the grinding unit by a device for conveying ground biomass, the drying unit configured for drying the pieces of ground biomass for pellet formation, and a press unit (4) connected to the drying unit (3) by a device for conveying ground and dried biomass, the press unit (4) being configured to form pellets from the pieces of ground and dried biomass, the pellet production machine (1) comprising in addition a mobile stand (6) on which the grinding unit (2), the drying unit (3) and the press unit (4) are mounted, the mobile stand (6) being dimensioned for transport by road, rail or ship,the drying unit comprising a dry air production device (7) including a pellet burner (22) and a spark separator (23), the drying unit further comprising a drying drum (8) connected downstream of the spark separator (23), characterized in that the spark separator comprises a central tubular separation device (26) comprising a grid (27) surrounding a center of the spark separator and a central tubular cyclone device (28) comprising fins (29) arranged around the grid configured to generate an air vortex inside the grid.

2. Machine according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the spark separator (23) comprises an air box (31) disposed at its outlet, the air box (31) comprising a fresh air inlet (2) and a dry air outlet (33), configured to adjust the temperature of the dry air injected into the drying drum (8).

3. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spark separator (23) comprises a spark separator cleaner (48) comprising a pressurized air source, connected to a removable nozzle system (52) configured to blow pressurized air onto an inner surface of the central tubular separation device (26) for cleaning said inner surface.

4. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drying unit includes an outlet device (9) including at least two separation cyclones (35) for collecting pieces of crushed and dried biomass at the outlet of the drying drum. P2989PC00 17 5. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spark separator comprises a side inlet (24) connected to the outlet of the pellet burner (22) configured to generate a hot air vortex and configured to collect a portion of the sparks against a peripheral wall (25) of the spark separator.

6. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spark separator comprises a central outlet (30) connected to the air box (31), the central outlet (30) being above the central tubular separation device (26).

7. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drying unit further comprises a moisture measuring device (38) disposed before and optionally after the drying drum (8) configured for collecting samples of crushed biomass pieces, the moisture measuring device(s) (38) comprising a valve (46) actuated between a closed position and an open position for the passage of the sample into a container of the moisture measuring device (38).

8. Machine according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the humidity measuring device comprises a humidity sensor in the form of a capacitive sensor disposed in the container.

9. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mobile support (6) is in the form of a truck trailer.

10. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the grinding unit comprises a first grinder (17a) constituting a coarse grinder, and a second grinder (17b) disposed under the first grinder constituting a fine grinder.

11. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the grinding unit comprises an outlet device (18) including an outlet hopper (19), a separation cyclone device (20), and a buffer storage hopper (21).

12. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pellet press unit comprises a preheating device (12) including a storage bin for a heating material (40) and a return conveyor (41) configured for starting up and preheating the pellet press (11) before the introduction of the ground biomass. P2989PC00 18 13. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is configured for the transformation of biomass, in particular wood or wood waste or branches, woody plants such as vine shoots, straw, and various plants from agriculture, plant compost, digestate, manure or forest management, into pellets.

14. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an output unit (5) including a weighing module at the outlet of an output channel (14) for measuring the weight of pellets produced.

15. Pellet production machine (1) comprising a grinding unit (2) configured to grind biomass to produce pieces of ground biomass, a drying unit (3) connected to the grinding unit by a device for conveying ground biomass, the drying unit configured for drying the pieces of ground biomass for pellet formation, and a press unit (4) connected to the drying unit (3) by a device for conveying ground and dried biomass, the press unit (4) being configured to form pellets from the pieces of ground and dried biomass, the pellet production machine (1) comprising in addition a mobile stand (6) on which the grinding unit (2), the drying unit (3) and the press unit (4) are mounted, the mobile stand (6) being dimensioned for transport by road, rail or ship,characterized in that the drying unit further comprises a moisture measuring device (38) disposed before the drying drum (8) configured for collecting samples of crushed biomass pieces, the moisture measuring device (38) comprising a valve (46) actuated between a closed position and an open position for the passage of the sample into a collection container (49) of the moisture measuring device (38).

16. Machine according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the collection container comprises a bottom wall (51) in the form of a piston actuated in displacement by a translation mechanism (47).

17. Machine according to one of the two directly preceding claims, characterized in that the drying unit comprises a second moisture measuring device disposed after the drying drum configured for collecting samples of dried biomass pieces.

18. Machine one of the preceding claims 15-17, characterized in that the drying unit comprises a dry air production device (7) including a pellet burner P2989PC00 19 (22) and a spark separator (23), the drying unit further comprising a drying drum (8) connected downstream of the spark separator (23).

19. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims 15-18, characterized in that the spark separator (23) comprises an air box (31) disposed at its outlet, the air box (31) comprising a fresh air inlet (32) and a dry air outlet (33), configured to adjust the temperature of the dry air injected into the drying drum (8).

20. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims 15-19, characterized in that the drying unit comprises an outlet device (9) including at least two separation cyclones (35) for collecting pieces of crushed and dried biomass at the outlet of the drying drum.

21. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims 15-20, characterized in that the spark separator comprises a side inlet (24) connected to the outlet of the pellet burner (22) configured to generate a hot air vortex and configured to collect a portion of the sparks against a peripheral wall (25) of the spark separator.

22. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims 15-21, characterized in that the humidity measuring device comprises a humidity sensor in the form of a capacitive sensor disposed in the container.

23. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims 15-22, characterized in that the movable support (6) is in the form of a truck trailer.

24. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims 15-23, characterized in that the grinding unit comprises a first grinder (17a) constituting a coarse grinder, and a second grinder (17b) disposed under the first grinder constituting a fine grinder.

25. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims 15-24, characterized in that the grinding unit comprises an outlet device (18) including an outlet hopper (19), a separation cyclone device (20), and a buffer storage hopper (21).

26. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims 15-25, characterized in that the pellet press unit comprises a preheating device (12) including a storage bin for a heating material (40) and a return conveyor (41) configured for a P2989PC00 20 Start-up and preheating of the pellet press (11) before the introduction of the biomass to be pelletized.

27. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims 15-26, characterized in that it is configured for the transformation of wood or wood waste or branches, biomass such as vine shoots, straw, and various materials from agriculture, the food industry, communities or forest management, into pellets.

28. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims 15-27, characterized in that it comprises an output unit (5) including a weighing module at the outlet of an output channel (14) for measuring the weight of pellets produced.

29. Pellet production machine (1) comprising a grinding unit (2) configured to grind biomass to produce pieces of ground biomass, a drying unit (3) connected to the grinding unit by a device for conveying ground biomass, the drying unit configured for drying the pieces of ground biomass for pellet formation, and a press unit (4) connected to the drying unit (3) by a device for conveying ground and dried biomass, the press unit (4) being configured to form pellets from the pieces of ground and dried biomass, the pellet production machine (1) further comprising a mobile stand (6) on which the grinding unit (2), the drying unit (3) and the press unit (4) are mounted, the mobile stand (6) being dimensioned for transport by road, rail or ship,characterized in that the pellet press unit comprises a preheating device (12) including a storage tank for a heating material (40) and a return conveyor (41) configured for starting up and preheating the pellet press (11) before the introduction of the biomass to be ground.

30. Machine according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the drying unit comprises a dry air production device (7) comprising a pellet burner (22) and a spark separator (23), the drying unit further comprising a drying drum (8) connected downstream of the spark separator (23).

31. Machine according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the spark separator (23) comprises an air box (31) disposed at its outlet, the air box (31) comprising a fresh air inlet (32) and a dry air outlet (33), configured to adjust the temperature of the dry air injected into the drying drum (8). P2989PC00 21 32. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims 29-31, characterized in that the drying unit comprises an outlet device (9) including at least two separation cyclones (35) for collecting pieces of crushed and dried biomass at the outlet of the drying drum.

33. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims 29-32, characterized in that the spark separator comprises a side inlet (24) connected to the outlet of the pellet burner (22) configured to generate a hot air vortex and configured to collect some of the sparks against a peripheral wall (25) of the spark separator.

34. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims 29-33, characterized in that the movable support (6) is in the form of a truck trailer.

35. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims 29-34, characterized in that the grinding unit comprises a first grinder (17a) constituting a coarse grinder, and a second grinder (17b) disposed under the first grinder constituting a fine grinder.

36. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims 29-35, characterized in that the grinding unit comprises an outlet device (18) including an outlet hopper (19), a separation cyclone device (20), and a buffer storage hopper (21).

37. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims 29-36, characterized in that it is configured for the transformation of wood or wood waste or branches, biomass such as vine shoots, straw, and materials from agriculture, the food industry, communities or forest management, into pellets.

38. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims 30-37, characterized in that it comprises an output unit (5) including a weighing module at the outlet of an output channel (14) for measuring the weight of pellets produced.

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