Energy pellet

Abstract

A high-energy water-resistant pellet of at least 75% torrefied wood and the remainder a binder comprising from about 2% to about 20% by total weight of the pellet. The binder is a two-component system—a plasticizer, such as tall oil pitch, rosin, fatty acid, vegetable oils, animal oils and corn protein—preferably from 3% to about 20% of the binder, and lignin from about 80-97% of the binder. A durable, low dust white wood energy pellet is also provided using the same two-component binders.

1 . A high-energy water-resistant pellet comprising:
 (a) at least 75% torrefied wood; and   (b) the remainder of said pellet being a two-component binder comprising from about 2% to about 20% by total weight of the pellet wherein said binder is a two-component system comprising a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of tall oil pitch, fatty acids, rosin, vegetable oil, animal oils and corn protein and the other component is lignin.   
     
     
         2 . The high-energy water resistant pellet according to  claim 1  wherein said high-energy water-resistant pellet comprises at least 85% torrefied wood and less than 10% by weight water. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The high-energy water resistant pellet according to  claim 4  wherein said plasticizer is from about 3% to about 20% of said binder. 
     
     
         6 . The high-energy water resistant pellet according to  claim 1  wherein said lignin is from about 80% to about 97% of said binder. 
     
     
         7 . The high-energy water resistant pellet according to  claim 1  wherein high-energy water resistant pellets have a bulk density 40-45 lbs/ft, 
     
     
         8 . A high-energy water-resistant pellet comprising:
 (a) at least 85% torrefied wood; and   (b) the remainder of said pellet being a two-component binder comprising from about 2% to about 20% by total weight of the pellet, wherein one component of said binder is a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of tall oil pitch, fatty acids and rosin, vegetable oil, animal oils and corn protein and the other component is lignin in an amount from about 80% to about 97% of said binder.   
     
     
         9 . A high-energy water-resistant pellet comprising:
 (a) at least 75% white wood; and   (b) the remainder of said pellet being a two-component binder comprising from about 2% to about 20% by total weight of the pellet wherein said binder is a two-component system comprising a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of tall oil pitch, fatty acids, rosin., vegetable oil, animal oils and corn protein and the other component is lignin.   
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The high-energy water resistant pellet according to  claim 11  wherein said plasticizer is from about 5% to about 20% of said binder. 
     
     
         13 . The high-energy water resistant pellet according to  claim 11  wherein said lignin is from about 80% to about 97% of said binder. 
     
     
         14 . The high-energy water resistant pellet according to  claim 11  wherein high-energy water resistant pellets have a bulk density 40-45 lbs/ft 3 . 
     
     
         15 . A high-energy water-resistant pellet comprising:
 (a) at least 85% white wood; and   (b) the remainder of said pellet being to two-component binder comprising from about 2% to about 20% by total weight of the pellet, wherein one component of said binder is a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of tall oil pitch, fatty acids, rosin, vegetable oil, animal oils and corn protein and the other component is lignin in an amount from about 80% to about 97% of said binder.   
     
     
         16 . A process for making an energy pellet from torrefied wood or white wood comprising:
 (a) mixing at least 75% of said wood; and the remainder of said mixture being a two-component binder comprising wherein one component of said binder is a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of tall oil pitch, fatty acids, rosin, vegetable oil, animal oils and corn protein and the other component is lignin, said binder being from about 2% to about 20% by total weight of said mixture; and   (b) compressing said mixture by extruding said mixture at a temperature at which said binder is in a molten state to form a pellet.   
     
     
         17 . The process for making an energy pellet from torrefied wood according to  claim 16  wherein said mixture is extruded at a temperature from about 100° C. to about 280° C. 
     
     
         18 . The process for making an energy pellet from torrefied wood according to  claim 16  wherein said mixture is extruded at a temperature from about 100° C. to about 165° C.