Using an Arc-Produced Gas in the Production of Energy from Biomass

Abstract

A system for generating energy from biomass uses an arc-produced gas, either in the primary burn process to achieve higher burning temperatures, in a secondary after-burn process to reduce pollutants, or in both the primary burn process and after-burn process. The use of arc-produced gas results in increased efficiency, reduced emissions, and additional heat energy. Heat produced is used, for example, to generate electricity. In some embodiments, the arc-produced gas is combined with another fuel such as oil or natural gas for desired burn characteristics and/or for economic reasons.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for generating energy from biomass, the system comprising:
 a device for producing a gas, the device comprising a pressure vessel having there within a volume of feedstock and a pair of electrodes with electric power provided to the electrodes, producing an arc between the electrodes, the arc submerged within the feedstock such that interaction between the arc and the feedstock produces the gas;   a primary combustion chamber into which an amount of biomass is placed and combusted using the gas, thereby producing heat; and   an exhaust interfaced to the primary combustion chamber for removing flue gases.   
     
     
         2 . The system for generating energy from biomass of  claim 1 , wherein the primary combustion chamber is agitated. 
     
     
         3 . The system for generating energy from biomass of  claim 1 , wherein air is injected into the primary combustion chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The system for generating energy from biomass of  claim 1 , wherein the heat from the primary combustion chamber is used to generate power. 
     
     
         5 . The system for generating energy from biomass of  claim 1 , further comprising a secondary combustion chamber interfaced to the exhaust, wherein an amount of the gas is combined with the flue gases from the primary combustion chamber and combusted, producing additional heat. 
     
     
         6 . The system for generating energy from biomass of  claim 5 , wherein the heat generated in the primary combustion chamber and the additional heat generated in the secondary combustion chamber are used to generate power. 
     
     
         7 . The system for generating energy from biomass of  claim 6 , wherein the power is electricity. 
     
     
         8 . A method for generating energy from biomass, the method comprising:
 producing a gas within a pressure vessel by exposing a volume of feedstock to an arc between electrodes, the electric arc submerged in the volume of feedstock;   combusting an amount of biomass and an amount of the gas in a primary combustion chamber, thereby producing heat; and   exhausting flue gases from the primary combustion chamber.   
     
     
         9 . The method for generating energy from biomass of  claim 8 , further comprising agitating the primary combustion chamber. 
     
     
         10 . The method for generating energy from biomass of  claim 8 , further comprising injecting air into the primary combustion chamber. 
     
     
         11 . The method for generating energy from biomass of  claim 8 , further comprising generating power from the heat. 
     
     
         12 . The method for generating energy from biomass of  claim 8 , further comprising mixing the flue gases from the primary combustion chamber with an additional amount of the gas and combusting the flue gases and the additional amount of the gas in a secondary combustion chamber, thereby producing additional heat. 
     
     
         13 . The method for generating energy from biomass of  claim 12 , further comprising generating power from the heat and the additional heat. 
     
     
         14 . The method for generating energy from biomass of  claim 12 , wherein the step of mixing the flue gases from the primary combustion chamber with an additional amount of the gas is performed prior to the flue gases and the additional amount of the gas enters the secondary combustion chamber. 
     
     
         15 . The method for generating energy from biomass of  claim 14 , wherein before the step of mixing the flue gases from the primary combustion chamber with an additional amount of the gas is performed, a step of cooling the additional amount of the gas is performed. 
     
     
         16 . The method for generating energy from biomass of  claim 12 , wherein the step of mixing the flue gases from the primary combustion chamber with an additional amount of the gas is performed within the secondary combustion chamber. 
     
     
         17 . A method for generating energy from biomass, the method comprising:
 producing a gas within a pressure vessel by exposing a volume of feedstock to an arc between electrodes, the electric arc submerged in the volume of feedstock;   combusting an amount of biomass and an amount of the gas in a primary combustion chamber, thereby producing heat;   exhausting flue gases from the primary combustion chamber;   mixing the flue gases from the primary combustion chamber with an additional amount of the gas; and   combusting the flue gases and the additional amount of the gas in a secondary combustion chamber, thereby producing additional heat.   
     
     
         18 . The method for generating energy from biomass of  claim 8 , further comprising injecting air into the primary combustion chamber. 
     
     
         19 . The method for generating energy from biomass of  claim 17 , wherein the step of mixing the flue gases from the primary combustion chamber with an additional amount of the gas is performed prior to the flue gases and the additional amount of the gas enters the secondary combustion chamber. 
     
     
         20 . The method for generating energy from biomass of  claim 19 , wherein before the step of mixing the flue gases from the primary combustion chamber with an additional amount of the gas is performed, a step of cooling the additional amount of the gas is performed.