Airflow control and heat recovery in a managed kiln

Abstract

A controlled kiln and manufacturing system for biochar production includes control systems and subsystems. An example biochar kiln exhaust apparatus, includes a chimney configured for heating by pyrolysis and for exhausting smoke from the combustion chamber. The example biochar kiln exhaust apparatus also includes a plurality of exhaust inlet pipes configured to pass smoke from the combustion chamber to the chimney.

1 . A heat recovery system, comprising:
 at least one biochar kiln having a combustion chamber;   a chimney having proximal and distal ends and being configured to exhaust smoke from the combustion chamber between the proximal and distal ends;   a secondary subsystem;   a heat exchanger configured to recover heat from the chimney and provide the heat to the secondary subsystem;   a controller configured to maintain an optimal mixture of smoke and air in the chimney.   
     
     
         2 . The heat recovery system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one catalytic converter operatively coupled with the chimney to incinerate exhaust and increase chimney temperature near the distal end. 
     
     
         3 . The heat recovery system of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary subsystem is one or more of an oil sands production water heater, a building heater or a water condenser. 
     
     
         4 . The heat recovery system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one sensor configured to provide information about operating conditions to the controller. 
     
     
         5 . The heat recovery system of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to sense at least one of: an exhaust temperature, a catalytic converter temperature and a heat exchanger temperature. 
     
     
         6 . A heat recovery system, comprising:
 at least one biochar kiln having a combustion chamber;   a chimney having proximal and distal ends and being configured to exhaust smoke from a combustion chamber of a biochar kiln between the proximal and distal ends of the chimney; and   a heat exchanger configured to recover heat from the chimney and provide the heat to a secondary subsystem.   
     
     
         7 . The heat recovery system of  claim 6 , further comprising a controller configured to maintain an optimal mixture of smoke and air in the chimney. 
     
     
         8 . The heat recovery system of  claim 6 , further comprising at least one catalytic converter operatively coupled with the chimney to incinerate exhaust and increase chimney temperature near the distal end. 
     
     
         9 . The heat recovery system of  claim 6 , wherein the secondary subsystem is one or more of an oil sands production water heater, a building heater or a water condenser. 
     
     
         10 . The heat recovery system of  claim 6 , further comprising at least one sensor configured to provide information about operating conditions to the controller. 
     
     
         11 . The heat recovery system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to sense at least one of: an exhaust temperature, a catalytic converter temperature and a heat exchanger temperature.