Alternative Fuels Analyzer

Abstract

A process for preparing alternative fuels so that it is acceptable for use in cement plants and other manufacturing processes is detailed. This includes a material analyzer that can detect trace contaminants in alternative fuels. This new analyzer, combined with an associated method of processing the alternative fuels allows users to blend the fuel to ensure that it is acceptable for plant operations.

1 . A process of sorting alternative fuel materials into two or more locations using an on-line nuclear based analyzer, the process comprising:
 conveying the alternative fuel materials to the on-line nuclear based analyzer;   quantitatively and non-destructively measuring an elemental composition of the alternative fuel materials including hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen using the online nuclear based analyzer;   determining a calorific value of the alternative fuel materials based at least on the measured elemental composition;   directing the alternative fuel materials with the calorific value within a first range to a first location; and   directing the alternative fuels material with the calorific value within a second range to a second location.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein quantitatively and non-destructively measuring the elemental composition of the alternative fuels materials includes conveying the alternative fuel materials through the on-line nuclear based analyzer on a conveyor with at least one neutron source located below the conveyor and detecting gamma rays emitted from the alternative fuel materials with at least one detector located adjacent the conveyor. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 2 , wherein quantitatively and non-destructively measuring the elemental composition of the alternative fuels material includes detecting gamma rays emitted from the alternative fuel materials with an array of detectors located on the side of the conveyor. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 2 , wherein quantitatively and non-destructively measuring the elemental composition of the alternative fuels material includes detecting gamma rays emitted from the alternative fuel materials with an array of detectors located on each side of the conveyor. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 4 , wherein quantitatively and non-destructively measuring the elemental composition of the alternative fuels material includes detecting gamma rays emitted from the alternative fuel materials with an additional array of detectors located above the conveyor. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 4 , wherein conveying the alternative fuel materials through the on-line nuclear based analyzer on a conveyor including sidewalls of fifty or more degrees inclination to horizontal forming a substantially rectangular shape and positioning the detector arrays along the sidewalls. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising blending the alternative fuel materials from the first location with the alternative fuel materials from the second location to obtain a material with a predetermined calorific value. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein quantitatively and non-destructively measuring the elemental composition of the alternative fuels materials includes detecting trace amounts of contaminants. 
     
     
         9 . An analyzer for measuring an elemental composition of materials, the analyzer comprising:
 a conveying mechanism including a conveyor extending in a horizontal direction,   a first side wall extending adjacent the conveyor, and   a second side wall extending adjacent the conveyor opposite the first side wall forming a detection zone;   at least one neutron source located proximate the detection zone; and   at least one detector located proximate the detection zone and on a side of the detection zone adjacent the neutron source.   
     
     
         10 . The analyzer of  claim 9 , further comprising a first array of detectors proximate the first side wall including the at least one detector, and a second array of detectors proximate the second side wall; wherein the first array of detectors and the second array of detectors are configured to detect trace amounts of elements including contaminants. 
     
     
         11 . The analyzer of  claim 10 , further comprising an array of neutron sources including the at least one neutron source located proximate the conveyor. 
     
     
         12 . The analyzer of  claim 9 , wherein the first side wall and the second side wall are angled substantially perpendicular to the conveyor forming a rectangular detection zone. 
     
     
         13 . The analyzer of  claim 9 , wherein the first side wall and the second side wall are angled from 50 degrees to 130 degrees relative to the conveyor. 
     
     
         14 . The analyzer of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one neutron source is configured to emit fast neutrons, thermal neutrons, or a combination of both. 
     
     
         15 . The analyzer of  claim 9 , further comprising a processing module configured to determine a calorific value of alternative fuel materials based at least on the elemental composition measured by the at least one detector. 
     
     
         16 . A process of analyzing bulk materials using an on-line nuclear based analyzer including at least one neutron source and at least one detector, the process comprising:
 conveying the bulk materials to the on-line analyzer;   conveying the bulk materials through the on-line analyzer on a conveying mechanism including a conveyor extending in a horizontal direction, a first side wall adjacent the conveyor and a second side wall adjacent the conveyor forming a detection zone;   directing neutrons at the bulk materials using the at least one neutron source located proximate the detection zone; and   quantitatively and non-destructively measuring an elemental composition of the bulk materials using the at least one detector located proximate the detection zone and located on an adjacent side of the detection zone.   
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 16 , wherein the process includes detecting trace amounts of amounts of materials within the bulk materials using the array of detectors. 
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein quantitatively and non-destructively measuring an elemental composition of the bulk materials and detecting trace amounts of amounts of materials within the bulk materials also uses a second array of detectors located proximate the second side wall. 
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein directing neutrons at the bulk materials also uses an array of neutron sources located proximate the conveyor. 
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 directing the bulk materials to a first location when trace materials of contaminants above a predetermined level is detected; and   directing the bulk material to a second location when trace materials of contaminants below the predetermined level is detected.   
     
     
         21 . The process of  claim 20 , further comprising blending the bulk material from the first location with the bulk material from the second location to include an amount of contaminants below a second predetermined level.