Pelletized carbonized biomass, methods, and apparatuses

An apparatus for producing a pelletized fuel product, comprising:

• a feeder of raw biomass;
• a reactor configured to receive the raw biomass and to produce at least partially carbonized biomass;
• a feeder of at the least partially carbonized biomass;
• a binder source apparatus configured to provide a binder to the at least partially carbonized biomass;
• a first water source configured to moisten the at least partially carbonized biomass to a moisture content of about 22 percent to about 32 percent by weight;
• a second water source configured to bring a moisture content of the at least partially carbonized biomass to about 45 percent to about 55 percent by weight;
• a pelletizer configured to receive and pelletize the at least partially carbonized biomass;
• a cooling chamber operatively connected to the pelletizer by a conveyance;
• and
• an inert gas source configured to provide inert gas to the pelletizer,
• wherein the second water source is configured to apply water to the at least partially carbonized biomass immediately prior to the at least partially carbonized biomass being pelletized by the pelletizer.