# US 10,370,609 B2 · Method for making biomass pellets

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- Number: US 10,370,609 B2
- Document ID: US10370609B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/275,639
- Filed: 2016-09-26
- Published: 2017-01-12
- Granted: 2019-08-06
- Earliest claimed: 2009-08-20
- Assignees: Brdc, LLC
- Applicants: Brdc, LLC
- Inventors: Steve A. Flick; Kurt Herman; J. D. Dowell
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10370609B2

## CPC

- C10L 5/445: {Agricultural waste, e.g. corn crops, grass clippings, nut shells or oil pressing residues}
- C10L 5/363: {Pellets or granulates}
- C10L 5/44: on vegetable substances
- C10L 2200/0469: Renewables or materials of biological origin
- C10L 2290/30: Pressing, compressing or compacting
- Y02E 50/10: Biofuels, e.g. bio-diesel
- Y02E 50/30: Fuel from waste, e.g. synthetic alcohol or diesel
- C10L: FUELS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NATURAL GAS; SYNTHETIC NATURAL GAS OBTAINED BY PROCESSES NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C10G OR C10K; LIQUIFIED PETROLEUM GAS; USE OF ADDITIVES TO FUELS OR FIRES; FIRE-LIGHTERS
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

The present invention is directed to a process for forming biomass pellets using biomass feedstock having predetermined characteristics to form biomass pellets having desired characteristics. The process can utilize feedstock derived from a variety of biomass feedstock sources, including wood, agricultural crops, energy crops and weeds, alone or in combination.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for selecting feedstock for making biomass pellets consistently having a predetermined net energy value and moisture content, comprising the steps of:
obtaining biomass feedstock from a plurality of sources;
after said obtaining step, testing the net energy values and moisture content of the biomass feedstock;
dividing the biomass feedstock into biomass feedstock fractions based on the tested net energy value, and tested moisture content, wherein at least one tested feedstock fraction comprises at least two different feedstock components;
retesting the net energy value and moisture content of one or more of the feedstock fractions, including at least one of said feedstock fractions comprising at least two different feedstock components;
selecting biomass feedstock from at least one of said retested feedstock fractions based on the retested moisture content and retested net energy value in an amount to produce pellets having a predetermined net energy value and moisture content; and
forming said feedstock into pellets, wherein said pellets consistently have a predetermined net energy value and moisture content resulting from the amounts of feedstocks selected from each feedstock fraction.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said at least two different feedstock components are derived from biomass selected from the group consisting of wood, Switchgrass, INDIANGRASS, BIG BLUESTEM, Broadleaf weeds, grass straws, CORNSTALKS, dedicated energy crops, and seed residue.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein at least one retested feedstock fraction comprises feedstock derived from a dedicated energy crop.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The pellets formed by the method of claim 1.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said selecting step comprises:
selecting biomass feedstock from at least two of said feedstock fractions based on the retested moisture content and net energy value of each fraction.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, wherein at least one of said two feedstock fractions comprises feedstock derived from biomass selected from the group consisting of wood, Switchgrass, INDIANGRASS, BIG BLUESTEM, Broadleaf weeds, grass straws, CORNSTALKS, dedicated energy crops, and seed residue.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, wherein at least one of said two feedstock fractions comprises feedstock derived from dedicated energy crop.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein at least one of said two feedstock fractions comprises feedstock derived from biomass selected from the group consisting of wood and agricultural crops.

### Claim 9 (depends on 5)

The pellet formed by the method of claim 5.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of retesting the net energy value and moisture content of one or more of the feedstock fractions after the process of forming the pellets has started.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

A pellet formed by the process of claim 10.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the two different feedstock components is unidentified at the time of testing, retesting and selection.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

A pellet formed by the process of claim 12.