Method and apparatus for extracting heat from a combustible material

A method of extracting heat from a combustible material, comprising:

• forming a solid material strip of said combustible material;
• punching a plurality of spaced holes into said material strip;
• preheating said material strip in the absence of ambient air;
• combusting said material strip in a combustion oven at a desired temperature by supplying air to said plurality of spaced holes at a controlled rate, said combustion step including producing a structurally intact solid residual strip;
• circulating a fluid at a controlled rate to carry heat from the combustion of said material strip to a heat exchanger at a desired rate;
• and
• removing said solid residual strip from said combustion oven.

An apparatus for extracting heat from a combustible material, comprising:

• means for forming a solid material strip of said combustible material;
• means for forming a plurality of spaced holes of variable size and shape in said material strip;
• means for combusting said material strip, said means for combusting including a combustion oven;
• and
• means for removing a structurally intact, solid residual strip from said combustion oven.

An apparatus for extracting heat from a combustible material, comprising:

• an extrusion screw for extruding a solid material strip of said combustible material;
• a conveyor extending away from said extrusion screw for carrying said material strip;
• a hole punch located along said conveyor for punching a plurality of spaced holes into said material strip;
• a preheating oven located along said conveyor for preheating said material strip;
• and
• a combustion oven located along said conveyor for combusting said material strip, said combustion oven including a material strip inlet for inletting said material strip, a residual strip outlet for outletting a structurally intact, solid residual strip, means for intaking air into said combustion oven, and means for removing a hot fluegas from said combustion oven.