Method and mechanical press system for the generation of densified cylindrical briquettes

A press for preparing a pressed article from compressible and cohesive biomass particles, comprising:

• a housing;
• a first pressing ram and a second pressing ram operating in opposite directions and disposed in a compression chamber;
• a first pressure detector for the first pressing ram;
• a second pressure detector for the second pressing ram;
• a first actuator for the first pressing ram;
• a second actuator for the second pressing ram;
• an electronic control circuit adapted to control the first and second pressing rams using the first and second actuators and to receive signals from the first and second pressure detectors, the electronic control circuit being programmed to control the first and second pressing rams for:
• extending the first pressing ram towards the biomass particles in the compression chamber;
• displacing the biomass particles with the first pressing ram towards the second pressing ram;
• detecting abutment of the biomass particles on the second pressing ram once the biomass particles are displaced by the first pressing ram to touch the second pressing ram;
• applying pressure to the biomass particles with the first pressing ram by extending the first pressing ram to abut the biomass particles on the second pressing ram and with the second pressing ram by extending the second press ram to abut the biomass particles on the first pressing ram;
• detecting a pressure applied to match a predetermined compression pressure and continuing to extend the first pressing ram and the second pressing ram until a predetermined time at the matched compression pressure has elapsed, thereby forming a pressed article;
• stopping the extension of the second pressing ram when a predetermined extension length for the second pressing ram is reached;
• continuing to extend the first pressing ram until a predetermined additional time has elapsed after the stopping;
• ejecting a pressed article made of compressed biomass particles from the compression chamber.