To process biomass into biocoal, residuals from the forest products industry are first dried in a rotary dryer to reduce the moisture content and improve combustion. Next, the dried biomass is processed in the oxygen-free environment of an indirect rotary kiln to remove volatile components. …
This week’s photo highlights material processed in a pugmill mixer. Pug mills, also known as paddle mixers, are industrial mixers used to condition, mix and agglomerate materials often in the presence of a binder. The pugmill mixer’s dual shafts with pitched paddles create a kneading …
Manure can be processed into a bedding product known as recycled manure solids (RMS). Recycled manure solids can further be processed into dried manure solids (DMS), a product with reduced moisture and pathogen content which is ideal for use as a bedding product. Bedding recovery …
The Sustainable Phosphorus Alliance will be hosting an upcoming phosphorus forum and FEECO will be in attendance. The Sustainable Phosphorus Alliance is a group that advocates for the sustainable use, recovery, and recycling of phosphorus as it relates to the global food system. As an …
Biochar has seen a surge in popularity as a soil amendment as of late, for the many benefits it can offer to soil and for its potential use in carbon sequestration. With a unique ability to capture and hold particles on its surface, biochar is …
The process of converting biomass to activated carbon can vary depending on the source and characteristics of the feedstock material, and the wanted end-product characteristics. This process is outlined in the stages below: Drying. Biomass must first be dried, most often via a rotary dryer, …
Our photo this week is a damaged thrust roller. Damage occurred because the thrust roller either stopped rotating, and the rotary drum ran hard against its left side. The thrust could also have become damaged as a result of a bearing failure; the bearing may …
Proppants are hard microspheres that are injected into well bores to “prop” open rock fissures, allowing oil and natural gas to flow out. While frac sand is the most commonly used proppant, ceramic proppants offer a tailored solution in demanding drilling settings. Greater crush strength. …
This week’s photo shows a damaged rotary drum tire. Tires can become damaged if: They are worn too thin. The mounting blocks get worn, causing excess tire creep and movement. The shell is distorted from over heating/cooling the drum. The tires are shimmed too tight. …
A recent white paper by William Strauss, PhD of FutureMetrics LLC, looked at a strategy that could breathe life back into the dying US coal industry, and the answer comes from an unlikely place: implementing policy to support the co-firing of wood biomass pellets (biocoal) …