The way the industry is developing, you would think that biomass torrefaction was a brand-new concept and process. One that very few people had access to, or knowledge of. Such is not the case.
In fact, there are almost 100 Patents and Patents Pending with respect to the process (ours included). Over time - each one has taken a slightly different approach to the one before it, which has sometimes lead down the path of no return (a path to destruction) and other times, has lead to an improvement of the previous iteration. These can ALL be found here http://www.ipef.br/eventos/2009/biomassa/11-Didier_Leboutte.pdf
Below are a few of the patents, and how "modern" advances are directly related to them.
On January 15th, 1901, a certain ALBERT COMTE DILLON DE MICHEROUX was granted a patent, number CH20332, entitled "Four de séchage et de torréfaction" (An Oven for Drying and Torrefaction)
Most Modern reactors were based on the work of JACQUES LECLERC DE BUSSY in his Patent "METHOD FOR PRODUCING TORREFIED WOOD, PRODUCT OBTAINED THEREBY, AND APPLICATION TO THE PRODUCTION OF ENERGY", patented in 1986.
PCA Bergman (Energy Centre of the Netherlands) holds 3 patents, EP1969099, NL1029909, NL1025027, granted between 2005 and 2009. While ECN is considered the "leading" technology provider, this remains to be seen. A failed attempt 2 years ago to commercialise their technology has been resurrected recently with a new Commercial Partner, HOWEVER, even that Partner is STILL "considering other technologies". (I'm not quite sure why???)
In 1989, Roger Gerard patented a machine that is virtually identical to the current Agri-Tech Producers machine, developed by Chris Hopkins at the University of North Carolina.
In 2007 GERARD HUBERT JOSEPH RUITERS received a patent for "METHOD FOR THE PREPARATION OF SOLID FUELS BY MEANS OF TORREFACTION AS WELL AS THE SOLID FUELS THUS OBTAINED AND THE USE OF THESE FUELS". This is now the process that Torr-Coal are using in the Netherlands.
In 2010, Wyssmont patented their technology (US2010/0083530) by converting their Turbo-Dryer into a so-called torrefaction reactor. Over the past 18 months, Integro Earth Fuels have been attempting to make it work. After much fanfare in the beginning, it would appear that they have fallen below the RADAR, as nothing appears to have come of it.
So, there you have it; Past and present; state of the art and old hat. Funny - but the more things change, the more they stay the same.
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