Language selection

Search

Patent 2907016 Summary

Third-party information liability

Some of the information on this Web page has been provided by external sources. The Government of Canada is not responsible for the accuracy, reliability or currency of the information supplied by external sources. Users wishing to rely upon this information should consult directly with the source of the information. Content provided by external sources is not subject to official languages, privacy and accessibility requirements.

Claims and Abstract availability

Any discrepancies in the text and image of the Claims and Abstract are due to differing posting times. Text of the Claims and Abstract are posted:

  • At the time the application is open to public inspection;
  • At the time of issue of the patent (grant).
(12) Patent: (11) CA 2907016
(54) English Title: BIOMASS DRYER/BURNER SYSTEM
(54) French Title: SYSTEME SECHOIR/BRULEUR DE BIOMASSE
Status: Granted
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • B01D 53/14 (2006.01)
  • B01D 46/00 (2022.01)
  • B01D 46/00 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • VALENTE, PETER (Canada)
(73) Owners :
  • VALENTE, PETER (Canada)
(71) Applicants :
  • VALENTE, PETER (Canada)
(74) Agent: SMART & BIGGAR LP
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued: 2021-10-26
(86) PCT Filing Date: 2014-03-11
(87) Open to Public Inspection: 2014-10-09
Examination requested: 2019-01-28
Availability of licence: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): Yes
(86) PCT Filing Number: PCT/IB2014/000293
(87) International Publication Number: WO2014/162180
(85) National Entry: 2015-09-15

(30) Application Priority Data:
Application No. Country/Territory Date
13/833,015 United States of America 2013-03-15

Abstracts

English Abstract

The present invention provides a biomass dryer/burner unit having an air cleaning apparatus adapted to accept emissions from unit and to convert said emissions to clean air to meet government emission standards. The air cleaning apparatus including a spray scrubber fluidly connected to the unit; adapted to moisten emissions, a recirculation tank in fluid communication with a collection tank, angled baffle plates, and the collection tank further having a sensor adapted to measure contaminant levels contained within! the recirculation air filtration system. If the air contained; within the collection tank measures above a predetermined contaminant level, then the air contained within the collection tank! is directed back into the spray scrubber. If the air contained within the collection tank is below a predetermined level, then the air is exhausted into the atmosphere. Water is further allowed to recirculate back to the spray scrubber.


French Abstract

La présente invention concerne un bloc séchoir/brûleur de biomasse comportant un appareil d'épuration de l'air conçu pour recevoir les émissions provenant du bloc séchoir/brûleur de biomasse et pour convertir ces émissions en air propre, afin de répondre aux normes gouvernementales sur les émissions. L'appareil d'épuration de l'air comprend un laveur à pulvérisation raccordé de manière fluidique au bloc; conçu pour humidifier les émissions, une cuve de recyclage en communication fluidique avec une cuve de récupération et des plaques à aubes inclinées; la cuve de récupération comprenant également un capteur conçu pour mesurer les niveaux de contaminants à l'intérieur du système de filtration d'air de recyclage. Si l'air contenu dans la cuve de récupération atteint un niveau supérieur au niveau de contaminants prédéterminé. est renvoyé dans le laveur à pulvérisation. Si le niveau mesuré d'air contenu dans le système de filtration d'air de recyclage est inférieur à un niveau prédéfini de contaminant, l'air est alors évacué dans l'atmosphère. On peut de nouveau faire circuler l'eau vers le laveur à pulvérisation.

Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


CLAIMS
1. A biomass modification system having an air filtration apparatus and
recirculation
system adapted to accept emissions to scrub said emissions to meet air quality
standards, said air
filtration apparatus and recirculation system comprising:
a biomass modifier, the biomass modifier operable to accept and modify
biomass, the
biomass modifier producing the emissions;
a spray scrubber fluidly connected to the biomass modifier, the spray scrubber
to moisten
the emissions from the biomass modifier;
a collection tank having a floor contained therein allowing sediment to settle
on the floor
of the collection tank, the collection tank having at least one baffle plate,
the baffle plate angled to
encourage air flow, the at least one baffle plate mounted to the ceiling of
the collection tank, the
at least one baffle plate being v-shaped to facilitate air-flow through the
collection tank;
the collection tank having a contaminant level measuring sensor connected to a
valve, the
valve connected to the collection tank, the collection tank fluidly connected
to the spray scrubber
and an exhaust fan, the valve discharges the emissions if the contaminant
level measuring sensor
reads below a predetermined level through the exhaust fan, or pumping the
emissions back to the
spray scrubber if the contaminant level measuring sensor reads a level above a
predetermined
level; and
a recirculation tank fluidly connected to the collection tank, the
recirculation air filtration
system having at least one filter, the recirculation tank in fluid
communication with the spray
scrubber to move water from the recirculation tank back to the spray scrubber.
13
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-07-31

2. The biomass modification system of claim 1, wherein the biomass modifier is
a biomass
burner.
3. The biomass modification system of claim 1, wherein the biomass modifier is
a biomass
dryer.
4. The biomass modification system of claim 1, wherein the biomass modifier is
a biomass
burner and dryer combination.
5. The biomass modification system of claim 1, wherein the spray scrubber
includes a
sensor.
6. The biomass modification system of claim 5, wherein once the sensor of the
spray
scrubber senses emissions, the spray scrubber activates.
7. The biomass modification system of claim 1, wherein the contaminant level
measuring
sensor within the collection tank measures levels of carbon monoxide.
8. The biomass modification system of claim 1, wherein the air filtration
apparatus is
pressurized.
9. The biomass modification system of claim 8, wherein the air filtration
apparatus includes
at least one pressure gauge.
14
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-07-31

10. The biomass modification system of claim 8, wherein the air filtration
apparatus
includes at least one pressure release valve.
11. The biomass modification system of claim 1, wherein the at least one
filter is adapted
to remove particles having a diameter of 10 microns or less.
12. The biomass modification system of claim 1, wherein said at least one
filter is adapted
to remove particles having a diameter of 5 microns or less.
13. The biomass modification system of claim 1, wherein the recirculation air
filtration
system further includes at least one pump.
14. The biomass modification system of claim 1, wherein the at least one
baffle plate of
the collection tank includes an aperture pemiitting fluid communication
between divisions of a
holding tank, the divisions created by the at least one baffle plate.
15. The biomass modification system of claim 1, wherein the collection tank
contains
chemicals adapted to neutralize the emissions.
16. The biomass modification system of claim 1, wherein the collection tank is
stainless
steel.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-07-31

17. The biomass modification system of claim 1, wherein the spray scrubber
includes a
plurality of spray mechanisms adapted to moisten the emissions, the spray
mechanisms mounted
to the ceiling of the collection tank, the spray mechanisms positioned between
the angled baffle
plate.
18. The biomass modification system of claim 1, wherein the spray scrubber
includes a
pool of water contained therein wherein the emissions are forced across or
through the pool of
water to moisten the emissions.
19. The biomass modification system of claim 1, wherein said collection tank
further
includes a secondary spray mechanism.
20. The biomass modification system of claim 1 wherein the at least one baffle
plate is
electrostatically charged.
21. The biomass modification system of claim 1 wherein the contaminant level
measuring
sensor is provided in an evaluation chamber adjacent to, but separated from,
the collection tank.
22. The biomass modification system of claim 1, wherein the air filtration
apparatus is
powered by a gravity pump.
16
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-07-31

23. The biomass modification system of claim I wherein the angled baffle
plates are v-
shaped, the baffle plates each having three edges wherein one of the three
edges connects directly
to the ceiling of the collection tank.
17
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-07-31

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


BIOMASS DRYER/BURNER SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to air treatment. In particular
this invention relates to
the treatment of emissions from a biomass dryer/burner system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The burning of biomass in the form of construction and
demolition wood residue and
wood generated from logging and pest control activities has been a substantial
increase over the
past several years. As the cost of fossil fuels (e.g. fuel oil, bunker oil,
and natural gas) has
increased, many large-scale users of these fossil fuels have looked to biomass
as an alternative to
provide a cost-effective fuel to supply their energy needs.
[0003] Large scale commercial greenhouses in particular have been on
the forefront of the
conversion to biomass fuel as a replacement for natural gas and bunker oil
which have
historically been used to generate hot water which in turn is used to provide
heat to their
greenhouses during the seasonal heating season. Primary sources of biomass
used in the
greenhouse industry are organic materials such as construction and demolition
wood waste, clean
wood, farm waste such as tomato vines, yard waste from trees, grass clippings
and bushes,
furniture and green wood generated from the removal of trees.
[0004] Additionally, recent interest has been expressed in the
development of small to
midsize electrical generation plants which would use wood waste from logging
operations to
provide steam for the operation of the facility's steam turbines.
[0005] While the conversion of large scale heating systems in
electrical generating facilities
to biomass as a fuel is primarily driven by cost savings realized from using
biomass versus fossil
fuels, there are also significant environmental benefits to this conversion.
Biomass is typically
seen as a carbon-neutral fuel while fossil fuels are significant contributors
to global warming
through the release of greenhouse gases.
[0006] Many large scale energy users have already made the conversion
to biomass fuel in
the form of residual wood. However, these conversions have typically been made
without
adequate research, and problems associated with the conversion process have
resulted in the
project owner not fully realizing the cost savings in environmental benefits
that are anticipated to
result from the conversion. The major problems encountered include the ability
to source "dry
1
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-19

wood" as a biomass fuel supply, inappropriately designed combustion units, and
inefficient
pollution control equipment to control emissions from biomass combustion.
[0007] Wood removed under this program is chipped and used in biomass
burners without
adequate seasoning to allow the wood to dry out. Green wood has a moisture
content of up to
80% while seasoned wood has a moisture content of between 20-25%. Burning of
green wood
results in a significantly reduced energy of the biomass burner which in turn
results in fouling of
the combustion unit from creosote buildup and increased atmosphere pollution
associated with
the burning of biomass. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to develop an
air emissions
control method and apparatus to be used in connection with a biomass
dryer/burner system for
drying and burning green wood.
[0008] A previously known air filtration system for a biomass
dryer/burners is known as a
bag system. A bag system is comprised of a plurality of filters, each filter
operable to remove
particles from dry air. Previously known bag systems are not capable of
cleaning moist air, or an
air/water mixture. Bag systems are only capable of filtering emissions from a
biomass
dryer/burner system emitting dry air emissions.
[0009] While the conversion from fossil fuels to biomass often results
in cost savings and
environmental benefits, the environmental benefits are not realized unless the
emissions from the
biomass burner are neutralized to government air emission standards.
Accordingly, it would be
advantageous to develop an air emissions control method and apparatus to be
used in connection
with a biomass dryer/burner system which enables the scrubbing of an air/water
mixture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention provides a biomass dryer/burner having an
air cleaning
apparatus adapted to accept emissions from a biomass dryer/burner and to
convert said emissions
to clean air to meet government emission standards. The biomass dryer/burner
unit includes a
burner adapted to dry biomass, such as demolition waste or cut trees. The
biomass dryer/burner
further includes a dryer, the dryer adapted to contain wet product to be
dried. The biomass
dryer/burner system as a whole producing emissions from the dryer from the act
of drying the
biomass and further producing emissions from the burner from the act of
burning the biomass.
The air cleaning apparatus including a spray scrubber fluidly connected to the
biomass dryer.
The spray scrubber having a spray mechanism adapted to moisten the emissions
from the
biomass dryer/burner. Alternatively, the spray scrubber having a pool of water
or chemicals
2
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-19

wherein the emissions are forced through the pool of water or chemicals. The
air cleaning
apparatus further including a recirculation air filtration system fluidly
connected to the spray
scrubber. The recirculation air filtration system having at least one filter,
a collection tank, and a
recirculation tank. The collection tank further provided with a floor
contained therein, allowing
sediment to settle on the floor of the collection tank. The recirculation tank
is in fluid
communication with the collection tank, and the recirculation tank further
having a sensor
adapted to measure contaminant levels contained within the recirculation air
filtration system.
The collection tank also included a valve and a sensor for measurement of air
quality. The valve
72 and the sensor 70 are connected to one another and in communication with
one another.
[0011] The sensor contained within the collection tank and/collection tank
measures levels
of carbon monoxide or other contaminants of air and water. If the air
contained within the
collection tank above a predetermined contaminant level, then the air
contained within the
collection tank is directed back into the spray scrubber. If the air contained
within the collection
tank is below a predetermined level, then the air is exhausted into the
atmosphere. The
recirculation air filtration system as a whole is pressurized. The system
further includes a
plurality of pressure gauges and pressure release valves. The air/water
mixture is pumped
through the recirculation air filtration system by a series of at least one
pump.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the biomass dryer/burner system;
[0013] Figure 2 is a recirculation air filtration system wherein
contaminant levels are below
the predetermined threshold;
[0014] Figure 3 is a diagram showing the recirculation air filtration
system wherein
contaminant levels are above a predetermined threshold;
[0015] Figure 4 is a top view of the angled baffle plates (the top
cover of a tank) in the
recirculation tank having a plurality of sprinklers; and
[0016] Figure 5 is a side view of the angled baffle plates in the
recirculation tank having a
plurality of sprinklers.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The present invention provides a biomass dryer/burner system
which efficiently and
effectively dries or burns biomass and subsequently cleans the emissions
produced during
burning or drying by means of an attached air cleaning apparatus. Emissions
produced from the
3
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-19

burning or drying process, in turn, heat water used to generate steam, the
steam in turn generates
electricity. Emissions are carefully scrubbed to eliminate particulate matter
and other
contaminants before exhausting the air/water mixture to the atmosphere.
[0018] The biomass dryer/burner system includes a variable speed fuel
burner 12 and a solid
fuel burner 14. The burner 14 is a 10 mmBTU per hour cyclonic biomass burner
designed to
burn construction and demolition waste. The burner 14 is of a wood fired
burner type which has
a high capacity and produces a temperature of 5950. Biomass material is
introduced into one end
of the rotary drum on the biomass burner 14. The drum has a diameter of
approximately 7 feet
and a length of 28 feet.
[0019] Primary sources of biomass used in the greenhouse industry are
organic materials
such as construction and demolition wood waste, clean wood, farm waste such as
tomato vines,
yard waste from trees, grass clippings and bushes, furniture and green wood
generated from the
removal of trees.
[0020] The burner 14 forces combustion gas and solid particles into
the dryer 18, as shown
by illustrative arrow 15, and the gasses and dust particulates are moved
through the dryer 18 to
the cyclone collector 20. Moisture sensors are mounted to the dryer 18 and
sense the amount of
drying contained within the dryer 18. When the wood chips, which used to be
the wet product
16, are sufficiently dried, they are removed from the dryer 18. Dust and
particulate matter are
removed from the bottom of the cyclone collector 20 and moisture-laden air, or
emissions, exits
the cyclone collector 20 and enters the spray scrubber unit 22. The scrubber
22 is operable to
accept air from the dryer or cyclone collector or solid fuel burner. The
scrubber includes an air
scrubber portion, a baffle portion and an electrostatic baffle portion. The
baffles (angled or
otherwise) encourage flow and disruption of the air flowing through the
system. The particles or
water fall to the bottom of the tank. Water is stored at the bottom of the
tank. Air is then blown
by means of a fan out of the scrubber 22.
[0021] Various other water storage tanks may be provided throughout
the system to store
water or air. These tanks may include baffles or electrostatic baffles to
clean the air. The tanks
may produce sludge or other waste from water.
[0022] In an alternative embodiment, the dryer 18 is bypassed. This
embodiment is shown
by illustrative arrow 17 wherein emissions and particulate matter from the
burner 14 move
directly into the cyclone collector 20. In this embodiment, the dryer 18 is
completely bypassed
4
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-19

whereby no drying of matter takes place. Emissions and particulate matter from
the burner 14 are
introduced directly into the cyclone collector 20 and onto the spray scrubber
22.
[0023] As shown by Figure 1, the spray scrubber 22 consists of a large
stainless steel tank
having an inlet 24 on one side near the bottom. The emissions from the cyclone
collector 20 are
delivered through the inlet 24 to a duct which delivers the emissions into the
bottom or below
water level of the tank of the spray scrubber 22. The spray scrubber 22 may
contain water or
chemicals to maintain the proper pH. The spray scrubber 22 also contains a
plurality of spray
mechanisms to spray the emissions from the dryer 18 and the cyclone collector
20. The spray
mechanisms (not shown) moisten the emissions to form an air/water mixture. In
an alternative
embodiment of the spray scrubber 22, the emissions from the drying process are
forced through a
pool of liquid. Said liquid is often water, chemicals or combination of water
and chemicals. The
air/water mixture then exits the spray scrubber and enters the recirculation
system 28.
[0024] The system cleans, or scrubs, the air/water mixture to provide
contaminant levels
below a predetermined threshold. These contaminant levels are levels which are
safe or exhaust
into the atmosphere. These levels are determined by government standards.
Sensors are
provided for within the recirculation system 28, collection tank 50 and the
evaluation chamber
80 (discussed below) to measure contaminant levels. If the contaminant levels
are above the
predetermined threshold, the air/water mixture is returned to the spray
scrubber 22 and back into
the recirculation system 28 to further clean and scrub the air. If the
contaminant levels read by
the sensor within the recirculation system 28 are below the predetermined
threshold, then the
air/water mixture is exhausted. The air/water mixture may be exhausted
directly from the
recirculation system or by returning the air/water mixture to the spray
scrubber and subsequently
exiting the spray scrubber through a fan 30. The recirculation system 28 may
also include a fan
to exhaust the clean air/water mixture.
[0025] While in the spray scrubber 22, the emissions move through a
restricted passage or
orifice to disperse and atomize the water into droplets. In the spray scrubber
22, the incoming
emission stream is directed across or through a pool of water. The emissions
have a high
velocity (approximately 15.2 meters per second or 50 feet per second),
creating a large number
of liquid droplets. Both particles and gaseous pollutants are collected as
they are forced through
the liquid pool and impact the droplets. The spray scrubber 22 further
includes a sensor adapted
to sense emissions entering the spray scrubber 22. Once the sensor contained
within the spray
5
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-19

scrubber 22 senses emissions, the spray scrubber 22 activates and the
emissions are moistened by
means of either a pool of water or by means of at least one spray mechanism.
[0026] The recirculation system 28 is further comprised of a plurality
of elements wherein
emissions are pumped through these elements thereby producing air having
contaminant levels
below the government mandated, predetermined threshold.
[0027] Various embodiments of the system are shown in Figures 2 and 3.
As shown by
Figure 2, emissions 40 from the dryer system 10 are introduced into the spray
scrubber 22. An
air/water mixture then exits the spray scrubber 22 by means of a pump 42 into
a plurality of
filters 44 and 46. The pump 42 may also be a gravity pump or not have a pump
at all. In one
embodiment as shown in Figure 3, a valve controls the flow into the pump (or
lack thereof) 42.
The filters 44, 46 are appropriate dry/wet filters removing particulates. The
filters 44, 46 in
series remove different size particulates such as 5 micron particulates and 10
micron particulates.
The air/water mixture then exits the filters 44, 46 and enters a collection
tank 50. The system
can also function without the filters.
[0028] Figure 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment where air from the
spray scrubber 22
bypasses the filters 44 and 48. The air is directed directly to the collection
tank 50. Figure 3
further illustrates an embodiments having the baffle plates of Figure 5
disposed above the
collection tank 50. The baffle plates include a mixture of both angled baffle
plates and vertically
aligned baffle plates. Any combination of both angled and vertical baffle
plates may be provided.
Further, the baffle plates (both angled and vertical) may be electrostatically
charged to further
facilitate breakdown of the particles. The air will be sprayed with water to
further facilitate
breakdown of the air particles.
[0029] In other embodiments and as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the
collection tank includes
the angled baffle plate section and the vertical baffle plate section. After
the air passes through
the angled baffle plate section, the air then travels through the vertical
baffle plate section. In this
embodiment, the angled baffle plates are not electrostatically charged, but
the vertical plates are
electrostatically charged. Of course, the reverse is also possible according
to the needs of the
user.
[0030] Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the flow and air and water through
the system. Now
discussing the flow of the water. Water is first entered into the flow at the
spray scrubber 22.
Water sprays the air within the spray scrubber 22. Water is then circulated
through the system
until it reaches the collection tank 50 having the sprayers. The sprayers then
spray the air for
6
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-19

further cleaning. There is always water within the collection tank 50. Water
is not wasted in this
system. Water is then pumped into the recirculation tank for testing. The
water is then pumped
via the pump 62 back to the spray scrubber 22 for further use. Minimal or no
water is lost in this
process. The system, including the recirculation tank 60 cleans the water. A
sensor 61 measures
the quality of the water. If the water is suitable, it is then pumped back to
the spray scrubber 22.
[0031] Now discussing the flow of the air. Emissions and air exit the
burner 14, the dryer 18
and the cyclone collector 20. Air then flows into the spray scrubber 22. Air
from the spray
scrubber 22 then enters the upper portion having the baffle plates of the
collection tank 50 of the
system having the plurality of baffle plates discussed above. The collection
tank further includes
a testing area for testing the quality of the air. A sensor is provided in the
collection tank to test
the quality of the air. The sensor may further be connected to a computer or
electronic control
unit (ECU) to determine the contaminant level of the air. A valve is further
connected to the
collection tank and the sensor to allow the flow of air out of the collection
tank.
[0032] If the air quality is at a level suitable for release into the
environment (i.e. meeting
government standards, clean air, above a predetermined level), then the air 32
is exited through
the valve through the fan 30. If the air quality is not suitable (below a
predetermined level), then
the air is recirculated back to the spray scrubber 22.
[0033] The collection tank 50 may include water or other chemicals to
neutralize the pH of
the air/water mixture. The collection tank 50 is open until the portion as
seen in figures 4 and 5
is added. Particulate matter falls to the floor of the collection tank 50. The
collection tank, in a
preferred embodiment, is made of stainless steel. In one embodiment the
collection tank 50 may
include a plurality of baffle plates 52a, 52b. The baffle plates 52a, 52b
facilitate the settling of
particulate matter within the collection tank 50. The baffle plates 52a, 52b
separate the liquid
collected at the bottom of the collection tank 50. In one embodiment, the
baffle plates 52a, 52b
are planar and arranged generally vertical within the collection tank 50. In
an alternative
embodiment, the baffle plates 52a, 52b are arranged generally vertical or in a
diagonal manner to
facilitate contact of the baffle plates 52a, 52b to the air/water mixture. The
baffle plates 52a, 52b
include passageways allowing liquid to flow from one section with the
collection tank 50 to
another section. Said passageways may be holes or screening material such as
mesh. In an
alternative embodiment, the baffle plates 52a, 52b do not provide for any
passageways allowing
liquid to flow over the baffle plates 52a, 52b. Sediment and water 54 rests on
the floor 53 of the
7
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-19

collection tank 50. All elements and connecting conduits contained within the
recirculation
system 28 are pressurized.
[0034] Furthermore, the baffle plates 52a, 52b are provided having an
electrical current
running through the conductive plates. Angled baffle plates may also have the
same electrical
current (electrostatically charged). The electrical current, or electric
charge, is provided for by
means of a battery 110, or other power source. The baffle plates 52a, 52b and
the collection tank
50 are both made of a conductive material, such as stainless steel. The
electrical current provided
within the baffle plates 52a, 52b is operable to remove dust particulates from
the air/water
mixture. The baffle plates 52a, 52b facilitate the removal of contaminates
(particulate dust, odors
and chemicals) from moist air, specifically an air/water mixture. Previous
methods of removing
airborne contaminants have been implemented for removal in dry air only. This
method provides
for removal in an air/water mixture. The baffle plates 52a, 52b having the
electrical current burn
dust or other particulate matter contained within the air/water mixture
thereby removing the dust
or particulate matter from the air/water mixture. Sediment removed from the
air/water mixture
collects on the floor of the collection tank 50. This sediment is removed once
it reaches a high
level. Furthermore, the baffle plates 52a, 52b having the electrical current
neutralize odors within
the air/water mixture.
[0035] The air/water mixture (usually just water) then exits the
collection tank 50 and enters
the recirculation tank 60. The recirculation tank 60 includes a sensor
measuring contaminant
levels within the air/water mixture. The contaminant levels measured are often
of carbon
monoxide, particulate matter in the water or other chemicals/additives. Carbon
monoxide, and
other contaminant, levels are required to be below a predetermined level
before exhausting the
air into the atmosphere. The sensor within the recirculation tank 60 measures
levels of carbon
monoxide to determine whether or not the air meets government standards to be
released into the
atmosphere. A sensor 70 and a valve 72 are further provided within the
collection tank 50 to
measure contaminant levels. If the contaminant level measured by the sensor
within the
recirculation tank 60 or collection tank 50 is above the predetermined
government mandated
level, then the air/water mixture is recirculated back into the spray scrubber
22 and subsequently
pumped through the recirculation system again. If the contaminant levels
measured by the
sensor within the recirculation tank 60 or collection tank 50 are below the
predetermined
government mandated level, then the air/water mixture is pumped by means of a
pump 62 and
exhausted by means of a fan 64 as shown by the arrow 66.
8
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-19

[0036] In one embodiment, the recirculation tank 60 further includes
baffle plates 61a, 61b.
The baffle plates 61a, 61b facilitate the settling of particulate matter
within the recirculation tank
60. The baffle plates 61a, 61b separate the liquid collected at the bottom of
the recirculation tank
60. In one embodiment, the baffle plates 61a, 61b are planar and arranged
generally vertical
within the recirculation tank 60. In an alternative embodiment, the baffle
plates 61a, 61b are
arranged generally (such as baffle plates 100 are described below) vertical or
in a diagonal
manner to facilitate contact of the baffle plates 61a, 61b to the air/water
mixture. The baffle
plates 61a, 61b include passageways allowing liquid to flow from one section
with the
recirculation tank 60 to another section. Said passageways may be holes or
screening material
such as mesh. In an alternative embodiment, the baffle plates 61a, 61b do not
provide for any
passageways allowing liquid to flow over the baffle plates 61a, 61b.
[0037] Furthermore, the baffle plates 61a, 61b are provided having an
electrical current
running through the baffle plates 61a, 61b. The electrical current, or
electric charge, is provided
for by means of a battery, or other power source. The baffle plates 61a, 61b
and the recirculation
tank 60 are both made of a conductive material, such as stainless steel. The
electrical current
provided within the baffle plates 61a, 61b is operable to remove dust
particulates from the
air/water mixture. The baffle plates 61a, 61b facilitate the removal of
contaminates (particulate
dust, odors and chemicals) from moist air, specifically an air/water mixture.
Previous methods of
removing airborne contaminants have been implemented for removal in dry air
only. This
method provides for removal in an air/water mixture. The baffle plates 61a,
61b having the
electrical current burn dust or other particulate matter contained within the
air/water mixture
thereby removing the dust or particulate matter from the air/water mixture.
Sediment removed
from the air/water mixture collects on the floor of the recirculation tank 60.
This sediment is
removed once it reaches a high level. Furthermore, the baffle plates 61a, 61b
having the
electrical current neutralize odors within the air/water mixture.
[0038] Figure 3 depicts a situation wherein the sensor of the
recirculation tank 60 and the
collection tank 50 measured a contaminant level above the predetermined
government mandated
threshold for contaminant levels. A sensor 61 and sensor 70 within the
recirculation tank 60 and
the collection tank 50, respectively, measured above the certain level and
thereby pumped the
air/water mixture by means of a pump or fan back into the spray scrubber 22 as
shown by the
arrow 71. A valve 72 connected to the sensor 70 controls the flow of air out
of the collection
tank.
9
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-19

[0039] The function of these baffle blades or plates is to mix the air
and break down 95% of
particles that are in the emissions. The angle of the plates encourages the
air and emissions to
circulate and to create more turbulence and mixing. The angular or even
triangular shape of the
plates force the air to twist forcing the air particles to either hit the
electrostatic baffle plates or
each other, forcing the particulate matter to break down. With the help of the
sprinklers, the
baffle plates break down the particular matter. The particles then fall to the
tank below. The
baffles are placed on an inner wall of a tank. In the present embodiment, the
angled plates are
positioned on a ceiling of a tank.
[0040] Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the plurality of baffle plates 100
within the recirculation
tank 60. The illustration in Figures 4 and 5 are embodiments of the top or
ceiling of a tank.
The baffles 100 may also be provided in the spray scrubber 22, the collection
tank 50 or
generally within the recirculation system 28. Further provided in the
recirculation tank 22 (or in
the spray scrubber 22, the collection tank 50 or generally within the
recirculation system 28) is a
plurality of sprinklers 102. In the present embodiment, the sprinklers 102
have an elongated main
portion 108 extending into the main tank 106. The sprinklers 102 have
sprinkler heads 104
extending from the elongated portion 108. Water or other liquids flow through
the sprinklers 102
and out through the sprinkler heads 104. Water from the sprinklers 102
facilitates breaking down
of the particulate matter in the air.
[0041] The baffle plates 100 are electrostatically charged to
facilitate breaking down of the
particulate matter. The baffle plates are angled at a 22 degree angles from a
main floor 112 of the
tank 106. However, the baffle plates 100 may be at any suitable angle to
facilitate flow and
removal of particulate matter from the air.
[0042] Air flows through the tank 106 and around the baffle plates
100. In the present
embodiment, the baffle plates are generally triangular. Alternatively, the
baffle plates 100 bay be
generally square, rectangular or otherwise to encourage air flow. The angled
nature of the baffle
plates 100 forces the air and emissions to contact each baffle plate, and to
bounce from plate to
plate 100 thus providing an unforeseen advantage over the vertical baffle
plates. The angled
baffle plates encourage flow of air (but being angled), and still force the
air and emissions to
contact the plates multiple times since there is no easy path for the air to
travel in. As such, the
baffle plates 100.
[0043] Furthermore, the baffle plates 100 are provided having an
electrical current running
through the baffle plates 100. The electrical current, or electric charge, is
provided for by means
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-19

of a battery, or other power source. The baffle plates 100 and the tank 106
are both made of a
conductive material, such as stainless steel. The electrical current provided
within the baffle
plates 100 is operable to remove dust particulates from the air/water mixture.
The baffle plates
100 facilitate the removal of contaminates (particulate dust, odors and
chemicals) from moist air,
specifically an air/water mixture. Previous methods of removing airborne
contaminants have
been implemented for removal in dry air only. This method provides for removal
in an air/water
mixture. The baffle plates 100 having the electrical current burn dust or
other particulate matter
contained within the air/water mixture thereby removing the dust or
particulate matter from the
air/water mixture. Sediment removed from the air/water mixture collects on the
floor of the
recirculation tank 60. This sediment is removed once it reaches a high level.
Furthermore, the
baffle plates 100 having the electrical current neutralize odors within the
air/water mixture.
[0044] Furthermore, Figure 3 demonstrates a situation wherein the
sensor of the
recirculation tank 60 measured a contaminant level below the predetermined
level as mandated
by the government. The arrow indicates the air/water mixture leaving the
recirculation tank 60
by means of a pump 62 and exiting into the environment by means of the fan 64
as shown by the
emissions arrow 66. The sensor 61 within the recirculation tank 60 is further
connected to a
release valve. When the sensor 61 measures the air to be a suitable level, the
sensor triggers the
valve to either release the air or recirculate the air. The system is also
operable to circular water
through the system along with the air.
[0045] Figure 2 and 3 further illustrate a separate chamber, or evaluation
chamber 80,
containing the sensor 70 and the valve 72. The evaluation chamber 80 is
separated from the
collection tank 50, but in fluid communication with the collection tank 50.
Air enters the
evaluation chamber 80 for evaluation by the sensor 70 and removal by the valve
72. If the sensor
reads above a predetermined level, the air is circulated back to the scrubber.
If the sensor reads a
level below a predetermined level, the air is exhausted to the environment or
atmosphere. This
separate evaluation chamber 80 allows for undisturbed evaluation and sensing
of the air at the
sensor 70.
[0046] Any combination of angled, straight, non-electrostatic and
electrostatic baffles may
be provided in the various tanks and systems.
[0047] Furthermore, it is apparent that the above mentioned air
purification recirculation
system and apparatus may also be used to purify emissions or contaminated air
from sources
other than a biomass dryer/burner system. The air purification recirculation
system and apparatus
11
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-19

may be used to purify air within a room to appropriate safety levels. The
system may be attached
to a burner operable to burn a wide variety of materials such as paint,
plastics or other inorganic
materials. Furthermore, the system may be attached to a dryer operable to dry
a wide range of
materials, both organic and inorganic. The system may be adapted to clean and
purify any
emissions or otherwise contaminated air.
[0048] Having thus described my invention, in reference to the
preferred embodiment, it is
apparent that there may be modifications or variations of the invention which
are within the
scope of the invention. There are many different materials which may be used
within the system,
and the biomass dryer/burner system having an air purification apparatus may
be in one of a
variety of different configurations.
12
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-19

Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

For a clearer understanding of the status of the application/patent presented on this page, the site Disclaimer , as well as the definitions for Patent , Administrative Status , Maintenance Fee  and Payment History  should be consulted.

Administrative Status

Title Date
Forecasted Issue Date 2021-10-26
(86) PCT Filing Date 2014-03-11
(87) PCT Publication Date 2014-10-09
(85) National Entry 2015-09-15
Examination Requested 2019-01-28
(45) Issued 2021-10-26

Abandonment History

There is no abandonment history.

Maintenance Fee

Last Payment of $210.51 was received on 2023-08-08


 Upcoming maintenance fee amounts

Description Date Amount
Next Payment if small entity fee 2024-03-11 $125.00
Next Payment if standard fee 2024-03-11 $347.00

Note : If the full payment has not been received on or before the date indicated, a further fee may be required which may be one of the following

  • the reinstatement fee;
  • the late payment fee; or
  • additional fee to reverse deemed expiry.

Patent fees are adjusted on the 1st of January every year. The amounts above are the current amounts if received by December 31 of the current year.
Please refer to the CIPO Patent Fees web page to see all current fee amounts.

Payment History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Amount Paid Paid Date
Application Fee $400.00 2015-09-15
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 2 2016-03-11 $100.00 2015-09-15
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 3 2017-03-13 $100.00 2017-03-07
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 4 2018-03-12 $100.00 2018-03-09
Request for Examination $200.00 2019-01-28
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 5 2019-03-11 $200.00 2019-03-07
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 6 2020-03-11 $200.00 2020-03-11
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 7 2021-03-11 $204.00 2021-03-02
Final Fee 2021-09-20 $306.00 2021-09-01
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 8 2022-03-11 $203.59 2022-03-04
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 9 2023-03-13 $210.51 2023-08-08
Late Fee for failure to pay new-style Patent Maintenance Fee 2023-08-08 $150.00 2023-08-08
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
VALENTE, PETER
Past Owners on Record
None
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
Documents

To view selected files, please enter reCAPTCHA code :



To view images, click a link in the Document Description column. To download the documents, select one or more checkboxes in the first column and then click the "Download Selected in PDF format (Zip Archive)" or the "Download Selected as Single PDF" button.

List of published and non-published patent-specific documents on the CPD .

If you have any difficulty accessing content, you can call the Client Service Centre at 1-866-997-1936 or send them an e-mail at CIPO Client Service Centre.


Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Examiner Requisition 2020-04-02 4 211
Amendment 2020-07-31 32 1,225
Description 2020-07-31 12 713
Claims 2020-07-31 5 116
Drawings 2020-07-31 4 132
Examiner Requisition 2020-12-07 3 135
Description 2021-01-19 12 708
Amendment 2021-01-19 29 1,630
Maintenance Fee Payment 2021-03-02 1 33
Final Fee 2021-09-01 4 125
Representative Drawing 2021-10-18 1 9
Cover Page 2021-10-18 1 45
Electronic Grant Certificate 2021-10-26 1 2,526
Abstract 2015-09-15 1 72
Claims 2015-09-15 3 104
Drawings 2015-09-15 4 119
Description 2015-09-15 12 711
Representative Drawing 2015-10-14 1 21
Cover Page 2015-12-24 1 56
Maintenance Fee Payment 2018-03-09 1 33
Request for Examination 2019-01-28 1 32
International Search Report 2015-09-15 9 458
National Entry Request 2015-09-15 6 138