Combustible in the form of compressed elements containing plant material and method for the production of such a combustible
The invention relates to a fuel in the form of compacts containing plant material, characterized in that the fuel of a) straw or straw components and b) comminuted hardwood and/or cocoanut shells wherein both the straw and the straw component and also the hardwood and cocoanut shells are digested by microorganisms. The invention also relates to a method of making the fuel compacts.
1 . A fuel in the form of compacts with a content of plant material, characterized in that the fuel is comprised substantially of:
a) a straw or straw components and
b) comminuted hardwood and/or coconut shells
whereby both the straw or the straw components as well as the hardwood or coconut shells are digested with microorganisms.
2 . The fuel according to claim 1 or claim 2 which is binder free.
3 . The fuel according to claim 1 wherein the straw is selected from the group of hemp straw, linen straw and rye straw, rice straw, barley straw or components of this type of straw (straw shavings) from which fiber components have been removed.
4 . The fuel according to claim 1 wherein the straw or straw component has a particle size of 0.5 to 2.0 cm and the hardwood or coconut shell particles a particle size of about 0.5 to 0.7 cm.
5 . A fuel according to claim 1 wherein the microorganisms used for the digestion (fermentation) comprises a mixture of lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, photosynthesis bacteria, actinomactinomycetes and fungi.
6 . The fuel according to claim 1 wherein the compacts have holes and are of ring shape.
7 . The fuel according to claim 6 wherein an ignition promoter is arranged in the hole and optionally also has a hole.
8 . The fuel according to claim 6 wherein an ignition promoter is arranged on one of the flat sides of the compact.
9 . The fuel according to claim 1 wherein the compact is externally coated with a water repellant coating which can burn without residue in the form of stearin.
10 . The fuel according to claim 1 wherein the compacts are provided with an ignition promoter comprised of a combustible mixture of plant chips or dust and a binder like stearin which burns without a residue.
11 . The fuel according to claim 1 wherein each compact has a proportion of inorganic material in the form of limestone granules admixed thereto.
12 . A method of producing fuel compacts wherein straw or straw components and comminuted hardwood and/or coconut shell components are moistened with a microorganism suspension and allowed to ferment for about 2 to 4 weeks, whereby the fermentation of the straw component is effected aerobically or anaerobically and the fermentation of the hardwood particles or coconut shell particles is carried out anaerobically, and the fermented components, comminuted if necessary, optionally with addition of a proportion of inorganic substance like limestone granules, are mixed and dried and then pressed at a pressure of preferably 700 to 900 kg/cm2 to compacts.
13 . The method according to claim 12 wherein the compacts are provided with a water repellant coating like stearin which burns without a residue by immersion or spraying.