Device, method, and control system for waste to energy generation and other output products
Aspects of the present disclosure include devices, systems, methods, and control systems for processing a feedstock into an output product having variable preselected characteristics. Various system components may include: 1) a feeder configured to convey the feedstock; 2) a mechanical pulverizer configured to pulverize the feedstock received by the feeder into pulverized feedstock; and 3) an air conveyor for conveying an air flow into the mechanical pulverizer and to draw the air flow from the mechanical pulverizer to a fines separator. The pulverized feedstock includes one or more of heavy fines, particulates, moisture, or combinations thereof. The air flow from the mechanical pulverizer includes at least a portion of the pulverized feedstock, wherein the portion of the pulverized feedstock is conveyed by the air flow.
1. A method for processing a feedstock, the method comprising:
pulverizing the feedstock into fines and moisture, the fines comprising heavy fines and particulates;
imparting airflow to communicate the fines to a fines separator;
separating heavy fines from the particulates;
communicating the particulates and moisture from the fines separator to a fines collector;
separating the particulates from the airflow and moisture exiting the fines collector;
receiving information indicative of at least one characteristic of the heavy fines; and
determining a velocity of the airflow based on the at least one characteristic of the heavy fines.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one characteristic of the heavy fines includes a moisture content.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
providing the feedstock to a pulverizer at a rate determined based on the at least one characteristic of the heavy fines.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one characteristic includes a caloric content; and wherein the method further comprises:
changing a composition of the feedstock based on the at least one characteristic of the heavy fines.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
providing the feedstock to a pulverizer at a rate determined based on at least one of characteristic of the feedstock.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the at least one characteristic of feedstock includes a moisture content.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one characteristic includes a caloric content; and wherein the method further comprises:
changing a composition of the feedstock based on the at least one characteristic of the feedstock.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the feedstock entering the mechanical pulverizer has a moisture content of about 20 to 60 wt. %.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the airflow imparted to communicate the fines to the fines separator is at temperatures between −20° F. to 100° F.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fines separator is configured to separate the heavy fines from the particulates based on one or more of weight, density, and particle size.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the heavy fines comprise one or more of conglomerate, fluff, and combinations thereof.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the particulates comprise materials not removed from the air flow by the fines separator.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein a moisture content of the pulverized feedstock in the air flow from the mechanical pulverizer is not greater than 35% by weight.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the velocity of the air flow is between about 1000-24,000 feet/minute (ft/min).
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mechanical pulverizer comprises a ringmill, a horizontal hammermill, or a vertical shaft impactor (VSI).
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fines separator comprises a cyclone.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one characteristic of the heavy fines includes at least one of a moisture content and a calorific content.