Biochar Now, LLC

Mikel Olander

William T Beierwaltes

James G Gaspard, Ii

Donald P Aupperle

Benjamin M Beierwaltes

Perry Pierce, Ii

A lid assembly for a portable biochar kiln and system is disclosed. An example of a lid assembly includes a cylindrical sidewall, a rim around the cylindrical sidewall, and a top portion having an opening formed therein. A removable stack is configured to fit over the opening formed in the top portion to direct exhaust from the portable biochar kiln. A gasket cover is interchangeable with the removable stack to fit over the opening formed in the top portion to form a substantially airtight seal over the opening formed in the top portion when a burn is complete in the portable biochar kiln to self-extinguish embers in the portable biochar kiln.

Lid assembly for portable biochar kiln

A biochar kiln is disclosed. An example of the biochar kiln includes a kiln body having a sidewall, a floor attached to the sidewall, and a removable lid. The example biochar kiln also includes a plurality of semi-independent combustion cells. The example biochar kiln also includes an outside vent pipe loading to a center of the semi-independent combustion cells to provide combustion air.

Biochar kiln

A gripper assembly for a portable biochar kiln and system is disclosed. An example of a gripper includes an attachment for connecting to a loader, the attachment having a mating surface configured for engagement with the biochar kiln. The example gripper assembly also includes a substantially C-shaped claw having a first arm and a second arm. The example gripper assembly also includes a motor on the attachment. The motor operates to open and close the first and second arms in a pinch-and-release motion to grasp and release the biochar kiln. The motor further operates to rotate the first and second arms to tilt the biochar kiln for dumping operations. The motor further operates to raise and lower the first and second arms to raise and lower the biochar kiln relative to the ground for moving operations.

Gripper assembly for portable biochar kiln

An example managed biochar kiln includes drum walls, a drum floor, and a lid formed to be fitted to a top edge of the drum walls to close a top end of the drum walls and form a combustion chamber between the lid, the drum walls, and the drum floor. The example managed biochar kiln also includes a chimney stack attachable to the lid. The example managed biochar kiln also includes a valve on the lid operable by an electronic controller to vary airflow through the chimney and out of the lid.

Managed biochar kiln

A biochar kiln is disclosed. An example of the biochar kiln includes a body having a one-piece rolled wall, a curved floor attached to the sidewall by a single weld line, and a removable lid. The example biochar kiln includes a plurality of semi-independent combustion cells. The example biochar kiln also includes a ventilation subsystem, an ember suppression subsystem, and a stack subsystem. A control subsystem may configured to monitor a plurality of zones of the biochar kiln for a plurality of process control variables, to produce a quality biochar product with well-managed emissions.

A portable biochar kiln and system is disclosed. An example of a portable biochar kiln system includes a kiln body. A ridge is provided around an outside perimeter of the kiln body. A removable lid is provided to cover and uncover an opening in the top of the kiln body. An edge is provided around an outside perimeter of the removable lid. The example portable biochar kiln system also includes a gripper attachment for heavy machinery. The gripper attachment is configured for engagement with the ridge to raise and lower the kiln body. The gripper attachment is also configured for engagement with the edge of the lid to cover and uncover the kiln body.

Portable biochar kiln

A controlled kiln and manufacturing system for biochar production, including control systems and subsystems. An example controlled kiln () includes a drum (), a lid () and a floor () together forming a combustion chamber configured to contain feedstock for conversion into biochar. A catalytic converter () may be operatively coupled with an outlet of the kiln (). A conversion process completion detection subsystem may be operative to issue notifications. An example biochar manufacturing system includes at least one of the controlled kilns (), a feedstock filling station () for providing feedstock to kiln, a firing line () for receiving the kiln containing feedstock, a tipping station () for receiving biochar from the kiln, a biochar sizing station, and an automated handler () configured to move the kiln between the feedstock filling station (), the firing line () and the tipping station ().

Controlled kiln and manufacturing system for biochar production

A controlled kiln and manufacturing system for biochar production includes control systems and subsystems. An example biochar kiln exhaust apparatus, includes a chimney configured for heating by pyrolysis and for exhausting smoke from the combustion chamber. The example biochar kiln exhaust apparatus also includes a plurality of exhaust inlet pipes configured to pass smoke from the combustion chamber to the chimney.

Airflow control and heat recovery in a managed kiln

An example flow regulation system for a biochar kiln includes an air inlet port of the biochar kiln. The example flow regulation system also includes a port cover coupled to the air inlet ports. The example flow regulation system also includes an external flow regulation assembly coupled with the port cover. The example flow regulation system also includes a controller operating the external flow regulation assembly based on monitoring conditions of the biochar kiln to open and close the air inlet port.

Flow regulation for a biochar kiln

An example exhaust system for a biochar kiln includes a chimney of the biochar kiln. The example exhaust system for a biochar kiln also includes a first forced air inlet on the chimney to draw smoke through the chimney during a preheating stage to prime the chimney. The example exhaust system for a biochar kiln also includes a second forced air inlet operatively coupled with the chimney. The second forced air inlet activated to increase airflow when air naturally occurring in a smoke stream in the chimney is insufficient, the second forced air inlet deactivated when there is sufficient air.

Exhaust system for a biochar kiln

A controlled kiln and manufacturing system for biochar production includes control systems and subsystems. An example controlled kiln () includes a drum (), a lid () and a floor () together forming a combustion chamber configured to contain feedstock for conversion into biochar. A catalytic converter () may be operatively coupled with an outlet of the kiln (). A monitor and control subsystem may be operative to issue notifications or automatically end biochar conversion. A ventilation and exhaust system including independently controllable air inlet ports (), a chimney () and smoke inlet pipes () enables regulation of smoke flow from a combustion chamber of the kiln while a heat exchanger () enables providing exhaust heat to one or more secondary applications.

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Johnstown, CO, United States of America

Mikel Olander