WO2024263763A1

WO2024263763A1 - Integrated feedstock preparation

Info

Publication number: WO2024263763A1
Application number: PCT/US2024/034797
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joshuah Stolaroff; David MITTELSTADT
Original assignee: Mote Inc
Current assignee: Mote Inc
Priority date: 2023-06-21
Filing date: 2024-06-20
Publication date: 2024-12-26
Anticipated expiration: 2025-12-21

Abstract

Apparatus, systems, and methods for integrated preparation of biomass feedstock particles. In certain implementations, apparatus include at least two biomass feedstock particle separators, and optionally a grinder. Also disclosed are bioenergy production systems, or methods of bioenergy production comprising integrated biomass feedstock preparation apparatus or systems.

Description

INTEGRATED FEEDSTOCK PREPARATION

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/522,361 filed on June 21, 2023, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

I. Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to the field of apparatus for production of biomass feedstocks. In particular, apparatus and methods for production of biomass feedstocks suitable for renewable fuels generation, chemical production, power generation, biomass carbon capture, or combinations thereof.

II. Background

[0003] Due to fast climate change and foreseen damage through global warming, access to clean and green energy has become essential for the sustainable development of a global society. Biomass is one of the important renewable energy resources, as it is rich in energy and oftentimes considered an unwanted waste product, the decomposition or destruction of which releases significant volumes of greenhouse gases into the environment.

[0004] Biomass is a renewable organic resource, and includes but is not limited to agriculture crop residues, forest residues, special crops grown specifically for energy use (such as switchgrass or willow trees), algae, organic municipal solid waste, and animal wastes. This renewable resource can be used in bioenergy production systems, such as biomass gasification systems, to produce products such as syngas, along with other byproducts. One major problem associated with current bioenergy production systems is a lack of efficiency, such as potentially inefficient heat transfers, system inoperability/malfunction, incomplete biomass gasification, or combinations thereof.

[0005] To reduce biomass waste, incomplete biomass gasification, bioenergy production system inoperability/malfunction, or combinations thereof, biomass feedstocks must be prepared prior to introduction to a bioenergy production system. There exists a need for more efficient biomass feedstock preparation systems, apparatus, and methods. The present disclosure seeks to overcome these issues and others, as will be explained in detail below. SUMMARY

[0006] This present disclosure provides apparatus, systems, and methods of increasing efficiency of a bioenergy production system through improvements to biomass feedstock preparation systems.

[0007] In some implementations, biomass is dried prior to grinding or introduction into biomass feedstock preparation systems. In some implementations, biomass for drying is a wetter biomass and/or a drier biomass. In some implementations, biomass is comprised in a biomass feed drying unit, and the biomass is dried therein prior to grinding or introduction into biomass feedstock preparation systems.

[0008] In some implementations, apparatus, systems, methods, or combinations thereof described herein result in one or more of higher energy production rate per unit of biomass feedstock, higher energy production rate per unit of a prepared biomass feedstock, reduced electrical demand, reduced apparatus footprint, reduced fugitive dust, reduced dust control system requirements and costs, reduced biomass feedstock mass loss, improved bioenergy production facility site flexibility, capital savings for a bioenergy production facility, or combinations thereof.

[0009] Described below are certain enumerated aspects of the disclosure.

[0010] Aspect 1 is an apparatus comprising: a first separator (110) configured to: receive a plurality of particles at a first input (112); and sort the plurality of particles into a first set of particles and a second set of particles, the first set of particles larger than the second set of particles; and output the first set of particles via a first output (114) of the first separator (110) and output the second set of particles via a second output (116) of the first separator (110); and a second separator (120) coupled to the second output (116) of the first separator (110) via a chute (118), at least a portion of the second separator (120) positioned below the first separator (110), the second separator (120) configured to: receive the second set of particles via a first input (122) operably coupled to the chute (118); sort the second set of particles into a third set of particles and a fourth set of particles; and output the third set of particles via a first output (124) of the second separator (120) and output the fourth set of particles via a second output (126) of the second separator (120).

[0011] Aspect 2 is the apparatus of aspect 1, further comprising: a frame (130) defining a workspace (132), wherein the frame is configured such that each of at least a portion of the first separator (110), the second output of the first separator (116), at least a portion of the second separator (120), and at least a portion of the input of the second separator (122) are positioned within the workspace (132). [0012] Aspect 3 is the apparatus of aspect 2, wherein the first separator (110) is statically coupled to the frame (130).

[0013] Aspect 4 is the apparatus of aspect 3, wherein the first separator (110) is statically coupled to the frame (130) via a weld, a joint, a braze, a solder, a metal stitch, a rivet, nuts and bolts, an adhesive, a clamp, or a combination thereof.

[0014] Aspect 5 is the apparatus of any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the second set of particles from the second output (116) of the first separator (110) is provided to the first input (122) of the second separator (120) via the chute (118) based on a gravitational force.

[0015] Aspect 6 is the apparatus of any one of aspects 2 to 5, wherein the chute (118) is defined by the frame (132).

[0016] Aspect 7 is the apparatus of any one of aspects 2 to 6, wherein the second separator (120) is dynamically coupled to the frame (130).

[0017] Aspect 8 is the apparatus of aspect 7, wherein the second separator (120) is dynamically coupled to the frame (130) via one or more of a rubber expansion joint, an expansion joint, a dampening pad, a spring, a shock, a pneumatic suspension, or a combination thereof.

[0018] Aspect 9 is the apparatus of any one of aspects 1 to 8, wherein an entirety of the second separator (120) is positioned below the first separator (110).

[0019] Aspect 10 is the apparatus of any one of aspects 1 to 9, wherein an entirety of the first separator (110) is positioned above the second separator (120).

[0020] Aspect 11 is the apparatus of any one of aspects 2 to 10, further comprising: a dust control system (240) optionally coupled to the frame (130), and a control system (240) configured to control dust in the workspace (132), and wherein the dust control system (240) includes a ventilation fan, a baghouse, a cyclone filter, an inertial separator, a fiber filter, an electrostatic precipitator, a wet scrubber, other dust control mechanisms, or a combination thereof.

[0021] Aspect 12 is the apparatus of any one of aspects 2 to 11, further comprising: a grinder (210) including an input (212) operably coupled to the first output (114) of the first separator (110) via a conveyor (204).

[0022] Aspect 13 is the apparatus of aspect 12, wherein the first set of particles from the first output (114) of the first separator (110) is provided to the input (212) of the grinder (210) via a conveyor (204) based on a gravitational force.

[0023] Aspect 14 is the apparatus of aspect 12 or 13, wherein the grinder (210) is a drop feed grinder, a biomass grinder, or a combination thereof, configured to: mechanically resize the first set of particles to a size less than the size of the first set of particles, creating a fifth set of particles, and provide the fifth set of particles to a first output (214).

[0024] Aspect 15 is the apparatus of aspect 14, wherein the first output (214) of the grinder (210) is coupled to a conveyor (316), and the conveyor (316) is operably coupled to the first input (112) of the first separator (110).

[0025] Aspect 16 is the apparatus of any one of aspects 1 to 15, wherein: the first input (112) to the first separator (110) is coupled to a biomass feedstock conveyor (302), and the first separator (110) includes a screen, disc screen, or inertial separator, or a plurality of screens, disc screens, or inertial separators configured to sort particles based on size, and the second separator (120) includes a vibrating screen, screen, or inertial separator or a plurality of vibrating screens, screens, or inertial separators configured to sort particles based on size.

[0026] Aspect 17 is the apparatus of any one of aspects 1 to 16, further comprising: a conveyor (308) below the second output (126) of the second separator, wherein the conveyor (308) is a box conveyor, a gyratory conveyor, pneumatic conveyor, or a combination thereof, and the conveyor (308) is operably coupled to a storage system, disposal system, processing system, or a combination thereof.

[0027] Aspect 18 is the apparatus of any one of aspects 1 to 17, further comprising: a conveyor (306) operably coupled to the first output (124) of the second separator (120) and a bioenergy production system (320).

[0028] Aspect 19 is the apparatus of aspect 18, wherein the bioenergy production system (320) comprises a gasifier, boiler, pyrolizer, other bioenergy production apparatus, or a combination thereof.

[0029] Aspect 20 is the apparatus of any one of aspects 1 to 19, further comprising: a control unit operably in communication with and suitable for adjusting and/or maintaining the mechanical operations of the first separator (110), and the second separator (120), and optionally the grinder (210), the bioenergy production system (320), the dust control system (240), one or more conveyors (302, 204, 306, and/or 308), or a combination thereof.

[0030] Aspect 21 is the apparatus of any one of aspects 1 to 20, configured to receive biomass feedstock particles derived from one or more of: nut tree wood, nut tree fruit waste, fruit orchard tree wood, fruit tree waste, vineyard waste, urban tree waste, suburban tree waste, rural tree waste, urban derived wood waste, suburban derived wood waste, rural derived wood waste, forest derived wood waste, algae, agricultural waste, or a combination thereof.

[0031] Aspect 22 is a bioenergy production system comprising an apparatus according to any one of aspects 1 to 21. [0032] Aspect 23 is an apparatus as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, or a combination thereof.

[0033] Aspect 24 is an apparatus comprising: a first separator (110) configured to: receive a plurality of particles at a first input (112); and sort the plurality of particles into a first set of particles and a second set of particles, the first set of particles larger than the second set of particles; and output the first set of particles via a first output (114) of the first separator (110) and output the second set of particles via a second output (116) of the first separator (110); and a second separator (120) configured to receive the second set of particles at a first input (122) via a gravitational force; sort the second set of particles into a third set of particles and a fourth set of particles; and output the third set of particles via a first output (124) of the second separator (120) and output the fourth set of particles via a second output (126) of the second separator (120).

[0034] Aspect 25 is an apparatus comprising: a frame (130) defining a workspace (132) and optionally coupled to one or more dust control systems (240) configured to control dust in the workspace (132); a first separator (110) configured to: receive a plurality of particles at a first input (112); and sort the plurality of particles into a first set of particles and a second set of particles, the first set of particles larger than the second set of particles; wherein the first separator (110) is statically coupled to the frame (130), and of which at least a portion of the first separator (110) is comprised within the workspace (132), a second separator (120) coupled to the first separator (110) via a chute (118), at least a portion of the second separator (120) positioned below the first separator (110), the second separator (120) configured to: receive the second set of particles via a first input (122) operably coupled to the chute (118); sort the second set of particles into a third set of and a fourth set of particles; and output the third set of particles via a first output (124) of the second separator (120) and output the fourth set of particles via a second output (126) of the second separator (120); wherein the second separator (120) is dynamically coupled to the frame (130), and of which at least a portion of the second separator (120) is comprised within the workspace (132), and a grinder (210) comprising a first input (212) operably coupled to the first separator (110) first output (114) via a conveyor (204), the grinder (210) configured to: receive a first set of particles at a first input (212), resize the first set of particles to a size smaller than the first set of particles, producing a fifth set of particles, and optionally output the fifth set of particles via a first output (214) to a conveyor (316) operably coupled to the first input (112) of the first separator (110).

[0035] Aspect 26 is the apparatus of aspect 24 or 25, further comprising: a conveyor (306) operably coupled to the first output (124) of the second separator (120) and a bioenergy production system (320), wherein the bioenergy production system (320) comprises a gasifier, boiler, pyrolizer, other bioenergy production apparatus, or a combination thereof.

[0036] Aspect 27 is a method of preparing particles for bioenergy production comprising the use of an apparatus or system according to any one of aspects 1 to 26.

[0037] Aspect 28 ia a method of preparing particles for bioenergy production comprising, providing a plurality of particles to a first input (112) of a first separator (110), sorting the plurality of particles into a first set of particles and a second set of particles, wherein the first set of particles are larger than the second set of particles, and providing the first set of particles to a first output (114) and the second set of particles to a second output (116), wherein the second output is operably coupled to a first input (122) of a second separator (120) via a chute (118) and the second set of particles is provided to the second separator (120) based on a gravitational force, sorting the second set of particles into a third set of particles and a fourth set of particles, wherein the third set of particles is larger than the fourth set of particles, and providing the third set of particles to a first output (124) and the fourth set of particles to a second output (126).

[0038] Aspect 29 is the method of aspect 28 further comprising: providing the first set of particles to a grinder (210), wherein the providing of the first set of particles occurs via the force of gravity, and resizing the first set of particles to a size smaller than the first set of particles, producing a fifth set of particles, and providing the fifth set of particles to the input (112) of the first separator (110) or a conveyor (302) operably coupled to the input (112) of the first separator (110).

[0039] Aspect 30 is the method of aspect 27 or 28, further comprising: providing the first output (124) of the second separator (120) to a bioenergy production system (320).

[0040] As used herein, various terminology is used for the purpose of describing particular implementations only and is not intended to be limiting of implementations. For example, as used herein, an ordinal term (e.g., “first,” “second,” “third,” etc.) used to modify an element, such as a structure, a component, an operation, etc., does not by itself indicate any priority or order of the element with respect to another element, but rather merely distinguishes the element from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term). The term “coupled” is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically; two items that are “coupled” may be unitary with each other. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless this disclosure explicitly requires otherwise. The term “substantially” is defined as largely but not necessarily wholly what is specified (and includes what is specified; e.g., substantially 90 degrees includes 90 degrees and substantially parallel includes parallel), as understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. In any disclosed configuration, the term “substantially” may be substituted with “within [a percentage] of’ what is specified, where the percentage includes .1, 1, 5, and 10 percent.

[0041] The term “about” as used herein can allow for a degree of variability in a value or range, for example, within 10%, within 5%, or within 1% of a stated value or of a stated limit of a range and includes the exact stated value or range. The term “approximately” may be substituted with “within 10 percent of’ what is specified. The statement “substantially X to Y” has the same meaning as “substantially X to substantially Y,” unless indicated otherwise. Likewise, the statement “substantially X, Y, or substantially Z” has the same meaning as “substantially X, substantially Y, or substantially Z,” unless indicated otherwise. The phrase “and/or” means and or. To illustrate, A, B, and/or C includes: A alone, B alone, C alone, a combination of A and B, a combination of A and C, a combination of B and C, or a combination of A, B, and C. In other words, “and/or” operates as an inclusive or. Similarly, the phrase “A,

B, C, or a combination thereof’ or “A, B, C, or any combination thereof’ includes: A alone, B alone, C alone, a combination of A and B, a combination of A and C, a combination of B and

C, or a combination of A, B, and C.

[0042] Throughout this document, values expressed in a range format should be interpreted in a flexible manner to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. For example, a range of “about 0.1 % to about 5%” or “about 0.1 % to 5%” should be interpreted to include not just about 0.1 % to about 5%, but also the individual values (e.g., 1 %, 2%, 3%, and 4%) and the sub-ranges (e.g., 0.1 % to 0.5%, 1.1 % to 2.2%, 3.3% to 4.4%) within the indicated range.

[0043] The terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and “having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and “including”) or “containing” (and any form of containing, such as “contains” and “contain”) are inclusive or open-ended linking verbs and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. As a result, an apparatus that “comprises,” “has,” or “includes” one or more elements possesses those one or more elements, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more elements. Likewise, a method that “comprises,” “has,” “contains,” or “includes” one or more steps possesses those one or more steps, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more steps. Any implementation of any of the systems, methods, apparatus, and article of manufacture can consist of or consist essentially of - rather than comprise/have/include - any of the described steps, elements, and/or features. Thus, in any of the claims, the term “consisting of’ or “consisting essentially of’ can be substituted for any of the open-ended linking verbs recited above, in order to change the scope of a given claim from what it would otherwise be using the open-ended linking verb. Apparatus, systems, and methods “consisting essentially of’ any of the components, apparatus, or steps disclosed limits the scope of the claim to the specified materials or steps which do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic of the claimed implementation. Additionally, the term “wherein” may be used interchangeably with “where”.

[0044] It is contemplated that any implementation discussed in this specification can be implemented with respect to any method, apparatus, or system of the disclosure, and vice versa. Furthermore, apparatus, systems, or combinations thereof of the disclosure can be used to achieve methods of the disclosure.

[0045] Other objects, features and advantages of the present inventions will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating specific implementations of the disclosure, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the inventions will become apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] The following drawings form part of the present specification and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the present disclosure. Implementations of the disclosure may be better understood by reference to one or more of these drawings in combination with the detailed description of specific implementations presented herein.

[0047] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an example apparatus of the disclosure.

[0048] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an example apparatus of the disclosure.

[0049] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of an example system of the disclosure.

[0050] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of an example method of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] One of the general challenges with bioenergy production systems is the lack of uniformity and suitability of prepared biomass feedstock particles, or the costs in lack of flexibility, energy inefficiency, physical footprint, loss of biomass feedstock, or combinations thereof associated with current means of obtaining uniformity and suitability of prepared biomass feedstock particles. These challenges and others are described in further detail in “Getting to Neutral - Options for Negative Carbon Emissions in California” by Sarah E. Baker et al., 2020, which is incorporated by reference herein for the purposes described herein.

[0052] Described herein are apparatus, systems, methods or combinations thereof for preparation of biomass feedstock particles for use in a bioenergy production system, such as systems comprising boilers, pyrolizers, gasifiers, or other bioenergy production apparatus or systems, or combinations thereof. Implementations of the present disclosure provide biomass feedstock particles (which can be of any shape, such as chips, chunks, flakes, splinters, fragments, and the like) with sizes within defined bounds suitable for bioenergy production, particularly, efficient bioenergy production. Certain implementations of the present disclosure provide a single apparatus unit for biomass feedstock preparation that can remove particles that are too fine/small (“fines”) and remove particles that are too large (“overs”) for inclusion in a bioenergy production system, and optionally grind or regrind overs to be suitable for reincorporation into a biomass feedstock.

[0053] As described herein, maintaining biomass feedstocks in a particular size range is important for consistent and effective operation of a bioenergy production system, such as systems comprising, but not limited to, gasifiers, boilers, pyrolizers, other bioenergy equipment, or combinations thereof. In particular, oversized pieces (“overs”) can result in jammed feeding mechanisms, system inoperability, incomplete reactions, loss of efficiency, or combinations thereof. In addition, small pieces (“fines”) can cause handling issues, pose a combustion risk, and typically have a higher ash content than the bulk biomass feed (for example, due to, but not limited to, entrained dust, soil, contaminants, or combinations thereof). [0054] Size thresholds for fines removal is an adjustable parameter based on the needs of a particular bioenergy production system (such as a system comprising a particular bioenergy production process). In some implementations, a size threshold for the shortest dimension of fines is less than or equal to about or exactly 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, or 5.0 millimeters (mm), or any value or range derivable therein. In some implementations, a size threshold for fines is about or exactly 1 to 4 mm in the shortest direction.

[0055] Size thresholds for overs removal is an adjustable parameter based on the needs of a particular bioenergy production system (such as a system comprising a particular bioenergy production process). In some implementations, a size threshold for the longest dimension of overs is greater than or equal to about or exactly 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46,

47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71,

72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96,

97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, or 110 mm, or any value or range derivable therein. In some implementations, a size threshold for overs is about or exactly 10 to 100 mm in the longest dimension. In some implementations, a size threshold for overs is about or exactly 70-85 mm in the longest direction.

[0056] Current apparatus, systems, or methods for biomass feedstock particle preparation (including one or more separators for fines removal, one or more separators for overs removal, and optionally one or more grinders for overs resizing) are typically achieved in three separate process apparatus with independent materials handling mechanisms. As described herein, implementations of the present disclosure combine at least two of these functions, separation of overs for removal and separation of fines for removal, into one apparatus. In some implementations, the separators for overs and fines removal are at least partially physically collocated within a single housing. In some implementations, separators for overs and fines removal are at least partially physically collocated within a single housing which is operably configured for shared dust control, and configured for unified material handling mechanisms. In some implementations, an apparatus optionally includes one or more apparatus for resizing of overs, such as a grinder, and optionally return of said resized overs to a biomass feedstock that can be utilized for biomass feedstock preparation.

[0057] In some implementations, apparatus of the present disclosure include at least two separators, one suitable for separation and removal of overs, and one suitable for separation and removal of fines. In some implementations, a separator comprises, but is not limited to, a screen, a disc screen, an inertial screen, a vibrating screen, or a combination thereof. In some implementations, a separator for removal of overs comprises, but is not limited to, a screen, a disc screen, an inertial screen, or a combination thereof. In some implementations, a separator for removal of fines comprises, but is not limited to, a screen, an inertial screen, a vibrating screen, or a combination thereof.

[0058] In some implementations, biomass feedstock suitable for creation of prepared biomass feedstock particles may include, but is not limited to, nut tree wood, nut tree fruit waste (such as husks, shells, and the like), fruit orchard tree wood, fruit tree waste (such as imperfect or undesirable fruit, peels, pits, fiber, and the like), vineyard waste (such as vines, stalks, pulp, and the like), urban tree waste, suburban tree waste, rural tree waste (such as tree removals, tree pruning, and the like), urban, suburban, or rural derived wood waste (such as commercial wood waste, pallets, construction debris, and the like), forest derived wood waste (such as deadwood, deadfall, forest management waste wood, forest restoration waste wood, forest fire clean up wood, and the like), agricultural waste (such as stalks, roots, leaves, shoots, unwanted harvest, and the like), dry municipal solid waste, crops such as sawgrass specifically grown to be utilized as biomass, or combinations thereof.

[0059] As described herein, in certain implementations, an apparatus includes two or more separators, of which at least a portion are included in a shared housing. In some implementations, two or more separators are coupled to a frame, and at least a portion of the two or more separators are included in a workspace defined by the frame. In some implementations, a workspace defined by the frame is configured for dust control by one or more dust control systems configured to control dust in the workspace. In some implementations, a workspace is configured such that one, two, or more than two, dust control systems control particles aerosolized by two or more separators, at a desired level (for example but not limited to, systems to control the levels of physical particles that form a colloidal suspension in air, such as to meet air quality requirements/regulations for industrial facilities, to meet health and safety regulations/requirements, to reduce the release of levels of particulate matter air pollution, or a combination thereof). In certain implementations, a dust control system reduces the release of aerosolized particulate matter such as PM10 and/or PM2.5. In some implementations, a dust control system comprises or consists of one or more of a ventilation fan, a bag house, a cyclone filter, an inertial separator, a fiber filter, an electrostatic precipitator, a wet scrubber, other dust control mechanisms, or a combination thereof.. In certain implementations, an apparatus described herein has a decreased level of fugitive dust, reduced cost of dust management, or a combination thereof, when compared to a comparable system comprising at least two separators not at least partially included within a shared workspace.

[0060] In certain implementations, an apparatus includes one or more shared conveyance means. For example, in certain implementations, momentum supplied to the overs by a separator propels said overs into a chute configured such that the momentum supplied by the separator, gravity, or a combination thereof is sufficient for provision of said overs to a grinder. In some implementations, momentum supplied to the overs by a separator propels said overs directly into a grinder.

[0061] In certain implementations, an apparatus includes two or more separators which share a physical footprint. In certain implementations, the two or more separators are at least partially vertically stacked, such that a shared physical footprint is less than that of a comparable system wherein two or more separators are not at least partially vertically stacked. In certain implementations, the at least partial vertical stacking of the two separators facilitates provision of biomass feedstock particles from the output of one separator to the input of the other separator via a force of gravity. In certain implementations, the number of times biomass feedstock particles are moved or agitated are reduced when compared to a comparable system comprising at least two separator apparatus not at least partially vertically stacked. In some implementations of the immediate disclosure, biomass feedstock mass loss is reduced by eliminating biomass feedstock handling losses that would occur in comparable individual apparatus, such as a system comprising at least two separators and optionally a grinder that are not integrated into a single apparatus. In some implementations of the immediate disclosure, energy input demand(s) are reduced when compared to comparable individual apparatus, for example, through sharing of conveyance functions among the two (two separation steps) or three (two separation steps and a biomass feedstock particle resizing step) processes, a reduction of total required biomass feedstock travel distance (for example, between the two separators and between the separators and grinder), or a combination thereof. In some implementations of the immediate disclosure, a physical footprint of the apparatus configured to conduct the described processes (separation of overs, separation of fines, and optionally resizing of overs) is reduced, resulting in a reduced capital cost from land, foundation, and utilities, and furthermore such a configuration provides improved bioenergy production system site flexibility (for example through reduced apparatus space requirements, ease of movement, or combinations thereof). In some implementations of the immediate disclosure, costs of manufacturing equipment, transporting equipment, or combinations thereof is reduced when compared to costs associated with transporting three separate process apparatus.

[0062] In some implementations, biomass feedstock for preparation is obtained from a storage site or directly fed into an apparatus from a delivery unloading system. In some implementations, an apparatus includes two or three machine centers suitable for conducting two or three separate processes. In some implementations, such an apparatus includes a first separator such as a disc screen and the like, and a second separator such as a vibratory screen and the like, and optionally a grinder such as a drop feed wood grinder and the like. In some implementations, the second separator, such as a vibratory screen, further comprises a box conveyor, pneumatic conveyor, or gyratory conveyor. In some implementations, a biomass feedstock is provided to the apparatus first separator by a conveyor.

[0063] In some implementations, a first separator segregates biomass feedstock particles by designated increments to meet design specifications. In certain implementations, a first separator segregates biomass feedstock particles in three or more increments, such as but not limited to, less than about 0.1 cm to less than about 2 cm in all directions, or any value or range derivable therein, less than about 2 cm to less than about 7.6 cm in all directions, or any value or range derivable therein, and particles greater than about 7.6 cm in one or more directions (in some implementations, greater than about 7.6 cm in all directions). In some implementations, particles greater than about 7.6 cm in one or more directions (in some implementations, greater than about 7.6 cm in all directions) are designated as overs and are not immediately provided to an input for a second separator.

[0064] In some implementations, a first separator contains openings of about or exactly 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31,

32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56,

57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81,

82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104,

105, 106, 107, 108, 109, or 110 mm diameter, or any value or range derivable therein. In some implementations, a first separator contains openings of multiple different sizes.

[0065] In certain implementations, a second separator is positioned below the first separator and the two separators are operably connected via a drop chute, through which particles less than about 7.5 cm in one or more directions can leave an output of the first separator, then via a force of gravity, travel to and enter an input of the second separator. In certain implementations, the air within the drop chute is partially, substantially, or completely enclosed relative to the outside air. In certain implementations, the first and second separator are at least partially, and in some implementations substantially completely, or completely, included within a shared workspace defined by a frame. In some implementations, a first separator is statically coupled to the frame. In some implementations a static coupling comprises a weld, a joint, a braze, a solder, a metal stitch, a rivet, nuts and bolts, an adhesive, a clamp, or a combination thereof. In some implementations, a second separator is dynamically coupled to the frame. In some implementations, a dynamic coupling comprises coupling by a rubber expansion joint. In some implementations a dynamic coupling comprises coupling by one or more expansion joints, damping pads, springs, shocks, pneumatic suspensions, rubber expansion joints, or a combination of the same.

[0066] In some implementations, a second separator includes a box conveyor with a screen deck surface to facilitate conveyance and segregation of the particles at the same time. In some implementations, a second separator includes at least two levels, a top level including one or more screen decks, and a lower level including a solid bottomed conveyor. In certain implementations, a second separator such as a screen deck and the like, has multiple openings, which can be the same size, or of at least two different sizes. In some implementations, a second separator contains openings of multiple different sizes. In certain implementations, a second separator contains openings of about or exactly 6 to 6.5 mm, or any value or range derivable therein, and openings of about or exactly 4.5 to 5 mm, or any value or range derivable therein. In certain implementations, a separator contains a first series of openings of a set size followed by a second series of openings of a set size. In certain implementations, a separator contains a first series of openings of a set size for 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21,

22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46,

97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, or 110 cm in length, or any value or range derivable therein, and a second series of openings of a set size for 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39,

40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64,

65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89,

90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110,

111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129,

130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148,

149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167,

168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186,

187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, or 200 cm in length, or any range or value derivable therein. In certain implementations, a separator contains a first series of openings of a set size for about or exactly 55 to 65 cm in length or any value or range derivable therein, and a second series of openings of a set size for about or exactly 175 to 190 cm in length, or any value or range derivable therein.

[0067] In some implementations, a separator contains openings of about or exactly 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, or 11 mm in diameter, or any value or range derivable therein. In some implementations, a second separator contains openings of about or exactly 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, or 11 mm in diameter, or any value or range derivable therein.

[0068] In some implementations, a second separator provides a first output to a first conveyor, and a second output to a second conveyor. In some implementations, a first conveyor is operably connected to a bioenergy production system. In some implementations, a second conveyor is operably connected to a fines storage unit.

[0069] In some implementations, a first separator is operably connected to a biomass feedstock particle resizing machine such as but not limited to a grinder. In some implementations, a particle resizing machine resize overs material segregated by a first separator. In some implementations, a particle resizing machine receives an output from the first separator via the momentum provided by the first separator and a force of gravity. In some implementations, a particle resizing machine resizes biomass feedstock particles to an average diameter of about of about 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110 mm in size, or any value or range derivable therein. In some implementations, a particle resizing machine resizes biomass feedstock particles to an average diameter of about or exactly 45 to 55 mm, or any value or range derivable therein. In some implementations, resized biomass feedstock particles are returned to a first input for a first separator for biomass feedstock particle preparation. In some implementations a grinder is physically coupled to a frame, which is also coupled to a first separator and a second separator. In some implementations, a grinder is included in a shared housing with a first separator and a second separator as described herein.

[0070] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an example apparatus of the disclosure. FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a biomass feedstock particle preparation apparatus 100, in accordance with various implementations of the present disclosure. In some implementations of an apparatus 100 as shown in FIG. 1, a first separator 110 can be configured to receive a plurality of biomass feedstock particles at a first input 112. The biomass feedstock particles may have undergone processing prior to introduction to a first separator 110, such as processing through a biomass dryer, biomass grinder, and the like. The first separator 110 can sort the plurality of particles into a first set of particles (particles too large to fit through an opening in the first separator) and a second set of particles (particles sized to fall through an opening in the first separator), the first set of particles are larger than the second set of particles. The first separator 110 can output the first set of particles via a first output 114 of the first separator 110 and output the second set of particles via a second output 116 of the first separator 110. The apparatus 100 further includes a second separator 120 coupled to the second output 116 of the first separator 110 via a chute 118, and at least a portion of the second separator 120 can be positioned below the first separator 110. The second separator 120 can be configured to receive the second set of particles via a first input 122 operably coupled to the chute 118; sort the second set of particles into a third set of particles (particles too large to fit through an opening in the second separator) and a fourth set of particles (particles sized to fall through an opening in the second separator); and output the third set of particles via a first output 124 of the second separator 120 and output the fourth set of particles via a second output 126 of the second separator 120.

[0071] Continuing with certain implementations of an apparatus 100 as shown in FIG. 1. The apparatus 100 further comprises a frame 130 defining a workspace 132, and the frame can be configured such that each of at least a portion of the first separator 110, the second output of the first separator 116, at least a portion of the second separator 120, and at least a portion of the input of the second separator 122 are positioned within the workspace 132. The first separator 110 can be statically coupled to the frame 130, such as by one or more of a weld, a joint, a braze, a solder, a metal stitch, a rivet, nuts and bolts, an adhesive, a clamp, or a combination thereof. The apparatus 100 can be configured to provide a second set of particles from the second output 116 of the first separator 110 to the first input 122 of the second separator 120 via the chute 118, based on a gravitational force. As used herein, a gravitational force can comprise the momentum provided by a separator and the force associated with the mass of a particle, if a gravitational force can be sufficient for movement of a particle, the gravitational force must be greater than impeding frictional forces. A conveyor or connection such as a chute or the like, reliant upon a gravitational force for movement of a particle, will be angled such that a force of gravity or momentum provided by a separator will be greater than impeding frictional forces associated with a chute surface. The chute 118 can be defined by the frame 130, the chute 118 can be the frame 130, or the chute 118 can be an additional structure included within the frame 130 and within the workspace 132. The second separator 120 can be dynamically coupled to the frame 130, such as by a rubber expansion joint, or the like. At least a portion of the second separator 120 can be positioned below the first separator 110, this can be about or exactly 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 100% of the volume or mass, or length or width, or a combination thereof of the second separator 120, or any value or range derivable therein. At least a portion of the first separator 110 is positioned above the second separator 120, this can be about or exactly 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 100% of the volume or mass, or length or width, or a combination thereof of the first separator 110, or any value or range derivable therein. [0072] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an example apparatus 200 of the disclosure. FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a biomass feedstock particle preparation apparatus 200, in accordance with various implementations of the present disclosure. In some implementations of an apparatus 200 as shown in FIG. 2, a first separator 110 can be configured to receive a plurality of biomass feedstock particles at a first input 112. The biomass feedstock particles may have undergone processing prior to introduction to a first separator 110, such as processing through a biomass dryer, biomass grinder, and the like. The first separator 110 can sort the plurality of particles into a first set of particles (particles too large to fit through an opening in the first separator) and a second set of particles (particles sized to fall through an opening in the first separator), the first set of particles are larger than the second set of particles. The first separator 110 can output the first set of particles via a first output 114 of the first separator 110 and output the second set of particles via a second output 116 of the first separator 110. The apparatus 200 further includes a second separator 120 coupled to the second output 116 of the first separator 110 via a chute 118, and at least a portion of the second separator 120 can be positioned below the first separator 110. The second separator 120 can be configured to receive the second set of particles via a first input 122 operably coupled to the chute 118; sort the second set of particles into a third set of particles (particles too large to fit through an opening in the second separator) and a fourth set of particles (particles sized to fall through an opening in the second separator); and output the third set of particles via a first output 124 of the second separator 120 and output the fourth set of particles via a second output 126 of the second separator 120.

[0073] Continuing with certain implementations of an apparatus 200 as shown in FIG. 2. The apparatus 200 further comprises a frame 130 defining a workspace 132, and the frame can be configured such that each of at least a portion of the first separator 110, the second output of the first separator 116, at least a portion of the second separator 120, and at least a portion of the input of the second separator 122 are positioned within the workspace 132. The first separator 110 can be statically coupled to the frame 130, such as by one or more of a weld, a joint, a braze, a solder, a metal stitch, a rivet, nuts and bolts, an adhesive, a clamp, or a combination thereof. The apparatus 200 can be configured to provide a second set of particles from the second output 116 of the first separator 110 to the first input 122 of the second separator 120 via the chute 118, based on a gravitational force. The chute 118 can be defined by the frame 130, the chute 118 can be the frame 130, or the chute 118 can be an additional structure included within the frame 130 and within the workspace 132. The second separator 120 can be dynamically coupled to the frame 130, such as by a rubber expansion joint, or the like. The apparatus 200 further comprises at least one dust control system 240 optionally coupled to the frame 130, and a control system 240 configured to control dust in the workspace 132. The dust control system 240 can include one or more of a ventilation fan, a baghouse, a cyclone filter, or a combination thereof. At least a portion of the second separator 120 can be positioned below the first separator 110, this can be about or exactly 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 100% of the volume or mass, or length or width, or a combination thereof of the second separator 120, or any value or range derivable therein. At least a portion of the first separator 110 can be positioned above the second separator 120, this can be about or exactly 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 100% of the volume or mass, or length or width, or a combination thereof of the first separator 110, or any value or range derivable therein.

[0074] Continuing with certain implementations of an apparatus 200 as shown in FIG. 2. The apparatus 200 further comprises a biomass resizer such as a grinder 210, including an input 212 operably coupled to the first output 114 of the first separator 110 via a conveyor 204. The first set of particles from the first output 114 of the first separator 110 can be provided to the input 212 of the grinder 210 via a conveyor 204 based on a gravitational force, and the conveyor 204 can be a chute, a hopper, or the like. The grinder 210 can be a drop feed grinder, a biomass grinder, or a combination thereof. The grinder 210 can be configured to mechanically resize the first set of particles to a size less than the size of the first set of particles, creating a fifth set of particles, and further output the fifth set of particles via a first output 214.

[0075] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of an example system 300 of the disclosure. FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a biomass feedstock particle preparation system 300, in accordance with various implementations of the present disclosure. In some implementations of an apparatus 300 as shown in FIG. 3, a first separator 110 can be configured to receive a plurality of biomass feedstock particles at a first input 112. The biomass feedstock particles can be delivered to the first input 112 by a biomass feedstock conveyor 302. The biomass feedstock particles may have undergone processing prior to introduction to a first separator 110, such as processing through a biomass dryer, biomass grinder, and the like. The first separator 110 can sort the plurality of particles into a first set of particles (particles too large to fit through an opening in the first separator) and a second set of particles (particles sized to fall through an opening in the first separator), the first set of particles are larger than the second set of particles. The first separator 110 can output the first set of particles via a first output 114 of the first separator 110 and output the second set of particles via a second output 116 of the first separator 110. The apparatus 300 further includes a second separator 120 coupled to the second output 116 of the first separator 110 via a chute 118, and at least a portion of the second separator 120 can be positioned below the first separator 110. The second separator 120 can be configured to receive the second set of particles via a first input 122 operably coupled to the chute 118; sort the second set of particles into a third set of particles (particles too large to fit through an opening in the second separator) and a fourth set of particles (particles sized to fall through an opening in the second separator); and output the third set of particles via a first output 124 of the second separator 120 and output the fourth set of particles via a second output 126 of the second separator 120. The second output 126 of the second separator 120 can be operably coupled to a conveyor 308, such as a mechanical conveyor or a chute, the conveyor 308 can be a box conveyor, a pneumatic conveyor, a gyratory conveyor, a chute, or a combination thereof, and the conveyor 308 can be operably coupled a storage site, storage silo, disposal site, fines processing system, boiler system, or a combination thereof. The first output 124 of the second separator 120 can be operably coupled to a conveyor 306, such as a mechanical conveyor, a chute, or a combination thereof, and the conveyor 306 can operably couple the first output 124 of the second separator 120 and a bioenergy production system 320. The bioenergy production system 320 can comprise a feed system, gasifier, boiler, pyrolizer, other bioenergy production apparatus, or a combination thereof.

[0076] Continuing with certain implementations of a system 300 as shown in FIG. 3. The system 300 further comprises a frame 130 defining a workspace 132, and the frame can be configured such that each of at least a portion of the first separator 110, the second output of the first separator 116, at least a portion of the second separator 120, and at least a portion of the input of the second separator 122 are positioned within the workspace 132. The first separator 110 can be statically coupled to the frame 130, such as by one or more of a weld, a joint, a braze, a solder, a metal stitch, a rivet, nuts and bolts, an adhesive, a clamp, or a combination thereof. The system 300 can be configured to provide a second set of particles from the second output 116 of the first separator 110 to the first input 122 of the second separator 120 via the chute 118, based on a gravitational force. The chute 118 can be defined by the frame 130, the chute 118 can be the frame 130, or the chute 118 can be an additional structure included within the frame 130 and within the workspace 132. The second separator 120 can be dynamically coupled to the frame 130, such as by a rubber expansion joint, or the like. The system 300 further comprises at least one dust control system 240 optionally coupled to the frame 130, and a control system 240 configured to control dust in the workspace 132. The dust control system 240 can include one or more of a ventilation fan, a baghouse, a cyclone filter, or a combination thereof. At least a portion of the second separator 120 can be positioned below the first separator 110, this can be about or exactly 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 100% of the volume or mass, or length or width, or a combination thereof of the second separator 120, or any value or range derivable therein. At least a portion of the first separator 110 can be positioned above the second separator 120, this can be about or exactly 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 100% of the volume or mass, or length or width, or a combination thereof of the first separator 110, or any value or range derivable therein.

[0077] Continuing with certain implementations of a system 300 as shown in FIG. 3. The system 300 further comprises a biomass resizer such as a grinder 210, including an input 212 operably coupled to the first output 114 of the first separator 110 via a conveyor 204. The first set of particles from the first output 114 of the first separator 110 can be provided to the input 212 of the grinder 210 via a conveyor 204 based on a gravitational force, and the conveyor 204 can be a chute, a hopper, or the like. The grinder 210 can be a drop feed grinder, a biomass grinder, or a combination thereof. The grinder 210 can be configured to mechanically resize the first set of particles to a size less than the size of the first set of particles, creating a fifth set of particles, and further output the fifth set of particles via a first output 214. The first output 214 of the grinder 210 can be coupled to a conveyor 316, and the conveyor 316 can be operably coupled to the first input 112 of the first separator 110. Conveyor 316 can be directly connected to the first input 112 of the first separator 110, or can be operably coupled to a biomass feedstock conveyor 302, which can be coupled to the first input 112 of the first separator 110. [0078] In certain implementations of apparatus 100, apparatus 200, or system 300, a control unit can be included, and the control unit can be operably in communication with and suitable for adjusting and/or maintaining the mechanical operations of the first separator 110, the second separator 120, the grinder 210, the bioenergy production system 320, the dust control system 240, one or more conveyors 302, 204, 306, or 308, or combinations thereof. In certain implementations, apparatus 100, apparatus 200, or system 300 can be included in a method of preparing particles for bioenergy production, bioenergy production, or a combination thereof.

[0079] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of an example method 400 of the disclosure. FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of a method 400 of biomass feedstock particle preparation, in accordance with various implementations of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, a method of preparing particles for bioenergy production can comprise providing a plurality of particles to a first input 112 of a first separator 110, sorting the plurality of particles into a first set of particles and a second set of particles, where the first set of particles are larger than the second set of particles, and providing the first set of particles to a first output 114 and the second set of particles to a second output 116. The second output 116 can be operably coupled to a first input 122 of a second separator 120 via a chute 118, and the second set of particles can be provided to the second separator 120 based on a gravitational force. The second separator 120 can sort the second set of particles into a third set of particles and a fourth set of particles, where the third set of particles is larger than the fourth set of particles, providing the third set of particles to a first output 124 and the fourth set of particles to a second output 126. As shown in FIG. 4, the method can further comprise providing the first set of particles to a grinder 210, where the providing of the first set of particles occurs via the force of gravity, and resizing the first set of particles to a size smaller than the first set of particles, producing a fifth set of particles, and providing the fifth set of particles to the input 112 of the first separator 110 or a conveyor 302 operably coupled to the input 112 of the first separator 110. The first output 124 of the second separator 120 can be provided to a bioenergy production system 320, such as a bioenergy production system 320 comprising a boiler, pyrolizer, other bioenergy production apparatus, or a combination thereof. In certain implementations of a method according to FIG. 4, a method can comprise or consist of steps 402, 404, 406, and 408. In certain implementations of a method according to FIG. 4, a method can comprise or consist of steps 402, 404, 406, 408, and 410. In certain implementations of a method according to FIG. 4, a method can comprise or consist of steps 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, and 412. In certain implementations of a method according to FIG. 4, a method can comprise or consist of steps 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, and 414.

[0080] In some implementations, methods, apparatus, systems, or combinations thereof described herein can be utilized to improve capital efficiency and/or product yield. Information regarding capital efficiency and/or product yield and methods to determine the same can be found in “Getting to Neutral - Options for Negative Carbon Emissions in California” by Sarah E. Baker et al., 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference for the purposes described herein.

[0081] The above specification provide a complete description of the structure and use of illustrative implementations. Although certain implementations have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual implementations, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed implementations without departing from the scope of these inventions. As such, the various illustrative implementations of the methods and systems are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, they include all modifications and alternatives falling within the scope of the claims, and implementations other than the one shown may include some or all of the features of the depicted implementations. For example, elements may be omitted or combined as a unitary structure, connections may be substituted, or both. Further, where appropriate, aspects of any of the Figures or implementations described above may be combined with aspects of any of the other Figures or implementations described to form further implementations having comparable or different properties and/or functions, and addressing the same or different problems. Similarly, it will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate to one implementations or may relate to several implementations. Accordingly, no single implementation described herein should be construed as limiting and implementations of the disclosure may be suitably combined without departing from the teachings of the disclosure.

[0082] The previous description of the disclosed implementations is provided to enable a person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosed implementations. Various modifications to these implementations will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the implementations shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope possible consistent with the principles and novel features as defined by the following claims. The claims are not intended to include, and should not be interpreted to include, means-plus- or step-plus-function limitations, unless such a limitation is explicitly recited in a given claim using the phrase(s) “means for” or “step for,” respectively.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus comprising: a first separator configured to: receive a plurality of particles at a first input; and sort the plurality of particles into a first set of particles and a second set of particles, the first set of particles larger than the second set of particles; and output the first set of particles via a first output of the first separator and output the second set of particles via a second output of the first separator; and a second separator coupled to the second output of the first separator via a chute, at least a portion of the second separator positioned below the first separator, the second separator configured to: receive the second set of particles via a first input operably coupled to the chute; sort the second set of particles into a third set of particles and a fourth set of particles; and output the third set of particles via a first output of the second separator and output the fourth set of particles via a second output of the second separator.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a frame defining a workspace, wherein the frame is configured such that each of at least a portion of the first separator, the second output of the first separator, at least a portion of the second separator, and at least a portion of the input of the second separator are positioned within the workspace.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first separator is statically coupled to the frame.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first separator is statically coupled to the frame via a weld, a joint, a braze, a solder, a metal stitch, a rivet, nuts and bolts, an adhesive, a clamp, or a combination thereof.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second set of particles from the second output of the first separator is provided to the first input of the second separator via the chute based on a gravitational force.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the chute is defined by the frame.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second separator is dynamically coupled to the frame.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the second separator is dynamically coupled to the frame via one or more of a rubber expansion joint, an expansion joint, a dampening pad, a spring, a shock, a pneumatic suspension, or a combination thereof.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an entirety of the second separator is positioned below the first separator.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an entirety of the first separator is positioned above the second separator.

11. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: a dust control system optionally coupled to the frame, and a control system configured to control dust in the workspace, and wherein the dust control system includes a ventilation fan, a baghouse, a cyclone filter, an inertial separator, a fiber filter, an electrostatic precipitator, a wet scrubber, other dust control mechanisms, or a combination thereof.

12. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: a grinder including an input operably coupled to the first output of the first separator via a conveyor.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first set of particles from the first output of the first separator is provided to the input of the grinder via a conveyor based on a gravitational force.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the grinder is a drop feed grinder, a biomass grinder, or a combination thereof, configured to: mechanically resize the first set of particles to a size less than the size of the first set of particles, creating a fifth set of particles, and provide the fifth set of particles to a first output.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first output of the grinder is coupled to a conveyor, and the conveyor is operably coupled to the first input of the first separator.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the first input to the first separator is coupled to a biomass feedstock conveyor, and the first separator includes a screen, disc screen, or inertial separator, or a plurality of screens, disc screens, or inertial separators configured to sort particles based on size, and the second separator includes a vibrating screen, screen, or inertial separator or a plurality of vibrating screens, screens, or inertial separators configured to sort particles based on size.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a conveyor below the second output of the second separator, wherein the conveyor is a box conveyor, a gyratory conveyor, pneumatic conveyor, or a combination thereof, and the conveyor is operably coupled to a storage system, disposal system, processing system, or a combination thereof.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a conveyor operably coupled to the first output of the second separator and a bioenergy production system.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the bioenergy production system comprises a gasifier, boiler, pyrolizer, other bioenergy production apparatus, or a combination thereof.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a control unit operably in communication with and suitable for adjusting and/or maintaining the mechanical operations of the first separator, and the second separator, and optionally the grinder, the bioenergy production system the dust control system, one or more conveyors, or a combination thereof.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, configured to receive biomass feedstock particles derived from one or more of: nut tree wood, nut tree fruit waste, fruit orchard tree wood, fruit tree waste, vineyard waste, urban tree waste, suburban tree waste, rural tree waste, urban derived wood waste, suburban derived wood waste, rural derived wood waste, forest derived wood waste, algae, agricultural waste, or a combination thereof.

22. A bioenergy production system comprising an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

23. An apparatus as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, or a combination thereof.

24. An apparatus comprising: a first separator configured to: receive a plurality of particles at a first input; and sort the plurality of particles into a first set of particles and a second set of particles, the first set of particles larger than the second set of particles; and output the first set of particles via a first output of the first separator and output the second set of particles via a second output of the first separator; and a second separator configured to receive the second set of particles at a first input via a gravitational force; sort the second set of particles into a third set of particles and a fourth set of particles; and output the third set of particles via a first output of the second separator and output the fourth set of particles via a second output of the second separator.

25. An apparatus comprising: a frame defining a workspace and optionally coupled to one or more dust control systems configured to control dust in the workspace; a first separator configured to: receive a plurality of particles at a first input; and sort the plurality of particles into a first set of particles and a second set of particles, the first set of particles larger than the second set of particles; wherein the first separator is statically coupled to the frame, and of which at least a portion of the first separator is comprised within the workspace, a second separator coupled to the first separator via a chute, at least a portion of the second separator positioned below the first separator, the second separator configured to: receive the second set of particles via a first input operably coupled to the chute; sort the second set of particles into a third set of and a fourth set of particles; and output the third set of particles via a first output of the second separator and output the fourth set of particles via a second output of the second separator; wherein the second separator is dynamically coupled to the frame, and of which at least a portion of the second separator is comprised within the workspace, and a grinder comprising a first input operably coupled to the first separator first output via a conveyor, the grinder configured to: receive a first set of particles at a first input, resize the first set of particles to a size smaller than the first set of particles, producing a fifth set of particles, and optionally output the fifth set of particles via a first output to a conveyor operably coupled to the first input of the first separator.

26. The apparatus of claim 24 or 25, further comprising: a conveyor operably coupled to the first output of the second separator and a bioenergy production system, wherein the bioenergy production system comprises a gasifier, boiler, pyrolizer, other bioenergy production apparatus, or a combination thereof.

27. A method of preparing particles for bioenergy production comprising the use of an apparatus or system according to any one of claims 1 to 26.

28. A method of preparing particles for bioenergy production comprising, providing a plurality of particles to a first input of a first separator, sorting the plurality of particles into a first set of particles and a second set of particles, wherein the first set of particles are larger than the second set of particles, and providing the first set of particles to a first output and the second set of particles to a second output, wherein the second output is operably coupled to a first input of a second separator via a chute and the second set of particles is provided to the second separator based on a gravitational force, sorting the second set of particles into a third set of particles and a fourth set of particles, wherein the third set of particles is larger than the fourth set of particles, and providing the third set of particles to a first output and the fourth set of particles to a second output.

29. The method of claim 28 further comprising: providing the first set of particles to a grinder, wherein the providing of the first set of particles occurs via the force of gravity, and resizing the first set of particles to a size smaller than the first set of particles, producing a fifth set of particles, and providing the fifth set of particles to the input of the first separator or a conveyor operably coupled to the input of the first separator.

30. The method of claim 27 or 28, further comprising: providing the first output of the second separator to a bioenergy production system.