A SYSTEM FOR USING HEAT TO PROCESS AN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT, A FLUIDIZED BED COMBUSTOR SYSTEM, AND METHODS OF EMPLOYING THE SAME

摘要

Systems and related methods of using heat to process an agricultural product are provided. The system comprises a circulating fluidized bed combustor, a first conduit system, and an indirect heating dryer. The circulating fluidized bed combustor comprises a combustion chamber configured to combust a fuel to generate a mixture comprising hot gases and particulate matter, and a separation chamber configured to separate at least a portion of the particulate matter from the mixture to form a flow of cleaned hot gas. The first conduit system is configured to conduct the cleaned hot gas to a heat exchanger. The indirect heating dryer is in heat conductive contact with the heat exchanger and configured to use the heat from the cleaned hot gas to indirectly dry the agricultural product without contacting the agricultural product with the cleaned hot gas. The system and methods provide hot gas for efficient and low cost energy formed from alternative and lower cost fuels, including biomass sources, and allows for flexibility and efficiency in numerous manufacturing processes.