CA2670530C

CA2670530C - Fuel pellet containing recycled cellulosic material and method of making the fuel pellet

Info

Publication number: CA2670530C
Application number: CA 2670530
Authority: CA
Inventors: M. Robert Lefebvre; Michael Chave
Original assignee: 9166-3260 QUEBEC Inc GRANULES NEWTON PELLETS
Current assignee: 9166-3260 QUEBEC Inc GRANULES NEWTON PELLETS
Priority date: 2009-06-25
Filing date: 2009-06-25
Publication date: 2012-06-12
Anticipated expiration: 2029-06-25
Also published as: CA2670530A1

Abstract

There is provided a fuel pellet which contains about 25% to about 75% by weight of cellulosic material, about 25% to about 75% by weight of waxed cellulosic material. The fuel pellet may also contain about 20% to about 35% by weight of manure, grain, or a mixture of manure and grain, and it may also contain about 20 to about 35% vegetal lipids. There is also provided a method of manufacturing the fuel pellet.

Description

Title: Fuel pellet containing recycled cellulosic material and method of making the fuel pellet.

BACKGROUND
(a) Field [0001] The subject matter disclosed generally relates to fuel pellets containing cellulosic materials. More specifically, the subject matter disclosed generally relates to fuel pellets containing recycled waxed and non-waxed cellulosic material and a method of manufacturing a fuel pellet.

(b) Related Prior Art [0002] Fuel pellets of different compositions of materials have been used for heating since the mid-nineteen eighties. Typically, the fuel pellets are burned in a stoker stove, and are associated with residential style heating systems. Due to increased environmental awareness and a demand for new sources of energy, an alternative fuel source can be created by recycling waste products. Since 1984, when the first pellet-burning stove was introduced by Pyro Industries, there has been an increased interest in creating a pellet fuel comprised of waste paper, waste cardboard and agricultural residues.

[0003] Several fuel pellets comprised of cellulosic materials have been patented. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,236,897 to Johnston discloses a fuel pellet comprised of natural cellulosic material and synthetic polymeric thermoplastic material. Johnston further discloses using binding agents in the composition of the fuel pellet in addition to thermoplastic materials, such as paraffin slack wax and carnauba wax.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,342,418 to Jesse discloses a method of making a fuel pellet comprised of cellulosic material. The fuel pellet described therein is comprised of 60 to 90 percent by weight of cellulosic material, and 10 to percent by weight of a thermoplastic resin. The fuel pellet disclosed by Jesse purposefully produces an ash output of at least 1 percent by weight, so as to protect the equipment which carries the fuel into the furnace.

[0005] While each of the above described fuel pellet compositions and methods of making the fuel pellets function adequately, they each have the drawback of requiring the addition of a binder material to bind the cellulosic particles together. Fuel pellets have been manufactured without the presence of binder material, but they require that the cellulosic particles be highly compressed together in order to increase the temperature of the particles and activate the natural lignin present therein, which will act as a natural binder material. Fuel pellets manufactured with a binder material can be manufactured at much lower pressures since it is not necessary to melt the lignin, as the binder material will bind the cellulosic particles together.
Therefore, there is a need for a fuel pellet composition that does not require the addition of a binder material, and that can be manufactured at lower pressures.

SUMMARY

[0006] In a first embodiment there is disclosed a fuel pellet which contains about 25% to about 75% by weight of cellulosic material, and about 14% to about 75% by weight of waxed cellulosic material.

[0007] The fuel pellet may contain about 20% to about 45% by weight of manure, cereal, or a mixture of both manure and cereal.

[0008] The fuel pellet may contain about 20% to about 45% vegetal oil.

[0009] The cellulosic material of the fuel pellet may be chosen from cardboard, card stock, carton, corrugated fiberboard, paperboard, paper, and newspaper.

[0010] The cellulosic material of the fuel pellet may be vegetable fibre chosen from cotton, bamboo fibre, esparto, papaya, coir, sisal, kapok, jute, ramie, flax, roselle hemp, hemp, kenaf, abaca, soybean fibre, okra fibre, vine fibre, babana fibre, rattan and nettles.

[0011] The cellulosic material of the fuel pellet may be a biomass chosen from sawdust, wood shavings, bagasse, fruit pit, fruit core, vegetable pit, vegetable core, maize leaf, straw and grass and switchgrass.

[0012] The waxed cellulosic material of the fuel pellet may be chosen from wax coated cardboard, wax coated card stock, wax coated carton and wax coated paper, wax coated corrugated fiberboard, wax coated paperboard.

[0013] The manure contained in the fuel pellet may have a density of about 650 g/L to about 700 g/L.

[0014] The cereal contained in the fuel pellet may be chosen from maize, rice, wheat, barley, sorghum, millets, oats, rye, tricale, buckwheat, finio, quinoa, and spelt.

[0015] The cereal contained in the fuel pellet may be chosen from a whole grain, a endocarp of a grain, a germ of a grain, a bran of a grain, a powder from a whole grain, a powder from a endocarp of a grain, a powder from a germ of a grain, and a powder from a bran of a grain.

[0016] When grain is present in the fuel pellet, the fuel pellet may contain a liquid, and the liquid may be water or potato juice.

[0017] The vegetal lipid present in the fuel pellet may be chosen from linseed oil, tung oil, castor oil canola oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, peanut oil, olive oil, almond oil, hydrogenated oil, and shortening.

[0018] The fuel pellet may contain 42.9% by weight of cellulosic material, 14.3% by weight of waxed cellulosic material, and 42.9% by weight of manure, cereal, or a mixture of both manure and cereal.

[0019] The fuel pellet may have a humidity content from about 6% to about 17%, and the fuel pellet may have a heat output from about 6000 BTU
per pound to about 15000 BTU per pound.

[0020] In a second embodiment, there is disclosed a method of manufacturing a fuel pellet which comprises crushing and mixing the materials of the fuel pellet having about 25% to about 75% by weight of cellulosic material, about 14% to about 75% by weight of waxed cellulosic material, and a liquid, measuring a humidity content of the materials of the fuel pellet, adjusting the humidity content of the materials of the fuel pellet; and forming the fuel pellet.

[0021] The method of manufacturing the fuel pellet may also comprise about 20% to about 45% by weight of manure, cereal, or a mixture of both manure and cereal. It may also comprise about 20% to about 45% vegetal oil.

[0022] The method of manufacturing the fuel pellet may also comprise humidity content from about 6% to about 17%. When the humidity content is above about 17%, the method further comprises an addition of cellulosic material, and further mixing the materials of the fuel pellet. When the humidity content is below about 6%, the method further comprises an addition of a liquid and manure, or both, and further mixing of the materials of the fuel pellet. The liquid may be chosen from water and potato juice.

[0023] The method of manufacturing the fuel pellet may also comprise reserving the materials of the fuel pellet after crushing and mixing.

[0024] The fuel pellets manufactured by the method of manufacturing the fuel pellet may have a heat output from about 6000 BTU per pound to about 15000 BTU per pound.

[0025] The following terms are defined below.

[0026] The term "cellulosic material" is intended to mean material that contains lignocellulose, which is composed mainly of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. Lignocellulose is the structural material that comprises much of the mass of plants, which is used to make pulp for the fabrication of paper, cardboard and other products from wood.

[0027] The term "waxed cellulosic material" is intended to mean material that contains lignocellulose, onto which a coating of wax has been added.

[0028] The term "manure" is intended to mean organic matter used as organic fertilizer in agriculture and which contribute to the fertility of the soil by adding organic matter and nutrients to the soil.

[0029] The term "grain" is intended to mean the edible components of the fruit seeds of cereals grasses, such as wheat, maize and barley. The grains that can be used in the present invention do not need to be comestible.

[0030] The term "vegetal lipid" is intended to mean lipid materials (fats and oils) derived from plant material. The vegetal lipid that can be used in the present invention do not need to be comestible.

[0031] Features and advantages of the subject matter hereof will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of selected embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying figures. As will be realized, the subject matter disclosed and claimed is capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the scope of the claims.
Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive and the full scope of the subject matter is set forth in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the process of making the pellet of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] In embodiments there are disclosed a fuel pellet which contains about 25% to about 75% by weight of cellulosic material, about 14% to about 75% by weight of waxed cellulosic material.

[0034] In another embodiment there are disclosed a fuel pellet which contains about 25% to about 75% by weight of cellulosic material, about 14%
to about 75% by weight of waxed cellulosic material; and about 20% to about 45% by weight of manure, grain, or a mixture of both manure and grain.

[0035] In another embodiment there is disclosed a method of manufacturing a fuel pellet by crushing and mixing the materials of the fuel pellet having from about 25% to about 75% by weight of cellulosic material, from about 14% to about 75% by weight of waxed cellulosic material.

[0036] In another embodiment there is disclosed a method of manufacturing a fuel pellet by crushing and mixing the materials of the fuel pellet having from about 25% to about 75% by weight of cellulosic material, from about 14% to about 75% by weight of waxed cellulosic material, and from about 20% to about 45% by weight of manure, grain, or a mixture of both manure and grain; measuring a humidity content of the materials of the fuel pellet, adjusting the humidity content of the materials of the fuel pellet;
and forming the fuel pellet.

[0037] The fuel pellet [0038] This invention provides an improved fuel pellet of naturally occurring combustible material, including at least 50% cellulosic material and a process of its manufacture. The pellet has excellent combustion characteristics.

[0039] The fuel pellet of the present invention may be formed in any shape desired. The fuel pellet of the present invention may also be formed in any size desired.

[0040] An example of a fuel pellet of the present invention is comprised of a plurality of layers and partial layers stacked one upon another, and extending in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the pellet. The layers generally comprise components of the materials from which the pellets are made, and they are typically rather thin, and packed tightly together in the pellet. A transverse surface of the pellet (e.g. either ends, or a new surface made by breaking the pellet along a transverse direction) typically comprises a plurality of partial layers folded, mixed, and otherwise randomly entwined and entangled with each other in both the axial and transverse directions. The flexible nature of the cellulosic material used within the composition of the pellets may also result in some cellulosic material being packed and extend along the axial length of the pellet. However, the pellets do contain some layers which comprise a single layer element extending across the entire transverse dimensional area of the pellet.
Furthermore, some materials used in the fabrication of the pellets will retain their granular character (e.g. grains) and will be incorporated within the layered stacks of the pellets and will extend across the length of several layers of the cellulosic material used in the pellet.

[0041] The pellet of the present invention is made from a selected composition of recycled, waste, as well as agricultural residual by-products as raw materials. Preferred raw materials are clean or soiled recycled waxed and non-waxed cellulosic materials which are obtained from post-consumer recuperation operations. Another preferred source of raw material is waste waxed and non-waxed cellulosic materials which are obtained from garbage collection operations. The preferred agricultural residual by-products may be obtained from farming operations and comprise useful and non-useful by-products from the harvest, animal by-products, and by-products obtained from clearing of agricultural fields. The raw material composition comprises a mixture of recycled, waste and agricultural residual by-products materials, so long as the required ingredients are present in amounts within the specified ranges. The raw material suitable for use in this invention may be secured in the form of sheets, films, bulk fibre, or the like, or is readily converted to one or more of those forms. The raw agricultural by-products material may be secured in the form of comestible and/or non-comestible plant material, and/or animal manure.

[0042] The composition of raw material suitable for use herein generally comprises a first fibre component which comprises about 25% to about 75% by weight, and preferably about 28 to 43% by weight, based on dry weight. The first component of cellulosic material may be comprised of a dense cellulosic fibre stock such as cardboard, card stock, carton, corrugated fiberboard, paperboard, paper, news paper and other heavy duty, as well as other conventional paper used in writing, printing or packaging activities.

[0043] The first component of cellulosic material may also be vegetable fibre obtained from fibre crops grown for their fibre for use in fabrication of paper, cloth or rope, for example. The fibre may be bast (skin) fibre collected from the bast surrounding the stem of plants (or tree) such as jute, roselle hemp, hemp, ramie, flax, kenaf, rattan, soybean, okra, vine, and banana. The vegetable fibre may also be from cotton, bamboo fibre, esparto, papaya, coir, sisal, kapok, abaca and nettles. Biomass may also be the source of the first component of the cellulosic material. Typical source of biomass may be sawdust, wood shavings, and grass, such as any of the panicum species of grasses (e.g. panicum amarun, panicum anceps, panicum antidotale, panicum decompositum (native millet), panicum miliare (little millet), panicum virgatum (switchgrass) or panicum grus-galli) and the like. Residues from harvest such as maize leaf, and straw, residues from agricultural extraction processes such as bagasse, fruit or vegetable pits and cores may also be sources of biomass.

[0044] The balance of the cellulosic element is a second component which comprises about 25% to about 75% by weight, and preferably about 14 to 43% by weight of a waxed cellulosic fibre, based on dry weight. The second cellulosic component comprises a waxed cellulosic material of dense cellulosic fibre stock such as cardboard, card stock, carton, corrugated fibreboard, paperboard, paper, and other heavy duty, as well as other conventional paper used in writing, printing or packaging activities.
Especially desirable dense cellulosic fibre stocks are, for example, wax coated single layer cardboard or three ply corrugated board, and about 90 lb. to about 180 lb. carton stock, coated with wax, polyethylene, or the like. Fuel pellets are not manufactured only from the second cellulosic component of waxed cellulosic fibre because of the high efficiency of combustion of this material. Burning of pellets made only from waxed cellulosic residues cause the furnace in which they are burnt to crack and break because of the very high temperature they are able to generate.

[0045] The fuel pellet of the present invention does not require the addition of any thermoplastic resins other than the wax present on the second cellulosic component. Such waxes are commonly added to other types of fuel pellets to act as a bonding agent. The waxes present on the waxed cellulosic material used in the present invention acts as bonding agents to assist in bonding the layers together to make the pellets. They allow the use of lower pressures during the fabrication of the pellets, since it is not necessary to use high pressures to melt the natural lignin present in cellulosic materials to bind them together. They are preferred for their lubrication properties and their ability to soften and flow at low temperatures to assist in the bonding together of the pellets during pellet fabrication.

[0046] The fuel pellet composition may be completed by the addition agricultural residues in the form of animal by-products such as manure, the addition of cereals, in a proportion from about 20% to about 45% by weight, in combination with a sufficient quantity of liquid, or both manure and cereals.

[0047] The manure is typically in solid (farmyard) or slurry (liquid) form, and contains feces mixed with urine. Farmyard type manures will contain an amount of plant material, preferably straw, which was used as bedding for the animals and has absorbed the feces and urine. Manure may be from different animal origin including horse, cattle, pig, sheep, chicken, turkey, rabbit, and human. Animal manures may also contain other animal products such as wool shoddy, feathers, blood and bone. The manure used in the present invention preferably has a density of about 650 to about 700 g/L of manure.

[0048] Cereals may also be added to the composition of the fuel pellet of the present invention. The cereal may be used alone or in combination with manure. When used alone, a sufficient quantity of liquid, in the form of water or potato juice is added to the mixture before mixing of the components.
Cereals that can be used in the present invention include cereal grains from maize, rice, wheat, barley, sorghum, millets, oats, rye, tricale, buckwheat, finio, quinoa, and spelt. The cereals used in the fuel pellets of the present invention may be comestible or non-comestible. The cereals used in the fuel pellets of the present invention may be from a whole grain, a endocarp of a grain, a germ of a grain, a bran of a grain, a powder from a whole grain, a powder from a endocarp of a grain, a powder from a germ of a grain, and a powder from a bran of a grain.

[0049] Vegetal lipids may also be added to the composition of the fuel pellet of the present invention, in a proportion from about 20% to about 45%
by weight. The vegetal lipids may be fats, oils, or a mixture of both fats and oils. They are composed of triglycerides, and may be edible or inedible.
Examples of inedible vegetable fats and oils include processed linseed oil, tung oil, and castor oil used in lubricants, paints, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and other industrial purposes. Examples of edible fats and oils are canola, sunflower, safflower, peanut and olive, almond oils. Although thought of as esters of glycerin and a varying blend of fatty acids, fats and oils also typically contain free fatty acids, monoglycerides, and diglycerides.

[0050] Fuel pellets having the above compositions produce heat of combustion in the range of about 6000 to about 15000 BTU/Ib., which is generally acceptable for having a heat of combustion of about 12500 to about 13000 BTU/Ib. Preferred heat of combustion is about 9000 to about 12000 BTU/Ib., with a target range of about 9500 to about 11500 BTU/Ib. Fuel pellets having the above composition generally have an ash output of approximately 1% to 5%.

[0051] Method of making the pellets [0052] Now referring to Figure 1, for manufacture of the fuel pellets of the present invention, the raw materials, as described and defined above, are preferably fed into a shredder (crusher, or granulator), which does the initial size reduction, and from there into a hammer mill or other size reducing apparatus (e.g. a pulveriser), where the raw material is further reduced to the desired size. The preferred size of the particle is about 0.25 inches. The hammer mill or pulveriser has a size controlling exit screen which controls the size of the exiting milled material. The details of the shredder and pulveriser (or hammer mill) structure and operation are not shown as these are well known in the pelletizing art.

[0053] Next, the shredded materials are mixed to uniformly distribute the humidity within the mixture. The humidity content is tested to be about 6%
to about 17%, and preferably 15.5%. Moisture content of the mixture of materials is important to produce fuel pellets of a high quality, to prevent the mixture of the materials of the composition to be too pasty and, importantly, to prevent burning of the materials inside the pelleting apparatus because of the high heat generated during the pelletizing step. To adjust a humidity content that is too low, a suitable quantity of liquid co ntaining material or liquid, preferably water or potato juice is added to the composition. Dry cellulosic material (waxed and/or unwaxed) is added to the composition to adjust the humidity content if it is too high. Optionally, the mixed materials may then be transferred to a reserve bed before they are introduced into the pelletizing apparatus.

[0054] The mixed materials from the hammer mill/pulveriser are fed to a pelletizing apparatus. The pelletizing apparatus is generally conventional in design. The details of the pelletizing apparatus structure and operation are not shown as these are well known in the pelletizing art. The pelletizing apparatus may optionally have a conditioning unit, but its use during the pelletizing step of the fuel pellet of the present invention is not necessary.

[0055] The friction created within the pelletizing apparatus generates heat which softens the wax in the waxed cellulosic material, and causes some softening and hydrogen bonding of the cellulose fibres in the presence of the available water. Especially the softened wax serves as a lubricant to facilitate movement of the material through the apparatus. Small amounts of moisture are also present, and will assist in the lubrication function. The frictional resistance in the pelletizing apparatus, results in the raw material being tightly packed in a random arrangement of layers and partial layers extending generally transverse to the longitudinal axis, and thus transverse to the length of the pellet being formed. The tight packing produces the friction which produces heat. While additional heat may be applied (e.g. resistance heaters in the apparatus) usually, the heat produced by the friction in the apparatus is sufficient for satisfactory operation of the pelletizing apparatus.

[0056] As the formed pellets are extruded from the pelletizing apparatus, they tend to break off due to weight of the extrudate, the vibration of the mill, or they are cut by a knife adapted to cut them at a predetermined length, or the like, and fall down onto a conveyor or a receiving bin. The fuel pellets are transported to a screen over which the pellets are passed to remove fines. The pelletized product which does not pass through the screen is then transported, for example, by conveyor to the finished product container.

Alternative embodiments [0057] EXAMPLE I

[0058] An exemplary fuel pellet composition is prepared by mixing the following components:

Cellulosic material Waxed cellulosic material Manure Wax coated cardboard Cardboard (42.86%) (14.28%) Horse manure (42.86%) [0059] The cellulosic material (cardboard, 300 pounds), waxed cellulosic material (waxed cardboard, 100 pounds), and manure (horse manure, 300 pounds, 700 g/L density). The materials were crushed, shredded and mixed, the humidity content was adjusted to 15.5%, and fuel pellets were prepared in a pelletizing apparatus.

(0060] EXAMPLE II

[0061] An exemplary fuel pellet composition is prepared by mixing the following components:

Cellulosic material Waxed cellulosic material Grain Wax coated cardboard Cardboard (42.86%) (14.28%) Wheat (42.86%) [0062] The cellulosic material (cardboard, 300 pounds), waxed cellulosic material (waxed cardboard, 100 pounds), and grains (wheat, 300 pounds, in water). The materials were crushed, shredded and mixed, the humidity content was adjusted to 15.5%, and fuel pellets were prepared in a pelletizing apparatus.

[0063] The embodiments and examples presented herein are illustrative of the general nature of the subject matter claimed and are not limiting. It will be understood by those skilled in the art how these embodiments can be readily modified and/or, adapted for various applications and in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter disclosed claimed. The claims hereof are to be understood to include without limitation all alternative embodiments and equivalents of the, subject matter hereof. Phrases, words and terms employed herein are illustrative and are not limiting. It will be appreciated that any aspects of the different embodiments disclosed herein may be combined in a range of possible alternative embodiments, and alternative combinations of features, all of which varied combinations of features are to be understood to form a part of the subject matter claimed.

Claims

1. A fuel pellet free of additional binder material comprising:
.cndot. from about 25% to about 75% by weight of cellulosic material; and .cndot. from about 14% to about 75% by weight of waxed cellulosic material.

2. The fuel pellet of claim 1, further comprising from about 20% to about 45%
by weight of manure, cereal, or a mixture of both manure and cereal.

3. The fuel pellet of any one of claims 1-2, wherein the cellulosic material is chosen from cardboard, card stock, carton, corrugated fiberboard, paperboard, paper, and newspaper.

4. The fuel pellet of any one of claims 1-2, wherein the cellulosic material is vegetable fibre chosen from cotton, bamboo fibre, esparto, papaya, coir, sisal, kapok, jute, ramie, flax, roselle hemp, hemp, kenaf, abaca, soybean fibre, okra fibre, vine fibre, babana fibre, rattan and nettles.

5. The fuel pellet of any one of claims 1-2, wherein the cellulosic material is a biomass chosen from sawdust, wood shavings, bagasse, fruit pit, fruit core, vegetable pit, vegetable core, maize leaf, straw and grass and switchgrass.

6. The fuel pellet of any one of claims 1-2, wherein the waxed cellulosic material is chosen from wax coated cardboard, wax coated card stock, wax coated carton and wax coated paper, wax coated corrugated fiberboard, wax coated paperboard.

7. The fuel pellet of claim 2, wherein the manure has a density of about 650 g/L to about 700 g/L.

8. The fuel pellet of claim 2, wherein the cereal is chosen from maize, rice, wheat, barley, sorghum, millets, oats, rye, tricale, buckwheat, finio, quinoa, and spelt.

9. The fuel pellet of claim 8, wherein said cereal is chosen from a whole grain, a endocarp of a grain, a germ of a grain, a bran of a grain, a powder from a whole grain, a powder from a endocarp of a grain, a powder from a germ of a grain, and a powder from a bran of a grain.

10. The fuel pellet of claim 2, wherein when grain is present in the fuel pellet, the fuel pellet further comprises a liquid.

11. The fuel pellet of claim 10, wherein said liquid is water or potato juice.

12. The fuel pellet of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the fuel pellet comprises 42.86% by weight of cellulosic material, 14.28% by weight of waxed cellulosic material, and 42.86% by weight of manure, cereal, or a mixture of both manure and cereal.

13. The fuel pellet of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the fuel pellet comprises a humidity content from about 6% to about 17%.

14. The fuel pellet of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the pellet is having a heat output from about 6000 BTU per pound to about 15000 BTU per pound.

15. A method of manufacturing a fuel pellet comprising:
crushing and mixing the materials of the fuel pellet having from about 25%
to about 75% by weight of cellulosic material, from about 14% to about 75% by weight of waxed cellulosic material, and a liquid;
measuring a humidity content of the materials of the fuel pellet, adjusting the humidity content of the materials of the fuel pellet; and forming the fuel pellet.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising from about 20% to about 45%
by weight of manure, cereal, or a mixture of both manure and cereal.

17. The method of any one of claims 15-16, further comprising from about 20% to about 45% by weight vegetal oil.

18. The method of any one of claims 15-17, wherein the humidity content is from about 6% to about 17%.

19. The method of any one of claims 15-18, wherein when the humidity content is above about 17%, the method further comprises an addition of cellulosic material, and further mixing the materials of the fuel pellet.

20. The method of any one of claims 15-18, wherein when the humidity content is below about 6%, the method further comprises an addition of at least one of a liquid and manure, and further mixing of the materials of the fuel pellet.

21. The method of any one of claims 15-20, wherein said liquid is chosen from water and potato juice.

22. The method of any one of claims 15-21, further comprising reserving the materials of the fuel pellet after crushing and mixing.

23. The method of any one of claims 15-22, wherein the pellet is having a heat output from about 6000 BTU per pound to about 15000 BTU per pound.