GB2134539A

GB2134539A - Fuel bricks and method of making them

Info

Publication number: GB2134539A
Application number: GB08302919A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Stocks Sutcliffe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-02-03
Filing date: 1983-02-03
Publication date: 1984-08-15
Also published as: GB2134539B; GB8302919D0

Abstract

The invention provides a fuel brick consisting of a compacted mixture of powdered dry vegetable matter e.g. straw, coal dust and cement.

Description

SPECIFICATION Fuel bricks and method of making them This invention relates to fuel bricks suitable for use in log burning stoves, domestic open fires, or in enclosed boilers for heating purposes and to methods of making them.

According to this invention a fuel brick comprises a compacted mixture ofthe following composition: Powdered dry vegetable matter 50-70% e.g. 60% Coal dust 25-35% e.g. 30% Cementitious binding agent 7-15% e.g. 10% The term "dry" means less than 10% water content -preferably less than 8%.

Also according to this invention a method of making these fuel bricks comprises: a) chopping dry vegetable matter into short lengths e.g. less than 0.5 inch (1.26cm), b) milling the chopped material to a powderwhich may have the consistency of coarse flour, c) mixing the powderwith coal dust (preferably having no larger pieces than 5 mm) and with cement powder, d) compressing the mixturetoform bricks, e) stacking the bricks spaced apartto effect air curing in which the cement hardens the bricks.

The vegetable matter may be straw and/or braken.

After milling the powder may be fed via an automatic weigherto a continuous mixer.

The compression may be effected by a suitably modified brick press which compresses the bricks under a pressure of 5tones per square inch (6.451 sq.

cm).

The bricks may be placed on aeration post pallets with a minimun of 1 inch (2.54cm) between each fuel brick and they will be stacked under coverto air cure and dry outfortwo weeks afterwhich they are ready for sale.

The cement is used dry because there is a water content in the straw up to a maximum of 8% and there is a further water content in the powdered coal which can beas highas 10%. Uponmixingthetwo ingredients together, this gives a water content sufficientto activate the cement.

CLAIMS (Filed on 18-11-83).

1. Afuel brickcomprising a compacted mixture of the following composition: Powdered dry vegetable matter 50-70% e.g. 60% Coal dust 25-35% e.g. 30% Cementitious binding agent 7-15% e.g. 10% 2. Afuel brick as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vegetable matter is straw or braken.

3. A fuel brick substantially as described.

4. A method of making the fuel brick as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 comprising: a) Chopping dry vegetable matter into short lengths e.g. less than 0.5 inch (1.26 cm), b) milling the chopped material to a powder which may have the consistency of coarse flour, c) mixing the powderwith coal dust (preferably having no larger pieces than 5mm) and with cement powder, d) compressing the mixtureto form bricks, e) stacking the bricks spaced apart to effect air curing in which the cement hardens the bricks.

5. A method of making a fuel bricksubstantially as described.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Fuel bricks and method of making them This invention relates to fuel bricks suitable for use in log burning stoves, domestic open fires, or in enclosed boilers for heating purposes and to methods of making them. According to this invention a fuel brick comprises a compacted mixture ofthe following composition: Powdered dry vegetable matter 50-70% e.g. 60% Coal dust 25-35% e.g. 30% Cementitious binding agent 7-15% e.g. 10% The term "dry" means less than 10% water content -preferably less than 8%. Also according to this invention a method of making these fuel bricks comprises: a) chopping dry vegetable matter into short lengths e.g. less than 0.5 inch (1.26cm), b) milling the chopped material to a powderwhich may have the consistency of coarse flour, c) mixing the powderwith coal dust (preferably having no larger pieces than 5 mm) and with cement powder, d) compressing the mixturetoform bricks, e) stacking the bricks spaced apartto effect air curing in which the cement hardens the bricks. The vegetable matter may be straw and/or braken. After milling the powder may be fed via an automatic weigherto a continuous mixer. The compression may be effected by a suitably modified brick press which compresses the bricks under a pressure of 5tones per square inch (6.451 sq. cm). The bricks may be placed on aeration post pallets with a minimun of 1 inch (2.54cm) between each fuel brick and they will be stacked under coverto air cure and dry outfortwo weeks afterwhich they are ready for sale. The cement is used dry because there is a water content in the straw up to a maximum of 8% and there is a further water content in the powdered coal which can beas highas 10%. Uponmixingthetwo ingredients together, this gives a water content sufficientto activate the cement. CLAIMS (Filed on 18-11-83).

1. Afuel brickcomprising a compacted mixture of the following composition: Powdered dry vegetable matter 50-70% e.g. 60% Coal dust 25-35% e.g. 30% Cementitious binding agent 7-15% e.g. 10%

2. Afuel brick as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vegetable matter is straw or braken.

3. A fuel brick substantially as described.

4. A method of making the fuel brick as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 comprising: a) Chopping dry vegetable matter into short lengths e.g. less than 0.5 inch (1.26 cm), b) milling the chopped material to a powder which may have the consistency of coarse flour,

c) mixing the powderwith coal dust (preferably having no larger pieces than 5mm) and with cement powder, d) compressing the mixtureto form bricks, e) stacking the bricks spaced apart to effect air curing in which the cement hardens the bricks.

5. A method of making a fuel bricksubstantially as described.