JP2021143287A - Artificial firewood and production method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

To effectively use a large amount of mowed grass anew by making it into a solid fuel to be provided which is excellent in general-purpose properties and convenience while the solid fuel is relatively simply produced with lower cost concerning production cost and material cost.SOLUTION: A production method of artificial firewood comprises: a dried material production step of obtaining a dried plant material Dp by drying an unnecessary plant P including at least a mowed weed Pg; a molding material production step of obtaining a molding material Mm by applying a binder B having a plant-derived component as a main raw material to the dried plant material Dp obtained from the dried material production step; and a compression molding step of accommodating the molding material Mm obtained from the molding material production step into a molding die 10 having a molding cavity 10c for molding into a firewood-like solid body C and performing compression molding to thereby obtain the firewood-like solid body C.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an artificial firewood that can be burned and used as a solid fuel such as a wood stove and a method for producing the same.

In general, agricultural workers are forced to work hard to mow weeds on farmland and its surroundings, as well as on roads and riverbeds, and in addition, there are also issues related to the treatment of large amounts of mowed grass that occur after mowing. exist. Mowed grass is usually left as it is or piled up in multiple places, but on the other hand, it is often reused and is generally used as natural compost by mixing it with soil. Is. On the other hand, a reuse method for regenerating plants as solid fuel has also been proposed.

Conventionally, as such a reuse method, a solid fuel and a method for producing a solid fuel disclosed in Patent Document 1 are known. The solid fuel and the method for producing solid fuel disclosed in Document 1 facilitate ignition, shorten the time required for the entire combustion to stabilize, to obtain sufficient thermal power, and to respond to heating immediately. The purpose is to improve the properties. Specifically, as a charcoal of a plant, one surface of the fuel body formed into a plate shape by adding a binder to a powder or granule made of charcoal as a charcoal of the plant. An ignition layer prepared by mixing an ignition agent and an adhesive with a powder made of hemp is attached to form a plurality of through holes extending over the fuel body and the ignition layer, and a large number of small holes are formed on the surface side of the ignition layer. It is manufactured as a solid fuel.

JP-A-2009-120776

However, the above-mentioned conventional solid fuel (and solid fuel production method) has the following problems.

First, since carbides such as charcoal are used as the main raw material, it is insufficient from the above-mentioned problem, that is, from the viewpoint of reusing a large amount of mowed grass generated after mowing. In other words, even if the carbides of plants such as weeds are used as part of them, the original problem of treating a large amount of cut grass cannot be solved, and the demand for reusability can be fully met. Can't. Moreover, since the application is mainly intended for solid fuel such as a tabletop stove, it is limited to a specific application and cannot be used as a solid fuel for a wood stove or the like, which makes it difficult for versatility and convenience. There is.

Secondly, in the production of solid fuel, powders and granules made of charcoal are produced, and a binder is added to the powders and granules to produce a fuel body formed into a plate shape. An ignition layer prepared by mixing an ignition agent and an adhesive with a powder made of hemp as a fuel is added, and a series of steps for forming a plurality of through holes extending over the fuel body and the ignition layer are required. The cost increase related to the manufacturing cost and the product cost cannot be ignored, such as the inability to manufacture the product, and there is a difficulty in the ease of manufacturing and the low cost.

An object of the present invention is to provide an artificial firewood and a method for producing the same, which solves the problems existing in such a background technique.

The artificial firewood 1 according to the present invention is a plant obtained by drying an unnecessary plant P containing at least the cut weed Pg when forming an artificial firewood to be used by burning it as a solid fuel in order to solve the above-mentioned problems. The dried material Dp is formed into a firewood-like solid body C via a binder B containing a plant-derived component as a main raw material.

On the other hand, in the method for producing artificial firewood according to the present invention, when producing artificial firewood 1 to be used by burning as solid fuel, the plant drying material Dp is produced by drying unnecessary plant P containing at least the cut weed Pg. A molding material Mm is obtained by adhering a binder B containing a plant-derived component as a main raw material to the drying material forming step (S1-S4) obtained and the plant drying material Dp obtained from the drying material forming step (S1-S4). The molding material forming step (S5-S10) to be obtained and the molding material Mm obtained from this molding material forming step (S5-S10) are housed in a molding die 10 having a molding cavity 10c for molding into a firewood-like solid body C and compressed. It is characterized by including a compression molding step (S11-S18) for obtaining a wood-like solid body C by molding.

In this case, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the binder B of the artificial firewood 1 can contain cooked rice R as a main raw material and a coloring component E using a plant-derived component. On the other hand, in the production of the artificial firewood 1, in the desiccant production step (S1-S4), a cutting step (S4) of obtaining a desiccant Dp by cutting the dried plant raw material Do to a predetermined length. Can be included. Further, the molding material generation step (S5-S10) includes a binder generation step (S5-S8) for producing a solution binder B by mixing at least water W with cooked rice R as a main raw material. It is desirable that the binder generation step (S5-S8) includes a coloring component E using a plant-derived component. Further, the compression molding step (S11-S18) can include a curing treatment step (S13-S18) for obtaining an artificial firewood 1 by curing the firewood-like solid body C obtained by compression molding.

According to the artificial firewood 1 and the method for producing the artificial firewood 1 according to the present invention, the following remarkable effects are obtained.

(1) A plant desiccant Dp obtained by drying an unnecessary plant P containing at least the cut weed Pg is formed into a wood-like solid body C via a binder B containing a plant-derived component as a main raw material. Therefore, weeds Pg, which is a large amount of mowed grass generated after mowing, can be effectively reused. In addition, since it is formed into a wood-like solid body C, it can be provided as a solid fuel having excellent versatility and convenience, such as being able to be used for various purposes such as a wood stove and an outdoor heat source for camping. In particular, since the whole can be formed by plants in the natural world, that is, weed cuttings, selected fruit tree twigs, leftover food, and water (tap water, river water, etc.), harmful substances such as generation of harmful substances are generated. Does not occur.

(2) A drying material producing step (S1-S4) for obtaining a plant drying material Dp by drying an unnecessary plant P containing at least the cut weed Pg, and a plant drying obtained from this drying material producing step (S1-S4). A molding material production step (S5-S10) for obtaining a molding material Mm by adhering a binder B containing a plant-derived component as a main raw material to the material Dp, and a molding material obtained from this molding material generation step (S5-S10). The artificial firewood 1 is obtained by the compression molding step (S11-S18) in which Mm is housed in a molding die 10 having a molding cavity 10c for molding the wood-like solid body C and the wood-like solid body C is obtained by compression molding. Therefore, it can be manufactured relatively easily, and cost reduction related to manufacturing cost and material cost can be realized.

(3) According to a preferred embodiment, if rice R cooked as the main raw material is used for the binder B, for example, the cooked rice R is leftover rice in the food industry or stockpiled rice that has expired as food supplies (old rice). ) Etc. can be used, which can contribute to the reduction of food loss and the like, and can avoid the generation of harmful substances during combustion.

(4) According to a preferred embodiment, if the binder B contains a coloring component E using a plant-derived component, it is possible to enhance the color suspiciousness in addition to the shape suspiciousness. It is possible to further enhance the overall suspiciousness of the woodworking wood 1.

(5) According to a preferred embodiment, the desiccant production step (S1-S4) includes a cutting step (S4) for obtaining a desiccant Dp by cutting the dried plant raw material Do to a predetermined length. For example, since it is possible to contribute to the production of a better molding material Mm in the subsequent step and further improve the moldability, it is possible to obtain a good quality solid body C and further an artificial firewood 1.

(6) According to a preferred embodiment, in the molding material generation step (S5-S10), a binder generation step (S5) of producing a solution-like binder B by mixing at least water W with cooked rice R as a main raw material. If −S8) is included, it can be produced by using a familiar component as a plant-derived component and water W such as tap water, so that a low-cost binder B can be easily obtained.

(7) According to a preferred embodiment, if the binder generation step (S5-S8) includes a coloring component E using a plant-derived component, it can be carried out only by adding the coloring component E, so that it is easy and low cost for humans. It is possible to increase the suspiciousness of the woodworking wood 1.

(8) According to a preferred embodiment, the compression molding step (S11-S18) includes a curing treatment step (S13-S18) for obtaining an artificial firewood 1 by curing the wood-like solid body C obtained by compression molding. If possible, in the compression molding step (S11-S18), an efficient and good compression molding step (S11-S18) can be performed by appropriately combining the steps related to the curing treatment such as the semi-curing treatment and the main curing treatment. Can be done.

A flowchart (process diagram) showing step by step a method for producing artificial firewood according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Explanatory drawing of each process before molding related to the manufacturing method of the artificial firewood, Explanatory drawing at the time of molding related to the manufacturing method of the artificial firewood, External perspective view showing various examples of the artificial firewood,

Next, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be given and described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, an example of the method for producing artificial firewood according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 according to the flowchart (process diagram) shown in FIG.

As described above, in general, in the mowing work of weeds on farmland and its surroundings, as well as on roads and riverbeds, a large amount of mowed grass is generated after mowing. The method for producing artificial firewood according to the present embodiment uses (reuses) such a large amount of cut grass, that is, unnecessary plant P containing weeds as a main raw material.

Therefore, first, the mowed grass containing a large amount of weeds generated after mowing is collected (step S1). After that, since the collected cut grass is subjected to a drying treatment, it is desirable that the place where the collected grass is placed is a place where the drying treatment is performed. For example, a place such as a greenhouse surrounded by a transparent sheet, which has a ventilation function (ventilation function) and preferably has a drying promotion function, is preferable.

In addition, since weeds are basically included in the cut grass, only weeds may be used, but if necessary, pruned twigs of fruit trees and branches and leaves after harvesting crops can be included. Therefore, cut grass is a concept of various unnecessary plants P including weed Pg.

Next, the collected cut grass (plant P) is dried by a drying step (step S2). Since the drying step requires a certain drying period in which water can be removed, a required drying period is set in advance, and the drying process is performed over this drying period (step S3). As a result, dried dried grass, that is, plant raw material Do (FIG. 2 (a)) can be obtained. It is desirable to change, extend or shorten the drying period as appropriate in consideration of fluctuation factors such as temperature and weather.

Then, when the drying process is completed, a cutting process is performed on the dried cut grass, that is, the plant raw material Do (step S4). As a result, a plant desiccant Dp having a predetermined length is obtained. FIG. 2A schematically shows a step of cutting the dried plant raw material Do to a predetermined length by the cutting device 20. The cutting length can be selected to be any length, for example, about several cm to 10 cm. In this case, the same length may be selected, or different lengths may be mixed. If such a cutting step, that is, a cutting step of obtaining the dried plant material Dp by cutting the dried plant raw material Do to a predetermined length is provided, a better molding material Mm is produced in the subsequent step. In addition to being able to contribute to the above, it is possible to further improve the moldability, so that a high-quality solid body C and artificial firewood 1 can be obtained.

The above drying step and cutting step are drying material generation steps for obtaining a plant drying material Dp by drying an unnecessary plant P containing at least the cut weed Pg.

On the other hand, the binder generation step produces a binder B using a plant-derived component as a main raw material. Cooked rice R is used as the main raw material for the illustrated binder B (step S5). As described later, the cooked rice R is used as a binder B having an adhesive function which is made into a solution by dissolving it in water W. Therefore, it is desirable that the leftover rice is discarded from a food manufacturing company, a lentran, a convenience store, or the like. It is preferable to collect and use. Of course, it is also possible to cook new rice and use it. In this way, if cooked rice R is used as the main raw material of the binder B, leftover rice in the food industry and expired stored rice (old rice) as edible products can be used, thus reducing food loss. In addition to contributing, it has the advantage of avoiding the generation of harmful substances during combustion.

Then, the prepared (recovered) rice (leftover) R is contained in the water W contained in the prepared container (step S6). Further, the coloring component E using the plant-derived component is added to the water W (step S7). In this way, if the coloring component E using the plant-derived component is added when the binder B is produced, it is possible to enhance the color suspiciousness in addition to the shape suspiciousness. The overall suspicion of 1 can be further enhanced.

In this case, the water W is not limited to specific water, and various types of water such as tap water, river water, well water, and rainwater can be used. If a binder generation step for producing such a binder B, that is, a binder generation step for producing a solution binder B by mixing at least water W with cooked rice R as a main raw material is included, it is derived from a plant. Since it can be produced by using familiar components and water W such as tap water as the components of the above, low-cost binder B can be easily obtained.

After that, the target solution-like binder B can be produced by sufficiently stirring the water W, the rice R, and the coloring component E contained in the container (step S8). As described above, when the binder B is produced, if the coloring component E using the plant-derived component is included, it can be carried out only by adding the coloring component E, so that the artificial wood 1 can be easily and inexpensively suspicious. Can be enhanced.

When the plant desiccant Dp and the binder B are obtained by the above steps, the molding material Mm is produced by adhering the binder B to the plant desiccant Dp by the molding material generation step. In this case, the plant desiccant Dp and the binder B are mixed and treated, and the binder B is adhered to the plant desiccant Dp to generate the molding material Mm (step S9). Specifically, the plant desiccant Dp and the solution binder B are housed in a mixing container, and a mixing treatment such as stirring is performed. Next, a binder separation treatment is performed to remove excess binder B from the plant desiccant Dp to which the binder B is attached (step S10). FIG. 2B schematically shows an example of the binder separation step. In the example, a net filter 21 having a predetermined mesh is prepared, and a state in which the desiccant plant Dp taken out from the mixing container is placed on the net filter 21 is shown. If left in this state for a predetermined time, the binder can be easily cut, that is, the separation process can be performed.

At this time, when handling the plant desiccant Dp to which the binder B is attached, for example, the binder B may be left in a semi-cured state so as not to drip. The above is the molding material producing step of producing the molding material Mm by adhering the binder B, which is the main raw material of the plant-derived component, to the plant desiccant Dp obtained from the drying material producing step.

Next, the molding material Mm obtained in the molding material generation step is housed in a molding die 10 having a molding cavity 10c for molding into a firewood-like solid body C, and a firewood-like solid body C is obtained by compression molding. To do.

2 (c), 3 (d) and 3 (e) show an example of the molding die 10. The molding die 10 includes a fixed die 10c arranged below and a movable die 10m arranged above. The fixed type 10c includes a solid body C formed in a container shape with the upper end open upward and a movable type 10 m that moves up and down by an elevating device 22, and has various shapes as shown in FIGS. It has a molding cavity 10c for molding a firewood-like solid body C. That is, the fixed mold 10c has a cavity lower portion 10cd that forms the shape of the lower side of the solid body C, and the movable mold 10m has a cavity upper portion 10cu that forms the shape of the upper side of the solid body C. In this case, in order to form a "firewood-like" shape, the molding cavity 10c is provided with an uneven shape, whereby the surface of a dry tree or the surface when divided by an ax can be modeled from the shape surface. In addition, 10cs ... Indicates a plurality of drain holes formed on the bottom surface of the cavity half portion 10cd.

In the compression molding step, first, as shown in FIG. 2C, the molding material Mm obtained in the molding material generation step is housed in a predetermined amount set in advance inside the fixed mold 10c with the upper side open. Step S11). In FIG. 2C, 10 m indicated by a virtual line indicates a movable type moved to the release position. Then, when the accommodation of the molding material Mm in the fixed mold 10c is completed, the movable mold 10m is moved to the set position shown by the solid line in FIG. 2 (c), and then the elevating device 22 is driven and controlled to drive the movable mold. Lower 10m. As a result, the molding material Mm can be subjected to the pressure compression treatment (step S12). 3 (d) (and (e)) show the mold closed state of the molding mold 10. The exemplary molding die 10 can mold the artificial firewood 1 (solid body C) shown in FIG. 4 (a). The extra binder B generated during pressurization and compression is discharged to the outside through the drain holes 10cs.

In this case, the density of the molding material Mm in the solid body C can be adjusted by adjusting the magnitude of the pressing force during the pressure compression treatment. That is, if the pressing force is reduced and the density of the molding material Mm is reduced, the artificial firewood 1 that is relatively flammable can be obtained. In particular, by making the pressing force smaller, it is possible to form a porous material having a hole inside, and it is possible to obtain an artificial firewood 1 that is more flammable. On the other hand, if the pressing force is increased and the density of the molding material Mm is increased, the artificial firewood 1 that is relatively hard to burn can be obtained. FIG. 3 (e) shows a state at the time of pressure compression processing.

Further, in the compression molding step, the time until the mold opening is set, and the mold closed state is maintained until the mold is semi-cured so that the solid body C does not lose its shape when it is taken out (step S13, S14). After that, when the set time has elapsed, the mold is opened (step S15). That is, the elevating device 22 is driven and controlled, the movable type 10 m is raised to the set position shown in FIG. 2C, and then moved to the release position shown by the virtual line. Then, the molded firewood-like solid body C is taken out from the fixed mold 10c whose upper side is open (step S16). The solid body C taken out is subjected to the main curing treatment by accommodating it in a drying chamber or the like (step S17). This curing treatment can be carried out by leaving it for a set time. After that, when the set time elapses and the solid body C is finally cured, that is, completely cured, the target artificial firewood 1 can be obtained (steps S18 and S19).

The above is the compression molding step, and this compression molding step includes a curing treatment step including the above-mentioned semi-hardening treatment step and main curing treatment step. As described above, if the compression molding step includes a curing treatment step of obtaining the artificial firewood 1 by curing the wood-like solid body C obtained by the compression molding, the semi-hardening treatment or the main hardening is performed in the compression molding step. An efficient and good compression molding process can be performed by appropriately combining the processes related to the curing process such as the process.

As described above, according to the method for producing artificial firewood 1 according to the present embodiment, as a basic method, a dried material is produced to obtain a plant dried material Dp by drying an unnecessary plant P containing at least the cut weed Pg. Molding to obtain a molding material Mm by adhering a binder B containing a plant-derived component as a main raw material to the step (step S1-S4) and the plant drying material Dp obtained from the drying material forming step (step S1-S4). The material generation step (step S5-S10) and the molding material Mm obtained from this molding material generation step (step S5-S10) are housed in a molding die 10 having a molding cavity 10c for molding into a wood-like solid body C and compressed. Since the artificial firewood 1 is obtained by the compression molding step (steps S11-S18) for obtaining the wood-like solid body C by molding, it can be manufactured relatively easily and the cost related to the manufacturing cost and the material cost can be reduced. Can be done.

Next, an example of the artificial firewood 1 and the method of using the artificial firewood 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

4 (a)-(d) show an example of the artificial firewood 1 (solid body C) produced by the production method according to the present embodiment described above. FIG. 4A shows an artificial firewood 1 having a circular cross section divided in half, and FIG. 4B shows an artificial firewood 1 having a small cross section and an overall log shape. FIG. (C) shows an artificial firewood 1 having a circular cross-section divided into about 1/8, and FIG. 4D shows an artificial firewood having a circular cross-section divided into about 1/4. 1 is shown. Such a shape of the artificial firewood 1 is an example, and in addition, the artificial firewood 1 having various shapes such as a Y-shaped branch shape and a twig shape can be easily formed by changing the shape of the molding cavity 10c of the molding die 10. Can be obtained.

Since the artificial firewood 1 according to the present embodiment can be obtained by the above-mentioned production method, basically, a plant desiccant Dp obtained by drying an unnecessary plant P containing at least the cut weed Pg is used as a plant. It can be obtained by molding into a firewood-like solid body C via a binder B containing the derived component as a main raw material. As a result, it is configured as an artificial firewood 1 that is burned and used as solid fuel.

On the other hand, such artificial firewood 1 can be used in the same manner as ordinary firewood using trees in the natural world. Specifically, it can be similarly used as a solid fuel for a wood stove or an outdoor bonfire. Therefore, according to the artificial firewood 1 according to the present embodiment, a binder having a plant-derived component as a main raw material is used as a plant desiccant Dp obtained by drying an unnecessary plant P containing at least the cut weed Pg. Since it is formed into a wood-like solid body C via B, weed Pg, which is a large amount of mowed grass generated after mowing, can be effectively reused. In addition, since it is formed into a wood-like solid body C, it can be provided as a solid fuel having excellent versatility and convenience, such as being able to be used for various purposes such as a wood stove and an outdoor heat source for camping. In addition, since the whole can be formed by plants in the natural world, that is, weed cuttings, selected fruit tree twigs, leftover food, water (tap water, river water, etc.), harmful substances are generated. No harmful effects occur.

Although the preferred embodiment has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and the present invention does not deviate from the gist of the present invention in terms of detailed configuration, shape, material, quantity, numerical value, and the like. It can be changed, added, or deleted as desired within the range.

For example, as the unnecessary plant P, the cut weed Pg is most desirable, but in addition, various plants P such as the above-mentioned pruned twigs of fruit trees and branches and leaves after harvesting agricultural products can be included. At this time, if necessary, it is desirable to change the cutting length according to the type of plant P. Further, in producing the binder B, the cooked rice R was exemplified as the main raw material, but a similar plant having a binder function, that is, a plant-derived component can be used, and other additives and the like are added if necessary. be able to. An example was shown in which a cutting step of obtaining a dried plant material Dp by cutting the dried plant raw material Do to a predetermined length was provided in the drying material producing step, but this cutting step is an indispensable step. Instead, it is also possible to directly use the dried plant raw material Do without cutting.

The artificial firewood according to the present invention can be used for various purposes of burning and using it as a solid fuel such as a wood stove.

1: Artificial firewood, 10: Molding mold, 10c: Molding cavity, P: Unnecessary plant, Pg: Mowed weed, Dp: Plant drying material, B: Binder, C: Wood-like solid body, Mm: Molding material, R: Cooked rice, E: Coloring component using plant-derived components, W: Water, (S1-S4): Drying material forming step, (S4): Cutting step, (S5-S10): Molding material forming step , (S5-S8): Binder generation step, (S11-S18): Compression molding step, (S13-S18): Hardening treatment step

Claims (8)

An artificial firewood that is burned and used as solid fuel, and is obtained by drying unnecessary plants containing at least cut weeds. Artificial firewood characterized by being molded into a solid body. The artificial firewood according to claim 1, wherein the binder uses cooked rice as the main raw material. The artificial firewood according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the binder contains a coloring component using a plant-derived component. A method for producing artificial firewood that is burned as solid fuel to be used, and is a drying material production process for obtaining a plant drying material by drying unnecessary plants containing at least cut weeds, and this drying material. A molding material production step of obtaining a molding material by adhering a binder containing a plant-derived component as a main raw material to the plant drying material obtained from the production step, and a firewood-like solid of the molding material obtained from the molding material production step. A method for producing artificial firewood, which comprises a compression molding step of accommodating a molding cavity having a molding cavity to be molded into a body and obtaining a wood-like solid body by compression molding. The method for producing artificial firewood according to claim 4, wherein the drying material producing step includes a cutting step of obtaining the dried plant material by cutting the dried raw material of the plant to a predetermined length. .. The person according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the molding material forming step includes a binder forming step of forming the binder in a solution form by mixing at least water with cooked rice as the main raw material. How to make industrial firewood. The method for producing artificial firewood according to claim 6, wherein the binder generation step produces the binder by adding a coloring component using a plant-derived component. The artificial firewood according to any one of claims 4-7, wherein the compression molding step includes a hardening treatment step of obtaining an artificial firewood by curing a firewood-like solid body obtained by compression molding. Production method.

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