[Bioconversion] Re: Algae binder

[Len Walde]

Neal et al:

I  am confident you can extrude sawdust and similar biomass.  The critical 
element in the process is the moisture content.  Friction heat can/will 
cause the too-wet biomass to create enough steam to cause the extrusion to 
"explode" upon exiting the die. Find the right moisture and/or control the 
heat,  it will work. I have done it.

Keep me in the loop on your experiments.

Happy New Year!

Len Walde

               Sigma Energy Engineering, Inc.
Creative Problem Solving & Process Engineering
Serving Agriculture, Mining, Industry & Commerce
             through "Symbiotic Recycling" tm
                        Est. 1985

      Ph:  925-254-7633
      E-mail: sigma at ix.netcom.com


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <CAVM at aol.com>
To: <bioconversion at listserv.repp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2005 7:25 PM
Subject: [Bioconversion] Re: Algae binder


> Les Blevins wrote:
>
> I've had  experience with extruders and dies here at the Lawrence dog food
> plant  which was a Quaker Oats facility back then, and we made thousands 
> and
> thousands of tons of little balls each week that were called Tender Chunks
> (smile) and they were made mostly of such things as flour, meat and bone
> meal and animal fat among other things.
>
> These ingredients were  cooked in the extruders under heat and pressure 
> and
> came out of the dies  as soft balls that were about the same size as 
> cheese
> puffs, and they  firmed up somewhat as they cooled. Heat and pressure is 
> what
> made them  bind together once the proper balance between solid and liquid
> ingredients  was obtained.
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> -------------------------------------------
> I have an InstaPro 600 extruder and an oil press at my plant in southern
> Indiana.  If either of these are useful in producing a binder quality from 
> algae
> I am willing to give the process a try.
>
> Hmm, I wonder if I can extrude wood with this machine...
>
> Neal
>
>
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