Patent ID: 8371038

Claim:
A system for the improved use of heat within a gypsum board plant, the system comprising: a series of first, second, and third gypsum board dryers, each of the gypsum board dryers having a both an inlet and an outlet for the passage of recycled gases, one or more gypsum boards passing through the series of board dryers, whereby the gypsum boards are progressively dried, the first and second gypsum board dryers producing heated, recycled gases having a humidity level and a temperature of approximately 300° F. to 350° F.; a gasifier for gasifying a moisture containing biomass, the gasification of the biomass producing a pyrolysis liquor in the vapor phase; a burner for burning the pyrolysis liquor produced by the gasifier, the burning of the pyrolysis liquor producing a combustion gas having a temperature in excess of 1800° F. and a humidity level that is higher than the humidity level of the heated recycled gases; a heat exchanger whereby the heated recycled gases from the first and second gypsum board dryers are brought into indirect thermodynamic contact with the humid combustion gas from the burner, whereby the heated recycled gases are heated from approximately 300° F. to 350° F. to approximately 650° F. and the temperature of the humid combustion gas is cooled to approximately 450° F.; first and second dampers associated with the inlets of the first and second gypsum board dryers, the first and second dampers delivering the heated recycled gases from the heat exchanger back into the first and second board dryers to withdraw moisture from the gypsum boards passing therethrough and facilitate drying of the gypsum board; a bag house associated with the inlet of the third board dryer, the bag house delivering the cooled humid combustion gas from the heat exchanger directly into the third board dryer to facilitate drying of the gypsum board.