Patent ID: 7100301

Claim:
A system for burning industrial grain dust to create heat and power grain dryers, said system comprising: a receiving bin defining a cavity therein and including oppositely disposed intake and outlet ports in fluid communication with the cavity, said receiving bin for accepting particulate materials through said intake port and guiding the particulate materials along a substantially vertical path downwardly therethrough and towards said outlet port wherein gravity displaces the particulate materials at a predetermined rate; a conduit having a first end portion operably connected to said receiving bin and further having a second end portion disposed downstream therefrom along a substantially horizontal plane, said conduit comprising a plurality of check valves spaced along a length thereof for controlling the flow rate of the particulate materials, said conduit further including a stop valve downstream of said check valves for cooperating therewith and restricting the flow of the particulate materials; means for introducing air at a selected flow rate into said conduit and downstream of said outlet port, said air-introducing means for assisting to direct the particulate materials through said conduit and away from said receiving bin wherein combustion is promoted during operating conditions; a combustion source comprising a pilot gas light wherein fire is created and burns between 2000–3000 degrees Fahrenheit for atomizing the particulate materials and producing a smokeless hot gas byproduct, said combustion source being in fluid communication with said second end portion of said conduit for receiving the particulate materials therefrom and releasing the hot gas along a controlled path, said combustion source further including a flue positioned thereabove for directing the hot gas along the controlled path and away from said conduit; and a heat exchanger operably connected to said combustion source for separating hot gas from the particulate materials remaining within the controlled path, said heat exchanger including a fan and a filter operably connected thereto and for drawing selected hot gas away from said flue while channeling remaining hot gas back towards said flue.