Jenike & Johanson has received a patent for Jen-Zero, a feeding system designed to move low-density biomass and municipal solid waste into high-pressure reactors. The technology addresses a persistent obstacle in biofuels production and waste-to-energy operations.
Biomass materials including municipal solid waste, forest residue, and agricultural residue have proven difficult to feed into pressurized systems. Traditional approaches encounter problems with bridging, compaction, and flow instability. These issues have historically required energy-intensive preprocessing such as grinding or pelletizing, or resulted in inconsistent reactor performance.
The patented system employs a diverging pressurization geometry. This contrasts with conventional converging designs that tend to compact material and restrict flow. The diverging structure allows material to discharge in near free fall, promoting natural flow without restrictions.
The design also addresses biomass springback, a phenomenon where compressed material can jam and create flow obstructions when pressure is released. The geometry mitigates this effect, enabling stable, continuous feed into high-pressure reactors without pelletizing or other preprocessing steps.
Dr. Jayant Khambekar, lead inventor of Jen-Zero, described the patent as representing a validated engineering solution built on bulk solids science. He said it provides the industry with a pathway to overcome feeding limitations that have constrained progress toward sustainable energy systems.
The technology has been engineered for industrial scale operations. Systems can handle up to 1,000 tons per day of biomass or municipal solid waste while maintaining consistent reliability. The company states that improved uptime and reduced maintenance demands support more efficient and economically viable operations.
Herman Purutyan, CEO of Jenike & Johanson, said the patent reinforces the company’s commitment to solving complex solids handling challenges through science-based engineering. He positioned the technology as potentially critical for enabling carbon-negative fuels and advancing sustainability goals.
The post Jenike & Johanson win patent for biomass feeding system appeared first on World Bio Market Insights.
