Tigercat has introduced the 6040 carbonizer, the long-awaited product that replaces the briefly marketed 6050 carbonator.
Tigercat introduced the 6050 after acquiring the product through the purchase of ROI in 2019. Now, the mobile onsite wood conversion system is once again available in the marketplace after a comprehensive, ground-up redesign.
The 6040 redesign addresses performance related issues experienced in the original design and incorporates the application knowledge that Tigercat engineers and field support personnel have gained over the past five years.
The 6040 is an environmentally friendly wood debris reduction and conversion system.
The machine is fed debris and produces a high-quality organic carbon with up to 90 per cent material reduction.
The carbonator is an ideal solution for converting unwanted logging and agriculture residue into a useful, high grade organic carbon that can be left onsite as a soil additive or marketed for commercial use.
The process captures 20 to 30 per cent of the available carbon in the feedstock and sequesters it for thousands of years, furthering the goals of greenhouse gas reduction. The conversion process operates at high throughput levels and produces low emissions as the gases are combusted in the controlled combustion zone.
Carbonizer updates
The overall machine weight has been reduced from 43,550 kg to 37,650 kg. Extended track frames improve load distribution on the trailer and reduce soil compaction on the ground.
Temperature control sensors are located throughout the machine.
This, coupled with the Tigercat-designed operating software and telematics system, improves data access and customer support. The 6040 development also focused on incorporating parts commonality with other Tigercat machines including pumps, motors, valves and filters, simplifying parts inventory management.
Modular design
Tigercat has designed the machine to allow modular replacement over time. For example, the grates in the carbonizing chamber are now made of seven different sections that can be rotated 180 degrees to balance wear and extend life. As well, individual sections can be replaced as required. The undercarriage, auger trough and conveyor system are all bolt-on sections to the main carbonizing chamber frame. Everything can be separated for service and replacement if required. The modular bolt-on design also allows for differing expansion rates of these major components.
The replaceable thermal-ceramic panel seal plate design has also been improved, reducing panel wear.
The composition of the panels has been altered to decrease back-face temperature while storing and utilizing more of the heat energy produced during the carbonizing process. This provides a more stable and sustained temperature within the carbonizing chamber. The result is increased efficiency, higher infeed rates, reduced emissions and a greater yield of organic carbon.
The auger trough is designed for minimal air leakage, assisting with under-air efficiency, further defining the secondary combustion zone. This reduces hot spots that could form from an inefficient base pressure or vacuum. Unlike the 6050, the auger trough, where the quenching process takes place, is entirely sealed. Once the organic carbon drops through the grates, it is fully quenched by the water bath.
An onboard hydraulic water supply pump and integrated automatic water level control system reduces water consumption by about 50 per cent compared to the previous model. Automated water fill, level control and water retention provide the operator with a window of time to replenish the water supply if required.
The adjustable conveyor simplifies handling and management of the organic carbon product. It pivots 105 degrees from side to side and can be raised or lowered. The conveyor easily folds for transport and does not have to be detached from the machine frame.
