GW signs intellectual property agreement to commercialize solar hybrid kiln invented by EMSE faculty

June 18, 2021
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The George Washington University has entered into an intellectual property agreement with Englo, Inc. to commercialize a solar hybrid kiln. EMSE professors Drs. Richard Millar and Thomas Mazzuchi, working in collaboration with a research group at Mississippi State University led by Drs. Todd MIsna and Sita Warren, invented the kiln, which uses solar energy to dry coal, lumber, and several agricultural crops.

The kiln lowers costs and greenhouse emission and creates new green markets for coal. For example, it is a key component used to produce coal char that can be used to improve water and soil quality. Englo, Inc., headquartered in West Virginia, plans to build industrial-scale, hybrid solar-assisted kilns in West Virginia and Mississippi to produce and sell the coal char and biochar.

The solar kiln will be part of a patented process developed at Mississippi State University, which creates a new green market for coal. Municipal water treatment plants can use coal char to improve water quality. The kiln dried engineered coal products fertilize and improve soil quality, which can lead to an increase in arable land to grow more food.

 

Image of Kiln Powerpoint