The revolution in pellet production with industrial pellet presses
Today, the wood pellet market continues to grow due to the increased demand for renewable and environmentally friendly energy sources. Industrial pellet presses play a central role in this growth, enabling efficient and cost-effective production of these valuable pellets. In this article, we will discuss the essential features of these machines as well as how they work to help you better understand their importance in the industry.
The advantages of wood pellets for industry
Before diving into how industrial pellet presses work, it’s important to understand why wood pellets are so popular. Here are some of their main advantages:
- High calorific value: Wood pellets have a higher calorific value than traditional wood, making them more effective for heating industrial or residential spaces.
- Less pollution : The combustion of wood pellets generates fewer greenhouse gases and fine particles than conventional wood, thus helping to preserve air quality.
- Storage facility : Their compact format and low humidity allow easy and durable storage, without risk of mold or other humidity-related problems.
- Energy savings : Using pellets to power boilers and stoves can significantly reduce energy costs, particularly in regions where wood is an abundant resource.
How industrial pellet presses work
Now that you understand the benefits of wood pellets, it’s time to explore how the machines that produce them work: industrial pellet presses. The main role of these machines is to transform wood chips and sawdust into well-calibrated and ready-to-use pellets. Here are the main steps of the process:
Initial treatment of the material
The first step is to prepare the wood chips and sawdust for the production of pellets. Materials are generally dried to optimal moisture content (around 10-15%), then ground to a consistent, easy-to-process size.
Compression of wood particles
The wood particles thus prepared are then introduced into the compression chamber of the pellet press, where they are subjected to high pressure. This pressure causes the natural release of lignin contained in the particles, which acts as a binder and allows the granules to retain their shape once cooled.
Granule formation
The pellet press is equipped with a cylindrical die pierced with small holes, through which the mixture of wood particles and lignin is pushed under pressure. Coming out of these holes, the mixture takes the form of long filaments which are then cut into granules of uniform size.
Cooling and screening
The pellets thus formed are generally very hot and must be cooled to harden and stabilize their structure. Once cooled, they pass through a sieve to remove broken or poorly formed pellets before being packaged and stored.
The different types of industrial pellet presses
Depending on production needs and the specifics of the material to be processed, there are several types of pellet presses:
- Flat pellet press: This machine uses a perforated flat die, in which the wood particles are compressed by a rotating roller. The granules formed are then expelled outside the machine by centrifugal force. This type of press is particularly suitable for small production capacities.
- Annular pellet press: In this case, the compression die is cylindrical and the wood particles are introduced into it through a system of rollers. The granules formed are then extracted by an endless screw towards the outlet of the machine. This type of press is suitable for medium to high production capacities.
- Vertical pellet press: This machine, also called an extruder, operates on a similar principle to the ring press, but with a vertical orientation. It generally produces higher density pellets than other types of presses and is suitable for materials that are difficult to compress, such as agricultural by-products or household waste.
In summary
Industrial pellet presses are essential machines in the wood pellet production sector. They make it possible to transform wood chips and sawdust into high quality pellets, used in particular as a source of renewable energy. Their control is therefore crucial to fully benefit from the economic and ecological advantages of this booming resource.