How Does a Wood Pellet Machine Works?
Wood pellet machines sometimes referred to as wood pellet mills, are becoming popular as wood pellets are now a major source of fuel, used in power generation. They are safe for the planet, efficient, and easy to transport. But how are these made? So, that’s where a wood pellet machine is used. It helps turn raw materials into efficient biomass fuel. And as the biomass industry is continuously developing, wood pellet machines will continue to be a vital part of it. So, let’s take a close look at how it works.
What Is a Wood Pellet Machine?
A wood pellet machine (also referred to as a pellet mill or pellet press) is a type of machine that processes raw wood materials (e.g. sawdust, wood shavings, wood chips) into uniform-sized pellets. Wood pellet machines play an important role in small-scale and large industrial pellet plants.
The primary objective of the pellet machine is to convert loose biomass, like sawdust, into dense energy-rich fuel which is much easier to transport, store and handle.
Step-By-Step Working Process of a Wood Pellet Machine
Let’s take a closer look:
Preparing the Raw Material
Before beginning the pellet-making process it is necessary to prepare the raw materials. Wood pellet machines utilize various raw materials such as:
Sawdust
Wood chips
Forestry residues
Agricultural waste (straw)
The raw material must be clean, dry, and appropriately sized. For instance, if the wood is too wet, the pellets will not bind properly. If the wood is too coarse, it can often be too tough to be compressed by the machine. Therefore, the raw material usually is processed by drying and grinding so that moisture, and size, is adequately controlled.
Feeding the Material
The dry and grounded wood is fed into the wood pellet machine using a feeding hopper, which directs the material into the pressing chamber. Some machines use gravity to feed the material, but many others uses a screw feeder to control the flow.
Compression in the Die
A rotating roller or rollers in the pelletizing chamber press the raw material through a die with small holes. While pushing the raw material through the holes, the raw material becomes compacted under tremendous pressure and heat.
This pressure causes the natural lignin in wood to soften (as a binding agent) and act as glue, binding the pellet together with no additional chemicals.
Cooling and Hardening
Freshly made pellets are hot and a little soft. So they go through a cooling system that uses air in order to harden. This is done to prevent the pellet from cracking and breaking, so when stored or transported the pellet stays together.
Screening and Packaging
Pellets are screened for dust or broken pieces before packaging, and only high-quality pellets reach the final stage. They can be stored in bags, or bulk containers for transport, sale, or direct use.
Final Thoughts
Wood pellet machine may seem complicated at first. However, the operation of the machine is actually quite simple. All the pellet machine does is apply heat and pressure, to change regular wood waste into a compact, clean, and renewable fuel. The process is efficient and sustainable.
Whether you are producing pellets for home use, commercial use, or industrial power plants, knowing how the machine works aids you in getting the best results while contributing to a greener future.
We at Zhengzhou Debon Machine Co., Ltd. are a trusted manufacturer of high-quality pellet mills, crushers, briquette presses, hammer mills, mixer, cooler, and many more. Our machines use the latest technology and come with a reputation for quality and longevity. If you are looking for high-quality pellet machines, contact us now.
