Make wood pellets

[the boulle]

Back on economics after several years of absence, I come to share my experience of manufacturing wood pellets!

A video presentation of my production line which is still being finalized.

Other videos will follow to explain in stages the production of granules.

I remain at your disposal for any information.

[commandeur_brin]

Super interesting! Look forward to seeing more. Several questions :

- How much granules can you produce per day?
- What is the total cost to equip?
- Are there a lot of homemade tools?

Thank you for sharing !

[Ahmed]

I see that many recovery tips can drastically reduce the cost of equipment, but do you have a clear idea of ​​the energy balance?

[Remundo]

yes it's interesting,

maybe it would be better to motorize with electricity, a little noisy + gas with the thermal group probably.

I would have a neophyte's question: to condition in granules, what moisture is needed? As dry as possible, or a little so that it "sticks"?

what types of wood to recommend?

[Ahmed]

In a way that I cannot explain, it seems that a fairly low humidity level (≃10-12?) Is necessary, but not as low as possible (as I would have intuitively thought) ...
Regarding the types of wood, it is good to use a good proportion of softwood, which ensures better cohesion with a calorific value equivalent to hard wood (what makes the difference between these woods is the initial density, difference which disappears after compression).

[the boulle]

Hi,

sorry not to have been before!

So I'll try to answer in order,

-quantity of granules per day, between 70 and 100 kg, it all depends if the plan goes without a hitch. (I have a small machine, (kl 120) I regret not having taken the model above)

-the blow to equip, say for the base 1000 € pellet machine (I can have you my dear) (a kl 150), a good sizing mill (almost more important than the press) about 900 € in 230 / mono.

- with the basic machine without auto feed of material it can do it if you are patient.

After a lot of recovery for me, wiper motor ....

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-in the current config, the machine consumes roughly 1l of e85 per hour for a wholesale yield of 15 kg / h with a super good quality pellet.

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-electric motorization would be great! I only have mono at home, but a 4KW would be enough. I buy this machine to test a little everything.
I will change the engine soon for sure, the price is scary (300 €).

-The humidity of the material must be around 13%. the material must be mostly softwood, however, I did a test of hardwood type + the green part of the thuja which contains a lot of resin, its glue very well.

- By changing humidity, we change the compression rate of the pellet.

Here is. I will upload the other videos. (maybe tomorrow)

Enjoy!

[Ahmed]

Thank you for the clarification!
You write:

By changing the hygrometry, the compression ratio of the pellet is changed.

Could you develop a little?

[the boulle]

for example at 13% you have a super dense pellet is heavy. for my press hourly output 15kg

at 14.5% you have a less dense pellet, with a less smooth appearance, but a higher hourly production. 25kg / h

after each one finds his compromise.

TO NOTE ! the refining of the wood also influences the final pellet.

[Remundo]

another naive question: pellet, what interest in comparison with ground wood?

[the boulle]

volume, yield.

the pellet is very dry at the end of the press.

after a shredded wood stove is very expensive too!