What are pellets? Equipment for the production of pellets

The issues of optimizing the consumption of energy resources are becoming more relevant both for manufacturing enterprises and for ordinary consumers. To achieve maximum savings, more advanced technical means of fuel processing are usually used with the expectation of obtaining an appropriate return. However, the most promising direction is improving the characteristics of raw materials, which is the basis for energy production.

Before private owners who decided to switch to alternative fuel and coal fuel cells, there are no longer any questions about what pellets are and how effective they are. In many ways, this type of biofuel is ahead of traditional materials. Given the prospects for the development of pellet production, this direction is also actively interested in entrepreneurs. The fact is that Russia is a favorable platform for using inexpensive and easy to manufacture fuel. But first, we need to understand what this type of bio-filler is.

What are pellets?

In essence, these are granules that are made from natural raw materials. Although in the mass view, pellets are associated with fuel, which is justified and justified, this material is also used as a feed additive for feeding cattle, as organic and mineral fertilizers, in construction as a filler, etc. Of course, the main sphere for which The production of pellets, this heat supply. In Europe, such biofuel is widely used in the maintenance of private homes. Users appreciate this material for its environmental friendliness, waste-free and easy to transport. In terms of the return of thermal energy, there is also a high energy-efficiency of the granules.

In Russia so far, only the formation of this niche in the market. The advantages of ecological fuel are covered by the need to use special boilers - this is the main disadvantage that fuel pellets have in terms of their use in private needs.

Black and white granules - what are the differences?

Classical pellets have a white tint, which is due to the main material of manufacture and additives introduced. Pellets of black color appeared just a few years ago, and today they are actively promoted by the largest European companies. A feature of such biofuel is the application of the technology of torrefication in the production process. In addition, the composition uses the means of calcination of coal masses, resulting in a dark shade. But, of course, first of all the consumer is interested in the question of what pellets are (black color) in terms of performance. As the chemical analyzes show, this variety of wood pellets provides high rates of heat of combustion, considerable energy intensity and good combustion parameters even in comparison with traditional biomass of a light shade. Now you should learn more about the technology of pellet production.

Manufacturing technology

As raw materials, materials such as wood, peat, sunflower husks, various waste products from cereals and agriculture can be used. Prepared raw material is sent to the crusher, where it is grinding to the flour state. Then the processed raw material enters the drying chamber, and then into the special press with the granulator function. At this stage, pellets are directly produced by compressing the wood pulp, pressing it and forming granules. In order to endow products with a stable form, binders are used, among which lignin. The finished pellets are cooled and then packaged in a special container. Packing parameters vary - from small 2-kilogram packages to big bags weighing up to 1 ton. The distribution of granules in bulk is also common.

Equipment for preparation

At the stage of grinding raw materials, chipping units of drum or disk type are used, as well as crushing machines. The use of a particular type of equipment for grinding depends on the characteristics of the prepared mass and the requirements that the finished pellets must meet. Equipment in the form of chippers, for example, is used for processing wood waste with natural moisture. In this case, the operator can control two cutting methods (hammers and knives), resulting in the formation of fine-grained sawdust. This approach to manufacturing allows us to produce high-quality pellets that are suitable for most universal boilers.

Drying equipment

The next stage involves the drying of small-fraction raw materials. To implement this task, multicyclic pellet production equipment is used, represented in the Russian market by drum dryers and fireproof heat generators. The optimal solution for a small production line can be a drum type dryer that provides thermal impact. Such aggregates usually have a power potential of up to 4 kW, and the average volume is 2-3 m ³ .

Equipment for granulation

It should be noted that briquetting technology is also common, but its products are mainly used by large enterprises. At this stage, equipment for the production of several types of pellets is used. First of all, it is a bunker-tedder, which performs the tasks of accumulating and maintaining a certain volume of raw material before the granulation operation. During the pressing process, steam supply is also necessary, for which the electric steam generator is responsible. Concludes the main production chain of the press granulator.

Further on, the machines that cool the product are entering the case. The task of coolers is not only to remove excess moisture. Such units also endow fuel pellets with sufficient strength for transportation and convenient handling during operation.

Pellet boiler

In conventional furnaces and boilers, biofuel, as a rule, can not be burned. Special heating units are used for these purposes. The peculiarities of pellet boilers include the small dimensions of the combustion chamber and the developed convective part. During operation, this design provides a temperature of up to 200 ° C. In addition, pellet boilers are equipped with a volumetric burner, due to which high productivity is ensured. In this indicator, pellet boilers can be compared with models on natural gas, but against the background of solid-fuel aggregates they noticeably benefit.

Conclusion

Pellet pellets have many advantages over coal and wood, as well as gas heating systems. It is convenient in application, inexpensive and environmentally safe fuel. In order to understand the value of the properties of this biomass, one should again turn to the question of what pellets are in terms of composition. This is a natural raw material, which is pressed and delivered to the market in the optimal form. We can say that it is the same wood, but it is crushed and does not lose high density. If we talk about the minuses of this fuel, then the demand for heating equipment and a high price will come to the fore, which, however, pays off the energy efficiency of pellets.