Wood pellets are used as fuel, as animal bedding and for some types of barbecues and grills. Pellets are used in kitchen stoves to produce more heat, causing the temperature to rise quickly. Almost all of them are produced in industrial quantities by large mills, but individuals and small businesses can also transform the organic material into pellets. It is produced by reducing the raw material into small pieces and compressing it into pellets.
Steps
Step 1. Get the wood and cut it into small pieces
Use a wood chipper to get prices under 2.5cm in size. Use a hammer mill to further reduce their size. The wood chips must be as small as possible, but not sawdust.
Step 2. Dry the material with heat
The moisture content should be 10 to 20%. Leave the wood to dry in the sun or put it in an industrial oven at a low temperature until it reaches the desired humidity.
Step 3. Pour the wood into a mixer
The machine will mix it, making it uniform in density, humidity and size. The mixer must have a rotating cylinder or stirrer inside.
Step 4. Produce the pellets with a special mill or, for smaller quantities, a press with a die and a roller
The die is a piece of metal with holes. The roller passes over it, pressing the wood into the holes to produce the pellets. There are presses with a flat or cylindrical die. Both types are good for producing pellets of uniform density and moisture.
Step 5. Sieve the broken pellets
Some pieces will fall apart or break in the process. Separate them with a sieve.
Step 6. Let the pellets cool
Coming out of the machine, the pellets will be hot and humid. Spread it out and let it cool and air dry.
Step 7. Bag the resulting product and keep it
Put it in plastic bags not too large, or transporting them will be difficult. Seal the bags. The pellets must be stored in a dry place, away from humidity.
