Wood Pellets

[jay053]

Im just looking into wood pellets, has anyone got experience in this area?

 

Would be great to hear peoples opinions on pellets, as they are being touted as the fuel of the 21st century!

Production, Effiecency, Costs, Sales, Usage Etc

 

Thankyou

 

JAY

[jay053]

I guess they are not such a well known fuel!

They are realy popular in Sweden, USA, Canada, Belgum, Etc

For use in boilers as a bio-fuel!

[18 stoner]

You looking at producing or selling them? Your post is not too clear.

 

I know a few people who try and sell them but it boils down to the expense of manufacture from what i know of them.

 

Bit of a specialised area here still though.

[tree monkey]

i now localy that they are well used for bedding animals down just sprinkle them with a little water and it reverts back to sawdust.

I dont know if the same as fuel pellets but to set up with a stove and auger to be able to use them correctly it would be a while to recouperate the costs i would imagine.

[jay053]

Yes sorry my post was abit vague!

 

Im thinking of producing them, Saw dust isnt exactly hard to come buy!

They sell for about £270 a ton!

 

As the goverment are getting more hard on controlling CO2 emissions, and the costs of fossil fuels are only going to rise

Surely these are going to be the best choice for future heating solutions!

 

There is a shortage in the USA due to the cost savings over Oil and Gas so many people have turned to these as a source of effecent green energy!

[jay053]

Just a little bump!

[Paul Barton]

I don't know alot but will chip in for what it's worth.

 

I gather they are mostly made from compressed sawdust and hay etc. The processing plants are quite expensive but it can be possible to get a grant to help with the setup cost.

 

I have not yet heard of anybody converting woodchip to pellets. I would have thought it must be possible, but you would need a pretty heavy duty grinder to pulverise the chip in to more of a dust in orded to then compress it.

 

The benefits of pellet over chip are they have a higher calorific value, are cheaper to transport than chip (being drier so lighter), and travel through auger systems better than chip because of their uniform size.

[renewablejohn]

I produce wood pellets from virgin joiners waste which is turned into woodchip and then further reduced in a hammer mill. It is then squeezed through the pellet press die to produce wood pellets. For the process to work the woodchip needs to be between 8-12% MC. Drying of woodchip is the main cost which is why we solar dry our timber. Equipment costs are initially high and the pellet dies need replacing frequently. Producing pellets is akin to making bread you can start with the same ingredients but you dont always end up with a quality pellet.

[jay053]

Thanks for the replys guys!

I think this could a be realy interesting route to persue!

With fuel prices rising (gas just increased) I think aswell as being a great biofuel its also a cheap alternative to all fuels!

Ive read that during the pressing process the friction causes enough heat to dry out the sawdust, to a MC of 8%

Initial costs might be high but hopefully this area of energy has grown enough to ensure a supply of regular customers!

Also there is the great benifit of 50% reduced storage!

 

 

Jay

[slasherscot]

Thanks for the replys guys!

I think this could a be realy interesting route to persue!

With fuel prices rising (gas just increased) I think aswell as being a great biofuel its also a cheap alternative to all fuels!

Ive read that during the pressing process the friction causes enough heat to dry out the sawdust, to a MC of 8%

Initial costs might be high but hopefully this area of energy has grown enough to ensure a supply of regular customers!

Also there is the great benifit of 50% reduced storage!

 

 

Jay

 

ask jpbeaver, his mate converts cordwood into wood pellets for boilers with a specialised machine