Published: 2009

Publication Name: Wood and Fiber Science

Publication URL: https://wfs.swst.org/index.php/wfs/article/view/469/469

Abstract:

In wood pellet production, knowledge is needed about the raw material properties that affectthe energy requirements for pelletizing and pellet quality. This study presents novel methods for thispurpose, including analyses of influence of the raw material properties on the energy requirements in thesequence of subprocesses (compression, flow, and friction components) that constitute the pelletizingprocess, and the strength of the pellets. The methods were used to analyze the importance of pelletizingtemperature and MC and the differences between sawdust of European beech (Fagus sylva ?ticaL) andScots pine (Pinus sylvestrisL). Results showed that increasing temperature and MC decreased the energyrequirements for all components of the pelletizing process and that beech required more energy than pinein all components. Beech produced the stronger pellets; increasing temperature resulted in strongerpellets, whereas increasing MC caused weaker pellets. Also, a method to quantify the energy require-ments for the combined pelletizing process is presented. The methods can be used to analyze theallocation of the energy requirements of pelletizing in the die and can be useful tools for analyzing thepelletizing properties of wood and other biomass residues.