Pellet machine for solid waste

Types of pellet machine for solid waste

There are several types of pellet mills for solid waste depending on the size and source of the feedstock. These pellet machines are manufactured to produce pellets from the ever-increasing solid waste mass that needs to be converted into useful biomass energy.

Some of these machines include the following:

Flat die pellet machine

This pellet machine has a flatten die where the raw material is fed from the top and then compressed into pellets that are discharged from the sides of the die. In this machine, the motor-driven roller exerts some pressure on the die so that the material passes through pelletizing grooves and gets converted into pellets. Flat die pellet machines are more commonly used in small-scale operations.

For solid waste, a flat die pellet machine is well suited when small quantities of the feedstock are available. They are also good in producing high-quality pellets because of their control mechanism which offers easy adjustments for fine-tuning the pellet producing process.

Ring die pellet machine

This pellet machine for solid waste is industrial scale and large production capacity. Unlike the flat die, a ring die pellet machine has two feeding ports that enable feeding of materials with different granularities.

The ring die is the key part of the machine and it drives the pellets. The pellets produced by this type of pellet machine have high density and heating value. The machine operates at a higher RPM which results in production of an extremely hot pellet. In order to use this kind of pellet machine, the material must be preconditioned before pelletizing.

Combined pellet machine

A combined pellet machine is multifunctional. It comes with several functions. It has a grinding hammer mill that grinds and reduces the size of the material to a finer texture. It also has a mixing apparatus that uniformly mixes the material. Finally, there is the pellet mill that makes the pellets.

This pellet machine is best suited for a beginner who wants to make pellets from solid waste at a small scale. It offers users the ease of using one machine to perform several functions instead of purchasing separate machines for each process.

Portable pellet machines

Portable pellet machines are small in size and can be moved from one place to another easily. Despite their small size, they are very powerful and perform the task of making pellets from waste very effectively. They also consume less energy. Their small size makes them very convenient to use even in the home.

Portable pellet machines are very applicable in making pellets from solid waste. They are small in size which makes them ideal for using in small production spaces.

How to choose pellet machine for solid waste

Purpose

The type of work to be done using the machine determines the choice of pellet machinery. A woodworking shop may only need one workshop to crush, split, rip and make pellets from pellet wood. However, the manufacturing plant may require a more sophisticated machine integrated with other processes.

Pellet mill power source

Electric powered pellet machine are more suitable for the indoors because they operate on electric power which can be sourced in many ways, often by using an electric motor. Because of this, they are used more often in craft and small industrial businesses.

Diesel powered pellet machines are more suitable for the outdoors. These machines are powered using diesel engines. Because they are tipped to be more portable than electric varieties, they could be used where electricity is hard to come by.

Material diameter

The material diameter refers to the maximum size of the material used in the machine. The diameter varies with machine; therefore, it is important to check what diameter is permitted in the machine.

Production capacity

The production capacity is the number of materials processed by the machine per hour. Based on this number, one can calculate hourly or daily production. This capacity is important because it determines how much work the machine can do without stopping to feed more materials.

Pellet size

The size of the pellet and also the size of the pellet depends highly on the die size and material used. For example, the ring die machines are best suited to producing larger industrial pellets. On the other hand, flat die pellet machines are smaller and produce smaller household pellets.

Mobility

Mobility refers to how portable and easy to transport the pellet machines are. Following on mobility appliances have been discussed in details below regarding their ports.

Electric machines have been discussed above and it is clear that they are more portable than diesel powered machines because in the course of the process they have to use electricity and not electricity.

Electric machines are lighter than diesel engine machines. So they are easier to carry around when transporting them. Electric machines are well suited for light and crafts jobs where the volumetric production requirement does not need to be high.

Electric machines are better suited for large production setups and industries where production efficiency is the main priority. Although they are heavier and harder to transport from one place to another, these machines have wheels that make transporting them easy.

Budget

The budget that is needed to purchase the pellet machine is determined by the following factors.

• Type of pellet mill: The kind of pellet mill influences the cost. The ring die pellet mills are more costly than the flat die pellet mills.
• Materials used: More complex machines made from high quality materials are more costly than those made from simple materials.
• Production capacity: High capacity machines are more expensive than low capacity machines.
• Additional features: Machines with moisture and temperature controlling features are also expensive plot machines.

Features and specifications of pellet machine for solid waste

Key features

The key features of pellet machine for solid waste are.

• Higher die or ring die: This machine features a die of large diameter.
• Increased motor power: The motor power of this machine is higher.
• Increased production capacity: These machines have high production capacity.
• Heat and moisture: These machines have increased heat and moisture because of increased motor power.

How to use

• Materials preparation: Initially, materials are prepared by grinding and drying them. The materials have to be reduced to size. The materials also have to be dried so that their moisture content is around 13% to 15%. This helps in better pellet production.
• Feeding the materials: The materials are fed into the pellet machine. The prepared materials are then fed into the machine.
• Conditioning: The materials undergo conditioning. The materials are heated and moistened. This is achieved by adding steam or water into the mixture. Conditioning helps the materials to bind better and reduce their plasticity.
• Pelletizing: The conditioned material is then loaded into a pellet mill. It is then compressed to form pellets.
• Cooling: The formed pellets are then cooled. The pellets are left to cool to room temperature. Cooling helps the pellets to harden and thus become easy to store.
• Storage: The cooled pellets are then stored in a dry place.

Maintenance and repair

• Daily maintenance: Monitor the machine for unusual noise, vibrations or smells. Lubricate moving parts such as bearings, shafts and rollers with recommended grease or oil.
• Weekly maintenance: Check and replace worn belts or hoses and filters. Inspect the die and roller for wear and tear. Clean the die to prevent blockage. Clean the interior parts.
• Monthly maintenance: Check the electrical wiring and connections. Inspect and replace worn pins. Check the condition of the rollers and die. Monitor the temperature of the die.
• Seasonal maintenance:Replace lubricants with fresh oil and grease at the beginning and end of the season. Replace old hoses or belts with new one if needed. Have a professional check up the machines and perform repair works if needed.

How to use and maintain pellet machine for solid waste

What to DIY and what not to

Here is a basic guide on what can be done by oneself and what should not be done.

• DIY tasks: There are some tasks that should be done by DIY. They include daily maintenance and weekly maintenance tasks. The daily tasks involve monitoring and lubricating the machine. Weekly tasks include replacing worn belts, worn filter and dies cleaning tasks.
• Professional tasks: Monthly maintenance and seasonal maintenance tasks should be left to professionals. Electrical wiring and connections check up should be conducted by a professional. Professional inspection of rollers, dies, and machines is important to prevent minor problems from becoming bigger ones.

Common problems, results and troubleshooting

• Problem: Machine not starting.
• Cause: Lack of power or mechanical blockage.
• Troubleshooting: Check the power supply. Remove blockage.
• Problem: Low pellet production.
• Cause: Worn die, low material moisture or low material size.
• Troubleshooting: Replace the die. Adjust moisture content. Reduce size of material.
• Problem: Poor pellet quality.
• Cause: Low pressure, high or low moisture content or low temperature.
• Troubleshooting: Increase pressure. Adjust moisture content. Adjust temperature.
• Problem: Excessive dust.
• Cause: Low material moisture or size too small.
• Troubleshooting: Increase material moisture. Increase size of material.

Q&A

Q1. Which materials can be used in pellet machine for solid waste?

A1. Almost all materials can be used in pellet machines. Softwood and hardwood sawdust, wood shavings and wood chips are the most common materials used in pellet machines. Agricultural waste such as straw, husks, corn stalks and wheat stubble can also be used. Other materials that can be used are: grinding dust, bark, paper, fabric and plastics.

Q2. Are there portable pellet machines?

A2. Yes, there are portable pellet machines. Small pellet machines have been developed to manufacture pellets on a small and manageable scale. There are small machines that are powered by electricity and can make 400 kg of pellets in a day.

Q3. Can I make my own pellets?

A3. Yes, one can make his own pellets from home. Pellets can even be made at home using a small electric flat die pellet machine.

Q4. How are pellets from solid waste good?

A4. Solid waste is converted into pellets to reduce its volume making it more manageable. Pellets produced from solid wastes can be used in heating systems and industrial boilers. They are cost effective and minimize environmental impacts.

Q5. How long do pellets last?

A5. Wood pellets have a storage life of six months. When stored in ideal storage conditions, wood pellets can last up to 1 year or more.