Pellets are small compressed cylinders of biomass, mostly wood, used as an energy source for heating. Its popularity has been increasing in recent years because energy efficiency and lower environmental impact Compared to fossil fuels.
What is pellet?
Pellets are a type of biofuel made from organic materials. Although wood is the most common material, it can also be made from other agricultural or forestry waste. These small cylinders have a diameter of 6 to 8 millimeters and a length of 10 to 30 millimeters. Its uniform shape and size make it easy to transport, store and burn.
The pellet production process starts as follows: collection of raw materials. After harvesting, the wood is split into small pieces and dried to reduce moisture content. After the material dries, it is ground into a fine powder.
This powder is fed into a pelletizing machine where it is compressed and heated. Under these conditions, lignin, a natural component of wood, acts as a binder, allowing the material to form into small cylinders. Once formed, the pellets are cooled and packaged for distribution.
Burning of pellets in the stove
Pellet stoves are specifically designed to burn this type of fuel efficiently. These stoves have an automatic feeding system that introduces pellets into the combustion chamber at a constant rate. In this way, combustion occurs evenly, constant heat is produced and pollutant emissions are reduced.
Pellets when burned They release the carbon they absorb as they growThis means that combustion is neutral in terms of carbon emissions. They also produce very little waste in the form of ash, making them easy to clean and maintain.
But not only that, if you have a fireplace and want to use pellets to warm yourself, you can also do this using a heater. pellet burner for fireplace. It is a type of adapter or box that is placed on the ground, inside the chimney, and where the pellets can be burned. In this way, even if you do not have a pellet stove, you can give them a new use.
Pelletizing machines
Pelletizing machines are very important in the pellet production process. These machines are equipped with rollers and a matrix that compress and form pellets as they rotate. The pressure and heat generated during this process cause the lignin to melt and act as a binder.
The performance of the pellet mill depends on its size and design. While industrial pellet machines can produce tons of pellets per hour, smaller ones designed for home use or small businesses have lower yields.
In terms of cost, pelletizing machines vary greatly depending on their capacity and features. A domestic pellet mill Can cost from several hundred to several thousand eurosindustrial ones with larger capacity and advanced features can cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of euros.
Pellets therefore represent a sustainable alternative fossil fuels. In its production, it transforms agricultural and forest waste into a clean and efficient energy source. Pelletizing machines play a very important role in this process and enable the mass production of this biofuel. As the demand for sustainable energy solutions continues to grow, pellets and their associated technologies are likely to play an increasingly important role in the global energy landscape due to the advantages we have discussed.