A Guide to the Pellet Mill – Everything You Should Know About Wood Pellet Mills

Pellet mills are popular machines used in numerous areas of the world. Various industries rely on wood pellet production, and what makes it so great is that it offers people the opportunity to start different business types.

But not everyone knows what a pellet mill is or how it works and how to maintain one. This is why we have prepared this guide full of all the answers you have been looking for.

What Is a Pellet Mill?

A pellet mill is a machine used to process different raw materials, including wood, straw, sawdust, peanut shells, and so on, and turn them into biomass fuel. You can have your raw materials processed in different sizes, whether you want them smaller or bigger.

Not only that but a pellet mill machine comes in various types, with the two most common ones being ring die pellet mills and flat die pellet mills.

How Does a Pellet Mill Work?

The way a pellet mill works depends on the type of pellet-making setting. There are homemade pellet mills and complete pellet plants. Both of them can help you achieve great results, but they work a bit differently.

Homemade Pellet Mill

A homemade pellet milling machine will require putting the raw materials into it. Once you do so, all your materials will be spread on the millstone, and the rotation of the disc will begin with the help of the spindle.

Your raw materials are then rolled continuously by the pressure roller until they are squeezed into what is known as the “die hole”. There, they will go through the forming and preservation process, after which they come out of the hole in a cylindrical form.

To form the pellets, the material will be cut down with the cutter, with the grinding process turning the material into pellets.

Complete Pellet Plant

A complete pellet plant will first process the materials, and then they will be cut into smaller pieces by the hammer mill. Then, through the conveying belt, all the materials will get to a big dryer.

After that, the materials will reach the pellet mills using the elevator in order to be ground. Lastly, the pellets go through a cooling process, after which they will be stored.

What Are Biomass Wood Pellets Used for?

Biomass wood pellets can be used for renewable bioenergy generation or heating. Compressing different wood materials into pellets gives these materials more energy, making them more effective and offering them more combustion energy. This is important in terms of generating power.

The pellets are a bit similar to coal in the way they are used to generate power. This way, today’s coal power stations can shift to renewable bioenergy.

Advantages of a Wood Pellet Mill

Pellet mills come with different benefits, which is why so many businesses buy their own machines and pellet mill equipment. Here are some advantages that pellet mill machines bring to the table:

In order to make the mills stronger, the equipment shell has more thickness for the casting, while the ribs have been reinforced. As a result, the shell will have more durability.
The electric-control system fully complies with CE standards.
There is little noise and amazing shock reduction because the gearboxes have been made from cast iron materials of high quality.
Belt slippage is decreased thanks to the gear drive setup, while the belt drive’s lifespan is increased simultaneously.
There is an incredible die-hole compression and die-hole structure ratio for processing wood.
The die and two rollers have been made using alloy steel of premium quality and 55-60HRC hardness.
In case something bad happens, the mill has an Emergency Stop button that shuts the machine quickly.

How Much Does a Pellet Mill Cost?

You can find a pellet mill for sale with full pelletizing equipment for about $1-2 million. It is a high cost, but we’re talking about high-quality wood pellet plant machinery.

However, if you are looking for a simple wood pellet mill to make biomass pellets at home, you can find wholesale products for a few hundreds or thousands of dollars. Models can vary in price depending on the size, brand, and quality.

Maintaining Your Pellet Mill

If you want your pellet mill to last, you must take good care of it. Here are some tips on how to maintain your wood pellet mill so it can serve you for a long time:

Make sure to keep the equipment in an area that is well-ventilated; this can extend the machine’s lifespan, as the motor can safely emit temperature.
You should frequently check the tightness of the belt. It’s always crucial to tighten it if it is slack.
Frequently fill the machine with oil at every bearing, so lubrication is possible, and the life of the machine is extended.
Make sure to get rid of any debris that the machine created from the machine room before restarting your machine; otherwise, this can result in starting resistance.
Check the cutter screws regularly to ensure that the bond that involves the blade and the knife maintains its strength.
Always check the cutter regularly to ensure it stays sharp; otherwise, it can lead to damage to other parts.
You should always have a good foundation for the machine.
Perform regular maintenance of the pellet mill. This can extend the machinery’s lifespan.

Conclusion

Pellet mills help turn different raw materials like sawdust, peanut shell, leaves, wood, and others into pellets that are valued for the energy they contain. You can buy different types of pellet milling machinery depending on your needs and your plans with this procedure. Every type of pellet mill has its advantages, so you must analyze your options.

Before you get a pellet mill, make sure you understand how it works and be prepared to offer the proper maintenance work so that it can last you for years to come.