Wood Pellets Guide - Home Heating Alternative

What:

Wood pellets are biomass substance that is produced from sawdust. They are regular and small sized (between 4 and 20mm). They also contain moisture of below 10%. Moreover, they are solidified with high density. Most good quality wood pellets are generally pure and natural. They are free from any additives or chemicals.

How:

Biomass material such as straw, corn but commonly wood are milled through a piece of machinery to become very fine sawdust. In addition, the sawdust can also be a byproduct of any wood processing procedures such as sawmilling. Then, this fine sawdust is compacted under extreme pressure by feeding them in pelletising machinery. They are then shaped by forcing them through a dye.

At the same time, a natural component of this kind of biomass, lignin, dissolves and acts as a “binding agent” holding them together to form and shape as extruded pellet. This substance keeps it solidified as they dry. This natural component also makes a “glaze” kind appearance on the outside of pellets. At a temperature of 90OC, these pellets are forced through a dye. Afterwards, the lignin cools. The pellets are then solidified and set. Other chemicals or additives are not necessary. When they are cooled and ready, the pellets can be either packed for domestic use or loaded into transportation vehicle for distribution. A variety of biomass materials can be used for pellet production but mostly wastes from wood industry are utilized.

Why:

Wood pellets are now considered as an efficient alternative for traditional oils/fuels. Pellets attract both many manufacturers and consumers because of their advantages over the conventional fuels. These advantages are listed below.

• Less volume to store
Their high density and compact properties enable them to occupy lesser space.
• Easy to transport
As mentioned, wood pellets are highly densed and compressed, thus, they are easier to ship in long distance since they don not easily break or loose.
• Lower moisture content
This property enables the wood pellets used lesser energy to burn the moist off, therefore a lot of energy is saved.
• Versatile
Wood pellets as wood fuels can be utilized on most standard heating systems such as boilers and stoves. Moreover, for the past years, pellets stove, boilers and similar products are now available in the market and are used in many homes.
• Lesser emission and ash
Wood pellets are carbon neutralized form of fuel. Thus, the carbon dioxide released during combustion is compensated during the process of photosynthesis by growing plants and trees.
• Easy to handle
Again, the wood pellets consistency and solid features make them easier to handle especially throughout the manufacturing process and they can withstand numerous handlings without breaking.
• Easy to ignite
As already mentioned, the moisture content of wood pellets is at most 10%. This means that less energy is needed to burn them off.
• Contribute to the economy
With wood pellet, any nation can use its own resources. It does not have to rely much on foreign oils. Therefore, production and usage of wood pellets adds up the income of the country.