Open access publications in the SLU publication database

The goal of the project Pellet Platform II has been to reduce production costs by at least 0.5 % per year (up to 5 % in 2020) in large-scale production of pellets through more efficient processes, reduced wear, reduced energy consumption, reduced waste, etc.
The project also aimed to further expand the raw material base for pellet qualities for various purposes with conversion technologies adapted to new fuels, so that more fuel chains can reach the market and manages environmental standards and sustainability.
We have shown that by increasing the moisture content of the product by one to two percentage points, large amounts of drying energy can be saved. An increased moisture content, can in addition to provide energy savings, also help optimizing pellet quality in terms of mechanical durability and fines content and it also reduces the risk of self-heating during storage.
Also large amounts of electricity can be saved by screening the sawdust before pelleting and only grind the over coarse fraction.
Adding aspen or willow in the raw material mix can produce positive effects to the quality of pellets. Additives such as starch and lignosulphonate increases the mechanical durability and reduce formation of fines at the pelletizing process.
It is also possible to reduce the emissions of CO, CO2 and CH4 by using additives or by removing some compounds from the raw material with supercritical carbon dioxide extraction.