Wood fuel pellets

As of today, pellets are considered the most cost-effective type of fuel. They are produced from wood wastes and by-products: sawdust, shavings, and crushed bark. Modern production technologies provide:

• low weight with a high density of granules;
• easy and convenient storage;
• burning time up to 10 hours;
• low ash content;
• high calorific value;
• cost-effective consumption.

One ton of pellets is equivalent to two tons of coal.

Production technology

The raw materials from which pellets are made should be carefully dried. After that, the wood is crushed into small fractions and pressed under high pressure. Finally, you get smooth, dense granules without any foreign smell. They are characterized by high flammability. The burning temperature of pellets is not inferior to coal, peat, as well as coniferous or deciduous firewood.

Different manufacturers use different technologies for the manufacture of fuel pellets. Their quality depends on the type of equipment, the type of raw materials, the presence of additional components, such as additives and binders, as well as the moisture content of the wood. It is very important to follow all the rules for the storage of raw materials. High air humidity or temperature fluctuations adversely affect the quality of future pellets.

Damp pellets do not have sufficient calorific value, and they take a long time to ignite. Their consumption is unreasonably high. Poor-quality pellets produce a large amount of ash and release resinous substances leading to boiler fouling.

When choosing fuel pellets, you need to pay attention to the following parameters:

• Pellet size. High-quality pellets have the same shape. Besides, they are free of any chips, cracks, or uneven edges. Don’t buy the product if there is a lot of wood dust in the package;
• Density and strength. When choosing pellets, you need to break one granule. If the pellet crumbles in your hands, it is a low-grade product. High-quality pellets are very strong and they break exactly along the line;
• Moisture resistance. The quality of pellets can be judged by briefly placing one granule in a glass of water. A low-density pellet will float. This suggests that it has very few combustible components. High-quality wood pellets will immediately drown.

Our company offers a wide range of high-quality pellets. We deliver unlimited quantities of pellets throughout Europe, including the Baltic States. Self-delivery is possible.

The production of pellets uses natural wood wastes: small chips, sawdust, bark, and other wood by-products. Latvia is rich in coniferous woods, so the raw materials are obtained after their processing. Hardwoods are used less often, although their quality is much higher compared to conifers.

The popularity of coniferous raw materials is simply explained:

• the texture of the wood is soft, and processing and pressing are fast;
• no expensive equipment is required for production;
• the pressing quality and density are noticeably higher than those of birch.

However, some people prefer to buy birch pellets. They are more expensive than conifers, but their calorific value is 25-30% higher. Birch pellets do not emit resins, they won’t clog your boiler with combustion products, and their burning time is also higher. When using birch pellets, you need to clean your chimney system twice less often.

To calculate the required amount of fuel, you need to know two parameters:

1. boiler power (symbol – P);
2. the number of days in a heating season – D.

Thus, you can calculate the amount of fuel (N) using the formula:

N= (P×D×24 hours×30 days×0.7)/3.5 kWh.

The coefficient of 0.7 means the efficiency of the boiler (approximately 70%) since it cannot burn fuel with 100% efficiency. The calorific value of 1 kg of pellets is 3.5 kWh.

How can I calculate the required amount of pellets for heating a house with an area of ​​100 m2? To heat such a house, you need a boiler with a capacity of 10 kW. The duration of the heating season is 5 months. We use our formula:

N= (10×5×24×30×0.7)/3.5 = 7200 kg

i.e., to maintain a comfortable temperature in a house with an area of ​​100 m2, 7.2 tons of pellets will be required.

In addition to buying pellets, you need to ensure their proper storage. Pellets should be kept in a dry, warm room with minimal air humidity. It is also advisable to exclude exposure to dust. The main enemy of pellets is dampness. When wet, the pellets are hard to ignite and begin to smoke. This may result in a clogged chimney. In this case, the calorific value is sharply reduced.

Also, the storage place should be at a considerable distance from open fires and artificial heaters. This is a fire safety standard.

Pellets can be stored outside, but they must be packed in airtight PVC bags.

Pellets are mainly purchased for heating private houses or other household purposes. They can be used for fireplaces, stoves, and solid fuel boilers. You should cover the grate with pellets manually.

Use in the field

Carefully packed in sealed bags, pellets can be taken on hikes. Even a small pack can provide stable burning for 1.5-2.0 hours, which is enough to cook food or keep warm.

Some people use pellets as pet litter. Granules can perfectly absorb moisture and eliminate unpleasant odors. They do not cause allergic reactions in animals. You can use pellets to fill the cages for hamsters, chinchillas, and other small rodents.

Pellets as absorbent

Wood pellets are an excellent absorbent material. A small handful of granules can quickly absorb oil, gasoline, and petroleum liquids. That is why pellets are purchased by car services and repair shops to remove local floor contaminations.