Optimization The Pelletiser Perfomance

Carpet is a thin layer of material that is pressed, which are at the peak of the die surface. When the incoming raw materials into pelletiser it will be driven by the roller and forming carpet. The more materials put into pelletiser it will further add to the carpet. Carpet is then pressed into the die holes and produce pellets. So for material that can form a pellet, initially to be able to form a carpet.

All wood pellet production is a matter of reducing energy requirements and the degree of wear of equipment while simultaneously improving quality and productivity of the pellets. This is why the production of quality pellets require special skills. Setting between roller and die with a certain distance which is called the roller gap that is essential for the above purpose. Characteristics of raw materials such as density and bonding ability are other parameters that need to be considered. Roller gap can be set at a certain distance so that the pelletiser performance will optimal. Generally, gap 1 mm is the optimum condition, but the gap variation can be tried for the specific conditions of certain raw materials.

On hole die if we look deeper , it turns out is also not a form of cylindrical holes from the tip to the hilt . These conditions also deliberately designed so that the densification process can be optimal . If the shape of the tip is widened at the inlet of the die wear and missing then the quality of pellets produced will decline even not formed pellets . Comparison of length ( L ) and diameter ( D ) on the die hole according to the characteristics of raw materials will result in optimal performance . Selection of an appropriate metal material will make the pelleting process can be done economically . The quality of metal and metal working to die makes no domestic manufacturers are making in Indonesia. Another factor in has not many wood pellet producers in Indonesia may also be a factor in the reluctance of domestic manufacturers to make dies for wood / biomass pellets. But as the needs of wood pellet or pellet fuel increasingly skyrocketing then the above is possible.

Take a Look Closer at Wood Pellet

When we examine more closely to the wood pellet surface that we will look smooth, slippery and shiny. Even as smooth surface, slick and shiny that there are people who say that wood pellets are specially coated. Obviously this statement is groundless because especially not supported with a strong argument. Production of several  tons, tens to hundreds to thousands of tons per day of  wood pellets will produce the number of units very much. How about coating process? And how many substances are used so that the coating and still economically? Altogether these people can not give an answer.

Smooth surface, slippery and shiny is really due to the lignin in the wood tends to be resin that have plastic property. If mold is stretched and the temperature increased, the heat and absence of air condition in the shell will cause pyrolysis is characterized by outer skin darkened by carbonized.  This appears more clearly in the process of screw briquetteproduction, which also features on heater in the die so that the outer skin of the  briquette carbonized. 

 

The main components of biomass are cellulose compounds, hemiselulose and lignin. Each of these compounds has a different thermal decomposition temperature. Carbonization occurs when compounds of lignin in the biomass decomposes at a temperature of about 400 C. The table looks like this below.

 

Substituting LPG With Wood Pellet

Scarcity and price of LPG gas in a number of places while on the other hand the potential raw material of pellets from wood waste and other biomass is abundant, is an opportunity that has not been considered by many people. Almost all wood waste and biomass can be used as fuel pellets with high calorific value. When molded in the form of pellets, hence its use becomes easier, cheaper and wider application. Why has not been much use pellets specifically for domestic applications or more specifically for the household in Indonesia? This is because just little producers that produce pellets fuel for the domestic consumption, because generally most to meet export requirements. As for the domestic industry has been pretty much doing the conversion to pellets fuel.

LPG has calorific value of 11,000 kcal / kg while the wood pellets or fuel pellets have a calorific value of about 4000 kcal / kg, one kg of LPG means equivalent to three kgs of pellets fuel. LPG subsidy currently costs Rp 6000, -/kg, while the price of pellets fuel perkg her about a quarter or USD 1500/kg. This is so it will save about 25% when doing the substitution of fuel to the fuel type. Stoves are specifically designed to easily and efficiently will make use of the rapidly increasing use of pellets for households. Both household and industrial scale will be much to save when doing the substitution. Especially for industries that use non-subsidized fuel savings will be even more when using this pellets fuel.

Source of raw materials for the production of wood pellets especially from woody biomass material from waste wood such as sengon wood, albasia and so on. Other alternative is by making the energy plantation or the energy forest to ensure the availability of energy and sustainable supply of raw materials. As for pellets fuel feedstock  then almost all the biomass waste such as agricultural waste and plantation can be used as cobs and corn stalks, cassava stems, baggase, rice husks, palm empty fruit bunches and so on.

Sawdust Charcoal Briquettes as Alternative Fuels For Small and Medium Industry

The high energy need and on the other side fossil fuels is expensive too with occasional scarce encourage the use of alternative fuels from biomass. Biomass waste that pollute the environment initially is basically a potential feedstock for renewable energy, environmentally friendly, cost-effective and does not damage  the flavor of food, if used especially in the food industry. In terms of fuel because derive from biomass it is considered as carbon neutral.

Charcoal briquettes from hardwood sawdust which has a calorific value above 7000 kcal/kg and high hardness is superior charcoal for various purposes. Here are some applications that can utilize hardwood sawdust charcoal briquette. 

1.      Aluminum Metal Casting Industry

Metallic aluminum (Al) has a melting point of only about 700 C or lower than other types of metals such as iron, steel and so on, thus requiring specification fuel with a lower calorific value than iron and steel foundry. Charcoal briquettes from hardwood sawdust can be as fuel for the aluminum foundry.

2.      Poultry Industry

The new chickens are hatched until the age of 2 weeks (DOC = days old chicken) require continuous heating with controlled temperature. LPG prices are more expensive to encourage more farmers to switch to using this alternative fuel. Charcoal briquettes with a long flame time and temperature can be controlled, it becomes an attractive alternative. Control is done with blower equipped instrument air regulator valve so that the heat input included in the chicken coop can be controlled.

3.      Restaurants and Catering

Cooking in large quantities with longer duration are characteristic of the restaurant and catering business. This charcoal is perfect for cooking such a pattern. Households generally cook a little amount and short duration is not very suitable for the use of charcoal briquettes. High heat, longer time of the flame and not damage the taste of food is a major advantage factors of this charcoal briquettes.

4.      Sate of Goat & Sate of  Cow

The use of charcoal briquettes that do not damage the flavor of food, will be thoroughly tested on sate of goat. This is due to the direct contact between fuel briquettes with sate of goat. Precisely because of this briquette generates high enough heat the sate position should be made a bit away from charcoal when burned so as not to overcook (charred). While the sate of chicken because very quickly matured, it will quickly charred, so it does not fit.

 

5.      Angkringan Shop

Shops that are synonymous with "three kettles" café  (water, ginger and tea) is very flourishing in various areas, especially Java island. Various other menu such as fried foods, small rices and snacks are also commonly served at this shops. Water to make hot drinks should be keep hot so that it need the heat source is durable and light up continuously. With the use of charcoal briquettes is more efficient than ordinary wood charcoal but only requires special stove equipped with refractory cement. Experience showed with common stove (Java language: anglo,from clay) will rupture with the charcoal briquettes because of the heat.