Fuel pellets are an alternative type of industrial granular fuel. Initially, they appeared in the United States and were used to save on the transportation of wood and its waste.
In the late eighties, such fuel began to be produced in Europe, more precisely - in Sweden. Ten years later, a real boom occurred in the world associated with the manufacture of pellets. Many sawmills and wood processing companies took up their production.
Many are interested in the question of what pellets are made of. The raw materials for the manufacture of granules are all kinds of low-quality wood materials, including sawdust, wood chips and bark, as well as various agricultural waste (husks of corn and sunflower, straw, and so on).
Main advantages
Since the production technology does not provide for the use of glue or other toxic elements, we can safely say that one of the most important advantages of such fuel is its cleanliness from an environmental point of view. The next big plus is the high calorific value. When two tons of fuel pellets are burned, the same amount of thermal energy is released as when using 3.2 tons of wood, 1370 liters of fuel oil or one ton of diesel fuel.
Due to the lack of air pores in them, the probability of spontaneous combustion is zero, and the amount of ash that remains is only one percent of the total weight. In the future, it is often used in the form of fertilizer. The next thing to focus on is the small amount of space taken up during storage.
Summing up the advantages of this type of fuel, it should be noted that it is notable for its low cost, as well as excellent physical and technical characteristics. In connection with its ever-growing popularity and informational content of consumers in such matters as the sale of pellets, a novice entrepreneur should have no problems.
Production technology
The first stage in the manufacture of this type of fuel is the large crushing of raw materials, for which special units are used. Depending on the variety, its composition and weight may vary. The resulting particles should have a volume of not more than 1.25 cm3. The next step is drying (the fact is that, according to the technology, the moisture content of the raw materials before pressing should not exceed 12 percent).
Further, the resulting product is crushed to such an extent that the particles have a size of not more than 1.5 millimeters for the first grade and up to 4 millimeters for the industrial type. After this, the raw materials are water treated. Its essence lies in the fact that overdried particles must be brought to the required condition. This is due to the fact that when the moisture content of the raw material is less than 8 percent, the particles practically do not stick together under the action of the press.
The key step that granular fuel passes through during production is its compaction. Various press units equipped with a cylindrical or flat matrix are used for this process. To dry the overheated granules, they are cooled at the very end. The production of this type of fuel ends with screening (it is necessary to prevent the granules from sticking together) and packaging. Such production is very profitable, since all the waste received is simply recycled.
Equipment
Having information on how to make pellets yourself, you can solve the problem of providing a home or other premises with an independent energy source. In general, equipment for their manufacture is usually divided into two main classes: industrial lines and mini-graduators.
The second variety is divided into several subspecies depending on the use of the drive. In this case, a diesel engine, an electric motor or an aggregate from a tractor power take-off shaft can be used. The choice of one type or another depends on the conditions for the further operation of this equipment, as well as the degree of supply of raw materials.
The price of installations varies depending on the technical characteristics. In particular, a unit with a capacity of 200-250 kilograms of granular fuel per hour will cost a little more than 6 thousand US dollars. At the same time, a powerful industrial line capable of producing about one ton of solid fuel in the same time is estimated at about 132 thousand dollars. As practice shows, the first of the mentioned installations are the most effective.
Raw materials
The average cost of one meter of cubic raw materials from which fuel pellets are made is 100 rubles. In order to make one ton of granules, about 7.5 cubic meters of sawdust is required. The cost of finished products is 4,000 and 3,250 rubles for first-class fuel and industrial type, respectively.
Other manufacturing costs
To correctly calculate the profitability of this type of entrepreneurial activity, you need to take into account several more important nuances. In this case, it is assumed that the working day is 8 hours, and the month consists of 24 such days (including weekends and holidays). In addition, in the calculations (based on the experience of similar enterprises), the total cost of the wages of employed workers, water, electricity, as well as other production and household expenses were taken in the amount of 30 percent of the revenue.
Payback and profit
The gross monthly profit received from the sale of fuel pellets is calculated by multiplying indicators such as daily revenue and the number of working days. According to rough estimates, subject to a well-established implementation, it can reach 156,600 rubles.
Given that the company will produce the same amount of fuel of the first grade and industrial type, then the material will have to spend 32,400 rubles. In addition, it is necessary to add the above-mentioned production and household costs. Given all this, net profit can reach about 77 thousand rubles. The payback period in this case will be less than three months. It should be emphasized that all this will happen under ideal conditions, when all produced fuel pellets will be successfully sold.
If we talk about more expensive lines, then this period sometimes reaches a year. On the other hand, their advantage is that they are more durable and designed for long-term use. In this case, it makes no sense to even compare incomes with similar indicators of mini-factories.
Domestic Sales
Our country is now characterized by the appearance on the sale of inexpensive domestic boilers that use fuel pellets. In this regard, at first glance it may seem that there will be no problems with the sale of these products. It should be noted that there are certain difficulties in this matter. The fact is that now there are many wholesale warehouses that specialize in the sale of granular fuel. Moreover, many manufacturers have already managed to establish direct delivery directly to the consumer.
Sales Abroad
The pellet export market deserves special attention. In developed European countries, the consumption of this particular type of fuel is the most common.Boilers working on it are equipped with most of the municipal and private buildings, as well as industrial boiler rooms.
In this regard, the West European region is now considered the largest consumer of pellets. Currently, the share of domestic granular fuel in this market is very small. According to economists, over the next ten years, the need for this type of fuel can increase tenfold, which you can try to use.
