Design and Fabrication of a Dual Powered Mini Pelletizer

Abstract

Wood pellets are compressed wood particles that are used as fuel. Pellets are gaining popularity and are commonly used in some areas of India owing to the cost effectiveness. One of the major reasons is the increase in the cost of primary fuels and concerns about global climate change. For research and development work and for the production of small quantities of pellets for specific applications, it is important to have a low-cost apparatus or machine for making pellets. The paper discusses the local design and manufacturing of a dual-mode pelletizing machine. It can be powered either electrically or manually. Therefore, it can be used by both rural as well as urban dwellers. It can be a backup in conditions of power failure, and can also prove a boon in rural areas where there is no electricity. The objective of this work was to analyze, design and fabricate a model for a Dual Mode Pelletizing Machine which would be used for production of pellets on small scale and can be powered by either electrical motor or human pedaling. The Pelletizing Machine was designed, fabricated and experiments were performed to obtain pellets from sawdust, powered by electric motor as well as human pedaling.