Design Proposal of a Prototype for Sawdust Pellet Manufacturing through Simulation

J C Paredes-Rojas,A I Flores Vela,C R Torres San Miguel,D Palma Ramírez,C De La Cruz Alejo,B Bravo-Díaz

doi:10.1155/2020/9565394

J C Paredes-Rojas, A I Flores Vela + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/9565394

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Abstract

Mexican industry generates tons of organic wastes that are not used and cause social, environmental, and health problems. The main organic residue which is generated during wood production is the sawdust (biomass). In order to reduce the problems generated by its waste, a prototype to manufacture biofuel pellets was designed by considering a flat die pelletizing machine according to the standard EN 14961-2. The machine design consists of stainless steel 304 and carbon steel to produce pellets of 6 mm and 30 mm in diameter and length, respectively, at 50–100 rpm. The matrix types proposed were radial, spiral, and hexagonal. In order to be constructed quickly, the design is standardized. Results from finite-element analysis indicate that it is possible to manufacture pellets from 50 to 1000 PSI (344.7 kPa to 6894.7 kPa) with this design complying with the standard.

Highlights

Is research is focused on the design and analysis of a flat die compaction machine to produce pellets from sawdust biomass
® obtained from Solidworks software of the pellets machine is observed in Figure 1, and it is composed by a bearing system of 140 mm and 80 mm in length and diameter, respectively. is system has a bearing connector at the ends adjusted by high-pressure screws; it is important to mention that the bearing has an adjusting guide, which regulates the work pressure
A flat die type-pelletizing machine was designed based on the European standard EN 14961-2 and the CENT/TS 14691 standard (European Certification for solid biofuels). is machine was designed in stainless steel 304 and carbon steel, a production of 30 to 60 kg/hr for a pellet of 6 mm in diameter and 30 mm in length; three types of matrix were designed: radial, spiral, and hexagonal; these were compared through simulating for better pellet production. e design was validated through the finiteelement method at the three types of matrix and physical compaction tests were performed at different pressures: 50, 100, 500, and 1000 PSI (344.7, 689.4, 3447.38, and 6894.7 kPa)

Summary

Introduction

Is research is focused on the design and analysis of a flat die compaction machine to produce pellets from sawdust biomass. En, the main aim of this work was to design and compare the radial, spiral, and hexagonal matrixes to simulate a better pellet production through finite-element analysis.

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Results

Conclusion