Abstract
Cooling is an important process during the production of pellets (as post-treatment). The pellet cooling process significantly impacts the quality of the pellets produced and the systematic use of energy. However, the cooling systems currently in use sometimes encounter technical problems, such as clogging of the perforated grids (sieves), the discharge hopper, or pellet degradation may occur. Therefore, a prototype of a new pellet cooling system using a vibrating feeder was tested. The aim of the study is to present a new variation of pellet cooling system using spiral vibration cooler as a possible solution next to a counterflow cooler. The presented system was tested (critically evaluated and discussed) in two design variants. The first variant consists in cooling by chaotic movement of the pellets. The second is then in combination with the chaotic movement of the pellets together with the action of intense air flow using specially placed air hoses. All tests involved pelletization of rapeseed straw. It was found that both cooling system variants could, realistically, be used. However, the variant with an intense air flow was more energy-intensive, a factor which is, however, offset by the higher quality of the pellets. No negative impact of vibrations to pellets quality was occur. Studies provide insight into new usable technologies that do not reduce the efficiency of the process as a result of grate clogging.
Highlights
Received: 28 May 2021Accepted: 15 June 2021Published: 17 June 2021Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.The entire technological process of pellet production consists of several consecutive, energy-intensive sub-operations
A new system of cooling pellets on a spiral vibrating feeder was built in two design variants and practically tested
The first variant consists in cooling by chaotic movement of the pellets
Summary
Received: 28 May 2021Accepted: 15 June 2021Published: 17 June 2021Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.The entire technological process of pellet production consists of several consecutive, energy-intensive sub-operations (see Figure 1). The presence of moisture affects the densification of biomass It allows the formation of interparticle bonds, lowers the glassification temperature of lignin, starch and gluten, affects the cooling phase and, last but not least, the calorific value of the final products [2,3,4]. This is followed by drying as the first pre-treatment process [5,6]. This is followed by crushing to an optimal particle size distribution [8,9,10]
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