What are Wood Pellets?

Wood pellets are a type of renewable, biomass fuel made from compacted sawdust, wood shavings, and other waste wood materials. They are produced in a variety of sizes and shapes, but the most common type is a cylindrical shape about the size of a pencil eraser.

The Production of Wood Pellets

The production begins with the collection of waste wood materials from sawmills, furniture manufacturers, and other sources. These materials are then ground into a fine sawdust and dried to reduce their moisture content. The dried sawdust is then compressed under high pressure to form the pellets. The heat generated by the compression process causes the lignin in the wood to melt, which acts as a natural glue holding the pellets together.

Benefits of Using Wood Pellets

It has several advantages over other types of fuel. They are renewable and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions than fossil fuels. They are also more energy-dense than firewood, meaning that they produce more heat per unit of volume. Additionally, they are easy to store and transport, and they burn cleanly with minimal ash and emissions.

 Standards and Certifications

There are several organizations that set standards and certifications for wood pellets to ensure their quality and sustainability. In North America, the most common certification is the Pellet Fuels Institute (PFI) Standard. In Europe, the most common certification is the European Standard ENplus. These certifications ensure that the pellets meet certain standards for moisture content, ash content, and energy content.

Conclusion

They are a versatile and sustainable source of energy that can be used for heating homes and businesses. They offer many advantages over traditional fossil fuels, including lower greenhouse gas emissions, higher energy density, and easy storage and transportation. With the use of certifications such as PFI Standard and ENplus, consumers can be assured that they are purchasing high-quality and sustainable pellets.