Wood pellets have become a popular renewable energy source in recent years, due to their numerous benefits and ease of use. These small, cylindrical pellets are made from compressed sawdust, wood chips, and other waste from the wood products industry. They can be burned in pellet stoves, boilers, and furnaces to produce heat for homes and businesses.
In this article, we will explore the benefits of using wood pellets as a renewable energy source and how to source them.
How Wood Pellets Are Made
Wood pellets for wood stoves are typically made from sawdust, wood shavings, and other waste products from the lumber and furniture industries. Here’s the basic process for making wood pellets:
- Raw Material Collection: The first step in making wood pellets is to collect the raw materials, such as sawdust and wood shavings. These materials are collected from sawmills, furniture manufacturers, and other wood processing facilities.
- Drying: The collected raw materials are then dried to remove excess moisture. This is important because high moisture content can lead to clumping and reduced energy efficiency when the pellets are burned.
- Grinding: Next, the dried raw materials are ground into small pieces. This helps to create a uniform consistency and make the materials easier to compress into pellets.
- Pelletizing: The ground raw materials are then fed into a pellet mill, where they are compressed and shaped into small, cylindrical pellets. The high pressure and heat generated during the pelletizing process cause the lignin in the wood fibers to melt and bind the pellets together, creating a strong and durable product.
- Cooling and Sizing: After the pellets are formed, they are cooled and sorted by size. Any pellets that do not meet the desired specifications are removed and may be recycled back into the process.
- Packaging: The final step is to package the wood pellets into bags or bulk containers for transportation and sale.
The process of making wood pellets is energy-efficient, as the heat generated during the pelletizing process can be captured and used to dry the raw materials or power the facility.
The use of waste wood as a raw material helps to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfills and contributes to a more sustainable and circular economy.
Wood Pellets Come From A Variety of Sources
Wood pellets are typically made from a variety of different types of wood, including:
- Softwoods: Softwoods, such as pine, spruce, and fir, are commonly used to make wood pellets. These types of wood are abundant and readily available, making them an economical choice for manufacturers.
- Hardwoods: Hardwoods, such as oak, maple, and cherry, are also used to make wood pellets. These types of wood are denser and contain more energy per unit of volume, but they are also more expensive.
- Waste Wood: Many manufacturers use waste wood, such as sawdust, wood shavings, and other residuals from the lumber and furniture industries, to make wood pellets. This helps to reduce waste and promote a more sustainable and circular economy and is the true definition of a renewable resource.
The specific type of wood used to make wood pellets can affect the heat output and combustion characteristics of the pellets.
Softwoods tend to burn more quickly and have a lower heat output compared to hardwoods, but they are also more economical and readily available.
Hardwoods have a higher heat output and burn more slowly, but they are also more expensive. The choice of wood will depend on the specific requirements of the user and the availability of materials.
Benefits of Wood Pellets as a Renewable Energy Source
- Renewable and Sustainable: Wood pellets are made from waste wood products and are considered a renewable energy source. By using waste wood as fuel, we can reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfills, while also reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.
- Efficient and Cost-Effective: Wood pellets are highly energy-dense, which means they produce a great deal of heat per unit of fuel certainly when compared to firewood. This makes them an efficient and cost-effective option for heating homes and businesses.
- Uniformity: Pellets are uniform in size and shape, which allows for more precise and consistent combustion in a pellet stove or furnace.
- Moisture resistant: The high pressure and heat generated during the pelletizing process cause the lignin in the wood fibers to melt and bind the pellets together, creating a tight, moisture-resistant seal. This helps to reduce moisture-related problems, such as clogging and decreased energy efficiency, that can occur with firewood.
- Low Emissions: Wood pellets produce lower emissions compared to traditional fossil fuels, such as coal and oil. This makes them a cleaner and more environmentally friendly option for heating.
- Convenient: Wood pellets are easy to store and transport, and they can be used in a variety of heating systems, including pellet stoves, pellet grills, boilers, and furnaces.
Sourcing Wood Pellets
Where can you find wood pellets? Here’s the best way to find them.
- Local Suppliers: One of the best ways to source wood pellets is through local suppliers. This way, you can ensure that the pellets you are using are made from sustainable and renewable sources.
- Online Retailers: Another option is to purchase wood pellets online from retailers that specialize in renewable energy products. This is a convenient option if you do not have a local supplier in your area.
- Wood Products Industry: Finally, you can source wood pellets directly from the wood products industry. Many companies that produce wood products also produce wood pellets as a byproduct, and they may be willing to sell them to you directly.
You Can Burn Wood Pellets In A Regular Fireplace But…
Wood pellets can be burned in a traditional fireplace, but it requires a special insert that is specifically designed for burning pellets. These inserts are equipped with a hopper for storing the pellets, a feed system for supplying the pellets to the fire, and a fan for circulating the air. Without these features, it can be difficult to get the pellets to ignite and burn properly in a traditional fireplace.
In contrast, pellet stoves are specifically designed for burning wood pellets and are typically much more efficient and convenient than traditional fireplaces. Pellet stoves have an automated feed system that continuously supplies pellets to the fire, eliminating the need for manual refueling. They also have a fan that circulates the hot air, improving the heat distribution and efficiency of the stove.
So while it is possible to burn wood pellets in a traditional fireplace with a special insert, it is generally more efficient and convenient to use a pellet stove, which is specifically designed for this purpose.
Final thoughts
The use of wood pellets as a renewable energy source has many benefits and is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly option for heating homes and businesses. Whether you purchase them from local suppliers, online retailers, or the wood products industry, it is important to ensure that the pellets you use are made from sustainable and renewable sources.
While both wood pellets and firewood have their advantages and disadvantages, wood pellets are generally considered to be more efficient and to produce more heat compared to firewood. However, the specific choice of fuel will depend on personal preference, local availability, and the heating requirements of the user.
Check out my article called Why A Pellet Stove Won’t Help In A Power Outage to learn more about how pellet stoves work in case it’s a heating option that might make sense for you.