Material Overview
Wood chips and sawdust are by-products generated in large quantities by sawmills, furniture factories, panel plants, and wood-processing facilities. Compared with raw logs, these materials already feature a reduced and more uniform particle size, typically below 30 mm, which significantly lowers the requirement for primary size reduction.
In industrial applications, the moisture content of wood chips and sawdust usually ranges from 10% to 50%, depending on storage conditions, processing methods, and wood species. This wide moisture variation makes controlled drying a key factor in ensuring stable pellet production.
These materials are widely available in regions with developed wood-processing industries, including Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, and parts of South America. Due to their stable supply and consistent characteristics, wood chips and sawdust are among the most commonly used feedstocks in commercial wood pellet plants.
Pellets produced from sawdust and wood chips typically achieve a calorific value of 16–19 MJ/kg (approximately 3,800–4,500 kcal/kg), depending on wood species, moisture control, and pellet density.
Recommended Process Flow
Wood Chips / Sawdust → Screening → Grinding (Re-crush if over-size) → Drying (if > 15 % moisture) → Pelletizing → Cooling → Packaging
Key Equipment Configuration
Screening Unit
Removes over-size chips to protect downstream equipment.
Hammer Mill
Further reduces particle size to below 10 mm for stable pellet formation.
Rotary Drum Dryer
Reduces moisture content to the pelletizing range (typically 10–15%) when raw material is wet.
Pellet Machine
Core equipment that compresses material into dense, high-quality biomass pellets.
Counterflow Cooler
Gradually cools hot pellets to improve durability and storage stability.
Packing Machine
Enables small bag or ton bag packaging according to market requirements.
Why This Solution Works
The raw stream arrives already chipped and relatively dry, so the high-energy chipping stage is eliminated. A short screening and hammer-milling cycle produces uniform < 10 mm feed, and the rotary dryer is bypassed when moisture is within the 10–15 % window. The short, soft fibres compress easily, allowing the pellet mill to run smoothly, consume less power and still deliver dense, durable pellets that store and handle well.
Processing Notes & Technical Considerations
Keep inlet moisture < 50 % to avoid dryer overload.
Final particle size must be < 10 mm before entering the pellet mill.
Excess moisture will lower hourly output and reduce pellet durability.
Uniform feeding improves pellet density and machine stability.
End Product & Applications
Pellets made from wood chips and sawdust are widely used in industrial boilers, CHP systems, and residential heating markets. Their uniform quality and predictable energy performance make them suitable for both domestic use and international trade. Data Reference & Industry Sources
The data and industry insights presented on this page are derived from publications and reports by Bioenergy Europe, FAO, IEA Bioenergy, and global wood pellet market studies.
