Why Water Works – Shaping durable pellets in biomass agglomeration

Every year, close to a billion tons of animal feed and wood residues are pressed into pellets. Converting loose powders like grains and wood chips into strong, durable pellets creates several industrial challenges. The mixture must flow quickly and smoothly through the machine but must stick together firmly at the end. My research shows why water is so important in this process.

During pelleting, water (mainly added as steam) controls how heat spreads and if/how ingredients bond. We discovered that some of this water moves into the small gap between the ingredients and the metal die of the pellet press. This thin water layer has a major effect on friction inside the die. Too little friction prevents proper bonding. Too much friction reduces production capacity.

By understanding these interactions, this research helps improve pellet quality, reduce energy consumption, and prevent production problems.