ACO online moisture measurement for biomass

Compressing wood before measurement | Photo: ACO Automation Components

A significant proportion of the biomass industry already uses ACO’s online moisture measurement system in pellet production.

Examples of ACO measuring positions in pellet production:

• Material delivery:
  Even in the higher moisture ranges, online moisture measurement can be used at the acceptance of wood chips or sawdust as raw material, providing reliable readings for the rest of the process.
• Drying:
  Measuring the moisture content before and after using the dryer can significantly improve dryer control, increase efficiency, and reduce costs in the most energy-intensive production process.
• Hammer mill:
  The dried material is usually shredded and conditioned in a paddle mixer before being stored temporarily in a maturing container. The moisture content after conditioning is critical for subsequent palletisation.
• In front of the pellet mill:
  Measuring the moisture content before pellet pressing determines whether the sawdust has reached optimum moisture levels. If not, water can be added to adjust it accordingly. Using dry sawdust in the pellet press can decrease production output, significantly increase wear to the press, and cause blockages or damage to the die. High moisture content in sawdust results in low-quality pellets that are unsuitable for use as fuel. Therefore, measuring the moisture content before pressing ensures that the pellet press operates with minimal wear and guarantees the quality of the final pellets.
• After the pellet mill;
  The moisture content of the pressed pellets can be measured after cooling to ensure quality.

ACO offers a wide selection of online moisture measurement devices with various mounting kits. These offer several advantages when processing sawdust, wood chips, pellets, and other biomass. Precisely controlling the moisture content can increase efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance product quality.