Pellet Plant Maintenance

Pellet Plant Maintenance Tips

Maintaining Optimum Loads
Operators must learn that variables occur during the run of pellet plant and, therefore, machine attention is essential. In theory, there is no final adjustment on a pellet mill. To achieve maximum capacity and produce the highest quality pellets, the ammeter, thermometer and hot pellet temperature must be constantly monitored. Listed below are some of the items that cause variations during the run.
1. Bin hang up
2. Material bridging in the surge bin
3. Return of fines from sieve
4. Electric current fluctuation
A. Over feeding
B. Oversized material feeding
5. Steam accumulation within the pelletizing chamber
Steam ventilation failure
6. Moisture variation
7. Lubricating intermittent cease

 

Adequate control accessories must provided if the operator is expected to run at maximum capacity and high quality. However, when control accessories are provided, a maintenance program should be established to ensure no malfunctioning. Some of the control accessories that can be provided are:
1. Bin level alarm: Light or audible alarm is activated when bin is running empty.
2. Solenoid valves: Installed on cooler and bins if there is an interruption of feed flow.
3. Tachometers: Installed on feeder screw to indicate RPM to check capacity rates.
4. Overload controls: Installed with shear pin and time-delay relay to shut off pellet mill, conditioner and feeder motor when main drive motor goes into overload condition. When overload condition no longer exists, time delays will start conditioner motor, feeder motor and liquid addition in proper sequence.
6. Cooler controls: Automatic depth of burden controller with level detectors to ensure maximum bed depth.
7. On-site emergency stop system for each machine and for the entire pellet plant as a whole.

 

Link to Pellet Mill
 
Housekeeping
The environment that the operator works in will have an influence on his attitude towards production and quality. The work area and machines should be painted, clean and well-lighted.
It is the duty of the operator to keep his work area and machines clean.
1. Brush down pellet mill once per day or more often if conditions warrant.
2. Keep area around pellet mills clean. Sweep after each choke. Dispose of waste.
3. Scraper doors and front of gearbox once per day.
4. Clean feed chutes as often as necessary.
5. Conditioner cleaned once per week.
6. Feeder cleaned once per week.
7. Check cleanliness of coolers once per shift.
8. Operator to lubricate pellet mill per manufacturer’s recommendations.
9. Check shear pins to make sure they are installed correctly.
10. Clean magnetic separators at least once per day.
11. Check grease pump.
12. Report any machine problems to supervisors.
13. Check knives for sharpness.
14. Check roller adjustment and adjust when necessary.
15. Exercise good die change practices.

Pellet mill is the main equipment in manufacturing process for pellet plant or hearts of complete wood pellet production line. The right use of a pellet mill affects pellet plants' economic benefits directly, so how to use and maintain pellet mills properly is a big task of pellet plants for improving the production efficiency. Proper use and maintenance for pellet mills will reduce hidden danger of having faults, prolong its service life, decrease maintaining expenses and increase benefits for enterprises. 

How to Use and Maintain Pellet Mill Properly?
1. Add oil to the transmission parts at regular time. All the transmission part should be lubricated in a fixed time to ensure a long service time.
2. Change the lubricating oil of gearbox at regular time to lengthen the useful life. 
3. Monthly inspection of the pellet machine spare parts is also required which includes roller, die, gear and bearings. If you find something wrong with those parts, you should replace them instantly. You should also check if some connected parts are loose. 
4. Prohibit overload production. Overloading can cause great damage to both the reduction gear and motor, so it must be avoided. Once happens, you should repair or change the broken parts in time.  
5. After utilizing the pellet machine, you should take out the roller and wash it very carefully, then put it back after cleaning and get ready for the next use. If the pellet machine is not regularly used, you should make sure the pellet mill is well-preserved: clean the pellet machine, coat the surface with antirust oil, and then cover it with tarpaulin. Besides, the pellet machine needs to be placed in a clean and dry atmosphere. The acid as well as other mordant air should be avoided.  
6. Please read the operation instructions carefully before starting the pellet mill, and follow the professional technicians reasonable guidance. Once the malfunction happens, you should immediately shut down for inspection and maintenance. 

In addition, maintenance of the motor in pellet plant should be noticed as well. Proper maintenance of the motor can improve the production efficiency of pellet plant and prolong the service life of the equipment. At the same time, it can avoid the occurrence of some faults. Then, how to maintain the motor of pellet plant? First, the operator need to pay attention to the sound and vibration situation of motor at work. If the motor works normally, the sound is not the same with the abnormal working. If there is anything abnormal, the operator need to check and repair immediately.
Second, maintain the working environment of main motor and the control module. Keep the pellet plant working in a dry and antirust environment and prevent electric leakage.
Third, deratization work should be made near the pellet plant. Since the mouse may get the wire gnawed, influencing the work of pellet plant.

KMEC is one of the leading suppliers of biomass pellet plant in china. We have more than 10 years exporting experience about the biomass machinery. And chose us, you will get a trustworthy partner. The quality of our products and service are A-class.