For pellets on the fast lane

Drying systems for the biomass industry have earned Stela Laxhuber, Massing/DE, an excellent reputation. Ever since the company has installed the first particle drying facility in 2002, 150 plants were put into operation worldwide. The most recent projects that Stela Laxhuber embarked upon make CEO Thomas Laxhuber particularly proud.


On the way to the big time

SIA Graanul Pellets headquartered in Tallinn/EE started out with pellets production just ten years ago. To begin with, two productions in Imavere/EE and Alytus/LT were put into operation in 2005. Meanwhile, SIA Graanul Pellets has six plants.

The most recent one was started in 2012 in Incukalns/LV. Its production capacity is 180,000 tons/yr, according to the company. For the project, Stela Laxhuber delivered two belt dryers BT 1/6200-49.5 which were installed in parallel. Wood particles are dried from a moisture content of 50% down to about 10%. After that, the particles are processed into pellets. The drying process utilizes the heat from the cogeneration plant, the warm air is generated by a warm water exchanger. According to company specifications, output power is 14.1 tons/hr. The start-up of the plant is scheduled for this summer.

The production capacity of SIA Graanul Pellets is about 820,000 tons/yr. Stela Laxhuber has indicated that it will increase the capacity by 25% which would make the company the largest European pellet manufacturer. "SIA Graanul Pellets is well on its way to become one of the world's largest pellet manufacturers", says Laxhuber who is proud to have made a key contribution towards that end.

Off to Canada

In the fall a new Stela Laxhuber line will start operating in Merritt/CA. The low-temperature belt dryer BT 1/6200-19.5 is destined for Diacarbon Energy, Vancouver/CA. The dryer brings the mixture of sawdust and wood chips from 50% down to about 10% residual moisture – at an output rate of 5.5 tons/hr.

"This plant uses flue gases directly as a drying medium. For that, we have developed a new concept", explains Laxhuber the particularity of this project. The fumes produced during torrefaction Stela Laxhuber uses as waste heat for drying the sawdust and wood chips. Hot flue gases of 280°C mix with fresh air until a drying temperature of 120°C is reached. The product to be dried is spread out on the drying belt by a standard double-lead screw and exits it at the other end via a discharge screw.
Since the flue gas has a low sulfur content, the belt dryer is built entirely of stainless steel to prevent corrosion. Like all other standard installations of Stela Laxhuber, this line has been designed to run 8,000 operating hours a year. "An identical Stela-system has also been in operation at Lafarge Cement in Poland since summer", Laxhuber explains in conclusion.

Stela Laxhuber

Established: 1922
Location: Massing/DE
Managing Director: Thomas Laxhuber
Employees: 140
Product range: Drying technology
Installations: worldwide