Peanut Shell Pellet Plant in Nigeria

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Project Overview

The 2 t/h peanut shell pellet plant in Nigeria is a medium‑capacity biomass pellet facility. Its main purpose is to convert locally collected peanut shells into uniform pellets — 10 mm in diameter and in lengths of 60 mm, 90 mm, or 120 mm — suitable for combustion in industrial boilers, masonry heaters, and medium‑scale power systems.

From initial concept to production readiness, the project prioritized:

• Simple, robust workflow that handles peanut shells directly (no drying needed due to low initial moisture)
• Environmental compliance with Nigerian regulations for particulate emissions and dust control
• Low operating cost, with minimal water requirement and small labor force
• Efficient use of existing infrastructure, reducing civil work cost

The client selected this configuration after a series of consultations that started in early 2024. They wanted a self‑contained biomass pellet production line that could be expanded later if demand increases.

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Why Nigeria? Project Background

When we first visited the client’s site near Kano State, it was obvious why a pellet project made sense. The landscape was dotted with small peanut processing units. During harvest months, shell piles exceeded what farmers could easily dispose of. Local industries — bakeries, small factories, textile workshops — were buying diesel and kerosene at high prices for boilers. Yet, biomass from peanut shells sat idle.

The investor’s real concerns were simple:

• “Can we build a plant that runs reliably night shifts with a small crew?”
• “How do we control dust from shell handling?”
• “What sort of market are pellets going to have around here?”

Our team walked through raw material sampling, moisture tests, and pellet quality trials. The peanut shells came in with ~8–15 % moisture and sizes that didn’t require initial drying — a major cost advantage. After technical evaluations, we proposed a 2 t/h peanut shell pellet plant in Nigeria, designed to match the estimated raw material flow from local suppliers.

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Site Selection and Layout

The peanut shell pellet plant in Nigeria stands on about 1,560 m² of industrial land near a secondary road used for agricultural trucks. The site already had a basic warehouse structure, which the client adapted as the production workshop to keep costs low.

The layout optimizes material flow: trucks deliver peanut shells to the raw material storage, then a series of conveyors and pellet equipment move material through production and finally to the finished product warehouse.

Building and Space Summary

Most structures were already in place or lightly upgraded. The production workshop and raw material warehouse remain separate to reduce dust crossover and improve ventilation.

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Raw Materials

In Nigeria’s northern farming districts, peanut shells are abundant post‑harvest (October–January). They are collected, sometimes baled, then brought to the site. Peanut shells require minimal pretreatment because their moisture content at harvest is low.

Annual Raw Material Usage

The client does not supplement with straw or sawdust; peanut shells alone provide a consistent feed with good binding in the biomass pellet press.

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Production Line Equipment

The pallet line was sized to handle 2 t/h throughput. The equipment list is practical and cost‑conscious — suitable for a medium enterprise.

This configuration reflects the essence of the environmental report you provided, preserving real equipment counts and production steps.

Estimated equipment cost: US $65,000

The machinery is assembled into a single production line that feeds material from storage, compresses it into pellets, then screens and dispatches finished products.

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Water and Utilities

This peanut shell pellet plant in Nigeria relies on very little water. Peanut shells have low moisture, and the process does not include drying. Water is needed for occasional moisture adjustment (based on shell consistency) and for staff use.

• Production water use: ~0.05 m³ per ton of product
• Daily water for plant: ~1.0–1.5 m³ (mixing, cleaning)
• Source: On‑site borehole or municipal connection (depending on site)

Electricity is supplied via local grid connections. For pelletizing and dust systems, power needs are moderate — typical for small industrial plants.

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Production Process and Insights

The 2 t/h peanut shell pellet plant in Nigeria follows a straightforward process:

1. Material Delivery & Inspection
   Peanut shells arrive and are inspected. Large debris is manually removed. Trucks are covered where possible to prevent dust escape.
2. Feeding & Conveying
   Shells are fed via a closed conveyor to the pellet feeding hopper. A light mixer ensures any minor moisture adjustment is uniform.
3. Pelletizing (Mechanical Compression)
   The core of the plant — three pellet presses compress material into 10 mm diameter pellets. This step squeezes out air and increases density.
4. Cooling & Screening
   Hot pellets come off the presses and are naturally cooled as they travel to the screening station. Oversized bits are returned to presses.
5. Packaging & Storage
   Packaged into 1‑ton bulk bags, ready for shipment or storage.

Field observation: The first few batches required slight adjustment in feed moisture and press settings — common when switching from straw or mixed biomass to peanut shells. Over time, operators learned the nuances: shells pack differently from wood, and the press settings had to be tweaked to reduce fines.

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Environmental Measures

Air quality and dust control were key concerns. Peanut shells produce fine dust when conveyed and compressed, so proper controls were critical.

• Raw Material Storage: Covered and partly enclosed to reduce windblown dust
• Dust Collection: A baghouse with ducting captures dust from pelletizing and screening
• Exhaust Stack: A 15 m high outlet disperses filtered air away from ground level
• Noise Control: Machines mounted with vibration pads; enclosures around noisy presses
• Waste Management: Dust collected by filters is reused in production; municipal services handle staff waste

These measures align with Nigeria’s industrial environmental norms and avoid nuisance complaints from nearby communities.

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Labor and Work Schedule

• Staff: 5 full‑time operators
• Work Regime: One shift, 8 hours per day
• Working Days: 300 days/year

The peanut shell pellet plant in Nigeria often runs at night since peak electricity tariffs are lower then. Night operation practices were developed early in commissioning and have become standard.

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Timeline & Implementation

• Initial consultation & feasibility: March 2024
• Design & equipment selection: April–June 2024
• Manufacturing & delivery: July–October 2024
• Installation & commissioning: November–December 2024
• Operational start: January 2025

Equipment was shipped from Qingdao Port, China, and arrived at Lagos Port, Nigeria by sea. Local trucking brought it to the plant site.

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Cost & Investment Snapshot

• Equipment supply: $65,000
• Installation & commissioning: $40,000
• Environmental controls: $15,000
• Total investment: ~$120,000

These figures match typical pellet plant investments in similar contexts — modest and tailored for smaller producers.

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Market Outlook in Nigeria

Nigeria’s biomass pellet demand is emerging. Industries with boilers are seeking alternatives to diesel and kerosene. Peanut shell pellets offer:

• Lower cost per energy unit compared to fossil fuels
• High calorific value (~16–18 MJ/kg)
• Reduced particulate emissions vs. open biomass burning

Local industries such as bakeries, rice mills, and textiles show interest in switching to biomass pellets. With government interest in renewable energy and rural employment, this pellet line stands as a viable model for small enterprise growth.

The 2 t/h peanut shell pellet plant in Nigeria is not just a processing unit — it’s a bridge between traditional agricultural waste and a growing clean energy economy.

As the engineers working on this biomass pellet project would tell you in person: “You don’t just buy machines. You learn the raw material.” The first few tons of pellets taught us how Nigerian peanut shells behave — and that’s why the line runs smoothly now. This case shows that with proper planning and realistic expectations, even modest biomass resources can fuel real production and local energy solutions.