RICHI MACHINERY has initiated a 4 T/H peanut shell pellet production project in central Argentina, aiming to convert peanut processing residues into renewable energy pellets for local industries.

Industry Context and Market Potential

Argentina is a major producer of peanuts, generating large quantities of shells that traditionally have limited economic value. With rising energy costs, pelletized biomass from peanut shells presents an attractive fuel alternative for boilers in food processing and manufacturing.

The customer sought a robust, continuous pellet production solution capable of handling fibrous, low-density shells while producing high-density pellets suitable for industrial combustion.

Raw Material and Technical Considerations

Peanut shells have long fibers and low natural lignin content, requiring careful compression to maintain pellet integrity. Abrasive dust is also a concern, so the pellet mill and associated feeding equipment must resist wear while minimizing maintenance downtime.

Equipment Layout and Production Process

RICHI supplied a comprehensive system including:

• Pre-crusher and hopper feeding
• Hammer mill for size reduction
• Rotary dryer for moisture adjustment
• High-pressure MZLH series pellet mill
• Counterflow cooler
• Screening and bagging units

Pelletizing parameters were optimized for peanut shells, ensuring density above 600 kg/m³ and moisture below 10%.

Installation and Commissioning

Equipment manufacturing was completed in January 2026, with shipment to Argentina in February. RICHI engineers will oversee installation and commissioning in March, targeting stable production within one month.

Regional Impact and Sustainability

The project enables efficient reuse of agricultural waste, provides renewable fuel to nearby industries, and reduces environmental impact. It highlights RICHI’s ability to adapt pelletizing solutions to diverse biomass residues.