Straw Peanut Shells Pellet Production Line in Nigeria

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Project Background

Nigeria produces millions of tons of agricultural residues annually, including rice straw, peanut shells, maize stalks, and cassava peels. However, much of these residues remain underutilized or are burned, causing environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

The client for this project is a medium-sized Nigerian agro-processing enterprise with expertise in biomass utilization. Their goal was to establish a straw and peanut shells pellet production line in Nigeria to:

1. Convert local agricultural waste into high-density biomass fuel pellets.
2. Supply pellets for domestic heating, small-scale industrial boilers, and potential export to neighboring countries.
3. Promote sustainable agricultural residue management and environmental protection.

By using a mix of straw, peanut shells, and wood residues, the project ensures a balanced feedstock blend with favorable pellet quality, calorific value, and low ash content, which is crucial for local power generation and industrial applications.

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Raw Materials

Nigeria’s agricultural landscape provides an abundant supply of residues. For this project, raw materials were selected based on availability, moisture content, and energy density. These materials are stored in a dedicated raw material yard to ensure continuous supply.

The project’s raw materials and annual consumption are summarized below:

Notes:

• All raw materials are procured externally and transported by trucks to the production site.
• Moisture content is closely monitored to ensure efficient pelletizing and optimal calorific value.

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Production Equipment

The straw and peanut shells pellet production line in Nigeria utilizes advanced biomass processing equipment designed for high efficiency and low emissions. Equipment selection was guided by the expected production capacity of 10–12 t/h, operational reliability, and maintenance convenience.

Major Production Equipment

Auxiliary and Utility Systems

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Production Process

The straw and peanut shells pellet production line in Nigeria follows a streamlined straw and peanut shells pellet production process, designed for operational efficiency and environmental compliance.

1. Raw Material Handling

• Agricultural residues arrive by truck and are unloaded into the raw material yard.
• Materials are categorized as bulk or block form.

2. Screening and Grinding

• Large and non-conforming residues are screened out.
• Block materials are sent to the grinder for size reduction.
• Fine materials bypass grinding and proceed to the drying stage.

3. Drying

• Moisture content of some incoming materials may exceed 15–20%.
• The electric drying furnace reduces moisture to an optimal range of 10–15% for pelletizing.

4. Pelletizing

• The peanut shell straw pellet machine generates high-density biomass pellets.
• Internal heating raises material temperature up to 350°C, ensuring smooth, crack-free pellets.
• Temperature settings are optimized for each raw material type through on-site trial runs.

5. Cooling

• Pressed pellets (55–70°C) are cooled via air cooling system to stabilize size and moisture before packaging.

6. Packaging and Storage

• Cooled pellets are packed and stored in a warehouse ready for distribution.

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Environmental Management

The straw and peanut shells pellet production line in Nigeria project integrates a comprehensive environmental management plan covering air, water, noise, and solid waste.

1. Wastewater Management

• Main wastewater: domestic sewage.
• Project water consumption: 175 m³/year.
• Wastewater production: 140 m³/year.
• Pollutant concentrations (COD, SS, NH3-N, TP, TN) are within local regulatory limits.
• Wastewater is treated in septic tanks before discharge to municipal sewage systems.

2. Air Emissions

• Major emissions: dust from screening, grinding, and pelletizing (~30 t/a).
• Dust is captured via collecting hoods (95% efficiency) and bag filters (98% efficiency).
• Exhaust released via 20m high stacks; uncollected dust settles in closed plant and is periodically swept (1.2 t/a).

3. Noise Control

4. Solid Waste Management

• Dust from bag filters reused in pellet production (29.13 t/a).
• Domestic waste: 0.7 t/a, collected by municipal services.
• No hazardous solid waste is generated; zero emissions achieved.

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Labor and Operation

Total workforce: 30 people, operating in three 8-hour shifts.

Annual operation: 350 days, 24 hours per day, 8,400 hours.

Employees trained in safety, environmental compliance, and operational standards.

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Project Significance and Country Potential

Nigeria has significant agricultural output, generating millions of tons of residues annually. These residues are underutilized, and converting them into biomass pellets offers:

1. Environmental benefits: Reduced burning of agricultural waste, lower greenhouse gas emissions.
2. Energy security: Local biomass pellets can replace imported fuels in small industries.
3. Economic opportunity: Pellet sales for industrial and domestic use, potential regional exports.

The straw and peanut shells pellet production line in Nigeria exemplifies a sustainable, economically viable biomass energy project. RICHI Machinery’s engineering expertise ensures high-quality equipment, efficient design, and reliable operation, making it a strategic partner for biomass pellet production in Africa.

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Conclusion

This biomass pellet project demonstrates how straw and peanut shells pellet production lines in Nigeria can convert local agricultural residues into high-value biomass fuel. With a robust production capacity of 10–12 t/h and an annual output of 100,000 tons, the project balances operational efficiency, environmental protection, and economic feasibility.

Investing in such production lines in Nigeria is a timely opportunity, leveraging abundant local raw materials, reducing environmental pollution, and generating sustainable energy resources. RICHI Machinery provides complete solutions, including equipment supply, engineering design, and operational support, making it a trusted partner for biomass pellet projects in Africa.