3–4 T/H Paper Extruder Machine in France

Start with the Cement Customer's Fuel Specification

The proposed 12 mm diameter is a trial specification. It is not automatically suitable for every kiln burner. Pellet length, density, moisture and breakdown behaviour must match the receiving, conveying and combustion equipment.

The cement operator determines the permitted feeding point. A calciner or another suitable alternative-fuel system may have different requirements from the main burner. Whole pellets could require additional preparation before feeding, depending on the installation. Acceptance requires confirmation by the cement plant and relevant equipment suppliers.

The fuel specification should cover net calorific value, ash, chlorine and other relevant contaminants, alongside physical properties. Pelletizing cannot remove mineral fillers or undesirable chemical constituents. Regular sampling protects both the fuel producer’s delivery contract and the cement plant’s operating conditions.

Compare Fuels by Delivered Energy

Fuel substitution is calculated from measured net calorific values on the same reporting basis. For illustration, one tonne of pellets at an assumed 15 MJ/kg contains 15 GJ, equivalent in energy to 600 kg of coal at an assumed 25 MJ/kg. Actual coal displacement also depends on the kiln heat balance and operating conditions.

The commercial assessment includes material preparation, electricity, wear parts, labour, transport and the receiving contract. Neither free paper supply nor payment from the cement plant is assumed.

The Fuel Contract Defines the Paper Stream

The feedstock is a non-hazardous paper-based fraction that cannot enter material recycling under the applicable conditions. Recoverable paper and cardboard remain in the recycling stream. This distinction matters in France, where solid recovered fuels are prepared for energy recovery but retain their waste status.

Incoming loads need traceable sources and checks for plastics, metals, mineral contamination and moisture. Paper coatings and fillers affect ash and fuel chemistry. Hazardous contamination and unidentified mixed waste fall outside this application specification.

The starting preparation target is mostly 3–6 mm paper fragments, with a 12–15% moisture trial window on a wet basis. These are proposed test conditions, not universal limits for every paper grade. A shredder producing long strips may need a further size-reduction stage. Wet pulp rejects or paper sludge require a separate dewatering and drying assessment before this dry-feed process could be considered.

If a dry paper grade needs water addition, the dose is mixed evenly and checked before pressing. Wet loads need drying capacity; a larger press cannot provide that preparation step.

Two MZLH520 Presses Working in Parallel

The machines compress prepared fibres through ring-die holes using rollers, then cut the emerging material into short pellets. This is mechanical paper densification. The equipment does not use the polymer-melting process associated with a plastic screw extruder.

Separate feeders allow the operator to balance the load between the presses. One machine can run when supply is limited or the other is undergoing maintenance, but available production then falls accordingly. Both machines are needed for the combined planning duty.

The main feeding challenge is the paper’s low bulk density and tendency to bridge. Stable volumetric delivery matters as much as motor size. Die geometry, moisture adjustment and feeder settings are established with representative material rather than assumed from a wood-pellet recipe.

Build Annual Output from Productive Running Hours

The planning schedule allows seven productive hours within an eight-hour operating shift, leaving time for routine cleaning, checks and handover. At 3 T/H over 250 operating days, the calculated annual pressed output is 5,250 tonnes. Cooling losses, screenings and rejected batches must be accounted for before stating delivered fuel tonnage.

This schedule requires a matching supply of prepared paper throughout the year. Supplier contracts therefore need to describe usable material after sorting, not simply the gross weight collected. Seasonal moisture changes, rejected loads and any reprocessed fines also affect the balance.

The two presses give operating flexibility, while the upstream preparation and downstream cooling stages must support their simultaneous operation. Installing a second press does not increase output if both depend on an undersized shredder, feeder or cooler.

From Press Discharge to Shipment

Fresh pellets need controlled cooling before storage. Screening removes loose fines, with suitable material returned through measured reprocessing. Return material counts towards machine loading and cannot be counted again as new production.

Bulk density and fines are measured after representative conveying and loading. These results show whether densification provides the expected transport and dosing benefit. The product should not be described as dust-free. Dust extraction, housekeeping, temperature monitoring and appropriate fire and explosion protection form part of the installation assessment.

Staffing provision allows two production positions per operating shift for press supervision and material handling, with shared loading, maintenance and laboratory support. The proposed electrical basis is 400 V, 50 Hz, three phase, confirmed against the site supply. Starting capacity and the loads from shredding, cooling, extraction and conveying are assessed in addition to the 273 kW listed for the presses.

Installation planning covers foundations, service access, feeder connections and pellet discharge. Shipment can be arranged from Qingdao to Le Havre, followed by inland delivery, with packing and lifting requirements confirmed from the final assembly drawings.

A quotation for a paper extruder machine in France should start with the paper composition, moisture, available tonnes per week and the cement customer’s written fuel specification. RICHI Machinery can use these details to propose material trials, select the dies and feeders, and identify the equipment that can be reused around the two presses.