0.3–0.5 T/H Rice Husk Pellet Making Machine in Sri Lanka

Customer Profile and Motivation

The client in this project is a mid-sized rice milling enterprise based in the Puttalam district. This rice mill processes approximately 50–70 tons of paddy daily during peak season. The company’s management sought a practical, cost-effective solution to deal with the growing volume of rice husks.

Their primary goals for purchasing the single rice husk pelletizer were:

• Cost-effective energy production: They wanted to produce fuel pellets for their own boilers and dryers to reduce reliance on imported coal or firewood.
• Revenue generation: By selling surplus pellets to nearby brick kilns, bakeries, and small industries, the mill could create a new income stream.
• Waste management: Transforming rice husks into pellets provides a sustainable solution for managing byproducts efficiently.
• Test-run before expansion: Starting with a single machine allowed the mill to gauge the feasibility of pellet production without a significant upfront investment.

Unlike full husk biomass pellet production lines, a single rice husk pellet press is simpler to operate, requires less maintenance, and allows the mill to integrate pellet production with its existing milling operations.

Raw Materials and Pellet Specifications

In Sri Lanka, the rice husk used for pellet production is primarily 100% rice husk, sourced directly from the milling process. Occasionally, small amounts of sawdust from local carpentry workshops are mixed in to slightly improve pellet density and calorific value, but this remains minimal—less than 5% of the feedstock. The mill opted for pellets sized at 6 mm in diameter, balancing combustion efficiency, ash content, and suitability for local boiler systems.

The pellets produced are designed mainly as biomass fuel pellets, although they could also be used in small-scale animal bedding or industrial applications where low-cost, high-density biomass is needed.

Equipment Selection: Model and Parameters

Based on the production needs and electricity availability in Sri Lanka, the customer chose the MZLH350 rice husk pellet making machine. This model offers a practical combination of production capacity, robustness, and energy efficiency. Key technical specifications include:

This capacity is appropriate for a mid-sized rice mill in Sri Lanka, allowing daily production of approximately 2.5–4 tons of fuel pellets with 8-hour operation. The MZLH350 was chosen over smaller models (MZLH320) because of its better handling of slightly higher moisture content in the husks during monsoon harvests. Larger models (MZLH420 and above) would exceed the mill’s current scale, increasing energy consumption unnecessarily.

Shipping and Delivery

Sri Lanka is an island nation with several major ports, including the Port of Colombo, which is the primary gateway for importing industrial machinery. The RICHI rice husk pellet machine in this project was shipped directly from China via sea freight to Colombo port. From there, RICHI coordinated inland transportation to the mill’s facility in Puttalam, ensuring safe handling and timely delivery.

RICHI also managed customs clearance, logistics, and local coordination, making the process seamless for the customer.

Installation and Training

RICHI provided professional guidance for installation and commissioning:

• Foundation preparation: The pellet machine was installed on a reinforced concrete base to ensure stability.
• Power connection: Electrical setup was adapted to the local grid and voltage requirements.
• Feeding and compression adjustments: Rollers and the ring die were fine-tuned for uniform 6 mm pellet production.
• Operator training: Staff received hands-on training for machine operation, daily maintenance, troubleshooting, and safety procedures.

The training ensured the mill could start production immediately and maintain optimal pellet quality consistently.

Application and Market Use

The rice husk pellets produced serve multiple purposes:

• Internal energy supply: The mill uses pellets to fuel boilers for rice drying, reducing dependence on firewood and imported coal.
• Local sales: Surplus pellets are sold to small brick kilns, bakeries, and biomass energy initiatives.
• Future export potential: Due to proximity to southern India, there is interest in selling biomass fuel to cross-border clients.

By converting husks into pellets, the mill effectively addresses waste management, creates an environmentally friendly fuel source, and generates new revenue streams.

Advantages of the RICHI Rice Husk Pellet Making Machine

The customer identified several key benefits of choosing RICHI Machinery:

• Durability: The machine’s wear-resistant components are suitable for abrasive rice husks.
• Energy efficiency: MZLH350 rice husk pellet machine delivers substantial output with moderate energy consumption.
• Flexible pellet size: Pellets can range from 4 mm to 12 mm, catering to different applications.
• Comprehensive support: RICHI provides installation guidance, training, and spare parts availability.
• Scalable solution: The single machine can be integrated into larger production systems in the future.

These advantages convinced the mill that RICHI equipment is a reliable and long-term solution for rice husk pellet production.

Technical Insights: How the Pellet Machine Works

The rice husk pelletizer compresses loose husks into dense pellets using a ring die and roller system. The process includes:

1. Feeding: Husks are supplied through anti-caking and forced feeders.
2. Compression: Rollers press husks through the ring die under high pressure.
3. Pellet formation: Compressed husks exit the die as uniform cylindrical pellets.
4. Optional cooling: Pellets can be cooled to prevent deformation during storage or packaging.

This method increases the energy density of rice husks, reduces storage volume, and produces a product suitable for commercial fuel applications.

Future Plans and Expansion

The mill plans to expand its operations in several ways:

• Adding a small dryer to handle wetter husks during monsoon months.
• Installing cooling and packaging systems to enhance product shelf life and marketability.
• Exploring regional sales partnerships across the North Western and North Central provinces.

In the long term, if pellet demand grows, the mill may upgrade to MZLH420 or MZLH520 rice husk pellet mills to increase production capacity to 1–2 T/H.

Conclusion

This project demonstrates how a medium-sized rice mill in Sri Lanka can transform agricultural waste into a profitable, environmentally friendly fuel product. A single rice husk pellet making machine in Sri Lanka allows the mill to:

• Reduce waste management issues
• Produce sustainable fuel for internal use
• Generate new revenue from pellet sales
• Test the feasibility of pellet production before committing to larger-scale operations

RICHI Machinery provides durable, energy-efficient, and versatile equipment, supported by professional guidance, installation support, and training. The company’s expertise ensures that clients can reliably turn rice husks into high-value fuel pellets.

For anyone considering rice husk pellet making machines in Sri Lanka, RICHI Machinery offers tailored solutions, high-quality machines, and expert service to help rice mills maximize the value of their agricultural byproducts.