Wood Chip Dryer in South Africa

Raw Materials and Equipment Model Selection

South Africa's abundant forestry resources provide a steady supply of raw materials such as:

• Pine wood chips and sawdust from timber processing
• Eucalyptus residues
• Forestry plantation thinnings

The customer mainly processes pine wood chips, which have an initial moisture content of approximately 40-50%. For pellet production, these materials must be dried to about 10-12% moisture.

Based on the company's daily throughput and facility layout, the RICHI φ1.5*15 rotary dryer was recommended:

• Diameter: 1.5 meters
• Length: 15 meters
• Single-layer drum
• Drum speed adjustable from 3 to 12 rpm
• Air inlet temperature ranging between 400-500°C
• Outlet air temperature maintained between 70-80°C

This wood chip dryer in South Africa suits their drying capacity requirements, offering efficient moisture reduction and consistent product quality.

Role and Benefits of the Rotary Drum Dryer

For this South African biomass producer, the RICHI wood chip dryer serves a critical function:

• Efficient moisture reduction: Quickly and uniformly drying wood chips to the optimal level ensures better pellet durability and combustion quality.
• Increased throughput: Faster drying cycles help meet rising demand without compromising quality or causing production delays.
• Energy efficiency: The drum's heat transfer design maximizes fuel utilization, an important consideration given South Africa’s fluctuating energy prices.
• Operational reliability: The durable construction withstands abrasive wood particles and tough operating conditions common in biomass processing.
• Improved pellet quality: Consistently dried raw material leads to dense, high-quality pellets preferred by both local power plants and international customers.

Versatility and Additional Applications

While the main use is drying wood chips for pellet production, the wood chip dryer in South Africa can also process:

• Agricultural residues such as maize stalks or sugarcane bagasse for biomass pellets.
• Forestry waste including bark and sawdust.
• Animal feed ingredients that require moisture control before pelleting, offering potential business diversification.

This versatility of wood chip dryer in South Africa makes it an asset for customers looking to expand their biomass product portfolio.

Why Choose RICHI Machinery in South Africa?

RICHI Machinery stands out in the South African market for several reasons:

• Deep understanding of local biomass characteristics, offering equipment optimized for pine, eucalyptus, and other regional feedstocks.
• Strong local support network, ensuring timely maintenance, spare parts availability, and technical assistance.
• Proven rotary drum dryer technology known for low maintenance and long service life.
• Comprehensive biomass processing solutions, allowing clients to start with individual machines like wood shredders, rotary dryers, pellet mills, or pellet presses, and scale up when ready.
• Energy-conscious design helping customers reduce operational costs amid rising power tariffs.

Project Summary and Invitation

By selecting the RICHI φ1.5*15 wood chip dryer, this South African wood pellet producer overcame drying challenges, improved throughput, and elevated product quality—all critical to staying competitive in an evolving biomass market.

Their strategy of acquiring a standalone, high-efficiency rotary dryer rather than a full line shows a practical, phased investment approach that balances immediate production needs with long-term growth potential.

For biomass companies in South Africa aiming to optimize wood chip drying or explore related pelletizing technologies like wood pellet mills, pellet presses, and pelletizers, RICHI Machinery offers robust, energy-efficient, and reliable equipment solutions.

Get in touch with RICHI today to discuss how our wood chip dryers, rotary drum dryers, and biomass pellet machines can help you achieve operational excellence and sustainable growth.

This wood chip dryer in South Africa case demonstrates how RICHI Machinery supports South Africa’s biomass industry with durable, efficient drying equipment that boosts production quality and economic viability. Contact RICHI for expert advice tailored to your biomass pellet project.