Pelletizing / Aggregating Ash and Char

[thecontrolguy]

I am looking to be able to pelletize wood ash and char (or otherwise make the materials into small compact pieces) so that I can either incorporate the ash/char into the compost windrows that I manage with a tractor loader, or spread it with a simple rotary slinger attached to the back of the tractor. I intend to spread this onto grazing and hay fields as an organic amendment and PH control. As it comes out of the furnace (and the gassifier at work) it is a very light ash that crumbles to flour-like powder upon being handled. I can not efficiently handle this on my ranch. I need to compact the materials into pellets or balls that are no more than about .10 - .30 inches dia. and firm enough to be able to be shoveled, bucketed, or augered into the slinger to be spread on the field. We are often windy here and I have tried handling the ash straight, but it blows into a vile storm. Any experience with industrial / commercial processes in this field or any rough ideas? I have looked at small rotating press wood pelletizers, but the abrasiveness of the ash and the cost of annual (or sooner) replacement of the die and rotating wheels is a little daunting. Thanks for any help.

 

[BulldogAcres]

I would mix it with water and spray it onto your fields.

 

[JustWood]

Looks like you have bovine. Why not mix it with manure and spread it.

 

[thecontrolguy]

Looks like you have bovine. Why not mix it with manure and spread it.

Yup, bovine and equine. Maybe some sheep in the future. Anyway, I tried the 'mixing' and you could see the the dust plume a few kilometers away. I would also like to be able to spread the ash at different times than the composted manure. Operational, needs, anyway. I am interested in the concept of screw or piston extruding, like how they make pasta, but there does not seem to be any specific examples of what is required for ash-like materials. I know a binder is needed, and that might be just water, but the pressures and mechanics are where I am hung up. Thanks.

 

[DaveBP]

I am interested in the concept of screw or piston extruding, like how they make pasta, but there does not seem to be any specific examples of what is required for ash-like materials. I know a binder is needed, and that might be just water, but the pressures and mechanics are where I am hung up. Thanks.

Something as corrosive as wood ash would require some kind of stainless mill, I would think. Unless you were fanatical about rinsing and drying it out after every use?

 

[JustWood]

Looks like you have bovine. Why not mix it with manure and spread it.

Yup, bovine and equine. Maybe some sheep in the future. Anyway, I tried the 'mixing' and you could see the the dust plume a few kilometers away. I would also like to be able to spread the ash at different times than the composted manure. Operational, needs, anyway. I am interested in the concept of screw or piston extruding, like how they make pasta, but there does not seem to be any specific examples of what is required for ash-like materials. I know a binder is needed, and that might be just water, but the pressures and mechanics are where I am hung up. Thanks.

Are you set on pelletizing the ash? Seems like alot of overhead for the payback.
Why not buy a slurry spreader and mix with water when loading.

 

[thecontrolguy]

Looks like you have bovine. Why not mix it with manure and spread it.

Yup, bovine and equine. Maybe some sheep in the future. Anyway, I tried the 'mixing' and you could see the the dust plume a few kilometers away. I would also like to be able to spread the ash at different times than the composted manure. Operational, needs, anyway. I am interested in the concept of screw or piston extruding, like how they make pasta, but there does not seem to be any specific examples of what is required for ash-like materials. I know a binder is needed, and that might be just water, but the pressures and mechanics are where I am hung up. Thanks.

Are you set on pelletizing the ash? Seems like alot of overhead for the payback.
Why not buy a slurry spreader and mix with water when loading.

Okay, I'll look in to that also. Lots of sprayers / tanks available. Thanks.