How does a hydraulic sawdust briquette press work?

Jan 19, 2026

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Charcoal briquette presses can be broadly categorized into two types based on their processing principle: screw extrusion briquette machines and hydraulic extrusion briquette machines. Among these, screw extrusion briquette machines, due to their high efficiency and wide applicability to raw materials, hold over 80% of the market share and are the mainstream model. The core working principle of a screw extrusion press briquette machine is "screw pushing + heating softening + high-pressure molding": Pre-treated raw materials enter the feed inlet and are gradually pushed into the narrow molding cavity by the rotation of the screw shaft. An external heating device controls the temperature at 160-200℃, softening and melting the lignin in the raw material to form a natural binder. Simultaneously, the screw shaft continuously applies pressure, extruding the raw material into a dense rod shape, which is then extruded from the molding sleeve and cut into finished products of a set length by a cutter. The entire process is continuous and highly efficient, with a single machine's hourly output reaching 50-500 kg.

The hydraulic biomass briquette press uses an intermittent hydraulic press principle, generating high pressure through a hydraulic system to force the raw material into a molding die. It requires no continuous heating and is suitable for processing raw materials with slightly higher moisture content (10%-14%) or low fiber content, such as peanut shells and rice husks. Its advantages include low equipment wear and uniform finished product density. Its disadvantage is low production efficiency, with a single machine's hourly output typically between 50-200 kg, making it suitable for small-batch processing. Furthermore, based on raw material compatibility, briquette machines can be categorized into wood chip briquette machines, straw briquette machines, and multi-functional biomass briquette machines. Multi-functional models are compatible with multiple raw materials, offer better cost-effectiveness, and are the mainstream choice in the market.

The operating points of a hydraulic briquette maker are similar to those of a wood pellet machine, both focusing on raw material pretreatment and equipment debugging. However, the briquette maker has a higher operating threshold. First, raw material pretreatment is crucial. The particle size must be 2-5mm, and the moisture content 8%-12%. This can be achieved through a combination of a crusher, dryer, and screen. Excessive moisture content requires drying, while insufficient moisture requires a small amount of water spray to adjust; otherwise, molding difficulties or cracking of the finished product may occur. Second, equipment debugging is essential. Before starting the machine, check the gap between the auger shaft and the forming sleeve to ensure there is no jamming. Preheat the heating device to the set temperature (160-200℃) before feeding. During production, the finished product's condition must be monitored in real time. If the surface is rough, adjust the heating temperature or the raw material moisture content. If jamming occurs, stop the machine immediately for cleaning to prevent equipment damage.

Compared to wood pellet mills, wood chip briquette presses require stricter temperature control. Excessive heating temperature will cause carbonization of the raw material, while insufficient lignin softening will result in poor finished product molding. Wood pellet mills do not require forced heating and focus more on adjusting the gap between the pressure roller and the die, making them easier to operate.