The improvement of hog fuel by removing fines, using a trommel screen

• The performance of a mechanical screening device on hogfuel was analyzed.
• Different feedstocks were used: discarded pallets, logs and branches from pruning.
• Screening hogfuel from pallets was less productive than from logs and branches.
• Screening increased fuel quality only when applied to pallet-derived hogfuel.

The study tested the use of a trommel screen originally designed for compost materials to reject oversize particles from hog fuel, processed from several sources and by two different comminution devices. The experiment consisted in screening material previously comminuted by a convertible crusher, designed to use both hammers and knives. Three different feedstock types were used, and namely: discarded pallets, logs and branches from park maintenance. Each feedstock type came in two different qualities, depending on the tool used for comminution, i.e. hammers or knives. Trommel screen productivity varied between 4.2 t h−1, and 5.2 t h−1 of oven dry material. Screening hog fuel derived from pallets was 30% and 40% less productive than screening fuel derived from logs and branches, respectively. Screening cost varied from 16.2 € t−1 dry material in the case of branches, to 19.9 € t−1 oven dry material for pallets. Screening allowed an increase of fuel quality only when applied to pallet-derived hog fuel.