Quality Pellet Test
As stated quality pellets should have moisture content below 10% and be mechanically strong with a
good density. The simplest way to test pellet quality is to place a pellet in a glass of water, if the pellet
sinks to the bottom the pellet has a high density, and was formed under sufficient pressure. However if
the pellet floats it will be a poorer quality pellet with a lower density, lower mechanical durability and
more likely to crumble and produce fines. The second test is to take a vessel, which can hold at least 1
litre of water and weight it. Fill the container to the top with pellets and weigh again, now fill the
container with water and weigh. Deduct the weight of the container from both measurements, and
then divide the weight of the pellets by the weight water. For quality pellets the results should be
between 0.6 and 07.kg/litre, the figure may also be referred to as the pellets specific gravity. Specific
gravity is a crucial indicator that the pellets were produced under the correct pressure. Poor quality
pellets for example with a specific gravity under 0.6 will break/crumble easily and produce excessive
fines. Fines can cause issues with pellet burners and also produce more fly ash and smoke.