Specialists from Kuban State Technological University (KubGTU) have developed a method for producing pellets from grape pomace. The invention can be used in the fuel industry and for communal and household needs, ensuring the utilization of plant waste from wineries.
The technology includes several stages. Winery waste is crushed, then the resulting mass is pressed through a die to form granules, after which they are cooled and cut into cylindrical pellets. The peculiarity of the method is that the solid fraction remaining after aqueous vacuum extraction of grape pomace is used as raw material.
The application of the new technology reduces the environmental burden associated with the disposal of wine industry waste. In addition, the resulting pellets have improved consumer properties compared to traditional types of fuel pellets. The development can be useful for wineries, which will receive an additional source of income from processing their own waste, as well as for fuel pellet manufacturers interested in using alternative raw materials.