MSC 85/26/Add.2 ANNEX 3 RESOLUTION MSC.268(85) - US Coast ...

MSC 85/26/Add.2ANNEX 3Page 320WOOD PELLETSDESCRIPTIONThe Wood Pellets are light blond to chocolate brown in colour; very hard and cannot be easilysquashed. Wood Pellets have a typical specific density between 1,100 to 1,700 kg/m 3 and a bulkdensity of 600 to 750 kg/m 3 . Wood Pellets are made of sawdust, planer shavings and other woodwaste such as bark coming out of the lumber manufacturing processes. Normally there are noadditives or binders blended into the pellet, unless specified. The raw material is fragmented,dried and extruded into pellet form. The raw material is compressed approximately 3.5 times andthe finished Wood Pellets typically have a moisture content of 4 to 8%. Wood Pellets are used asa fuel in district heating and electrical power generation as well as a fuel for small space heaterssuch as stoves and fireplaces.Wood Pellets are also used as animal bedding due to the absorption characteristics. Such WoodPellets typically have a moisture content of 8 to 10%.CHARACTERISTICSANGLE OF REPOSE BULK DENSITY (kg/m 3 ) STOWAGE FACTOR (m 3 /t)Approximately 30 degrees 600 to 750 1.4 to 1.6SIZE CLASS GROUPCylindrical with 3 to 12 mmDiameter: 10 to 20 mmMHBBHAZARDShipments may be subject to oxidation leading to depletion of oxygen and increase ofcarbon monoxide and carbon dioxide in cargo and communicating spaces.Swelling if exposed to moisture. Wood Pellets may ferment over time if moisture content isover 15% leading to generation of asphyxiating and flammable gases which may causespontaneous combustion.Handling of Wood Pellets may cause dust to develop. Risk of explosion at high dustconcentration.STOWAGE & SEGREGATIONSegregate as for class 4.1 materials.HOLD CLEANLINESSClean and dry as relevant to the hazards of the cargo.WEATHER PRECAUTIONSThis cargo shall be kept as dry as practicable. This cargo shall not be handled duringprecipitation. During handling of this cargo all non-working hatches of the cargo spaces intowhich this cargo is loaded or to be loaded shall be closed. There is a high risk of renewedoxygen depletion and carbon-monoxide formation in previously ventilated adjacent spaces aftersuch closure.I:\MSC\85\26-Add-2.doc