Biomass processing

A method of producing biomass pellets, the method comprising the steps of

• receiving biomass pieces in a sizing stage,
• processing the biomass pieces in the sizing stage to reduce their average size,
• driving off moisture from the biomass in a drying stage, and
• compressing the biomass to form pellets in a pelletizing stage, wherein, after the drying stage, there is no further active reduction in the average size of the biomass pieces,
• wherein the sizing stage comprises two distinct sizing stages, and prior to a first one of the sizing stages, biomass is introduced to a first screening stage where sand and other non-biomass particulates are removed, pieces of biomass that are already sufficiently small to be dried are also separated out and sent to a drier, biomass pieces that are not screened out at said first screening stage are processed at the first one of the sizing stages by a green hammer mill, the biomass pieces exiting the first sizing stage are subjected to a second screening stage and pieces that are sufficiently small are separated and sent to the drier and larger pieces are subjected to a second one of the sizing stages and are then sent to the drier.