Factors affecting particle quality

There are many factors affecting particle quality, mainly including the following five aspects:

1. Formulation.

The effect of the formulation is most likely to be about 40%. Some raw materials are easy to be made into particles, and some raw materials are not easy to be made into particles, so formula is crucial to particle quality. However, the cost of raw materials accounts for about 80% of the total cost, so the decision of formula is closely related to the price of feed. The addition of oil in the powder can increase the output and reduce the power consumption, but the proportion of the addition cannot exceed 3% in general, otherwise the particles will be too loose or not easy to form particles.

2. Powder particle size

The influence of particle size is about 20%. The power particle size of the powder or the inclusion of other large raw materials has a bad effect on the granulation efficiency and quality. It is generally recommended that the ideal particle size distribution of livestock and poultry feed is as follows:

Above 3mm -------- -- not more than 1%. (less is better)

Above 2mm -------- -- not more than 5%.

Above 1mm -------- about 20%.

Above 0.5mm -------- about 30%.

Above 0.25mm -------- about 24%.

Less than 0.25 -------- at least 20%

If you want to produce small particles or aquatic feed requires a finer particle size of the powder.

3. Quenched and tempered

The influence of tempering is about 20%. The quantity of steam is 3~5% (supersaturated steam must be added). It can increase the temperature of the material by 33 to 55degrees centigrade, and it will improve the production and the quality of the pellets, which will reduce the friction of the material, reduce the wear, and extend the service life of the rings.

4. The properties of the ring die

The influence of ring die properties accounted for about 15%. In which the aperture ratio of die hole is the most important factor. In addition to, die hole smoothness, hole rate, ring die speed and die, roller gap also has a certain impact. In general, the aperture ratio of ring die holes is as follows:

Livestock and poultry feed: 1:8~12

Aquatic product material:1:14~16

Prawn material:1:18~24

5. Other factors

Other factors accounted for about 5%. The most important factor is cooling. When it is not processed well in cooling, the surface of hot particles will be cracked by cold wind, thus causing defects. The counter-flow cooler greatly improves the situation, as long as the appropriate choice of cooling air volume and time, will achieve satisfactory results.

The above factors affect each other, where 60 % of them are produced before the quenched and tempered, by proper conditioning, it is possible to partly overcome the effects of particle size or formulation inappropriateness, so as to produce a qualified product.