MANUFACTURING AND IDENTIFYING THE OPTIMUM OPERATING PARAMETERS OF A LOCAL PELLET MILL MACHINE TO PRODUCE AQUATIC FEED

Kaddour, U.; Elmetwalli, A. H

doi:10.21608/mjae.2015.98681

MANUFACTURING AND IDENTIFYING THE OPTIMUM OPERATING PARAMETERS OF A LOCAL PELLET MILL MACHINE TO PRODUCE AQUATIC FEED

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

U. Kaddour ¹
A. H Elmetwalli ²

¹ Assoc. Prof. Agric. Eng., Dept. Eng. Sci., Fac. of Fish Res., Swiss Univ., Egypt

² Assis. Prof., Agric. Eng. Dept., Fac. of Agric., Tanta Univ., Egypt.

10.21608/mjae.2015.98681

Abstract

This research aimed to evaluate and identify the optimum processing parameters of a locally manufactured flat die pellet mill machine to produce high quality aquatic feed pellets at a minimum cost. The machine includes mixing and pelleting the formula in one step. The study examined the influence of feeding rate, roller speed, and rollers teeth width on pellets quality indicators (pelleting efficiency, pellets durability). The operating parameters under this study were roller speed (155, 185, 215 and 230 rpm), machine feeding rate (200,300,400 and 500 kg/h) and roller teeth width (6 and 10 mm). The results demonstrated that the optimum pelleting efficiency and pellets durability of 94.8 % and 87.5% were obtained at 215 rpm roller speed and 400 kg/h feeding rate with 10mm teeth width. The best pellets water stability of 90% obtained after 15 min at 215 rpm roller speed, 400 kg/h feeding rate and rollers teeth width of 10 mm. These optimum values were chosen according to the production rate low energy consumption and cost of unit mass. It can be concluded from the obtained results that roller speed, roller teeth width and feeding rate are among the most interacting process variables affecting pellets durability, consumed energy, pelleting efficiency and pellets water stability.

References

Abdel Wahab, M. K.; M. A. Tawfik; A. M. El Shal and Y. A. El Hussiny (2011). Factors affecting the performance of aquatic feeds flat die pelleting machine. Misr J. Agric. Eng., 28(1): 129-148.

Kaddour, U.A.K.; T.R. Awes and H.A. El-Gendy (2005). A study on the effect of steam lock in extrudes pelleting machine to produce the floating fish feed pellets. The 13th Annual Conference of Misr Society of Agricultural Engineering. Misr J. Agric. Eng., 22 (4): 266-293.

Kaliyan, N. and R.V. Morey (2009). Factors affecting the strength and durability of densified products. Biomass and bioenergy, 33(3): 337-359.

Lundblad, K.K.; J.D. Hancock, K.C. Behnke and E. presstlokken; L.J. McKinney and M. Sorensen (2009). The effect of adding water into the mixer on pelleting efficiency and pellet quality in diets for finishing pigs without and with use of an expander. Anim. feed Sci. Technol., 150 (3-4): 295-302.

Serrano, C.; E. Monedero; M. Laupuerta and H. Portero (2011). Effect of moisture content, particle size and pine addition on quality parameters of barley straw pellets. Fuel proc. Tech., 92: 699-706.

Sokhansani, S.;S. Mani; X.T. Bi; P. Zaini and L. Tabil (2005). Binderless pelletization of biomass. ASAE Paper No. 056061. St. Joseph, Mich: ASABE.

Thomas, M.; D. Zuilichem, J. Van Poel, and A.F.B. Vander (1997). Physical quality of pelleted animal feed. Animal Feed Science and Technology: Vol. 64: 173-192

Tumuluru, J.S. (2014). Effect of process variables on the density and durability of the pellets made from high moisture corn stover. Bio. Sys. Eng. 119: 44-57.