Introduction To Feed Pelleting

Plan Of Talk
 What is pelleting?
 Steps of pelleting
 Purpose of pelleting
 Advantages of pelleted feed
 Terms used in pelleting

What Is Pelleting?
Pelleted feeds have been defined as “agglomerated feeds
formed by extruding individual ingredients or mixtures by
compacting and forcing through die openings by any mechanical
process”
The process of producing feed pellets can roughly be described
as a plastic molding operation of the extrusion type.

Steps Of Pelleting
1. Selecting feed ingredients
– They are various compounds such as proteins, acids, sugars, fibers,
and minerals.
– They are usually stored in bins above a weighing system which is
composed of one or more scales.
– Feed ingredients which have coarse texture, such as whole grains and
other fibrous materials, are ground into a fine meal to facilitate the
pelleting and mixing process.
– Weighted quantities of each ingredient (either as a batch or
continuously) are thoroughly mixed (either in a batch mixer of a
continuous flow mixing unit) and then conveyed to a bin above the
pellet mill.

Cont. …
2. Conditioning
– These products are softened (conditioned) by the addition of heat
and water.
3. Compression
– When sufficiently controlled compression is applied to the
“conditioned” feed ingredients, they will form a dense mass, shaped
to conform to the die against which they are pressed.
4. Cooling and drying
– When the heat and moisture are withdrawn (dried and cooled) as to
withstand moderately rough handling without excessive breakage
and has retained or enhanced its nutritive value.

The Purpose of Pelleting
The purpose of pelleting is to take feed materials that are:
– Finely divided
– Sometimes dusty
– Unpalatable
– Difficult-to-handle
and, by using heat, moisture and pressure, form it into larger
particles that are:
– Easier to handle
– More palatable
– Usually result in improved feeding results when compared to the
unpelleted feed.

Advantages Of Pelleted Feed
1. The heat generated in conditioning and pelleting make the
feedstuffs more digestible by breaking down the starches.
2. The pellet simply puts the feed in a concentrated form.
3. Pelleting minimizes waste during the eating process.
4. When pelleted feed is fed, each animal receives a well-
balanced diet by preventing the animal from picking and
choosing between ingredients.

Cont. …
5. Tests have shown that most animals, if given the choice
between the same feed in pellet or mash form will prefer the
pellets.
6. By combining moisture, heat and pressure on feed
ingredients, a degree of gelatinization is produced which
allows animals and poultry to better utilize the nutrients in
these ingredients.
7. Feed conversion will be improved.

Cont. …
8. Pelleting prevents the segregation of ingredients in a mixing,
handling or feeding process.
9. By feeding a pelleted feed, the animal is more apt to receive a
totally mixed ration than one that has separated through these
processes.
10. It also prevents waste.
11. Bulk density is increased, which enhances storage capabilities of
most bulk facilities.
12. Shipping facilities are also increased, thereby reducing
transportation costs. This is particularly evident in such fibrous
ingredients as alfalfa, gluten feed, oat hulls, rice, bran, etc..

Terms Used in Pelleting
The following terms are often used to measure the efficiency
and quality of pellet mill operation.

Friction
 It is the difference in temperature of the feed entering the
pellet mill die and the pellet being discharged from the die.
 The difference reflects the mechanical energy required to
produce a pellet.

Cont. …
There are several inherent factors that can affect friction:
1. Moisture addition to the feed ingredients.
– The amount of moisture (steam and/or wet molasses and/or water)
added should cease when the friction plateaus.
– Moisture added beyond this point will cause the pellets to
disintegrate and not increase production or quality.
2. Conditioning.
3. Ground screen size of feed ingredients.
4. Physical properties of the feed ingredients, such as minerals,
water soluble ingredients and fiber content.

Die Size
3/16” x 2”
Die Speed - 316 RPM

Cont. …
 Other factors relating to friction are die size in terms of hole
diameter and thickness.
 High friction (over 30°F) results in reduced die and roller life,
as well as increased bearing and gear maintenance.

Fines
 Fines are the materials that result from pellets disintegrating
due to poor quality or mechanical attrition.
 Fines are:
1. Function of moisture and high friction or
2. Oversized feed ingredient particles or
3. Poor conditioning.

Shrinkage
 Shrinkage is the loss of weight of the original feed ingredient
after pelleting.
 This loss is basically due to lack of moisture addition and high
friction.
 High levels of friction due to lack of moisture addition results
in higher pellet temperature entering the cooler; and thus,
more moisture is “flashed off”.

Cont. …
 Basically, the break-even point is 2% moisture addition;
therefore,
– Anything less than 2% moisture addition results in shrink.
– On the other hand, over 2% moisture addition will result in a gain.
 Normally, of the gain exceeds 1.5% of the pellets will
disintegrate.
 Other factors that enhance gain are wet molasses and water
additions.

Introduction To Feed Pelleting

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