Effect of preconditioning and die thickness on pelleting of livestock feed

Résumé fourni par la source

Pelleting has been identified as a means of improving animal performance by limiting selective feeding of livestock. However, it is a complex process that has a number of input variables that must be routinely monitored and adjusted. The interaction between the operational parameters may also give more knowledge of the process. In this study, a screw-type livestock feed pelleting machine was designed and fabricated having a maximum throughput of 0.43 kg/min. Using a full factorial design with three levels of die thickness (5, 7 and 9 mm) and two preconditioners (water and cassava starch), average density of pellets produced was greater than 1g/cm3 For the determination of the density and pellet length, and consequently the durability, the die thickness, plasticiser and interaction of die thickness with plasticiser were significant (p < 0.05). Using starch as preconditioner and increasing the die thickness improved the durability of pellets.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.