Pellet mill controller with automatic setting of start values

A method for a pellet mill controller to determine an initial steam valve position and an initial feeder speed for starting up a pellet mill comprising the steps of:

• determining a steam valve run position and a feeder run speed based on the valve position and feeder speed measured aS the pellet mill is running as desired, said steam valve.run position and feeder run speed corresponding to a desired steam flow and feed rate;
• and
• calculating an initial steam valve position and an initial feeder speed by determining their values corresponding to a fixed percentage of the feed rate and steam flow provided to the pellet mill as said pellet mill runs as desired.

In a pellet mill controller for controlling the input of steam through a steam valve and feed by a feeder into a pellet mill, the improvement comprising:

• means for determining a steam valve run position and a feeder run speed based on the valve position and feeder speed measured as the pellet mill is running as desired, said steam valve position and feeder speed corresponding to a desired steam flow and feed input;
• and
• means for calculating an initial steam valve position and an initial feeder speed by determining their values corresponding to a fixed percentage of the feed and steam provided to the pellet mill as said pellet mill runs as desired.