Method for manufacturing feed pellets and a plant for use in the implementation of the method
AssigneeNutreco Aquaculture Research Centre AS
InventorsOdd Geir Oddsen, Harald Skjorshammer, Fred Hirth Thorsen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for manufacturing feed pellets, and a plant for the implementation of this method have been explained. The aim has been to improve the manufacturing of porous pellets, first and foremost to achieve a better control of the porosity of the pellets than the known techniques. The pellets come from a pelletizing machine (1) into a pellet chamber (3) which is kept at a pressure lower than the ambient pressure. From the chamber (3) the pellets are passed through an outlet (5) having a gate lock body (6).
Claims14
A method for manufacturing feed pellets having an initial pore volume and fat content said method comprising:
- A. extruding pellets from a feed material within a pellet extruder having a discharge nozzle;
- B. exposing said extruded pellets to a first pressure lower than ambient pressure immediately subsequent to said extruding step, said exposure to said first pressure occurring in a pellet chamber downstream from said discharge nozzle, whereby said pellets expand and increase said pore volume;
- C. drying said pellets exposed to said pressure;
- and
- D. subsequently adding oil to said pellets to increase said fat content for said pellets.
A plant for manufacturing feed pellets said plant comprising:
- A. a pelletizing machine constructed and arranged for shaping said pellets;
- B. a pellet chamber adjacent to and downstream from said pelletizing machine, said pellet chamber having an outlet, said pellet chamber being constructed and arranged to expose said pellets to a pressure lower than ambient pressure;
- and
- C. a tank containing oil, said tank being in communication with said outlet, said tank comprising a deep-frying container, said tank being constructed and arranged to expose said pellets to a second pressure lower than ambient pressure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.