Segregating feedstuffs at industrial sites

In 1999, tests were carried out to establish the range for coefficients of variation for the feedstuffs considered the most heterogeneous on the market: laying hen feeds (Special Report No. 40). Up till then, feed homogeneity had only been studied at the level of plant output. This had made it impossible to establish a relationship […]

Determining the mean concentration of tracer in a batch of heterogeneous animal feed

During tests to assess the amount of carry-over in delivery trucks, it became apparent that the best approach would be to take a 200-kg sample with a heterogeneous distribution of tracer (Technical Datasheet No.49). One would expect that this heterogeneous sample would have to be homogenised with a mixer before testing it in order to […]

Laboratory methods for assessing the segregation of additives tested by Tecaliman

A methodology for assessing segregation may consist of a straightforward comparison of coefficients of variation before and after mechanical or pneumatic transfers (Friedrich and Jansen, 1974 – Tecaliman, 1996a – Wild, 1999). However, this must involve CVhomogeneity values as residual variations can, as usual, hide the actual effects of stimulated factors, and in this case, […]

Homogeneity of mixes – Summary of experimental dat obtained by Tecaliman

In addition to the data published in Special Report no. 41, the base data compiled by Tecaliman between 1993 and 2001 may form the basis for comparing future results. Over the course of the period up to 2001, Tecaliman conducted 364 assessments of tracer dispersion, under all conditions. These assessments were carried out as pilot […]

Effect of premixer or premix usage on feedstuff homogeneity

The animal feed industry makes widespread use of micro-ingredient premixers and premixes. Several authors have described the advantages of these techniques. Coelho (1994) considers that the main reason for using premixes is to optimise the dispersion of ingredients. Raghavan (1997) also considers that this rationale is one of the 4 main advantages of using premixes: […]

Result of the pilot tests on particle segregation by elutriation

The method used to assess the segregation of particles by elutriation was published in 2002 (Technical Datasheet No. 41). In short, this method consists in comparing the concentration of tracer above and below a sample that has been dropped in a column. The elutriation ratio defined by this method ranges from – 200 to + […]

Technical rules for assessing the level of carry-over between feedstuff batches

Industrial obligations allied with French and European regulations are driving feedstuff manufacturers to assess the level of carry-over on their production lines. These technical rules, which are recognised by several certification reference systems, can also be applied to manufacturers of mineral and additive premixes. These carry-overs consist of technically unavoidable traces of residual product in […]

Survey on coolers installed in livestock feed plants in France

To update the industrial data on the cooling sector in France, Tecaliman conducted a survey of all its correspondents in the profession during the first half of 2012. The questionnaire included 4 sections. The first concerned the technical characteristics of the coolers, the second, process ventilation, the third, the conditions of use of the processes […]

Effect of particle size on the energy efficiency of the Milling-Pelleting Pair

In bibliographical terms, Seeling and Wulff (1946), and Kumar (1973) describe 3 fundamental mechanisms of compression control: Slippage directly related to settling Elastic or plastic deformation Fragmentation This third point suggests that a product that is “too coarse” would be likely to increase the press power demand during its agglomeration. While several authors (Smith, 1962, […]