Electrostatic charging of animal feeds

The electrostatic charging of powders can initiate a range of behaviours of varying complexity and detectability, which can even sometimes appear rather unexpected. In the animal feed sector, electrostatic charging may to some extent explain various undesirable phenomena: • Carry-over • Electrical charging of facilities • Explosions The tests carried out jointly by Tecaliman and […]

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, […]

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: […]

Results of a 2005 inter-laboratory ring test on RF blue lake microtracer

Two years after the first ring test (i’Tec_H17) that followed the establishment of the new method for extracting and analysing RF-blue lake microtracer (i’Tec_H18), several animal feed research labs implemented this technique. Following on from the first study, and in agreement with Tecaliman’s supervisory board, a new ring test was set up to assess analysis […]

Measuring the angle of repose (flow) found in animal feed additives

Tecaliman carried out the first angle of repose measurement tests based on a technique described in standard NF T 73-008 (1978) that we refer to as the angle of repose (distribution). The results obtained using this method initially designed for powder and pellet surface agents demonstrated that the method was not suitable for use with […]

Concept of water content & water activity

The water activity concept came into common usage in the 1970s, gaining official recognition with its incorporation into Community regulations, with a special focus on meat products. It adds a thermodynamic (ability to react and diffuse) qualitative property to the concept of water quantity, but can still be used to identify, for instance, a product’s […]

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 […]