What is an extruder?
The most popular type of aggregate is a screw extruder, so it will be about it. The extruder is equipped with a screw, which moves the grain along the body. As a result of this process, the raw materials are subject to pressure, it is heated to a temperature of 180 ° C and acquires the necessary consistency and uniformity.
Before giving a clear definition of the equipment and answering the question "What is an extruder?", We will describe how the idea itself appeared. Even 100 years ago, farmers in America, Germany and England were looking for a machine that would disinfect the grain, making it as useful and easy to digest. The first idea of the extruder appeared back in 1930, but the purpose was different: cover the electrical wires with insulation. The machine was used to soften the material and give it a certain shape. The raw materials were heat treated, which resulted in the idea of using a miracle machine in the field of agriculture, where the grain is constantly exposed to the fungus and eaten by insects. Since 1959, the fodder extruder has been successfully used in agriculture and agro-industrial complex.
Extruder device:
- All feed extruders consist of the following elements:
- The body;
- Working unit (screw or piston, disk);
- Feed unit;
- drive unit;
- Additional elements for mass shaping;
- Control and measuring, regulating devices.
The most popular type of aggregate is a screw extruder, so it will be about it. The extruder is equipped with a screw, which moves the grain along the body. As a result of this process, the raw materials are subject to pressure, it is heated to a temperature of 180 ° C and acquires the necessary consistency and uniformity.
The production of extruders began to gain mass popularity. The equipment was used both in the food and light industries, almost every company found the unit application.
Grain extruder:
The grain extruder has its adherents in the face of farmers, entrepreneurs, truckers, because the equipment has solved many tasks:
Disinfection of grain spoiled by a fungus and insects.
Production of feed, which is 90% absorbed by animals.
Manufacturing of universal food for all kinds of domestic animals.
Elimination of problems with over-consumption and storage of feed.
Reducing the cost of purchasing raw materials.
So, the device of grain extruder allows to load grain of different fractions and hardness: millet, wheat, corn (corn cob), hay, rye, oats, etc.
Grain undergoes a short-term heat treatment at 110-180 ° C, at which all pathogenic microorganisms are destroyed. Under the influence of heat and pressure (about 50 atm) there is an "explosion" as a result of which the raw material "foams". At the outlet, cooling takes place and the foamed mass freezes in a form that can be set with special nozzles with holes.
Statistics and application effectiveness
After the principle of the extruder is more or less clear, you can go to the indicators of statistics and efficiency at the enterprises where the equipment is used.
The obtained extruded compound feed is assimilated to animals by 90-95%.
In 1.5-2 times the risk of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in animals is reduced.
The productivity of products (milk yield, egg production of poultry) is increased by 20-40%.
The extruder for mixed fodders allows to reduce expenses for purchase of raw materials by 30-40%.
The production of mixed fodders with a certain composition allows us to launch our small production and sell the remaining raw materials to other entrepreneurs.
A feed extruder can be used for different animals and birds: cows, horses, goats and sheep, rabbits, chickens, geese and ducks, turkeys. Equipment is purchased for unusual types of farms: ostrich, fish, fur animals. Producers of extruders equip the unit with additional nozzles with outlets of various diameters. If desired, the farmer can replace the matrix and begin to make extruded food for another species of animal.
During the extrusion process, the following chemical composition changes occur:
The breakdown of starch into simple sugars;
Vitamins and amino acids are absorbed by 90%;
Husks and coarse grain fibers in extruded form are completely digested by the animal's organism, thereby improving the work of the digestive tract.
Which equipment is best for a small business or a household?
It becomes clear that if you have a small business or even a summer residence with several kinds of animals, then there is no need to purchase a bulky unit. Here, a mini extruder is suitable, which is placed in the utility room or garage room and does not require special preparation and intervention of several people.
The extruders-granulators become a universal option, thanks to the replaceable working units, they allow producing both granulated and extruded feed.
Here are just some characteristics of extruders for which it will be convenient to choose a grain extruder:
Engine at 4-18.5 kW;
Productivity from 30 to 200 kg / hour;
Various nozzles for the manufacture of sticks and flakes;
Screw diameter from 38-70mm;
Overall dimensions of the frame.
To be confident in the high quality and productivity of the equipment, to receive a guarantee and arrange service, the best option is to purchase the unit directly from the manufacturer, who supply the original spare parts and consumables.