GENERAL ABOUT PREMIUM PELLET MILL
Basically the purpose of pelleting is to take a finely devised, some time dusty, unpalatable and difficult to handle feed material and by application of heat, moisture and pressure form it into larger particles. These larger particles or pellets are easier to handle, nore palatable and usually result in improved feeding results when compared to mesh feed.
The modern type pellet mills use a ring type die turning about two fixed rollers, with the die and rollers mounted in a vertical plane and consist of following component parts :-
(i) Feeder (iii) Pelleting device (V) Prime mover (ii) Conditioning chamber (Iv) Speed reduction device (Vi) Base
The feeder is screw type and is equipped with a variable speed electric drive for speed control. The purpose of the feeder is to provide constant, controlled and even flow of feed to the mixing and pelletizing operation. Any variation in this flow results in poor conditioning and a variable products.
Conditioning is accomplished by the addition of controlled amounts of steam. Addition of steam supplies moisture for lubrication, liberates natural oils and in some cases results in partial geletinisation of starches.In the pelleting unit the conditioned mash is forced through perforation in the die by roller pressure and gets compressed and forms into pellets. Adjustable knives cut pellets into desired lengths.As the die speed is always less then the motor speed, speed reduction is provided through V-belt drive.
