A water-absorbing composition and a method for improving conditioning temperature and moisture content using the same.

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of pelleted feed production technology, and provides a water-absorbing composition and a method for improving conditioning temperature and moisture content using the same. The water-absorbing composition consists of feed ingredients and additives. The feed ingredients include fibrous feed ingredients, starch feed ingredients, and / or mineral feed ingredients. The fibrous feed ingredients are selected from at least one of corn cob powder, dried tofu residue powder, and bamboo powder. The starch feed ingredients are selected from at least one of extruded corn flour, potato starch, and cassava starch. The mineral feed ingredients are selected from at least one of montmorillonite, bentonite, and sepiolite. This water-absorbing composition can effectively improve the conditioning temperature and moisture content of mixed powders, thereby improving the processing quality of pelleted feed, reducing processing energy consumption, and exhibiting excellent overall performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of pelleted feed production technology, and relates to a water-absorbing composition and a method for using it to improve conditioning temperature and moisture content. Background Technology

[0002] my country faces a shortage of feed resources and a high degree of dependence on imports. To ensure national food security, livestock and poultry feed is undergoing a process of reducing and replacing corn and soybean meal, shifting from corn-soybean meal-based diets to low-protein, low-soybean meal, and diversified diets. This has led to the widespread use of low-quality or unconventional feed ingredients in livestock and poultry diets, such as replacing corn with sorghum and barley, and soybean meal with rapeseed meal, cottonseed meal, peanut meal, and DDGS. This results in lower protein content and higher crude fiber content in feed formulations, leading to low production efficiency and poor quality stability of pelleted feed products, as well as low feed utilization efficiency. Therefore, improving the processing and pelleting performance of low-protein, low-soybean meal, and diversified diets, and increasing pelleting efficiency and quality, is an urgent problem to be solved.

[0003] Experimental studies have revealed that the main reason for the deteriorated pelleting performance of low-protein, low-soybean meal, and diversified diets is the reduced water absorption and hydration properties of the mixed powders. This results in insufficient condensation of steam into the pellets during the limited conditioning time, leading to a large amount of free water on the pellet surface. This significantly reduces the friction coefficient between the material and the ring die and pressure rollers, making the pellet mill prone to slippage and blockage. To prevent this, current measures for mixed powders with poor water absorption involve reducing the amount of steam added during conditioning. This results in lower moisture content and temperature of the mixed powder after conditioning, failing to achieve suitable pelleting moisture and temperature, leading to low pellet formation rate, reduced pellet quality, and increased pelleting energy consumption.

[0004] In pelleted feed processing, conditioning is the most crucial step. The moisture content, temperature, and time of conditioning are key to controlling the final pellet quality and pelleting efficiency. Moisture is the primary limiting process parameter affecting pelleting performance, playing a role in lubrication, starch gelatinization, and protein denaturation. It significantly impacts the processing quality, efficiency, equipment wear, and production costs of the finished pellets. Only when the appropriate conditioning moisture content is achieved can the conditioning temperature and time function effectively. The moisture content of the conditioned material is generally required to be between 16-17%. If the moisture content is too low, the pellet mill will struggle to pellet, easily causing dry clogging of the ring die, excessive energy consumption, low productivity, increased wear on the ring die and pressure rollers, and problems such as poor pellet quality, low finished feed moisture content, and reduced feed palatability. Conversely, if the moisture content is too high, it can easily cause ring die slippage and wet clogging, reduced capacity, and large variations in feed moisture content. The temperature of the mixed powder after conditioning is generally required to reach above 80℃ (80-90℃). Only when this temperature is reached can the starch gelatinize, the protein denature, and the fiber soften, thereby improving the cohesiveness of the powder and thus improving the durability of the pellets. It is also beneficial for softening the feed, improving lubricity, reducing friction, thereby reducing energy consumption and improving pelleting efficiency.

[0005] During the conditioning process, steam acts as both a heat transfer medium and a moisture transfer medium. With saturated steam conditioning, for every 1% increase in moisture content of the mixed powder, the temperature rises by 12-14°C. To efficiently press high-quality pelleted feed, appropriate moisture content before molding, as well as suitable temperature and conditioning time, are required. The initial moisture content before molding is mainly determined by the initial moisture content of the mixed powder and the amount of steam added during conditioning. The conditioning temperature is related to the initial temperature of the mixed powder (ambient temperature) and the heat provided by the added steam during conditioning. The conditioning time is determined by the configuration of the conditioner. Generally, the mixed powder should absorb 3-5% of its mass of steam during conditioning, maintaining the moisture content of the material entering the pressing chamber between 15-16.5% and the temperature above 80°C. A longer conditioning time is necessary to allow almost all the added steam moisture to penetrate into the powder particles, combining with the material to become bound water, reducing free water on the particle surface, and minimizing the impact on the friction coefficient between the material and the ring die and pressure rollers.

[0006] Chinese invention patent application CN113926378A discloses a method for improving the uniformity of moisture content in mixed powder feed, including a mixing process, a buffering process, and a pelleting process. In the mixing process, after adding atomized water, the mixed feed is left to stand in a buffer chamber for 30-60 minutes before conditioning and pelleting, which improves the moisture content and pellet durability of the finished product. However, it requires modification of the production line and the addition of a large buffer chamber, which is not easy to implement due to site layout and area constraints. It is suitable for newly built feed production lines.

[0007] Therefore, under the premise of simplifying the process and reducing energy consumption, improving the water absorption of low-protein, low-soybean meal, diversified diet mixed powders, appropriately increasing the amount of saturated steam added during the conditioning process, increasing the moisture and temperature of the mixed powder after conditioning, reducing the content of free water on the surface of the powder particles, and ensuring that the surface of the powder particles is relatively dry and less likely to cause ring die "slippage" and wet blockage are the key to improving pelleting efficiency and pellet feed quality. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This invention addresses the problems in existing technologies, such as unsatisfactory conditioning temperature and moisture content, which lead to low granulation rate, reduced granule quality, and increased granulation energy consumption. It provides a water-absorbing composition and a method for using it to improve conditioning temperature and moisture content, thereby improving the hardness, durability, and starch gelatinization degree of granulated products, resulting in superior overall performance.

[0009] One of the technical solutions of this invention is:

[0010] A water-absorbing composition is provided, the water-absorbing composition comprising feed ingredients and additives, the feed ingredients including fibrous feed ingredients, starchy feed ingredients and / or mineral feed ingredients;

[0011] The fiber-based feed ingredients are selected from at least one of corn cob powder, dried tofu residue powder, and bamboo powder.

[0012] The starch-based feed ingredients are selected from at least one of puffed corn flour, potato starch, and cassava starch;

[0013] The mineral feed ingredients are selected from at least one of montmorillonite, bentonite, and sepiolite.

[0014] Furthermore, the feed ingredients include fiber, starch and mineral feed ingredients; the fiber feed ingredients are selected from any two of corn cob powder, dried tofu residue powder and bamboo powder.

[0015] Furthermore, the additive is selected from at least one of sucrose fatty acid esters, lecithin, and sodium polyacrylate.

[0016] Furthermore, the mass ratio of the raw materials to the additives is 80-98:2-20; preferably 90:10.

[0017] Furthermore, the particle size of the feed ingredients is: feed ingredients with a particle size of ≤0.18mm account for no less than 95% of the total mass of the feed ingredients;

[0018] The feed ingredients have a moisture content of ≤8% and a water holding capacity of ≥3.2g / g.

[0019] Furthermore, the particle size of the additive is: the additive with a particle size ≤0.15mm accounts for no less than 95% of the total mass of the additive.

[0020] The second technical solution of the present invention is:

[0021] A method for improving the water absorption of mixed powders is provided, comprising the following steps:

[0022] (1) Mix the feed ingredients and feed additives evenly to obtain a water-absorbing composition;

[0023] (2) Mix the water-absorbing composition prepared in step (1) with the feed materials to obtain a mixed powder;

[0024] (3) Add the mixed powder to the conditioner, and after conditioning, granulate it.

[0025] Furthermore, the water-absorbing composition accounts for 2-3 wt% of the mass percentage in the mixed powder.

[0026] Furthermore, the absorbent composition has a particle size ≤0.18mm.

[0027] Furthermore, in step (3), the conditioner is a 3-layer conditioner, with the middle layer being a preservation layer, to ensure a conditioning time of ≥120s.

[0028] Further, in step (3), the conditioning process includes: injecting saturated steam at a pressure of 3-4 bar into the conditioner to fully mix it with the mixed powder.

[0029] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0030] (1) The water-absorbing composition provided by the present invention can effectively improve the water absorption performance of the mixed powder by selecting feed raw materials and additives and optimizing the ratio of feed raw materials and additives, thereby improving the moisture and temperature of the mixed powder after conditioning, improving the processing quality of granulated feed (hardness, durability, starch gelatinization degree) and reducing granulation energy consumption.

[0031] (2) With the same raw materials, the addition of water-absorbing composition and the use of a 3-layer conditioner can increase the moisture content of the mixed powder after conditioning by 0.5%-1%, increase the conditioning temperature by 7-14℃, increase the particle durability by 1-5%, and reduce the power consumption per ton of granulation by 3%-5% under the same conditioning and granulation conditions.

[0032] (3) The water-absorbing composition of the present invention and the method for improving the conditioning temperature and moisture content of mixed powders using the same have achieved significant improvements in both process cost and product performance, and are more valuable for application. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The following non-limiting embodiments are intended to enable those skilled in the art to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the present invention, but do not limit the invention in any way. The following content is merely an exemplary description of the scope of protection of the present invention, and those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the invention based on the disclosed content, which should also fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] Example 1

[0035] Prepare the absorbent composition according to the composition in Table 1.

[0036] Table 1 Composition of the water-absorbing composition

[0037]

[0038] Note: (1) The mass ratio of feed ingredients and additives in water-absorbing compositions 1, 2, 3 and 4 is 90:10, but the types of raw materials and additives used are different;

[0039] (2) The water-absorbing compositions 5 and 6 use the same type of feed ingredients and additives as water-absorbing composition 1, but the mass ratio of feed ingredients and additives is different, namely 85:15 and 95:5 respectively.

[0040] (3) Compare the effects of water-absorbing compositions 1, 2, 3, and 4 on conditioning and pelleting with the same mass ratio of feed ingredients and additives but different compositions; compare the effects of water-absorbing compositions 1, 5, and 6 on conditioning and pelleting with the same composition of feed ingredients and additives but different mass ratios.

[0041] The preparation process of the water-absorbing composition is as follows:

[0042] (1) Feed raw material preparation: Select ultra-finely ground corn cob powder (moisture content 6.42%, water holding capacity 3.24g / g), dried tofu residue powder (moisture content 7.08%, water holding capacity 3.21g / g), bamboo powder (moisture content 6.63%, water holding capacity 3.23g / g), extruded corn powder (moisture content 7.28%, water holding capacity 3.36g / g), potato starch (moisture content 7.13%, water holding capacity 3.27g / g), cassava starch (moisture content 7.25%, water holding capacity 3.25g / g), montmorillonite (moisture content 5.45%, water holding capacity 5.21g / g), bentonite (moisture content 5.82%, water holding capacity 4.27g / g), sepiolite (moisture content 6.05%, water holding capacity 3.95g / g), etc., and grind 95% of the particles through an 80-mesh (0.15mm) sieve.

[0043] (2) Additive preparation: Select carboxymethyl cellulose, silicon dioxide, lecithin, sodium polyacrylate, sucrose fatty acid esters and other additives with a particle size of 95% passing through a 100-mesh (0.15mm) sieve.

[0044] (3) Each water-absorbing composition is weighed and prepared according to the proportions of feed ingredients and additives in Table 1, and mixed evenly to obtain each water-absorbing composition for later use.

[0045] Example 2:

[0046] Prepare mixed powder feed according to the feed formulation in Table 2.

[0047] Table 2 Feed Formulation (wt%)

[0048]

[0049]

[0050] Note: (1) * indicates the corresponding water-absorbing composition; premix: is a conventional 1wt% broiler compound premix, including vitamins and trace elements, and the premix in feed 1-11 is exactly the same.

[0051] (2) Feeds 1-9 use the same low soybean meal broiler feed formula. Feed 1 does not add water-absorbing composition. Feeds 2, 3 and 4 all add water-absorbing composition 1 at a ratio of 1wt%, 2wt% and 3wt%, respectively. Feeds 5, 6 and 7 add water-absorbing composition 2, 3 and 4 respectively at a ratio of 3wt%. Feeds 8 and 9 add water-absorbing composition 5 and 6 respectively at a ratio of 3wt%. Feeds 10-11 use the same corn and soybean meal type diet formula. Feed 10 adds water-absorbing composition 1 at a ratio of 3wt%, and feed 11 does not add water-absorbing composition 1.

[0052] (3) Using feeds 1, 2, 3, and 4, compare the effects of the same feed formulation and different addition ratios of the same water-absorbing composition on conditioning and pelleting; using feeds 4, 5, 6, and 7, compare the effects of the same feed formulation, the same addition ratio of the same water-absorbing composition, the same mass ratio of raw materials and additives in the water-absorbing composition, but different types of raw materials and additives on conditioning and pelleting; using feeds 4, 8, and 9, compare the effects of the same feed formulation, the same addition ratio of the same water-absorbing composition, the same types of raw materials and additives in the water-absorbing composition, but different mass ratios of raw materials and additives in the water-absorbing composition on conditioning and pelleting; using feeds 4 and 10, compare the effects of adding the same proportion of the same water-absorbing composition to different feed formulations on conditioning and pelleting; using feeds 4 and 11, compare the effects of low soybean meal broiler feed formulations with added water-absorbing compositions and corn-soybean meal diet formulations without added water-absorbing compositions on conditioning and pelleting; using feeds 1 and 11, compare the effects of low soybean meal broiler feed formulations without added water-absorbing compositions and corn-soybean meal diet formulations on conditioning and pelleting.

[0053] The preparation process of the mixed powder and its granules is as follows:

[0054] (1) The corn in the formula is crushed using a sieve with a sieve aperture of 2.0 mm, and the soybean meal, peanut meal, cottonseed meal and rapeseed meal are crushed using a sieve with a sieve aperture of 1.8 mm. Other raw materials do not need to be crushed and are ready for use.

[0055] (2) Based on a total weight of 100 kg, mix all components evenly according to the feed formula in Table 2, and test the moisture content and water holding capacity of the mixed powder before conditioning.

[0056] (3) The mixed powder in step (2) is granulated into granules by a granulator equipped with a 3-layer conditioner. The conditioner steam is saturated steam with a pressure of 3.5 bar and the conditioner time is 120 s.

[0057] Table 3 shows the conditioning temperature, moisture content of the mixed powder after conditioning, processing quality of the obtained granules (hardness, durability, starch gelatinization degree), and granulator current in Example 2.

[0058] Table 3. Test results of each embodiment

[0059]

[0060] The comparison of the results of feeds 1 and 11 in Table 3 shows that, without the addition of water-absorbing components, the conditioning temperature and conditioning moisture of the mixed powder of the low soybean meal diet formula are significantly lower than those of the corn and soybean meal diet formula. This results in a significant decrease in the processing quality of the pelleted feed (hardness, durability, starch gelatinization degree) and a significant increase in the pellet mill current.

[0061] A comparison of the results for feeds 1, 2, 3, and 4 in Table 3 shows that as the amount of water-absorbing composition added in this invention gradually increases from 0 wt% to 3 wt%, under the same pelleting conditions, the conditioning temperature and moisture content of the low soybean meal diet formulation mixed powder increase significantly, resulting in a gradual increase in the processing quality of the pelleted feed (hardness, durability, starch gelatinization degree) and a gradual decrease in the pellet mill current. The difference between adding 3 wt% and 2 wt% of the water-absorbing composition is small. For economic reasons, the amount of water-absorbing composition should not exceed 3 wt%.

[0062] A comparison of the results in Tables 3 (feeds 4, 5, 6, and 7) shows that, using any feed ingredients and additives selected in this invention, and preparing water-absorbing compositions at the same mass ratio, although the composition of the ingredients and additives differs, the same addition ratio has a basically consistent effect on conditioning and pelleting. All of them significantly increase the conditioning temperature and the moisture content of the mixed powder after conditioning. At the same time, the hardness, durability, and gelatinization degree are all improved, and the pelleting current is reduced. There is no significant difference in the effect of water-absorbing compositions with different ingredients and additives.

[0063] The comparison of the results of feeds 8, 4, and 9 in Table 3 shows that as the mass ratio of raw materials to additives in the water-absorbing composition increases (85:15→90:10→95:5), the effect on conditioning and pelleting first increases and then decreases, with the best effect achieved when the mass ratio of raw materials to additives is 90:10.

[0064] The comparison of the results of feeds 4 and 10 in Table 3 shows that the water-absorbing composition of the present invention has a significant impact on the conditioning and pelleting of different feed formulations (low soybean meal diet formulation and corn-soybean meal diet formulation), but the impact on the conditioning and pelleting of low soybean meal diet formulation is more significant.

[0065] The comparison of the results in Table 3 (feeds 4 and 11) shows that the conditioning temperature and moisture content of the mixed powder feed formulation with added water-absorbing composition and the corn-soybean meal-based diet formulation without added water-absorbing composition are basically the same. However, the processing quality of the pelleted feed (hardness, durability, starch gelatinization degree) is slightly lower, and the pellet mill current is slightly higher.

[0066] Comparative Example 1

[0067] Prepare the absorbent composition according to the composition in Table 4.

[0068] Table 4 Composition of the water-absorbing composition

[0069]

[0070] Note: (1) The types of feed ingredients and additives in water-absorbing compositions 7 and 8 are the same, and the mass ratios of feed ingredients and additives are 70:30 and 100:0, respectively.

[0071] (2) The water-absorbing compositions 9 and 10 use the same mass ratio of feed ingredients and additives as water-absorbing composition 1, but the mineral feed ingredients in the feed ingredients of water-absorbing composition 9 are replaced with kaolin, and the sucrose fatty acid esters in the additives of water-absorbing composition 10 are replaced with lecithin.

[0072] The preparation process of the water-absorbing composition is the same as in Example 1.

[0073] Comparative Example 2:

[0074] Prepare mixed powder feed according to the feed formulation in Table 5.

[0075] Table 5 Feed Formulation (wt%)

[0076]

[0077] Note: (1) * indicates the corresponding water-absorbing composition; premix: is a conventional 1wt% broiler compound premix, including vitamins and trace elements. The premix in feed 12-15 is exactly the same as feed 3.

[0078] (2) Compare the effects of the same low soybean meal broiler feed formulations and water-absorbing compositions on conditioning and pelleting using feeds 3, 12, and 13, where the types of feed ingredients and additives are the same but the mass ratios of the ingredients and additives are 90:10, 70:30, and 100:0, respectively.

[0079] (3) Compare the effects of replacing the types of feed ingredients and additives in the same low soybean meal broiler feed formulation and water-absorbing composition with feed ingredients and additives with similar effects on conditioning and pelleting using feeds 3, 14 and 15.

[0080] The preparation process of the mixed powder and its particles is the same as in Example 2.

[0081] Table 6 shows the conditioning temperature, moisture content of the mixed powder after conditioning, processing quality of the obtained granules (hardness, durability, starch gelatinization degree), and granulator current of Comparative Example 2.

[0082] Table 6. Test results of each embodiment

[0083]

[0084] The comparison of the results of feeds 12 and 13 with feed 3 in Table 6 shows that too much or too little feed ingredients in the water-absorbing composition (no additives or too much additives) will reduce the conditioning temperature and conditioning moisture of the mixed powder of low soybean meal diet formulation, resulting in a decrease in the processing quality of pelleted feed (hardness, durability, starch gelatinization degree) and an increase in pellet mill current.

[0085] A comparison of the results of feeds 14 and 15 with those of feed 3 in Table 6 shows that after replacing the feed ingredients or additives in the water-absorbing composition with components with similar functions, the conditioning temperature and conditioning moisture of the mixed powder of the low soybean meal diet formula also decreased to some extent, resulting in a reduction in the processing quality of the pelleted feed (hardness, durability, starch gelatinization degree) and an increase in the pellet mill current.

[0086] Finally, it should be noted that the above content is only used to illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Simple modifications or equivalent substitutions made by those skilled in the art to the technical solution of the present invention do not depart from the essence and scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for improving the conditioning temperature and moisture content of mixed powders using a water-absorbing composition, characterized in that, The water-absorbing composition comprises feed ingredients and additives. The feed ingredients include fiber, starch, and mineral feed ingredients. The fiber feed ingredients are selected from at least one of corn cob powder, dried tofu residue powder, and bamboo powder. The starch feed ingredients are selected from at least one of extruded corn flour, potato starch, and cassava starch. The mineral feed ingredients are selected from at least one of montmorillonite, bentonite, and sepiolite. The additive is selected from at least one of sucrose fatty acid esters, carboxymethyl cellulose, and sodium polyacrylate; The mass ratio of the feed ingredients and additives is 85:15-90:10; Specifically, the following steps are included: (1) Mix the feed ingredients and feed additives evenly to obtain a water-absorbing composition; (2) The water-absorbing composition prepared in step (1) is mixed with feed materials to obtain mixed powder; (3) Add the mixed powder to the conditioner, and after conditioning, granulate it. The water-absorbing composition accounts for 2-3 wt% of the mass percentage in the mixed powder.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fiber-based feed ingredients are selected from any two of corn cob powder, dried tofu residue powder, and bamboo powder.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feed ingredients have a particle size of ≤0.18mm, accounting for no less than 95% of the total mass of the feed ingredients. The feed ingredients have a moisture content of ≤8% and a water holding capacity of ≥3.2g / g.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The additives have a particle size of ≤0.15mm, and the mass percentage of the total additives is not less than 95%.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conditioner uses a 3-layer conditioner, with the middle layer being a preservation layer, ensuring a conditioning time of ≥120s.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conditioning process includes: injecting saturated steam at a pressure of 3-4 bar into the conditioner to fully mix it with the powder.

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