Low Moisture Feed Block Cold Flow Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low moisture animal feed blocks exhibit cold flow properties, causing them to slump and lose shape when exposed to warmer temperatures, leading to undesirable consumption patterns and potential waste, especially when containers are tipped or broken.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating calcium oxide (CaO) or other metal oxides into the dehydrated molasses mixture at specific weight percentages (0.1-10%) to enhance cold flow resistance, reducing the slumping effect and maintaining block integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If low moisture blocks are made by dehydrating molasses and adding nutritional elements, then they become highly palatable and serve as effective delivery vehicles for feed supplements, but they exhibit cold flow properties causing slumping at warmer temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition of the block through the addition of metal oxides (such as calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide) at specific concentrations (0.1% to 10% by weight). These compositional parameter changes alter the physical properties of the block, specifically reducing cold flow and slumping while maintaining the desired palatability and consumption characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining dehydrated molasses with dry feed ingredients and metal oxide compositions. This creates a multi-component system where the metal oxides interact with the molasses matrix to reduce cold flow properties. The composite structure allows the block to maintain its palatability and slow consumption characteristics while gaining resistance to slumping and deformation at elevated temperatures.
2Ease of operation
If blocks are deployed without containers or in tipped containers, then accessibility is improved, but cold flow causes the material to slump into a flattened pile within 48 hours at temperatures over 85 degrees F
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the compositional parameters of the block through metal oxide addition, the patent extends the duration of structural integrity. The metal oxides create a more stable matrix that resists cold flow for extended periods, allowing blocks deployed without containers or in tipped positions to maintain their shape and structural integrity well beyond the 48-hour timeframe typical of conventional blocks.
3Ease of operation
If blocks are made with higher moisture content for better palatability, then animal attraction increases, but cold flow and slumping worsen at warmer temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing metal oxide compositions that alter the relationship between moisture content and cold flow susceptibility. The metal oxides create a stabilizing effect that allows the block to maintain lower moisture content (reducing cold flow) while preserving palatability through the dehydrated molasses matrix and dry feed ingredients.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The addition of CaO or similar metal oxides significantly reduces cold flow, allowing the blocks to maintain their shape and structure, even when exposed to high temperatures, thereby reducing waste and extending their usability.
Implementation Method 1
adding to the dehydrated molasses-like liquid mixture a composition comprising at least one of CaO, reactive MgO, ZnO, MnO, FeO, CuO, CuO2 or combinations thereof
Implementation Method 2
dehydrating the molasses-like mixture to less than about 2.0% moisture using heating
Data Source
AI summary
A method of forming a low moisture block with cold flow resistance proceeds by subjecting a feed mixture containing molasses-like liquids to mixing to form a homogenous mixture; dehydrating the molasses-like mixture to less than about 2.0% moisture using heating; adding to the dehydrated molasses-like liquid mixture one or more feed ingredients in dry ingredient form, comprising 10% to 50% by weight of the resulting mixture; and adding to the dehydrated molasses-like mixture a composition comprising CaO or reactive MgO or combinations thereof, with the composition comprising 0.1% to 10% by weight of the resulting mixture. The composition is mixed in to form a homogenous mixture.