ISSUE FOCUS 30 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE August 2024 rability Index (PDI), reducing fines and achieving feed stability with cost-effective formulations. Despite challenges with variations in raw material moisture content, steam quality, and throughput pressures, effective milling efficiency aids have supported these accomplishments without slowing down production mills. The moisture content of aquafeed and its ingredients varies and is often altered during the milling process. Reintroducing moisture into feed is challenging due to water's high surface tension, resulting in poor absorption and water flashing off during extrusion and cooling or remaining free. Uneven or incomplete water absorption leads to low pellet quality, nutrient segregation, and spoilage. High moisture content reduces throughput, increases energy consumption, causes spoilage, and produces dense, brittle pellets. Low moisture content reduces yields, increases fines, necessitates nutrient over-formulation, and creates easily broken pellets. Optimal moisture can reduce mill energy consumption, minimize material loss, extend equipment life and improve throughput. Milling efficiency aids, such as Maxi-Mil, give aquafeed producers the ability to harness the power of moisture optimization. Optimal moisture inclusion, penetration and retention in aquafeed formulations allow for: • Efficient use of expensive ingredients. • Production of higher quality feed. • Significant savings in inventory loss and energy consumption. Maxi-Mil has been instrumental in optimizing moisture distribution within compound aquafeed formulations, enhancing ingredient binding and gelatinization. This optimization helps producers balance throughput, process loss, and feed quality effectively. Several commercial trials have highlighted the benefits of Maxi-Mil: • Salmon Feed Trial: Using Maxi-Mil at 1% inclusion resulted in 3.5% less steam and 5.92% less energy consumption while improving product stability and moisture retention by almost 1.0%. This led to reduced process loss and energy requirements per ton of feed. • Integrated Producer Trial: Inclusion of MaxiMil reduced energy consumption by over 6%, increased moisture retention by more than 1.0%, and improved feed quality with nearly 5% fewer fines. • Tilapia, Shrimp, and Catfish Diets: Trials showed a 7.49% reduction in average mill energy consumption, with moisture and throughput increased by 0.63% and 12.82%, respectively. Average results from each of these Maxi-Mil trials can be seen in Figures 1-3. Every mill is different, as is demonstrated by the commercial trial results below, however, Maxi-Mil gives aquafeed producers the power to balance throughput, energy consumption and feed moisture objectives. 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Demo #1 Demo #2 Demo #3 kW-h/MT Maxi-Mil Impact on Mill Energy Consumption Control Treated Maxi-Mil Impact on Mill Throughput Throughput (MT/Hour) Demo #1 Demo #2 Demo #3 0 0,5 1 1,5 2 2,5 3 3,5 4 4,5 Control Treated Figure 1 Figure 2
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