Comparing Different laboratory Methods for Measuring the Feed Pellet Durability

Abstract

The experiment aimed to compare different methods of measuring the Feed pellet durability through the effect of pellet die speeds and the particle size (mill sieve holes diameter). Feed pellet durability was studied in four different ways: pellet direct measurement (%), pellet lengths (%), pellet water absorption (%), pellet durability by drop box device (%), pellet durability by air pressure device (%). Three pellet die speeds 280, 300, and 320 rpm, three mill sieve holes diameter 2, 4, and 6 mm, have been used. The results showed that increasing the pellet die speeds from 280 to 300 then to 320 rpm led to a significant decrease in the feed pellet durability by direct measurement, drop box device, and air pressure device, while pellet water absorption a significant increased, whereas it did not significantly affect the pellet lengths. Increasing the sieve holes diameter from 2 to 4 then to 6 mm led to a significant decrease in the feed pellet durability in pellet lengths, drop box deviceand air pressure device, pellet water absorption increased, whereas it did not significantly affect the direct measurement of pellet. Pellet die speeds of 280 rpm and the sieve holes diameter of 2 mm recorded the highest pellet durability for all ways: direct measurement 94.66 %, pellet lengths 85.94%, the drop box device 93.42% and the air pressure device 91.21%, less pellet water absorption 38.98%.