Barothermal Processing of Animal Feed Ingredients

Abstract

Introduction. The article substantiates the need for high-temperature processing of feed ingredients. Principles of operation and design features of the applied methods and equipment for feed production are considered. Phase transitions, along with advantages and energy, technological, and technical drawbacks are highlighted. The aim of the study is to justify a possibility of creating high-efficiency production lines using heat treatment of feeds by application of heat valves ensuring continuous loading of raw materials into a reactor and discharge of the treated feed at high pressures and temperatures. Materials and Methods. It is proposed to transfer the process of barothermal processing to a higher zone of the phase diagram of the system p,t (pressure and temperature). This is a section of the superheated steam zone with temperature 300–374 °C, pressure 12–21 MPa and treatment exposure 30–60 seconds, which replaces costly processes of normalizing, expansion, extrusion and granulation. The change in enthalpy in the pressure range 0–21 MPa and temperature range 0–600 °C is shown. Thermal modes are presented as formulas which is the basic condition for the use of digital technologies. Results. The design of the reactor with a thermal gate for loading and unloading, being the main unit of the production line of the feed heat treatment, was proposed. The results of the study are fundamental for the development of the sample flow low-capacity line. Discussion and Conclusion. The transfer of the process of barothermic processing of feed into the zone of superheated steam allows for the transfer of poorly digestible elements of grain and legumes in easily digestible, pathogen-free feed. Advantages of the reactor and line include the user-friendly design, energy saving and possibility of implementation of advanced digital technologies.