Project
From Lab to Industry: the physical and chemical mechanisms in feed production
Picture this puzzling scenario: Take a handful of finely ground dried cereals, add 1-4% water (w/w), and increase the mixture's temperature to a range of 60-80 degrees Celsius. Now, here's the challenge – without using your hands (safety!), attempt to compact the mixture, holding it together for a maximum of 10 seconds. Will it stick together? The answer is probably no, but we've got the solution.
Description
In our research project we make use specialised equipment that can transform these materials into cohesive structures, processing thousands of kilograms per hour, such as in animal and pet feed production. This exciting study delves into a multitude of poorly understood physical and chemical mechanisms, including phase separation, friction, and wear, all critical components that need to be understood to optimize the production process.
Partners: Topsector Agri&Food, VICTAM Foundation, Royal Agrifirm, DSM, Elanco, Phileo by Lesaffre, Pelleting Technology Netherlands, and Zetadec for funding this project (LWV1965)