Industrial Grain Products has developed a new idea and a new concept for improving the feed forming operation. It is used to convert finely ground feed ingredients into higher density, free-flowing agglomerates. There are many reasons used to justify the pelleting process. The pellets need to be highly durable so that they do not break up and create fines in downstream handling operations. The tougher or more durable the pellet the better.
Many factors affect pellet quality or durability.
Pellet durability or quality is commonly referred to by the term PDI or Pellet Durability Index. This is a number that describes the percentage of remaining pellets that are not reduced to fines after being agitated under controlled time and conditions by various mechanical means. One of the more common methods involves tumbling a weighed amount of pellets for a period of time, pouring the pellets across a prescribed screen and measuring the amount of pellets remaining. Another test device uses compressed air to circulate the pellets, similar to pneumatic conveying devices, and to remove the fines and determine the the percent of the remaining pellets. Although many feed components have natural binding characteristics, it is often necessary to use binders to provide good pellet durability.