Substantiation of Optimal Design and Technological Parameters of a Small-Sized Compound Feed Unit
Abstract
The paper highlights the importance of reducing the number of machines and the specific energy consumption associated with mash feed production on farms using a continuous-flow, straight-through process. A small-sizedcompound feed unit is proposed, comprising a five-component drum metering device with a five-section hopper, a hammer-type grinder-mixer, a discharge cyclone, and a system of interchangeable containers for collecting the finished feed. (Research purpose) To experimentally determine the optimal design and operating parameters of the small-sizedcompound feed unit that minimize specific energy consumption while ensuring the required quality of the finished feed. (Materials and methods) A five-component mash feed for Hisex Brown laying hens was prepared from wheat, maize, and soybean grains, crushed sunflower oil cake, and a blend of nutritional additives. The feed formulation was developed using the Kormoptima software package. A two-factor experimental design was employed. Standard and original methods were used to evaluate the quantitative and qualitative parameters of mash feed production in the small-sized compound feed unit. (Results and discussion) With the process factors set at their rational values, namely, a total feed rate of 317.7 kilograms per hour for the five feed components, a replaceable screen with apertures of 4 millimeters in diameter, and a two-blade discharge impeller with 50-millimetre-wide blades, the optimal number of hammers mounted on the drum and the optimal drum rotational speed were determined to be 12 hammers and 1,550 revolutions per minute, respectively. This combination ensures a minimum specific energy consumption of 3.317 kilowatt-hours per ton of mash feed produced and fully complies with current energy-efficiency requirements for compound feed units. (Conclusions) When operated at the established design and process parameters, the proposed small-sized compound feed unit minimizes specific energy consumption during continuous straight-through mash feed production while ensuring the required quality of the finished feed under farm conditions.