Abstract: A system for applying liquid to solid particles is provided including a constant volume apparatus having a chamber and an aperture arranged to deliver the particles in a substantially constant volume stream to a moving surface such as a conveyor belt. A mass flow-measuring device having a receiving end positioned adjacent the moving surface whereby the constant volume stream flows through the mass flow-measuring device and engages a curved sliding surface of a discharge pan, the curvature discharging the particles from the mass flow-measuring device in the stream at an angle from vertical. A liquid application chamber is positioned below the pan and has an internal passageway with an inlet positioned to receive the stream of particles flowing from the mass flow-measuring device. The passageway is defined by at least one curved wall. The curved wall has an upper portion positioned at an angle approximately identical to the discharge angle of the pan to receive the stream of particles in sliding fashion.

Abstract: An automatic control for a pellet mill includes a method for automatically calculating start values for feeder speed and steam valve position upon start-up of the pellet mill for pelleting particular formulas of feed. The method includes the step of monitoring the pellet mill to determine optimal feeder speed and steam valve position when the mill is running at optimal conditions, and then adjusting these values by a fixed percentage in order to determine the start-up values. As the steam valve is non-linear, another method is disclosed for converting the steam valve position to a corresponding steam flow, multiplying the optimal steam flow by the same fixed percentage, and then reconverting the starting steam flow value to a corresponding steam valve position. The fixed percentage used to determine the start values may be adjusted, depending upon how aggressive the operator desires the start-up to be and perhaps to adjust for differences in pellet formulations.

Abstract: A batch weighing apparatus includes a plurality of soft sided bulk bags containing a quantity of bulk dry material which are rack mounted thereon and which have generally U-shaped bracket assemblies mounted thereunder for agitating the material in the bulk bag for free flow therethrough. The plurality of bulk bags are used in place of the rack mounted bins in prior art devices and permit shipment, storage, and dispensing of bulk dry material from the same soft sided bag.

Abstract: A pellet mill includes a conditioning section which mixes dry material, moisture in the form of water, and heat provided by a hot air system for the creation of a mash suitable for pelleting without the use of steam. The hot air section inputs heat by utilizing a blower which pressurizes air across a heat exchanger and into a plenum which interconnects an air duct with the conditioner. Moisture is input to the conditioner with a hot water system which modulates the flow of water and temperature of the water as it is sprayed onto the dry material. An automatic controller controls the process in accordance with temperature measurements made at various points in the pellet mill to select a desired operating temperature or in accordance with other control parameters previously developed.

Abstract: A system for adding heat to dry material as it is conditioned in preparation for pelleting in a pellet mill includes a plurality of groups of microwave magnetrons and a control system to control the energization of those magnetrons in response to the throughput of the dry material and the temperature or temperature change of the material.