RECYCLING IN PRODUCTION OF EXTRUDED PRODUCTS FROM DRIED WASTE

In a dry pet food or fish food production line, the first layer of a new production batch is discarded as it is too dry: this occurs because the product flows along the dryer which is not working at full capacity; this occurs independently of the type of dryer. In a line that produces about 10 tons/h, this amount never falls below 500 <1,000 kilos and the product is re-ground to be employed as a substandard raw material.

This operation results in a loss of production, a waste of electricity (grinding and extrusion) and thermal energy (drying) as well as an economic loss as the recycled product is downgraded for use in a normally cheaper formulation.

All these costs can be fully recovered by installing a storage buffer between the outlet of the dryer and the subsequent coating and flavoring line. The recovery in production cycle can be easily automated.

The buffer allows to store the first layer of the dried product and/or any other product that is not perfectly compliant (e.g. with density standards), in order to dilute it up to 15 <20% during the subsequent production line.

In case of a product that is too dry, the moisture contained in the kibble will migrate uniformly inside the final packaging. This non-compliant density is so diluted that it doesn’t cause any packaging problems and is not perceived by the animal.  
Storage and subsequent dosing for reintroduction are operations that require a hopper and a very special doser.
The kibble must in fact be kept warm enough for coating, but it is necessary to prevent condensation which causes it to aggregate and transform into a single unusable lump.

In order to reintroduce the product into production, it is necessary to employ a volumetric doser which ensures precision in managing the quantity of recycling in production and prevents the kibble to be ground during the dosing process.
CRISTIANO TORRE has developed a system which, thanks to its shape, materials and technical solutions, guarantees flawless functioning and perfect integration into the production process.

• No risk of blockage due to aggregation inside the bin due to aggregation, even while maintaining a temperature high enough for subsequent fixing of fats and palatants during coating;

• Sufficient ventilation to avoid formation of mold or mycotoxins during storage;

• Great attention to accessibility for cleaning;

• Compliance with food standards;

• Dosing precision in the reintegration process.