EN
As a leading manufacturer and supplier of complete feed machinery solutions, Shanghai Yuanyuda International Trade Co., Ltd. explains how counterflow cooling technology efficiently resolves these issues while maintaining optimal pellet quality.
How Counterflow Cooling Works?
Counterflow coolers operate based on the intelligent movement of cool air in the opposite direction of hot pellets flow. It ensures that cool pellets come into contact with cool air, and vice versa: hot pellets (moving downward in the cooler) come into contact with warm air.Therefore, the coldest air comes into contact with the coolest pellets, while the warmest air is used for evaporative cooling of the hottest pellets.This approach is efficient because it immediately addresses the fundamental causes of both cracking and pellet moisture issues. Preventing thermal shock and pellet cracking. When hot pellets leave the conditioner at 80-90°C, they are exposed to sudden cooling. Specifically, cold air causes their outer layer to "freeze" before the internal core has time to cool, forcing the outer layer to contract while the core remains at a high temperature.The end result is thermal stress and cracks, which entail increased fines generation, poor pellet durability, and negative effects on feed conversion ratio and product quality. Counterflow cooling eliminates this factor by using the most natural strategy. The cooler gradually reduces pellets’ temperature, enabling the external layer of the pellet to cool at the same rate as the core. It ensures that pellets do not break during the cooling process. Controlling moisture. Pellet moisture is another critical factor affecting pellet integrity. While hot pellets exit the conditioner with 15-17% moisture, they must leave the cooler with 10-12% moisture for it to be safe and optimally stored. Counter flow cooling technology is capable of this for:
Optimal moisture evaporation
This process works in a manner similar to that of the conditioner mentioned earlier. With the counter-current air flow, moisture is absorbed at better rates. High-humidity hot pellets come into contact with low-humidity, low-temperature air, which serves to absorb the maximum amount of moisture.This systematic approach ensures that moisture levels are equal in the whole batch.
Prevent moisture re-absorption
There are risks of moisture re-absorption in traditional cooling systems. For example, partially cooled pellets can absorb moisture when they come into contact with moist air. The counterflow technology does not allow this because the progressively dry air contacts the progressively cooler pellets.
Equal final drying levels
The system allows for a very controlled environment, and hence the moisture is maintained at the most equal levels. For instance, spoilage during storage in cold environments is less likely to occur in pellets with uneven moisture levels (i.e., "wet spots").
Technical excellence confirmed by certification
With one of the best technologies available on the market, our counterflow coolers are in high demand for feed production lines, with a processing capacity ranging from 1.5 tons per hour (for aqua feed units) up to 200 tons per hour (for livestock feeds). Thanks to our technology exchanges and technical improvements, we have maintained high market standards. Our coolers and all related equipment have obtained certifications such as ISO 9001:2015, CE, and SGS. Key features of these systems include:
• High-temperature control features
• Equal air distribution
• Uniform moisture removal
• Robust structures for long-term use. If the counterflow cooling system is supplied as part of one of our current comprehensive, up-to-date projects, customers are guaranteed proper equipment installation and configuration as required. Our equipment is designed to meet the most critical needs, ranging from high production volumes to applications involving tender, sensitive aqua feeds.
