Author: Marc Perel (Global Solution Application Manager, R&I at Adisseo, marc.perel@adisseo.com )
In the feed mill, pellet production is generally the most energy consuming step. Therefore, any potential area of optimization is beneficial to pursue. Several studies by Adisseo have shown that the addition of a liquid source of methionine (OH-Methionine) may lead to power savings of up to 13% compared to the powder form (DL-Methionine) when pelleting.
It has been reported that feed millers using liquid OH-Methionine instead of powder methionine, experience energy savings when pelleting. To confirm this statement, two trials are conducted in TECALIMAN, the French technical center for Feed, in their pilot pellet mill: a first one in 2016 and a second one in 2020. They assess the pelleting behavior of complete feed by varying formula and methionine sources (liquid or powder) on equimolar basis given the concentrations of each methionine product (DL-Methionine at 99% concentration and liquid OH-Methionine at 88% concentration).
Electricity consumption of pelleting is obtained by measuring the instantaneous power absorbed (kW) by the motor of the press each second. Only the values in which pelleting conditions (production rate and temperatures) are stable are used. This amount is then divided by the real output rate (t/h) to calculate the specific energy consumption (kWh/t). In the second trial, the results are expressed in net specific consumption by deducing the idle operation of the machine (which represents about 10% of total energy consumption).
Feed batches are prepared using the same diet based on wheat (40%), soybean meal (30%) and corn (23%). DL-Methionine (DL-Met), OH-Methionine (OH-Met), oil and/or water are added at different inclusion rates. DL-Met and liquid OH-Met are first added at a standard dose on equimolar basis (0.20% for DL-Met and 0.23% for liquid OH-Met), then liquid OH-Met is added at higher doses to highlight the effect of the additive.
The trial points to an effective reduction in energy consumption with liquid OH-Met. In general, the addition of high levels of liquid OH-Met (more than 0.23%) diminishes the power consumption in all cases. When standard doses (0.23%) of liquid OH-Met are used, the reduction phenomenon is particularly observed when no other liquids are added to the formulation (Figure 1 – Dry feed). Here, a 7% reduction is obtained. As expected, the addition of oil reduces the overall energy consumption. When 3% is added (Figure 1 – Oil 3%), savings when using liquid OH-Met instead of DL-Met account for 4%.
For the trial, the pellet quality is generally maintained. Values range at 91% ± 0.8% for durability (Eurotest-SABE device) and at 34 N/pellet ± 3.3 N/pellet for hardness (Schleuniger) for feed without oil.
For this trial conducted in 2020 in TECALIMAN, different types of formula (wheat-based formula and one based on corn) are produced, as shown in Table 1
| Main characteristics | Wheat based | Corn based | Same than A + 1% oil | Same than A + 3% oil | Same than D + 1% water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formula A and Control | Formula B | Formula C | Formula D | Formula E | |
| Wheat | 44.87 | 43.87 | 41.87 | 40.87 | |
| Corn | 22.00 | 64.48 | 22.00 | 22.00 | 22.00 |
| Soybean meal | 22.88 | 30.86 | 22.88 | 22.88 | 22.88 |
| Extruded soybean | 7.86 | 2.27 | 7.86 | 7.86 | 7.86 |
| Dicalcium phosphate | 1.10 | 1.10 | 1.10 | 1.10 | 1.10 |
| Calcium carbonate | 0.95 | 0.95 | 0.95 | 0.95 | 0.95 |
| Salt | 0.35 | 0.35 | 0.35 | 0.35 | 0.35 |
| Vegetable oil | 1.00 | 3.00 | 3.00 | ||
| Water | 1.00* |
*Water added at TECALIMAN
Each formula is supplemented either by liquid OH-Methionine or DL-Methionine on an equimolar basis to obtain 2.5 kg of active substance per ton of feed. Each configuration (composition & methionine source) is repeated 3 times.
For formula A, C and D, a significant decrease of net energy consumption of respectively: 8%, 13% and 12% is observed when methionine is brought as liquid OH-Methionine vs DL-Methionine.
No significant effect has been determined between methionine sources on specific net electricity consumption for formula B and E. As the formula E contains the highest contents in oil & water, its composition leads to soften the potential differences, thus the effect of methionine sources may be negligible. We cannot explain why no significant difference is observed on formula B. On pellet hardness, durability and rate of fines, no impact is determined between pellets.
Same conclusions are drawn in the field with trials in two different Malaysian feed mills comparing the two sources of methionine in 2015. Liquid OH-Met and DL-Met are added in the mixer in 2 independent batches of the same formulation and tonnage. First trials demonstrate savings up to 3% in favor of liquid OH-Met. In a second feed mill, a formulation composed of a corn and soybean base with 0.25% of water and water-based liquids and 3% of palm oil is used. The data showed power consumption when pelleting to be 2.5% inferior when using liquid OH-Met instead of DL-Met.
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Product names and availability may vary by region, please contact your local Adisseo representative for more information.
Adisseo is a major player on the methionine market and seeks to fully meet all customers’ needs by offering different methionine sources, expertise and tools & services.
Methionine is an essential amino acid for all animals, but they do not produce it themselves, meaning they have to get it from their feed.
The methionine content of natural ingredients is generally low, so to meet the animals’ requirements, additional methionine must be provided in their feed as a nutritional feed additive.
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