Animal feed production expander OE series

sizing

Product overview
The Crown Expander OEK from KAHL expands and shapes feed products in a single process, enabling production of shaped feed for all animal species. The expander technology provides comprehensive conditioning of compound feed and individual components and facilitates processing of complex feed mixtures.

Operation and technology
At the expander outlet the sudden pressure drop causes the product to expand and part of the added water to evaporate by flash evaporation, often eliminating the need for post-drying. Product size is determined by knife and die. The SME control with a hydraulically adjustable cone increases flexibility of expansion. Coarse particles remain coarse compared with traditional pelleting. The thick-walled mixing tube has replaceable liners and a cantilevered shaft fitted with proportioning, mixing and kneading elements. Combined with low energy consumption, the Crown Expander OEK achieves high throughputs.

Applications and advantages

• Increases capacity of downstream pellet mills
• Existing expanders can be converted to crown expanders
• Improves pellet quality
• Enhances economic efficiency of compound feed production and reduces costs
• Higher press capacity
• Suitable for processing difficult components
• Allows addition of large quantities of liquids such as molasses, fat, fish solubles or vinasse
• Kneading intensity, product heating and energy input are continuously controllable and programmable during operation
• Pressure capability up to 40 bar
• Operating temperatures at the expander outlet between 90 and 140°C
• Eliminates pathogenic organisms such as salmonella and moulds
• Influences pellet hardness and fines
• Promotes starch modification in grain components

Further information
Detailed practical articles and technical information about expanders and crown expanders are available through KAHL Group content resources for users seeking deeper background and application examples.

Technical specifications

• Model reference: OEK (KAHL crown expander OEK)
• Function: expansion and shaping of feed products in one machine
• Process principle: flash evaporation at outlet causing expansion
• Control: SME control with hydraulically adjustable cone
• Mixing tube: thick-walled with replaceable liners
• Shaft: cantilevered shaft with proportioning, mixing and kneading elements
• Pressure: up to 40 bar
• Outlet temperature range: 90–140°C
• Effect: reduces need for post-drying in many cases
• Product sizing: determined by knife/die
• Energy: designed for low energy consumption with high throughput
• Material handling: maintains coarse particles; suitable for difficult-to-process components
• Liquid addition capability: supports molasses, fat, fish solubles, vinasse
• Sanitation: effective in eliminating pathogens (e.g., salmonella, moulds)
• Process control: kneading intensity, heating and energy input continuously controllable and programmable