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A simple explanation of the extrusion process
An aquafeed extrusion machine is a machine used to make fish feed pellets. It works like this:
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Raw materials enter – Ingredients like maize, soybean meal, fish meal, vitamins, minerals, etc., are ground into powder and fed into the machine.
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Mixing & pre-conditioning – Steam and water may be added to soften and partially cook the powder, making it easier to form pellets.
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Extrusion (the main process) – Inside the extruder barrel, there’s a screw that pushes the material forward under high temperature, pressure, and friction.
- The heat cooks the feed.
- The pressure compresses it.
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Die & cutting – The hot, cooked feed is forced through a die (a metal plate with holes) to shape it into pellets. A rotating knife cuts the pellets to size.
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Expansion & floating – When the pellets come out of the die, the sudden drop in pressure makes them expand.
- If enough starch was gelatinized, the pellets will float (good for fish like catfish or tilapia).
- Less expansion makes sinking pellets (good for shrimp or bottom-feeders).
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Drying & cooling – The pellets are dried to remove excess moisture and then cooled, so they don’t spoil or break apart.
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Coating (optional) – Oil, vitamins, or attractants can be sprayed on the pellets after drying to improve nutrition and palatability.
👉 In short: The extruder cooks, shapes, and expands fish feed under heat and pressure, then cuts, dries, and cools it into pellets.
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4 Replies
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Well said
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Appreciated
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Well discussion
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good.
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