In most of cases, the main problem with achiving maximal efficiency of pellet mill is quality of steam.

Condensed steam works as a grease for material coming through holes in die. In theory every particle is covered by a thin surface of moisture and that reduces friction. Reduction of friction contributes to increase efficiency and lengthens life of die and rollers. Because of using steam and higher temperature starch is partly transformed (gelatinized), what makes pellets more tight and dense.

Gelatinization is a process of changing starch into monosaccharides under the influence of time and proper level of humidity.

Both time of staying in mixer and temperature are usually enough to come to this transformation.
From our experience we know, that best temperature needed to reach best results, for most kinds of fodder, it is about 75^oC or more. The humitidy level of raw material’s should reach 17-18%. Those values are best for most kinds of fodder.

More amount of steam added even at longer intervals clogs the die and consistency of the raw material gets dough.

The solution is to increase the temperature without increasing the humidity. It is very important while projecting pelleting lines.

Also extremely important it is to assure constant supply of steam – with possibly highest temperature, dry and unchanged pressure. And most of all the steam must not be humid and condensed.
In case when steam contains too much water, the mixed raw material is too humid to reach the needed temperature.

In some countries like in USA this is not so important because cereal, which is used there, has low humidity

Mixing conditions are different depending on the recipe of pellets and different content of proteins, starch and molasses.