Spektron Feed On-line NIR
Today feed production processes need to be fast, efficient and quality oriented. To obtain this it is important to monitor the different steps throughout the feed production, and make sure that changes in ingredient composition immediately are followed by corrective actions. Aquaculture feeds have costly ingredients and a challenging production process, making it crucial for profitability to follow all stages of the process closely.
Spektron Feed from Prediktor, is a combination of the well proven NIR (Near Infra Red) measurement technique, and real time software for instant presentation of measurements. The philosophy behind Spektron Feed is to gather, process and present data of importance for feed producer. NIR measurements are fast, but continuous measurements of protein, fat and moisture give little meaning for operators unless they are presented together with target values. Spektron Feed present measurements together with recipe defined targets and limits to assist operators, supervisors and quality personnel in their daily work. Moreover, other on-line measurements like density or temperature may be presented together with NIR measurements.
Designed for on-line applications
Near Infra Red (NIR) instruments are the preferred technology for measurement of protein, fat and water in the laboratory. Spektron Feed takes the NIR technology that has been used in laboratories for decades, out to the production floor with specially designed on-line instrumentation. Prediktors’ on-line instruments are designed to work in tough environments, with maximum performance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Spektron Feed utilizes Prediktors’ real time software package APIS. Other areas where APIS is used include the Oil&Gas industry and Industrial IT systems in large process plant. Thus, the software as well as the complete Spektron Feed system is reliable, robust and has minimal downtime.
APIS is an acronym for Advanced Plant Information System, but APIS is also the latin name for the honey bee. Bees are busy workers flying around collecting nectar and pollen, and take it back to the hive, where it is processed, stored and presented in way that makes it easier for us to gather and enjoy the product of their work: honey. The APIS software in Spektron Feed is similarly used to collect, process and present information from feed production – and make it useful.
Developed together with the feed industry
Felleskjøpet Agri, the largest compound feed producer in Norway is constantly looking for technological innovations to improve efficiency and competitiveness. Since December 2007, Felleskjøpet Agri has used Spektron Feed in their factories, and during 2010 all of Felleskjøpet Agris 12 factories will have Spektron Feed on-line NIR equipment installed. “We have chosen the Spektron Feed system from Prediktor because they could supply on-line NIR, the software as well as the integration with other systems”, says Vebjørn Nilsen Process Manager at Felleskjøpet Agri. “As feed ingredients has such large variations, control of ingredients as well as finished feeds are critical”. Felleskjøpet Agri use Spektron Feed for measurements on extruded and pelleted feeds.
On-line NIR in different stages of the feed production
The high protein and fat levels in aquaculture feed compared with compound feeds, make the potential savings on costly protein ingredients, even larger for aquaculture feed than for cattle, swine or poultry feeds. Spektron Feed may be used at different stages in feed production. By using Spektron Feed for on-line analysis on the intake of ingredients you control the incoming ingredients, prevent intake of off grade material and will be able to make formulation on actual values rather than book values of protein, fat and water. During the process Spektron Feed may be used after the mixer to check the quality of meal mix, or for measurements of extruded or pelleted feeds after the dryer. Spektron Feed may also do final quality control of finished feeds.
For fish feeds, like all high quality products, customers are increasingly demanding higher standards. Real time systems, like Spektron Feed, are particularly useful when good control over the production process is of importance for product quality and company profitability. Spektron Feed give real time knowledge of the feed when it is being produced.
Visit Prediktor at stand 09.C03 to learn more about Spektron Feed.
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