1-2 T/H Twin-Screw Extrusion Line for Aquatic Feed and Pet Food Production: Engineering Guide

 

 

Table of Contents

 

 

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Introduction

A 1-2 T/H fish feed pellet extruder production line is widely used by feed manufacturers seeking a balance between investment cost, production flexibility, and product quality.

This capacity range is suitable for producing:

Floating fish feed,Sinking shrimp feed,Crab feed,Specialty aquatic feed,Dog food,Cat food,High-protein pet food with fresh meat inclusion, etc.

By using a twin-screw extrusion system, manufacturers can process a broad range of raw materials while maintaining stable product quality and operational efficiency.

 

 

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1. One Production Line for Aquatic Feed and Pet Food

A key advantage of a 1-2 T/H Aquaculture Automatic Pellet Feed Production Line is its ability to serve multiple markets.

Aquatic Feed Production

• Typical products include:Floating fish feed,Slow-sinking fish feed,Sinking fish feed,Shrimp feed,Crab feed

• Production focuses on:Water stability,Pellet durability,Density control,Fine grinding requirements

For shrimp feed, maintaining pellet integrity in water is often an important performance indicator.

 

Pet Food Production

• Typical products include:Dog food,Cat food,High-meat pet food,Functional pet diets

• Production priorities include:Consistent expansion,Shape uniformity,Palatability,Fat and flavor application,Fresh meat utilization

The same production line can often switch between aquatic feed and pet food through equipment adjustments and recipe changes.

 

 

 

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2. How to Make Fish Feed?

 

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1. Cleaning of raw materials and a coarse crushing

 

Raw materials are first cleaned to remove impurities.

Magnetic separators are commonly installed before grinding equipment to reduce the risk of metal contamination and protect downstream machinery.

 

Fine Grinding

Particle size directly influences pellet quality.

Typical grinding requirements:

Product Type	Grinding Fineness
Shrimp Feed	80-120 Mesh
Fish Feed	60-100 Mesh
Pet Food	60-80 Mesh

Fine particle size generally contributes to improved mixing uniformity and pellet structure.

 

Dust Collection

Pulse dust collection systems are often integrated into grinding sections to:

• Improve workplace cleanliness
• Reduce material loss
• Support compliance with industrial safety requirements

 

 

2: Batching and Mixing

 

Automatic Ingredient Dosing

Automated batching systems help ensure consistent ingredient proportions.

Typical systems include:6-8 ingredient bins,PLC-based weighing control,Formula management functions

 

Mixing

U-shaped Livestock Mixers are commonly used to achieve uniform ingredient distribution.

A well-designed mixing stage helps ensure that vitamins, minerals, and micro-ingredients are evenly dispersed throughout the final product.

 

 

3: Conditioning and Extrusion

 

Steam Conditioning

Conditioning introduces heat and moisture before extrusion.

Benefits may include:

• Improved starch cooking
• Better material plasticization
• More stable extrusion performance

Differential-diameter conditioners can increase material retention time and improve steam absorption efficiency.

 

Twin-Screw Extrusion

Twin-Screw floating Fish Feed Extruder is the core component of the production line.

Common characteristics include:

• Modular screw configuration
• Adjustable process parameters
• Capability to process a wide range of formulations

Screw elements are often manufactured from nitrided alloy steel materials such as 38CrMoAlA to improve wear resistance.

 

Advantages of Twin-Screw Technology

Compared with single-screw systems, twin-screw extruders generally offer:

• Better formula flexibility
• Improved handling of high-protein recipes
• Stable processing of high-moisture ingredients
• Enhanced process control

 

Product Parameters

 

Model (Electric)	Capacity (kg/h)	Main power	Cutting blade power	Cutting power	Modulator power
65	250-300	22KW	1.5KW	1.5KW	3KW
70	500-600	45KW	1.5KW	1.5KW	3KW
75	800-1000	55KW	1.5KW	1.5KW	3KW
85	1200-1500	90KW	3KW	2.2KW	5.5KW
95	2000-2500	110KW	3KW	3KW	11KW
120	3000-4000	160KW	5.5KW	3KW	15+7.5KW
136	5000-6000	200KW	7.5KW	5.5KW	22+7.5KW

 

1000-1200kg/h Twin screw floating fish feed pellet extruder machine test in factory

 

 

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4: Drying and Mixed seasonings

 

Drying

Extruded pellets contain moisture that must be reduced before packaging.

Multi-layer belt dryers are commonly used to:

• Reduce moisture content
• Improve product stability
• Support consistent pellet quality
• Some systems incorporate heat recovery technologies to improve energy efficiency.

 

Seasoning Process

Seasoning Machine is an important process in premium pet food production.

These processes help oils and liquid flavorings penetrate the internal pore structure of the pellets, enhancing flavor absorption and coating uniformity.

 

 

5: Cooling and Stabilization

 

Counter-Flow Cooling

Pellets leaving the dryer or coating system typically retain residual heat.

Counter-flow coolers reduce pellet temperature to near ambient conditions.

This process helps:

• Minimize moisture migration
• Reduce condensation risks during storage
• Improve packaging performance
• Support long-term product stability
• Proper cooling is an important step before final packaging.

 

 

3. The Science of Extrusion: Why It Matters

 

3.1 Strategic Advantages of Extruded Feed

The HTST extrusion process promotes high starch gelatinization levels, which are often associated with improved feed digestibility and pellet quality. By adjusting screw speed, moisture, steam addition, and die design, manufacturers can produce floating, slow-sinking, or sinking feed with different density characteristics. When properly controlled, extrusion may also help reduce microbial contamination risks and improve feed hygiene.

 

 

3.2 Raw Material

 

Raw materials including grain, fishmeal, bone meal, bean cake, peanut meal, rice bran,wheat bran,clam shell powder,alcohol masterbatch,soybean phosphatide, shrimp flour, salmon powder, feed yeast, etc.

 

 

3.3 Formula Flexibility: The Twin screw fish feed extruder machine Advantage

High-Fiber Formulations

The intermeshing screw design helps process fibrous ingredients more effectively and supports stable material flow.

High-Moisture Formulations

Twin-screw extrusion systems are generally better suited for handling high-moisture recipes and fresh meat formulations than conventional single-screw systems.

Multi-Species Production

A single line can often produce multiple product categories with limited mechanical adjustments, improving equipment utilization.

 

 

4. Technical Parameters

 

Capacity	1000-2000kg/h
Power	94-217kw
Range of application	Good for medium/big commerical Aquatic /pets feed factory
Product advantages	Long working life,make high protein feed,Stable output,high efficiency, continuous work,labor saving,can pack directly,pellet size could be chosen from 1-12mm
Process flow	1.Bucket elevator -2.Buffer bin -3.Hammer mill -4.Bucket elevator -5.Buffer bin -6.Mixer -7.Bucket elevator -8.Broken arch bin -9.Wet way feed pellet extruder -10.Air conveyor -11.Dryer -12.Air conveyor -13.Seasoning machine -14.Air conveyor -15.Cooler -16.Air conveyor -17.Finished product silo
Size for whole line	Length: 35m-50m Width: 6m Height: 8m
Workers requirements	3-5 Workers
Shipment requirements	2×40ft container

 

 

Feature	Aquatic Feed Mode	Pet Food Mode
Rated Output	1.0-2.2 T/H	1.0-1.5 T/H
Grinding Fineness	80-120 Mesh	60-80 Mesh
Starch Gelatinization	≥90%	≥85%
Fresh Meat Inclusion	Up to 25%	Up to 40%
Pellet Diameter	0.5-10 mm	2-20 mm
Water Stability	Up to 12 Hours or More (Formula Dependent)	N/A

 

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5. Tips for making floating fish feed on the production line

 

• Screw L/D Ratio

For aquatic feed applications, L/D ratios between 18:1 and 22:1 are commonly used to support sufficient cooking and product development.

• Material Selection

Food-contact components are often manufactured from 304 stainless steel to improve corrosion resistance and facilitate cleaning.

• Bearing Configuration

Industrial-grade bearing systems with proper lubrication and cooling arrangements can contribute to long-term operational reliability.

• Climate Adaptation

Projects in cold or humid regions may require:

1. Heat tracing systems
2. Insulated pipelines
3. Control cabinet dehumidification
4. Environmental protection measures

 

6.  FAQ

 

What factory space is required?

A typical 1-2 T/H turnkey plant may require approximately 500 m² of production area, depending on layout configuration and auxiliary equipment selection.

 

Can the line produce 0.5 mm micro-pellets?

Yes. Specialized dies and cutting systems can be used for micro-pellet production. Actual output may vary according to product specifications.

 

Why choose a Twin-Screw floating fish feed extruder machine for high-protein pet food?

Twin-screw technology generally provides better process stability when handling high-protein and high-moisture formulations.

 

What factors influence operating costs?

Operating costs are affected by:

• Electricity prices
• Steam generation costs
• Labor expenses
• Production volume
• Raw material characteristics
• Actual costs vary by country and project conditions.

 

7. Case Scene

 

 

 

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