How to prevent fish food making machine equipment from freezing

 

 

In winter, northern feed mills often experience freezing problems with their extruders. These problems can lead to blockages in the cooling system's pipes, resulting in water circulation problems, excessive barrel temperatures exceeding 150°C, and carbonization of the raw materials. Wastewater from raw material cleaning freezes at the bottom of the equipment, causing corrosion. Condensate even freezes inside the electrical control cabinet, causing short circuits and electrical leakage. These freezing issues not only disrupt production but can also lead to safety accidents such as slips and electric shocks, necessitating proactive precautions.

 

 

1. Anti-icing the cooling system: Prevent pipe rupture and barrel overheating.

 Cause: If the extruder cooling system uses tap water in winter, the residual water in the pipes after shutdown will freeze and expand (volume increases by approximately 9%), leading to pipe rupture. If the machine is continuously running, the cooling water temperature is too low (possibly below 0°C), causing ice to form on the cooler fins, affecting heat dissipation efficiency. The barrel temperature may rise from the normal 120°C to over 150°C, causing carbonization of the raw material (black particles appearing). Furthermore, overflowing cooling water freezes on the ground, easily causing people to slip.

 

 ​Note: Replace cooling water with industrial antifreeze (such as ethylene glycol antifreeze, with the concentration adjusted based on the minimum temperature: ≥45% in areas below -20°C, ≥35% in areas below -10°C). After shutting down, completely drain the cooling system (open the cooler drain valve and pipe drain valves) and purge the pipes with compressed air (pressure 0.5-0.7 MPa) to ensure no residual liquid. Install temperature sensors around the cooler. When the ambient temperature drops below 5°C, automatically activate a heating device (such as an electric fan) to prevent ice from forming on the heat sink. Regularly check the floor for accumulated water. Clean any accumulated water immediately and install non-slip mats.

 

 

2. Preventing Icing Around Equipment: Avoiding Equipment Rust and Slips

 Reason: When cleaning extruders in winter (e.g., cleaning the barrel and die head), wastewater can easily accumulate on the bottom of the equipment and on the floor. If the workshop temperature is below 0°C, wastewater quickly freezes, causing not only corrosion of the equipment base (rust thickness can reach 0.5mm/month) but also slippery floors, making personnel prone to slips during operation (the risk of slips is 60% higher than in summer).

 

 Precautions: When cleaning equipment, use warm water (30-40°C) to minimize the time wastewater remains on the equipment surface. After cleaning, use a high-pressure blower (50-60°C) to dry the equipment surface and floor. Install drainage gutters at the bottom of the equipment to direct wastewater to an outdoor sewer (to prevent accumulation in the workshop). If the workshop temperature is below 0°C, lay non-slip mats (such as rubber mats) on the floor and place "Caution: Slippery Floor" warning signs throughout the workshop.

 

 

 

3.Preventing Icing on Electrical Components: Avoiding Short Circuits, Trips, and Equipment Leakage

 Cause: In winter, the temperature difference between inside and outside the workshop is large (e.g., 20°C inside, -10°C outside). This easily causes condensation to form inside electrical components (such as control cabinets, motor junction boxes, and sensors). If the workshop temperature drops below 0°C, this condensation can freeze, causing poor electrical contact (e.g., frozen relays in control cabinets, causing frequent tripping) and even short circuits. If ice damages the insulation, it can also cause equipment leakage, endangering personnel safety.

 

 Precautions: Place desiccant (such as calcium chloride desiccant, 200g per cubic meter of space) in the control cabinet and motor junction box to absorb moisture from the air. Install a small heater (50-100W, set to 15-20°C) in the control cabinet to maintain a stable temperature and prevent condensation from freezing. Before starting the machine, use a multimeter to check the insulation resistance of electrical components (for example, the insulation resistance of the motor winding to ground must be ≥0.5MΩ). If the insulation resistance is too low, it may indicate ice or moisture. Use a hot air blower (temperature ≤60°C) to dry it out before restarting the machine. Regularly check electrical connectors for ice. If ice is found, immediately disconnect the power cord.

 

 

 

 

 

MIKIM boasts extensive experience in poultry feed pellet production lines, significantly reducing the incidence of poultry diseases. Its equipment is not only widely used across various industries domestically but also exported to Southeast Asia, Europe, Africa, and South America, earning a high reputation internationally. This global presence not only demonstrates the adaptability and competitiveness of its products, but also demonstrates the company's experience in adapting to diverse market standards and logistics conditions, enabling it to provide a stable supply chain for its overseas customers. Whether serving large domestic farms or cross-border feed companies, MIKIM can leverage its global service network to ensure a consistent, high-quality experience.

 

For more information on process flow design, equipment layout, factory construction plans, individual equipment pricing, or turnkey project proposals, please feel free to contact us!!!

 

 

 

1. What is the price of the fish feed extruder?

The price ranges from approximately $5,000-$15,000

2. Do you provide maintenance services for your customers?
Yes, we offer comprehensive after-sales maintenance services to our customers.

 

 

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