Overview
Moisture measurement is a critical parameter in the animal rendering industry, directly influencing product quality, nutritional integrity, and process efficiency. Raw feed ingredients such as soybean meal, fish meal, blood meal, bone meal, feather meal, and grains vary widely in natural moisture content. Without precise monitoring, excessive or insufficient moisture can result in poor pellet formation, microbial growth, and increased operational costs.
MoistTech’s IR-3000 near-infrared (NIR) moisture sensor enables continuous, real-time moisture analysis at key points, from raw material blending through pelletizing, allowing for instant adjustments.
Why Measure Moisture
Accurate, automated moisture monitoring delivers measurable benefits across the animal rendering production process. Near-infrared (NIR) moisture analysis with the MoistTech IR-3000 provides instant, repeatable results — unlike oven or gravimetric methods, which are slower and often destroy the sample or produce inconsistent readings.
Quality Assurance
Energy Efficiency
Reduced Waste
Process Stability
Safety
Typical Moisture Ranges
| Process Stage | Optimal Moisture Range |
|---|---|
| Raw Materials | 8 – 25% |
| Post Mixing / Pre-Palletizing | 14 – 17% |
| Finished Pellets / Cooling | 10 – 12% |
RECOMMENDED MEASUREMENT LOCATIONS
Incoming Raw Materials:
Install the sensor above the conveyor or feed hopper to monitor incoming material moisture levels. Raw ingredients such as grains, meals, and citrus pellets can range from 8–25% moisture, depending on storage and handling conditions. Early measurement ensures proper blending ratios and helps prevent contamination or mold growth in high-moisture materials.
Post-Mixing / Pre-Pelletizing:
Measure moisture after the mixing or conditioning stage to maintain the correct feed consistency prior to pelletizing. Optimal moisture at this point should typically be 14–17%, depending on the formulation and target pellet density.
Too dry → poor pellet binding and and excessive fines.
Too wet → Plugging of the die, uneven pellet formation, or steam loss inefficiency.
Post-Pelletizing / Cooling:
The final control point ensures consistent pellet quality and proper cooling before storage. Finished feed should typically range from 10–12% moisture. Measuring at this stage confirms product uniformity and reduces spoilage risk in storage or transport.
By installing MoistTech IR-3000 sensors at key control points throughout the animal rendering production process, producers gain complete moisture visibility from raw material intake to finished pellets. This real-time control minimizes waste, increases throughput, and ensures consistent product quality — all while reducing energy usage and maintenance costs.