4-6T/H Beet Pulp Dehydration Machine in Latvia

The customer developed a blend of 70% dried beet pulp and 30% dried rye bran, which provides the fiber and protein that laying hens need for egg production.

This beet pulp dehydration machine in Latvia now produces an organic-certified feed ingredient that is exported to Finland, where it commands a 60% premium over conventional feed ingredients.

Project Background: The Mold Problem

Rye bran is particularly susceptible to mold because it contains high levels of moisture (about 18-20% as it comes from the mill) and is rich in nutrients that support mold growth.

The customer's rye bran regularly tested positive for low levels of mold - not enough to be dangerous, but enough to fail the strict Finnish import standards.

Finland has some of the most stringent mycotoxin regulations in the European Union.

The maximum allowable level of deoxynivalenol (DON, a common mycotoxin produced by Fusarium molds) in animal feed is 0.5 parts per million in Finland, compared to 5.0 parts per million in the EU as a whole.

The Two-Stage Drying Solution

We designed a two-stage drying system for this application.

In the first stage, the rye bran passes through a low-temperature dryer (inlet temperature 150°C) to reduce its moisture from 20% to 12% and to kill mold spores.

In the second stage, the partially dried rye bran is blended with wet beet pulp (78% moisture), and the blend is dried together in a conventional rotary dryer at 400-450°C.

The wet beet pulp protects the rye bran from scorching because the moisture in the beet pulp absorbs heat.

By the time the moisture is driven off, the rye bran has already passed through the hottest zone.

System Configuration

• Stage 1 (Rye Bran Pre-dryer): φ1.2*12 single-pass dryer
• Stage 1 Inlet Temperature: 140 to 160°C
• Stage 1 Outlet Temperature: 60 to 70°C
• Stage 1 Retention Time: 12 to 15 minutes
• Stage 1 Output Moisture: 10 to 12%
• Stage 1 Main Drive Power: 15 kW
• Stage 2 (Blend Dryer): φ1.8*18 single-pass rotary dryer
• Stage 2 Inlet Temperature: 400 to 450°C
• Stage 2 Outlet Temperature: 70 to 80°C
• Stage 2 Blend Ratio: 70% beet pulp / 30% pre-dried rye bran (wet basis)
• Stage 2 Main Drive Power: 30 kW
• Combined Wet Feed Capacity: 4 to 6 tons per hour
• Final Product Moisture: 10 to 12%
• Final Product Mold Count: <10 CFU/g (well below Finnish limit)

The Organic Certification and Export Documentation

The customer already had organic certification for their sugar beets and rye. The Finnish buyer required additional documentation specific to the blend.

The certifying body required that the dryer be dedicated to organic materials only and that the two-stage process be documented for every batch.

We added temperature sensors and data loggers to both dryers that record the inlet and outlet temperatures at 1-minute intervals. These records are kept for five years and are available for inspection.

The Rye Bran Supply Chain

Rye is a major crop in Latvia and neighboring Lithuania. The customer sources rye from local farmers who are certified organic. By drying and blending it with beet pulp, the customer increases its value by approximately 400%.

The customer produces about 2,000 tons of rye bran annually. All of it is used in the beet pulp blend for the Finnish market.

The Finnish Organic Egg Market

Finland has one of the highest per-capita consumption of organic eggs in Europe. The customer's buyer is an egg producer cooperative in southern Finland with approximately 200,000 laying hens.

The cooperative uses about 4,000 tons of feed annually. The customer's 70/30 blend makes up about 15% of the feed ration. The cooperative is paying 500 euros per ton for the blend.

The Fuel Source: Peat and Wood Chips

Latvia has significant peat resources.

The customer chose to use peat as the primary fuel for both dryers. The furnace for the pre-dryer is smaller because the temperature is lower. The furnace for the main dryer is standard biomass grate design. Heat recovery system reduces heat energy consumption by approximately 15%.

Pre-Sale Mycotoxin Testing

Before the customer committed to this beet pulp dehydration machine in Latvia, RICHI's team conducted extensive mycotoxin testing.

At 120°C for 15 minutes, DON level dropped to 0.12 parts per million, well below the Finnish limit. The final blend showed DON level of 0.08 parts per million and mold count below detection limits. The nutritional analysis showed 85% protein retention and 90% fiber retention.

Customer Feedback: First Year of Production

"The two-stage drying system works exactly as designed.

The pre-dryer runs at 145°C and reduces moisture from 19% to 11% in about 14 minutes.  The Finnish cooperative has taken delivery of approximately 2,500 tons of the blend in the first year.

The only issue we had was a jam in the pre-dryer feed when the rye bran was particularly fine. We added a larger feed screw and the problem stopped."

What Else This Dryer Can Do in Latvia

The same two-stage drying system can be used for wheat bran, oat bran, and barley bran. These materials have similar moisture content and mold susceptibility. The customer has already run test batches with wheat bran blends.

Shipping to Latvia

The system was shipped from Qingdao to Port of Riga. From Riga, it was transported by truck to the Jelgava region. Total transit time was approximately 30 days. This project demonstrates that a beet pulp dehydration machine in Latvia can meet strict import standards. The key is pre-drying mold-sensitive materials and documenting every batch for certification.