8-12T/D Fish Feed Dryer in Ecuador

Customer Profile and Purchase Motivation

The client is a medium-scale aquafeed manufacturer, producing roughly 8–12 tons of feed per day for tilapia and shrimp farms across Ecuador. They supply both smallholder and commercial farms, prioritizing high-quality feed that supports growth and survival rates of cultured species.

The motivation for purchasing a single RICHI fish feed dryer machine included:

• Replacing an outdated dryer that could not maintain uniform moisture levels
• Enhancing pellet durability, reducing breakage and fines
• Improving feed quality for better aquaculture results
• Integrating with existing pellet mills without major modifications to the facility

By selecting a single dryer, the client was able to increase product quality without the significant expense of a full-line replacement.

Raw Materials and Drying Requirements

In Ecuador, typical tilapia and shrimp feed formulations include:

• Fish meal and soybean meal for protein
• Corn gluten and wheat flour for carbohydrates
• Fish oil and vegetable oil for essential fatty acids
• Vitamin and mineral premixes to balance nutrition
• Optional additives like krill meal for pigmentation and flavor enhancement

Feed pellets entering the dryer typically have a moisture content of 18–22% and require drying to a stable 10–12% to prevent mold growth and ensure pellet stability during transportation and storage. The RICHI mesh-belt dryer preserves pellet integrity, ensuring uniform drying without excessive fines or breakage.

Equipment Selection: Model and Parameters

Considering the facility size and drying requirements, the client selected the DHG-400 electric fish feed dryer machine. This model was chosen for its balance of capacity, cost-efficiency, and compatibility with local electrical infrastructure.

The DHG-400 belt dryer’s compact size and 5-layer mesh belt were ideal for the client’s production volume, providing consistent drying while remaining energy efficient. Larger models like DHG-1000 or DHG-2000 would have been oversized and less economical for the medium-scale operation.

Shipping and Logistics

The DHG-400 dryer machine was shipped by sea freight to Guayaquil Port, Ecuador’s main industrial port serving aquaculture regions. RICHI Machinery coordinated all aspects of shipping, customs clearance, and insurance, ensuring the equipment arrived safely and on schedule.

Installation and Commissioning

RICHI Machinery provided comprehensive installation and commissioning support:

• Foundation setup to reduce vibration and ensure machine stability
• Electrical integration with local power systems
• Mesh-belt alignment across five layers for smooth and uniform drying
• Operator training covering safety, maintenance, and optimal drying procedures

The installation was completed efficiently, and production resumed with minimal downtime.

Operational Impact

The RICHI DHG-400 fish feed dryer brought significant benefits to the client:

• Uniform drying: Achieving stable moisture content of 10–12% across all pellets
• Reduced breakage: Maintaining pellet integrity during packaging and transportation
• Energy efficiency: Electric heating allowed precise temperature control with minimal energy consumption
• Enhanced feed quality: Nutrient retention and pellet hardness improved, supporting better aquaculture growth

This improvement directly contributed to higher feed conversion rates and healthier shrimp and tilapia, enhancing client competitiveness in the local market.

Customer Feedback

The client shared their feedback:

"We are extremely satisfied with the DHG-400. The pellets are consistently dried, breakage is minimal, and our feed conversion rates have improved noticeably. The RICHI team was professional throughout installation and training, making the transition smooth. We are confident in the long-term reliability of this machine."

Future Plans

Encouraged by the performance of the DHG-400, the client is considering:

• Expanding capacity with an additional mesh-belt dryer to handle higher production volumes
• Integrating cooling conveyors post-drying to maintain pellet quality
• Exploring additional RICHI equipment, including fish feed extruders and pelletizers, for future feed production lines

Conclusion

The installation of the RICHI DHG-400 fish feed dryer in Ecuador highlights how medium-scale aquafeed facilities can benefit from single-machine upgrades. Key takeaways include:

• Consistent, energy-efficient drying of fish feed pellets
• Improved pellet quality and reduced breakage
• Seamless integration with existing production equipment
• Professional support from RICHI Machinery for installation and operation

This project demonstrates RICHI’s expertise in delivering high-quality standalone machines that enhance aquaculture feed production, offering both immediate performance benefits and long-term operational reliability.