6–8 T/H Poultry Feed Pellet Cooler in Nigeria

Why the Feed Mill Needed a Better Cooling Solution

The customer already had grinding, mixing, pelleting, and packaging equipment. The problem was not the production capacity of the poultry feed pellet machine, but the condition of the feed after pelletizing.

The previous cooling system created several operational difficulties:

• Hot pellets reached the bagging section before sufficient cooling.
• Higher moisture retention increased the risk of bag caking during storage.
• Pellets became softer and generated more fines during transportation.
• The cooling process slowed down the overall production rhythm.

For poultry farmers, pellet appearance and durability directly influence their purchasing decisions. Feed with excessive powder at the bottom of bags often creates complaints, even when the formulation itself is correct.

The customer therefore focused on upgrading only the cooling stage instead of investing in a completely new poultry feed production line.

Selected Equipment: SKLF17×17 Counterflow Pellet Cooler

After reviewing the production conditions, RICHI recommended the SKLF17×17 counterflow cooler.

The selected capacity matched the customer’s existing pellet production output. Instead of increasing production beyond the downstream packaging ability, the goal was to make every ton produced more stable and market-ready.

Cooling Requirements for Nigerian Poultry Feed

The feed mill produces different poultry diets according to customer requirements, including broiler starter, broiler grower, broiler finisher, and layer feed.

The pellets normally leave the feed pellet mill at approximately 80–90°C after conditioning and compression. Before entering packaging, they need to be cooled close to ambient temperature while reducing excess moisture.

The main cooling targets were:

• Reducing pellet temperature before bagging.
• Improving pellet hardness and reducing fines.
• Maintaining product stability during transportation.
• Reducing moisture-related storage problems in humid weather.

The counterflow cooling principle was suitable for this application because cooler air contacts the finished pellets gradually, providing efficient heat removal without excessive mechanical impact.

Installation with the Existing Feed Production System

The customer did not require a complete plant reconstruction. The new poultry feed pellet cooler was connected directly after the feed pellet machine and before the existing screening and packaging section.

The updated process became:

1. Grinding of corn, soybean meal, and other feed ingredients.
2. Mixing according to poultry feed formulas.
3. Pelletizing into 3–4 mm poultry feed pellets.
4. Cooling through the SKLF17×17 counterflow pellet cooler.
5. Screening and bagging of finished feed.

This single-equipment upgrade allowed the mill to improve final product quality without interrupting its existing production structure.

Results After Adding the Pellet Cooler

After commissioning, the feed mill observed noticeable improvements in daily operation.

• Pellets became harder and more resistant to breakage.
• Dust generation during bag handling was reduced.
• Finished feed remained more stable during warehouse storage.
• The pellet mill could operate with fewer interruptions caused by cooling limitations.

For customers receiving feed in different regions of Nigeria, especially during humid seasons, improved pellet stability helped maintain product consistency from the factory to the farm.

Why Counterflow Cooling Was Suitable for This Project

The customer compared different cooling approaches before making the investment. The final selection was based on practical operating conditions rather than simply choosing the largest equipment.

• Better cooling efficiency for hot poultry pellets.
• Gentler handling compared with systems that create excessive pellet movement.
• More stable operation in changing weather conditions.
• Suitable capacity for a medium-sized independent feed mill.

For a Nigerian feed producer competing through product reliability, reducing pellet damage after production was an important part of maintaining customer trust.

Shipping and Technical Support

The RICHI SKLF17×17 poultry feed pellet cooler was shipped from China to Lagos Port, Nigeria. After customs clearance, the equipment was transported by road to the customer’s Ogun State facility.

Support provided during the project included:

• Installation guidance based on the existing production layout.
• Operating instructions for airflow and cooling adjustment.
• Maintenance recommendations for long-term operation.
• Technical assistance during commissioning.

The customer’s operators were able to integrate the cooler into the existing production process without major changes to the factory workflow.

Customer Feedback

“Before installing the new cooler, we often received complaints about soft pellets and too much powder in bags, especially during the rainy season. After the upgrade, the pellets are cooler, stronger, and much more stable during storage. The equipment fits our production capacity well and has improved our confidence in supplying poultry farmers.”

Application Potential for Other Feed Producers

Although this project was designed for poultry feed production in Nigeria, pellet cooling technology is also important for other feed applications where product durability and storage stability matter.

• Broiler and layer feed pellets.
• Pig feed pellets.
• Cattle and ruminant compound feed.
• Other dry pellet products requiring controlled cooling.

For feed mills operating in warm and humid regions, improving the cooling stage can often deliver significant quality improvements without replacing the entire production line.

This Nigerian project shows how a properly selected poultry feed pellet cooler can help an existing feed mill achieve more consistent products, reduce handling losses, and build stronger relationships with local poultry farmers.