In various embodiments, a device for producing a high density compact livestock feed from a loose granular material according to various embodiment can include a source for supplying a loose granular material to be treated and moving the treated material through a series of successive treatment zones. Rotatable screws are provided within an extruder to compress and transport the treated material a die. The treated material is pressed through the die while a two-dimensional cross-section compression is applied to the treated material. In various embodiments, the high density compact livestock feed is produced having a high protein content, a high fat content, high shipping durability, high quality, and high nutritional value, without the addition of additives.

A continuous flow dryer system according to various embodiments can include a source for supplying a material to be treated having a high moisture content, such as a distiller wet grain, a profile screw compression dryer, a profile screw, and a drive coupled to the profile screw for axially rotating the profile screw. The profile screw compression dryer includes an inlet for receiving the material for drying, which is fed therein in a controlled manner. The profile screw is provided within the housing of the dryer. The profile screw has a diameter that increases in dimension in a direction away from the inlet for increasing the compressive force applied to the material to assist with drying as the profile screw rotates and moves the material longitudinally along the profile screw to produce a final product, for example, a distiller dried grain for use as an animal feed.

A continuous flow dryer system according to various embodiments can include a source for supplying a material to be treated having a high moisture content, such as a distiller wet grain, a profile screw compression dryer, a profile screw, and a drive coupled to the profile screw for axially rotating the profile screw. The profile screw compression dryer includes an inlet for receiving the material for drying, which is fed therein in a controlled manner. The profile screw is provided within the housing of the dryer. The profile screw has a diameter that increases in dimension in a direction away from the inlet for increasing the compressive force applied to the material to assist with drying as the profile screw rotates and moves the material longitudinally along the profile screw to produce a final product, for example, a distiller dried grain for use as an animal feed.

An apparatus and method for analyzing a flow of material having an inlet region, a measurement range and an outlet region, and having a first diverter and a second diverter, and a deflection area, wherein in a first state of operation, the two diverters form a continuous first material flow space from the inlet region via the first diverter through the measurement range, via the second diverter to the outlet region, and in a second state of operation, form a continuous second material flow space from the inlet region via the first diverter through the deflection area, via the second diverter to the outlet region.

In the disclosed method, in order to control an extruder including two intermeshing screws for driving a material to be extruded, the following steps are performed while a material to be extruded is being processed by the extruder: constantly measuring the viscosity of the material in the flow of the material in the extruder, and adjusting the extruder in accordance with the viscosity measurement. In order to adjust the extruder in an effective and efficient manner, the rate at which the extruder is filled with material along the intermeshing screws is modified by adjusting, downstream from the screws, a flow cross-section for the material in accordance with the viscosity measurement.

A weather seal includes an elongated micro-cellular foam bulb, and an elongated micro-cellular foam fin element attached to an extending along the length of the foam bulb. The fin elements includes a spine having opposed planar surfaces and at least one microcellular foam barb extending outwardly and at a downward angle from each surface and along the length of the spine. As an alternative to barbs, another option is to use a higher durometer foamed thermoplastic elastomer in a hollow circle shape that would push into a retention pocket. A t-slot version that has a foamed bulb and a polypropylene base is another option.

A compression system includes a compression device and a controller. A treated material is pressed longitudinally through a compression chamber by simultaneously applying a lateral pressure and a two-dimensional cross-section compression which includes a pressure applied in a direction traverse to a direction of transport and a pressure applied in a direction parallel to the direction of transport. The controller controls the two-dimensional cross-section compression applied to the treated material such that, during compression, liquids in the treated material migrate to the outer surface of the treated material upon reaching the outlet orifice.

A device for producing a high density compact livestock feed from a loose granular material according to various embodiment can include a source for supplying a loose granular material to be treated and moving the treated material through a series of successive treatment zones. Rotatable screws are provided within an extruder to compress and transport the treated material a die. The treated material is pressed through the die while a two-dimensional cross-section compression is applied to the treated material.