Modeling the flow properties of DDGS

ABSTRACT Distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) are an excellent source of energy, minerals, and bypass protein for ruminants. With the remarkable growth of the U.S. fuel ethanol industry in the past decade, large quantities of distillers grains are now being produced. DDGS flow is often restricted by caking and bridging during its storage and transportation. In our previous works, increased soluble and moisture levels significantly affected the flow properties of DDGS. Currently, however, there is no model available to predict the flowability of DDGS. So the objectives of this study were to thoroughly investigate the data obtained from our previous work using exploratory data analysis techniques and to develop a comprehensive model to predict the flowability of DDGS. A simple and robust model (R2 = 0.93, SE = 0.12) was developed by combining the important flow properties obtained from conventional Carr and Jenike tests using dimensional analysis and response surface modeling. However, the model developed was exclusively based on the DDGS from one ethanol plant and, as DDGS flow properties will differ with each plant, it is suggested to use this methodology to develop similar models to predict the flowability of DDGS for other plants as well.