Digital Data Systems's bomb calorimeters can be used to measure the calorific value of animal feed to determine the nutritional value of the feed
Many institutions, including those is animal and dairy research, departments of agriculture, universities, animal science and research, and private industries, are doing research and development on animal feed with the aim of improving the nutritional value of the feed.
Part of this research naturally involves the calorific value of the feed, which is the same as the energy content of that feed.
A calorimeter is used to determine the calorific value.
The sample to be measured is ground into a powder and then prepared into tablet form.
The sample should be made into a tablet so as to prevent splattering when the sample burns.
Splattering is when un-burnt sample is thrown out of the crucible during combustion, thus causing inaccurate results.
In tablet form, feeds usually burn consistently and without splattering.
If a sample does not ignite easily then the spiking method of ignition can be used.
In this system a benzoic acid tablet is added to the crucible.
The benzoic acid burns easily and ignites the sample; the energy of the benzoic acid is removed from the calculation.
In some research the calorific value of the excretions of the animal are also measured to ensure that the animal has absorbed all the energy content of the feed.
The Cal2k, Eco and e2K models can be used.
