New Extruders in Food Production

Twin-Screw vs Single-Screw Extruder: What's the Difference?
In terms of material mixing and handling, twin-screw extruders can enjoy advantages over single-screw extruders. Horizontal twin-screw extruders feature two or more intermeshing screws which rotate in the same or in the opposite direction providing better mixing, shear and conveying. It enables better handling of sticky or heat-sensitive materials while maintaining process stability and output. In terms of scope of application, twin-screw extruders are powerful and can be used for processes that require accurate ingredient addition or multiple processes like compounding and reactive extrusion.

On the other hand, single screw extruders are simpler in construction and contain one rotating screw. These are noticeably less expensive and easier to use in food extrusion processes. They are generally suitable for use in basic extrusion or when extruding homogeneous materials that do not require much mixing. The complexity of single screw machines is comparatively low, thereby resulting in less energy consumption and a lesser time in setting up for some of the food and agriculture processes. The decision on whether to use twin or single screw extruders is dictated by the requirements of the application in question, material to be processed, end desired features of the product, and its cost.