How Thermal Dehydration Works
The Apex Predator puts thermal dehydration to work on your farm—using controlled heat and airflow to reduce mortality to a fraction of its starting weight, destroy pathogens at USDA-recognized temperatures, and leave behind a useful, biosecure byproduct that’s simple to unload and handle.
STAGE 1: PREHEAT
What Happens: Heaters are activated to bring the drum up to desired temperatures, starting the dehydration process.
Why It Matters: The preheat stage ensures even temperature distribution throughout the product.
Parts Working: Heaters and mixer motor.
STAGE 2: DEHYDRATION
What Happens: Heat and airflow are applied to the product which removes moisture in the form of steam. This stage is continued until the initial weight is reduced by 60%.
Why It Matters: The temperature of the product is continuously monitored to ensure USDA sterilization standards are met.
Parts Working: Heaters, blower, mixer, and auger at preset intervals.
STAGE 3: COOLDOWN
What Happens: Once thermal dehydration parameters are met, the cooldown stage is activated. This reduces the product’s temperature to a stable state, allowing it to remain safely in the drum until unloading.
Why It Matters: Stops the dehydration process to ensure the byproduct is for safe handling and while preventing heat damage.
Parts Working: Blower and mixer motor continues.
STAGE 4: UNLOAD
What Happens: The unit instructs the operator to turn the switch to UNLOAD. The auger discharges the finished byproduct automatically and stops when empty. Additionally, the APEX Predator offers an auto unload setting.
Why It Matters: Leaves behind a stable, biosecure product that’s easy to store, haul or spread directly to the farm.
Parts Working: Auger system and mixer motor.
What the Grower Does
Load the day’s mortality, flip the switch, and let the Predator handle the rest.
LOAD
Confirm empty ≤ 50 lbs, load mortality, close door.
RUN
Turn center switch to ON. Machine runs automatically.
COMPLETE
When batch finishes, display shows COMPLETE.
UNLOAD
Turn center switch to UNLOAD. Auger stops when empty.