Shedding Light on Quality: The Role of Process Refractometers in Tomato Processing

Refractometers have carved out a significant niche in various industries, but their role in the food sector, particularly with tomato products, stands out as noteworthy. Let's look into the application of process refractometers to ensure tomato-based products' quality, consistency, and safety.

What is a Process Refractometer?

At its core, a refractometer is a device that measures the extent to which light is bent (or refracted) when it passes through a substance. This refraction is directly related to the concentration of solutes in a solution. In the food industry, process refractometers gauge the concentration of sugars, salts, and other soluble substances in food products in real time, making them invaluable in maintaining product consistency.

Importance in Tomato Products

The quality of tomato products is often gauged by their consistency and the concentration of soluble solids, primarily sugars and acids. Given that tomatoes can vary in sugar content based on their variety, maturity, and growing conditions, ensuring consistency in commercial products is challenging. Here's where process refractometers come into play:

1. Brix Measurement: Brix is a scale that indicates the sugar content of an aqueous solution. One degree Brix corresponds to 1 gram of sucrose in 100 grams of solution. In the tomato industry, the Brix measurement helps determine the sugar concentration in tomato products like sauces, ketchup, and pastes. A consistent Brix level ensures a uniform taste across batches.
2. Ensuring Quality: Besides flavor, the concentration of soluble solids in tomato products affects texture and viscosity. By constantly monitoring this concentration, manufacturers can make real-time adjustments to the processing parameters, ensuring the end product maintains the desired quality.
3. Economic Considerations: Overconcentration means more tomato content than necessary, which can waste resources, while underconcentration might not meet industry standards or consumer expectations. By maintaining the right concentration, manufacturers can optimize costs.
4. Safety Concerns: Water activity in a product can influence its susceptibility to microbial growth. By monitoring and controlling the concentration of solutes, manufacturers can enhance tomato products' safety and shelf life.

Practical Applications

• Tomato Paste Production: Refractometers ensure that the concentration process yields a consistent product for direct consumption or as a base for other tomato-based products.
• Ketchup & Sauces: Beyond tomatoes, these products often contain additional ingredients like spices, sugars, and vinegar. Monitoring the overall concentration ensures a balanced product that meets the desired flavor profile and texture.
• Canned Tomatoes: While these are processed less than paste or ketchup, providing the brine or juice's concentration can affect the product's overall taste and shelf life.
• Juice Production: Whether it's pure tomato juice or a blend, maintaining the right Brix level is essential for consistent flavor and quality.

The importance of process refractometers in the food industry, especially in producing tomato products, cannot be overstated. They play a pivotal role in maintaining product quality, safety, and consistency, ensuring that consumers receive the same great taste and texture with every purchase. As technology advances and the demand for consistent, high-quality food products increases, the reliance on such tools will only grow.

Electron Machine Corporation
https://electronmachine.com
+1 352-669-3101

In-line Process Refractometer Applications

Food and Beverage 

Sanitary refractometers from Electron Machine provide precise in-line Brix, total solids, density, Plato,  and concentration readings in applications involving processing liquid foods and beverages in filling lines and waste stream management. 

Chemical Manufacturing

Even in the most demanding, hazardous conditions, Electron Machine's Process Refractometers deliver precise and dependable liquid concentration and density readings of any chemicals or compounds in the central processing lines, by-pass lines, or containers. 

Sweeteners, Jams, Jellies, Sugar Alternatives, Sugar 

Process refractometers from Electron Machine provide precise and trustworthy Brix readings. Supersaturation concentration control, total fructose, and glucose concentration during separation, and Brix 

Paper & Pulp Processing

Electron Machine's process refractometers provide black and green liquor solids content and density readings in the kraft chemical (sulfate) and chemical-mechanical pulp manufacturing processes. Refractometers assist the brown stock washing procedure in the fiber line optimization by using measurements of fiber suspensions' dissolved solids content (TDS).

Refining of Oil, Gas, and Petrochemicals 

Electron Machine process refractometers offer precise in-line measurements of refractive index, concentration, and density to improve processes such as alkylation, gas treatment, dehydration, and oil production.

Electron Machine Corporation
https://electronmachine.com
+1 352-669-3101

Inline Process Refractometers for Industry

Refractometry is the ideal method for efficiently, reliably, and accurately determining substance concentration, identification, or purity. Inline process refractometers are especially helpful as they supplement laboratory research and contribute to product improvement. These process analyzers deliver results within fractions of a second, allowing real-time monitoring and automatic control of processes.

Process refractometers offer the end-user a tool that can be relied upon consistently. They provide a consistent final product, which is essential for various reasons that vary depending on the business that utilizes this equipment. In the pulp and paper industry, managing the process to their desired level enables them to enhance and simplify the whole Kraft process, allowing them to operate at optimum energy efficiency, which is essential given the competitive global market. 

The same applies to chemical, food, dairy, and sugar-producing businesses. However, quality control is very crucial. Creating and sustaining brand loyalty is vital, and quality control guarantees quality. Product uniformity each time your client's purchase will help you earn and maintain market share. Not to mention saving money via waste reduction.

The benefits of using inline refractometers are apparent. Manual sampling and laboratory analysis are time-consuming and labor-intensive, making them less efficient and reproducible. The inline process refractometer is the more efficient and dependable option. These instruments provide real-time, inline continuous concentration monitoring and cross-contamination prevention. Furthermore, operators may utilize their time to do other vital tasks, allowing for further time savings and quality improvements.

Electron Machine Corporation
https://electronmachine.com
+1 352-669-3101

Electron Machine Corporation Celebrates 75th Anniversary and 15,000th Shop Order

Electron Machine Corporation is proud to announce its 75th Anniversary and 15,000th shop order.  Founded in 1946, Carl Vossberg Jr. began the Company to transition technologies first used to support the War Department and defense systems to those technologies used in industry.  These methods further increased the quality of items built.  Many of these technologies provided real-time processes control feedback from which changes could be made automatically to the output of the process.  In today's terms, this was the advent of Advanced Process Control (APC).  As a result of his efforts, Carl Vossberg, Jr. was the recipient of many patents.

In 1951 the Company was relocated from Long Island, NY to Umatilla, FL, although several other local cities were interested in hosting Electron Machine Corporation.  In 1953, the Company received its charter in Florida, where the Company has been ever since.  Over time, the product line manufactured by Electron Machine narrowed as manufacturing methods and equipment improved and early APC instruments became integrated into the actual production methods themselves.  

In 1957 Electron Machine applied its first generation of In-line Process Refractometer to determine the sugar concentration (BRIX) of frozen concentrated orange juice.  A unit of this vintage is on display in the Umatilla Historical Museum.  This same instrument is capable of reading concentrations of many process fluids and acids and dissolved solids in a solution.  This product line continues to this day at Electron Machine. 

Carl Vossberg III led the Company for several decades, improving the remaining product family of In-line Process Refractometers and helped to establish Electron Machine Corporation's global reach.  Now servicing Asia, Europe, North and South America, and Africa, Electron Machine Corporation is known worldwide.      

Carl Vossberg IV now leads the organization as foreign markets continue to grow, and the In-Line Process Refractometer continues to advance in its capabilities and technologies.  Wireless options, data logging, communications, and explosion-proof rated instruments serve to broaden the application base for the family of In-Line Process Refractometers.

The 75th Anniversary coincides with our 15,000th Shop Order, meaning 15,000 instruments and pipeline adapters have been manufactured here in Umatilla, FL, servicing the world.

Electron Machine Corporation
https://electronmachine.com​​
+1 352-669-3101

Industrial Applications for Inline Refractometers

The applications for inline industrial refractometers are many. Outlined below are several of the more common applications and processes.

Spray Dryers: Spray drying is a way to produce a dry powder from a liquid or slurry by drying quickly with a warm gas, a preferred drying technique for many thermally sensitive products like foods and pharmaceuticals. Consistent distribution of particle size is the goal for spray drying. Process refractometer monitors the feed line's concentration to the spray dryer, ensuring correct particle size after drying and improving product shelf life.

Evaporation: An evaporator is a tool used to transform the liquid form of a chemical substance such as water into its gaseous / vapor form. During that phase, the liquid is evaporated or vaporized into a gas. Inline refractometers provide real-time data of concentration changes in the process media.

Crystallizers: In industry, crystallizers create liquid-solid separation. They are an essential component of chemical processing equipment as they can generate high-purity products from a relatively low energy input. The refractometer controls the liquor concentration to determine the right seeding point (evaporative crystallizer) or to detect when crystals start to form (cooling crystallizer).

Dissolving Tanks: Dissolving tanks dissolve solids into a liquid, thereby changing the concentration of the solution. Refractometers provide continuous measurement of the concentration components in solution as the solute dissolves into water or solvent, with real-time information for dissolving rate. 

Solid / Liquid Extraction - Solid / Liquid extraction method is a prevalent method in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries to acquire natural ingredients such as natural raw material flavors and fragrances. Inline refractometers measure the amount of extracted substance (dissolved solids) in the liquid after the extraction process. The measurement is not affected by undissolved solids, only by the dissolved matter, making it ideal to follow extraction efficiency. 

Reverse Osmosis: Reverse osmosis (RO) is a water purification method that removes ions, unwanted molecules, and bigger particles from drinking water using a partially permeable membrane. Inline refractometers provide real-time data of concentration changes in the process media.

Reactors: Process reactors are typical in commercial production applications in adhesives processing, agriculture, chemical processing, cosmetics, food and beverage production, paints and coating production, paper and pulp processing, pharmaceutical and medical production, plastics, and thermoplastics processing. The real-time progress can be followed using inline refractometers, either through the leveling out of process key process variables or reaching a single component's targeted refractive index value.

Cooking Processes: The art, technology, science, and craftsmanship of preparing food for consumption are cooking. The large-scale production of juices, jams, jellies, dairy, and fruits in modern production facilities requires automation and control instrumentation for quality and efficiency. Sugar is a critical component in many foods. The inline refractometer measures the refractive index to determine the cooking process's end and boost the cooking effectiveness.

Other areas where you'll find the use of industrial process refractometers are; adhesives processing, agriculture, chemical processing, cosmetics, food and beverage production, paints and coating production, paper and pulp processing, pharmaceutical, plastics, and thermoplastics processing.

For more information about applying the refractive index to industrial process applications, contact Electron Machine by calling 352-669-3101 or by visiting https://electronmachine.com.

Check out our latest Ad in PI Process Instrumentation Magazine!

Electron Machine is pleased to be advertising in PI Process Instrumentation Magazine. P.I. Process Instrumentation (formerly named Flow Control).

P.I. Process Instrumentation (formerly named Flow Control) serves professionals who design, operate, automate and maintain the systems that measure and control liquids and gases in industrial processes.

SEE THE AD HERE

MPR E-Scan Intrinsically Safe (I.S.) Model Receives China Compulsory Product Certification (CCC)

Electron Machine Corporation is proud to announce its MPR E-Scan Intrinsically Safe (I.S.) model is certified for use in China, per the China Compulsory Product Certification (CCC) Organization.  The China Compulsory Certificate mark, commonly known as a CCC Mark, is a compulsory safety mark for many products imported, sold, or used in the Chinese market.  China Compulsory Certification (CCC) is similar to other certifications for product quality standardization - such as the European CE system - but there are significant differences. Products that require certification may only be imported, sold, or used in China's business activities after a China Compulsory Certification has been obtained. 

For more information contact:

Electron Machine Corporation
https://electronmachine.com
+1 352-669-3101

Complimentary Black Liquor Testing Offer from Electron Machine Corp.

Electron Machine Corporation

Complimentary Black Liquor Testing Offer

https://electronmachine.com/blackliquortesting

352-669-3101

Inline Process Refractometers from Electron Machine

As the pioneer in developing the industrial use of refractive index, Electron Machine’s instruments provide safe, reliable, and accurate process measurement for the pulp and paper industry, the food and beverage industry, and the chemical industry. With thousands of refractometers installed around the world, Electron Machine sells and supports it products through its Umatilla, Florida headquarters and a global network of technical distributors.

Electron Machine Corporation
https://electronmachine.com
+1 352-669-3101
sales@electronmachine.com

Where is Your Pulp Mill’s Black Liquor Bottleneck?

Black liquor solids is a key measurement operation influencing the economics of the pulping process, as well as the environmental load of the mill. Typical analyses of black liquor solids are conducted on a periodic bases throughout the mill, from the washers through the evaporator to the ring header. These analyses consist of many samples being taken at key location and analyzed in the lab. This process can take many hours or even days to collect and determine the solids. Electron Machine has worked for years to develop and improve the speed and the accuracy of both inline and offline equipment. This continual improvement for black liquor solids measurements allows Electron Machine the ability to offer equipment that can greatly increase the speed in which these studies are conducted.

How confident are you in your black liquor solids? Do you know the solids at every critical phase of the process? Would you like to decrease the time that solids analyses take?

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COMPLIMENTARY ON-SITE BLACK LIQOR SOLIDS SERVICE

Electronmachine.com/BlackLiquorTesting

With the recent demand for continue uptime and reduced labor forces, Electron machine is offering a complimentary black liquor study service for all pulp mill customers to analyze the potential for efficiency improvement and to assist in the implementation of refractometers in this costly part of the pulping process. We can assist process control engineers with their black liquor sampling and with the use of our equipment can decrease the time required to complete sampling. The service includes a 1 day on-site evaluation of the mill’s current black liquor solids, as well as any equipment and control practices used, and the identification of potential areas for improvement.

You can learn more at the Electron Machine website here.  Take this opportunity now to schedule a complementary service to identify your Black Liquor bottleneck.

New! 24 Volt, DC-DC Option for the DCR E-Scan and MPR E-Scan In-line Process Refractometers

Electron Machine Corporation announced June 2, 2020 that the new 24v DC-DC Power Supply has been officially released for use in the DCR E-Scan and MPR E-Scan models.

“This is the successful culmination of many hours work and several revisions,” says Jack Wilburn, Operations Manager for Electron Machine, “and provides us the ability to satisfy the needs of many clients who seek a mobile solution for in-line process measurement of Refractive Index.” 

Reading Milk Fat content, de-icing solutions, and the measurement of sugars on harvesting equipment are just a few of the applications this new power supply address. Static operations that benefit from this advancement are solar operated locations as well as areas that lack high voltage AC service. This new option provides a solution for these low power areas.

Read the full article here. 

Please contact Electron Machine Corporation (+1 352-669-3101) for more information, or check out our accounts on most all social media platforms.

Inline Process Refractometers for Measurement and Control of Sulfuric Acid Concentration in Industrial Applications

Sulfuric Acid (Sulphuric Acid, H2SO4) is a widely used commodity chemical. Because of it's corrosive properties, special attention has to be paid to its handling and storage. Measuring the concentration of Sulfuric Acid (sometimes referred to as Concentration Density of Sulfuric Acid) is a critical part of the production process. Controlling H2SO4 concentration is very important in many industrial applications including the production of fertilizers, oil refinement, chemical processing, mineral processing and wastewater treatment. Maintaining the desired Sulfuric Acid concentration density ensures it's safe handling and ultimately affects product quality. Industrial inline process refractometers provide the best solution for determining and maintaining Sulfuric Acid concentration.

Electron Machine has a white paper that provides more detail on controlling Sulfuric Acid concentration. You can read and download the white paper here.

For more information contact Electron Machine by calling +1 352-669-3101 or visit their web site at https://electronmachine.com.

Thank You Veterans.

Our Veterans are our neighbors, friends, family, and co-workers. They took an oath to defend the United States and our Constitution, from all enemies, foreign and domestic. We must never forget their bravery, service, and sacrifice. By celebrating our Veterans, we continue to tell the story of how this country became the most powerful on Earth - through bravery, honor, truth, and determination.

Electron Machine thanks our Veterans for serving our country and protecting our freedom.

A Look Back in Electron Machine History - "A Brixometer for Fresh Juice Testing"

Left to right: J.L. Moody, engineer; Ray E. Blackaby,
business manager; Edwin R. Moller, vice-president;
Francis Reed, president; Donald Stephens, technician;
Charlie Dixon, technician.

Electron Machine Corporation is very proud of our unique history and deep roots in the electronic instrumentation industry, and developed the first in-line process refractometer was developed to fulfill a need within the developing concentrated citrus industry.

Below we have posted a paper from 1961 presented to the ASME titled "A Brixometer for Fresh Juice Testing" authored by Electron Machine's former VP, Francis Reed.

On the right there is also a picture of the technical staff of Electron Machine Corp. at the time (1958) posing around the new "Brixometer". The author of the following paper is pictured fourth from the left.

We thought it would be interesting to show this deep history to our customers and associates. Enjoy.

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ASME 1961 Citrus Engineering Conference

CEC 1961

March 22, 1961

Lakeland, Florida, USA

A BRIXOMETER FOR FRESH JUICE TESTING

by

Francis S, Reed

Vice President

Electron Machine Corporation

Umatilla, Florida

Industry everywhere is undergoing a complete revolution which is not apparent to the average citizen. The artistic and craftsmanship abilities of the early industrial worker to create a perfect piece of goods has been supplanted by the emphasis on mass production, lower costs and machine precision of the more recent years. As a result of this development a tremendous pressure is being exerted upon industry to produce even more for even less costs which has created a situation where the machines are now capable of exceeding the abilities of the men who operate them.

From this dilemma has come a now concept of using the speed and precision of electronic devices to replace the human judgement end control ever these processes. This situation arose in the citrus industry several years ago when the increasing capacities of each plant made it increasingly difficult to perform the blending of the concentrate manually with the same equipment and manpower as in earlier methods.

The result has been the development of a method for continuously measuring the Brix of the juice and automatically blending the product uniformly on a continuous basis.

The creation of such a measuring device which has inherently more accuracy then the usual testing devices used in processing has lead naturally to the thinking of applying this principle to the laboratory tests. Such a method would speed up the operation and produce readings of a higher degree of accuracy than tho present methods.

Also, there is the elimination of possible human errors in reading transposing, and compiling the data onto the inspection sheets. It has boon pretty well proven that even with tho best of laboratory equipment available and adequate time to make up the proper tests that no two human beings will interpolate the Brix readings identically.
Couple this human frailty with tho inherent error in tho equipment, possible variables in the test procedure and you can have variations in readings which moans hundreds of thousands of dollars to tho citrus industry.

Let us assume that an average citrus plant is using a calibrated device to measure Brix which according to present standards has an allowable tolerance of C.I degree Brix from the standard. Let us further assume that this Instrument Is checked against a standardized instrument which is allowed a tolerance of .05 degrees from the absolute Brix, we could then expect a possible error of .15 degrees Brix in tho laboratory test. Therefore, if the readings were off by this amount an average plant could lose $35,000 to $50,000 a season depending upon the price being paid for the pounds of solids at the time. If you were to assess those figures accurately for each plant you would find in some instances a considerable larger figure involved in this possible source of error. This loss can further aggravated by tho addition of other possible sources of error introduced by improper deaeration of tho juice before testing, the manner in which tho operator handles the test equipment, environmental conditions in the test area, and tho difficulty of interpolating tho readings and transposing thorn onto the records without any errors. When you add all those to the possible losses you can envision a tremendous loss.

At This point the question arises "whose loss?". If the errors add up to the processors favor, the grower loses. The reverse situation can also happen with such a wide latitude in the test operation.

Hence, all concerned in tho testing of Brix are virtually interested in a reliable instrument which would make this Brix determination accurately and present the information in digital form on the inspection sheet without having to be interpolated.

Such an instrument has been developed and is being designed to fulfill the operating conditions of the test stations and laboratories. This instrument will employ the principles of the present electronic Brixometer used in the processing operation and will allow for tho rapid and precise determination of the Brix without the attendant errors possible in the manual system. This device will accept a sample of the juice from the inspection sample and without requiring deaeration immediately present the Brix indication to the operator. The operator will zero the instrument, insert tho data sheet into a printer slot and receive the printed out Brix indication similar to the weight information printed by the scales.

The next logical step from the automatic printing of weight and Brix is to be the incorporation of an automatic determination of the acid content of the juice and from this information it wiI I be a simple matter to devise an electronic computer system which will arrive at the ratio, pounds of solids and yield figures.

The combination of these instruments into a complete inspection tool would provide an accurate, indisputable record of all testing done without the costly introduction of the multiple errors possible in the manual testing methods.

The method of electronically collecting all of tho data will lead to another field of interest to the processors in that of data compilation. This intelligence can be fed fo the modern computers to analyze many of tho conditions surrounding the procurement and utilization of tho fruit. Such systems are now in use in many of the large industries in the country and more smaller industries are finding out the advantages of data compilations and statistical analysis of their product end its utilization. In fact, we predict that within a very few years there will be thru the utilization of the tremendous advantages in electronic instrumentation, completely automatic processing available to all types of industry.

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You can download a copy of the original paper from this ASME archive.

The Important Role of the Inline Refractometer in Juice and Beverage Production

Every time a consumer purchases a beverage that they enjoy drinking again and again, it is because they love the taste of their favorite drink.  Why do they love it?  Because they have grown to trust that the taste they expect is always the same!  They continue to purchase their favorite drink because it is dependable, reliable, and delicious for them every time!

The consumer gets this feeling because of the consistency of product. The consistency is a function of production processes on the part of the manufacturer. Many drinks and beverages have a certain amount of sugar added for optimal taste.  If the process used to mix the sweetener into the drink deviates, even in the slightest, then product consistency will suffer and so will consumer satisfaction.

Enter the process refractometer.  With its precisely calibrated refractive index set to the exact parameters specified by the manufacturer, the quality and consistency of each and every product batch will fall within the acceptable quality control range.  Any deviation from the "sweetness" settings (degrees Brix) are immediately detected by the inline refractometer, and can be quickly corrected by automated signals sent to a final control element and eliminate the deviation. This ensures a quality product for consumers time in and time out, as well as keeping costly losses due to defective batches at a minimum.

Another area in beverage production where inline refractometers are used is in the container and piping sanitization processes. Each producer must keep their process components cleaned and sanitized to industry and government standards. The beverage manufacturer needs to ensure container cleanliness prior to filling, and also guarantee proper flushing of the process piping during product changeover. The cleaning process is regularly done with some aggressive chemicals, namely hydrogen peroxide and sodium hydroxide.  Inline refractometers are used to ensure the precise concentration of theses two cleaning agents. By using the specific refractive index of each chemical, a process refractometer can control the optimal amount for the cleansing processes, again ensuring quality and consistency on the part of the manufacturer, while offering peace of mind that the process components are cleaned and sanitized to exact industry and government standards.

Process refractometers proved an extremely important role in the production of juices and beverages in both the product consistency, and also the safety and cleanliness of the production process.

For more information, contact Electron Machine Corporation by calling 352-669-3101 or visit their web site at https://electronmachine.com.

MDS Black Liquor Solids Monitoring System Training by Electron Machine Corporation

Electron Machine Corporation offers free MDS training at our facility in Umatilla, Florida. The MDS Monitor Divert System is a BLRBAC compliant Black Liquor solids monitoring system designed specifically for Black Liquor recovery boilers. Classes cover theory, operation, maintenance, troubleshooting and correct usage of the isolation valve. Training is comprehensive, friendly, personalized and provides the hands-on know-how necessary to operate the MDS.

For more information contact Electron Machine Corporation at 352-669-3101 or visit https://electronmachine.com.

Black Liquor Solids Measurement Demo with Electron Machine DSA E-Scan Bench-top Refractometer

This video demonstrates how the DSA E-Scan automatic, bench-top critical angle refractometer is used to measure dissolved solids in black liquor.

The DSA E-Scan is an automatic, bench-top critical angle refractometer with a digital readout and temperature-controlled sample chamber. The instrument is equipped with a menu-driven user interface and is factory calibrated and temperature compensated. 

For more information contact Electron Machine by visiting https://electronmachine.com or call 352-669-3101.

The Preferred Inline Process Refractometer When Safety and Quality Are on the Line

Electron Machine inline process refractometers provide safe, reliable, and accurate process measurement for thousands of customers in the pulp and paper industry, food and beverage industry, and chemical industries. Known for their ruggedly designed instruments, Electron Machine refractometers provide accurate and repeatable measurement of Refractive Index, Dissolved Solids, and Degrees Brix. They also distinguish themselves from competitors by providing fast response to customers needs after the sale. For applications where accuracy and reliability are critical to safety and quality, there really is only once choice - Electron Machine.

Inline Process Refractometer Application Engineering Data: Heavy Black Liquor

Refractometers are used in the recovery boiler area to measure heavy black liquor solids in the range of 50-80%. When used to monitor liquor solids to the spray nozzles they become so critical that the recovery boiler will not be operated without them.

As quoted from the Black Liquor Recovery Boiler Advisory Committee, “Refractometers have proven to be effective for black liquor recovery boiler service.” Refractometers are a critical component of the black liquor safe firing system.

Monitoring the recovery boiler firing liquor concentration requires two refractometers in a redundant and specially supervised system. A “Monitor Divert System” employs supervisory circuitry to oversee the correct operation of the refractometer and perform certain logic functions if it detects a failure. The most important of these is the automatic
diversion of the liquor from the furnace into a recirculation loop until the problems can be resolved.

Refractometers used elsewhere in this area include measuring the concentration of the heavy black liquor from storage as it enters the recovery area. They are also used extensively around the cascade or cyclone evaporators to monitor the performance of the direct contact evaporation system. When refractometers are used in the recovery area, the process can be tuned to operate efficiently and most importantly, more safely.

Inline process refractometer on black liquor service.

What Is An Inline Process Refractometer?

Inline sensing head

Inline process refractometers are used in the food processing, beverage, pulp and paper processing, chemical, power, and primary metal industries. Inline process refractometers save labor costs, streamline the manufacturing process, and improve quality by detecting inconsistencies in a product early in the production phase. They continuously monitor, control and report the on Degrees Brix, Percent Solids, Dissolved Solids, SGU, and refractive index of a brand variety of solutions.

Inline process refractometers are made up of three main components:

Control console

1. The inline sensing head, which is inserted to a pipe and is exposed the the product for direct measurement. The sensor is connected by a cable to the second main component, the control console.
2. The control console, which houses the display, electronics, power supply and output connections. Both the sensor and the control module are designed for high accuracy and precise control. Their housing and cabling are often specialized for use in varying extreme conditions and very demanding environments.
3. The process adapter, which connects the sensor mechanically to the process piping. Adapters are configured for the pipe size and application they are used on and are available in many configurations. Some of the more common adapter options are:

• Lined - For extremely corrosive applications.

  

  Mounting adapters

• Inline - For most applications with pipeline sizes less than 2”.
• Isolation - For critical process lines that cannot normally be shut down.
• Sanitary - For applications on a sanitary pipeline.
• Spool - For most applications with pipeline sizes greater than 2”.
• Vessel - For applications where the sensing head is to be mounted directly onto a vessel or vacuum pan.
• Weld-in - For economical mounting.