Industrial Refractometry Pioneer Carl Vossberg, Jr. Foresaw the Need

Carl A. Vossberg, Jr.

Electron Machine Corporation founder Carl Vossberg, Jr. was a pioneer in the application of refractometers of industrial use. As the holder of more than 30 technical patents, Mr. Vossberg dedicated his life to improving industrial processes through refractometry, measurement, and control.

His biography reveals how his dedication to industrial refractometry led Electron Machine to its leadership position in the industrial refractometer market.

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Carl A. Vossberg, Jr., (born July 16, 1918) was an American electrical engineer, inventor, and entrepreneur in the electronic instrumentation industry. He is known for more than 30 technical patents in the area of refractometry, measurement, and control. Vossberg also founded Electron-Machine Corporation, the company responsible for the introduction of inline process refractometers as a measuring system for the pulp & paper, food, and chemical processing industries.

Vossberg began his college education at the City College of the City of New York (CCNY), studying electronics, and was awarded a BEE in Electrical Engineering from CCNY and a MS in Electrical Engineering (EE) from Columbia University. He also attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology. During WWII, Vossberg worked for the U.S. Office of Strategic Service (now CIA) participating in the development of remote radio transponders, artillery tracking systems, weapon fire detection controllers, and video transmission.

Vossberg entered the profession as a radio engineer for RCA and designed circuits and established radio facsimile facilities for the Office of War information. Later he became Chief Engineer for Standard Electronics Research Corporation, where his duties were to originate and direct the research and development programs and supervise engineering and technical personnel in electronics, x-rays, communication, instrumentation and process controls. He was also Vice President of Research and Developments, Inc., and Vice President of Industrial Gauges Corporation.

After the war, Vossberg set out to apply electronics technology to industrial applications. Electron Machine Corporation was formed in 1946 for the purpose of designing automatic electronic gaging and indicating equipment. The company was established in the back of a radiator repair shop in Lynbrook, New York. Instruments for diameter and thickness measurements for steel and cable products were conceived, developed, and licensed to other manufacturers. These instruments included the first commercial x-ray thickness gage, optical cable diameter gages, and an industrial process control computer. In 1950 he, in partnership, formed the Industrial Gauges Corporation and later established Research Developments, Inc., as a subsidiary. This expansion provided the manufacturing facilities for the products developed by the Electron Machine Company.

Engineering, manufacturing and design continues today with the third generation of Vossberg leadership. As a vertically-integrated manufacturer, Electron Machine continues the Founder's legacy of manufacturing inline industrial refractometers that solve the most challenging industrial applications while providing the highest levels of service and support to customers.

A Short Video Explaining Refraction

Replace the Sensing Head on MPR E-Scan and MDS-Divert Systems

The MPR E-Scan is a rugged, industrialized, in-line process refractometer. It directly measures the refractive index of process fluids and then displays the reading in any number of customer-desired units (Brix, Percent Solids, Dissolved Solids, SGU, R.I., etc.).

The MDS Monitor Divert System is a BLRBAC compliant Black Liquor solids monitoring system designed specifically for Black Liquor recovery boilers.

The following paper illustrates the correct way to replace the sensing head on MPR E-Scan and MDS-Divert Systems from Electron Machine Corporation.

Electron Machine Refractometer Sensing Head Replacement from Electron Machine Corporation

Inline Refractometers for Measuring Black Liquor Evaporation

Measuirng black liquor solids concentration.

Introduction:

Refractometers have long proven to be the instrument of choice for black liquor solids concentration. Electron Machine Corporation of Umatilla, Florida pioneered this technology to accurately measure black liquor dissolved solids 5 decades ago. Their MPR E-Scan inline refractometer provides digital accuracy with rugged components required for years of reliable use when installed in harsh industrial environments. This combination allows for easy integration into a mill-wide monitor / control system providing operators the information needed for efficient and easy-to-service control.

Application:

An important and overlooked area for refractometers is the pulp washing operation. By monitoring the concentration output the washers can be balanced to meet the needs of the evaporation process and a mill is able to regulate the mixing liquor. This control allows a consistent concentration supply to the evaporators and boiler. This installation is simple and greatly reduces hand sampling.

MPR E-Scan

Evaporation:

By installing the Electron Machine Corporation MPR E-Scan with Isolation Valve Adapters before and after each evaporator effect, the concentration and temperature output can be utilized to monitor efficiency, detect problems and operate economically. This monitoring allows control operators to adjust steam usage for optimal solids evaporation. Operators can determine if a quick flush cleaning can be performed to improve efficiency, prolonging the time between invasive, labor intensive cleanings. It also allows the detection of any problems before the liquor reaches the boiler, plus provides a consistent solids percentage for firing.

Conclusion:

With the addition of the Electron Machine Corporation MPR E-Scan to a mills process control system, a company can see increased profitability through the optimized control of steam usage, reduced labor cost from the reduction of offline hand sampling and the ability to prolong the time between labor intensive offline cleanings. This greater control provides more consistent firing solids allowing boilers to operator more efficiently.

Key Benefits:

• Consistent black liquor solids
• Minimize steam consumption
• Economical operation
• Optimize man hours
• Reduce costly evaporator cleanings

Reliably and Consistently Measuring Green Liquor Density in the Paper Mill

Paper mill green liquor
density measurement system.

Green liquor is the dissolved concentration of sodium sulfide, sodium carbonate, and other compounds from the recovery boiler in the paper making process. Measuring its density is a critical component for the quality of the paper production.

The difficult scaling associated with green liquor results in an optical coating on the refractometer sensing head. If this scaling can be controlled to allow an acceptable duration of on-line measurement, and then effectively removed when coating occurs, the accuracy of the refractometer can be fully utilized with minimal maintenance. The primary issue then becomes the maintenance required to keep the cleaning system operating effectively. 

Using inline refractometers with accompanying heated high-pressure water cleaning systems provides excellent results in effective removal of optical coatings by reducing thermal changes, minimizing maintenance, and allowing for a reliable measurement source for on-line automatic control.

The Electron Machine MPR EScan is used to measure the green liquor dissolved density, or TTA, at two stages in the process: after the green liquor dissolving tank and after the green liquor clarifier. The in-line measurement, with the refractometer sensing head installed directly in the main process lines, allows real-time control of green liquor dilution to meet target TTA set-points. The measurement is also used to indicate (and prevent) excessive green liquor density and the resulting dangerous impending crystallization within the dissolving tank.

Electron Machine MPR Escan

Reducing the variation of green liquor solids by automatically controlling weak-wash dilution with the MPR E-Scan refractometer results in a reduction in scaling. Scaling issues are further reduced when pressurized water, heated to the process temperature, is used to effectively clean the refractometer optical components. The compound result is beneficial for both control and maintenance.

For more information, visit www.electronmachine.com or call 352-669-3101.

Refractometer for Juice Concentration Processing

In-line process refractometer

The production of fruit juice concentrate involves taking a comparatively dilute feed stock of fruit juice and delivering a uniformly concentrated output. The process accomplishes removal of water through an evaporative operation employing purpose specific equipment. Fruit juice concentrate contains the solid components of the feedstock fruit juice, and provides for easier transportation and longer storage life.

The array of fruits processed into concentrate includes almost every commercially harvested type.

Juice is extracted from various fruits in a number of ways that are specifically adapted for the shape, size, and nature of the fruit. Once the juice is extracted and purified it will generally be stored in a primary tank which serves as the feed device to the evaporator. Juice concentration will vary at this initial stage due to a number of natural factors. The concentration process output will provide product uniformity.

Regardless of the method used for concentrating the juice, in-line process refractometers can be used at strategic points in the process to measure solids concentration and evaluate equipment performance and product quality. Output signals from the refractometers serve as inputs to the command and control system for the evaporators, allowing feed rate to closely match evaporation rate and make most efficient use of the energy consuming equipment. 

In an industrial environment, ruggedness, reliability, and accuracy are key features needed for an in-line process refractometer. Share your refractometry challenges with the experts at Electron Machine Corporation and get effective solutions.

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