Showing posts with label inline process refractometer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label inline process refractometer. Show all posts

Inline Process Refractometers for Industry

Industrial, Inline Process Refractometers

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

Inline Process Refractometers in Sugar Cane Processing

Inline Process Refractometers in Sugar Cane Processing

Sugar refining is a high-energy-intensive process that involves many processing stages to eliminate impurities from raw juice. The correct process management tools assist in increased output while lowering production costs. Additionally, sugar production, in general, uses a lot of water. Using advanced technological equipment, such as Electron Machine's Process Refractometer, water, and energy consumption during production may substantially decrease, increasing the mill's efficiency and sustainability.

For the optimum product quantity and quality, consumable sugar manufacturers need tight process control and fast, precise Brix measurements of raw and in-process liquids. The ultimate aim of crystal sugar production is to generate as many uniformly high-quality crystals as possible while avoiding fines and conglomerates. Only the best liquid and crystal sugars are acceptable.

Sugar cane processing needs to happen within a specific time frame after harvesting to minimize sugar loss due to glucose and fructose conversion. Milling and processing, the conventional two-stage process, may be merged in a single modernized manufacturing plant. In both procedures, process refractometers make optical measurements of a solution's refractive index, used to calculate the concentration of dissolved solids. 

Refractometers are used in the cane sugar refining and milling operations to offer precise inline Brix and other readings to obtain high-quality liquid and crystal sugars while reducing production costs.

Inline process refractometers applications in sugar cane processing:
  • Product flow is adapted to evaporator capacity to save energy. 
  • Extraction process optimization, reducing the amount of water at the evaporator. 
  • Feed juice control in the separation column to modify concentration to meet capacity. 
  • Check for quality assurance on liquid bulk sugar and molasses. 
  • Automatic and precise seeding in a vacuum pan. 
  • Supersaturation monitoring during the whole strike of crystallization.

For more information contact:

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


Inline Process Refractometer in Large Scale Juice Concentrate Production

Inline Process Refractometer in Large Scale Juice Concentrate Production

Fruit juice concentration enables companies to transport their goods more efficiently and extend their shelf life. Concentration manufacturing begins with a dilute feedstock juice and concentrates it by removing water. Water removal occurs using special equipment created specifically for the concentration process. Almost every fruit that is commercially harvested can be juiced or concentrated. 

While extracting fruit juice varies according to the form, size, and nature of the fruit, the steps are the same; juice extraction, filtering, and storage in main holding tanks before being supplied to an evaporator. When juice enters the evaporator, its concentration varies due to various natural variables. The objective of the concentration process is to eliminate this fluctuation and produce a uniform, consistent juice concentrate. Throughout the concentration process of fruit juice, solid components of the original fluid remain and get measured as a percentage of the liquid volume. 

Refractometers are precision instruments that determines the refractive index, or how much a light beam is "bent" when it travels through fruit juice. The angle of light bending is proportional to the concentration of solids. Sugars account for the majority of the soluble solids in fruit juice, along with other soluble components such as organic and amino acids, soluble pectins, and so on. 

On a larger scale, soluble solids concentration (SSC percent, degrees Brix) in juice production facilities is determined by strategically placing inline process refractometers throughout the process to monitor solids concentration and evaluate equipment performance and product quality. The output signals from the refractometers are used as inputs to the evaporators' command and control system, allowing feed rate to be closely matched to evaporation rate and maximizing the efficiency of the energy-consuming equipment. 

To learn more about the function of inline process refractometers in the manufacture of fruit and vegetable juice concentrates, contact Electron Machine Corporation at 352-669-3101 or visit their website at https://electronmachine.com.

The MPR E-Scan™


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.). This reading may be used as an error indicator or part of a complete process control system. A high-resolution color display and a 4-20mA output is standard. HART® protocol, RS-232, and RS-422 outputs are available. Each sensing head is custom tailored and calibrated specifically for the desired process application to ensure the most accurate and useful reading. A simple 0-10Vdc signal is used to transmit the reading from the sensing head to the electronics console, ensuring a robust reading that has a minimal chance of being effected by interference. The entire package is NEMA 4X rated and designed and manufactured with the best materials for each application to provide years of trouble-free service with a minimum amount of maintenance.

Learn more at https://electronmachine.com or call 352-669-3101.

Inline, Realtime Analysis of Degrees Brix (°Bx) in Beverage Production

Analysis of Degrees Brix

The beverage sector creates widely consumed goods while adhering to stringent quality standards. Producers of beverages are responsible for ensuring adequate quality and meet rising customer demands for innovative and consistent flavor. Reliable process control tools are required to make production viable and sustainable and maintain the highest levels of product quality. In this age of sophisticated technologies, it's essential for best practice manufacturing standards. 

The degree of Brix (°Bx) indicates the amount of sugar in an aqueous solution. One degree Brix equals one gram of sucrose in 100 grams of solution and suggests the solution's strength as a percentage of mass. Brix monitoring and measurement are critical for various beverages, whether dairy, brewery, wine, soft drinks, or fruit juices.

In the beverage and juice industry, syrups and concentrates are blended with water, or fermented, according to specific recipes, stored in stacking tanks, and finally filled into product-specific bottles or containers. A standard method for Brix testing is a manual process done in a remote lab with samples taken from the process. If a primary component, such as a juice concentrate, does not precisely meet the specifications, or if the blending process itself is incorrect due to incorrect flow control, the entire production run may be flawed. Cross-contamination is another concern. If a wrong product is mixed and bottled due to a poorly controlled phase transition, rejection of the whole batch is the outcome.  

The inline refractometer (a robust process control instrument) provides a highly reliable and precise measure of Brix in beverage production. Inline process refractometers are installed in the process piping and continuously measure the Brix value, constantly measuring the definition and differentiation of each product, component, juice, or beverage. 

The advantages are clear for choosing inline refractometers. The time-consuming and labor-intensive manual sampling and laboratory analysis are less efficient and less repeatable. The more efficient and reliable solution is the inline process refractometer. These devices offer real-time, inline continuous concentration measurement and cross-contamination protection. Additionally, operators can use their time to perform other critical activities, enabling other time-savings quality improvements.

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

MPR E-Scan™ - The World's Most Rugged In-line Process Refractometer

MPR E-Scan

The Electron Machine MPR E-Scan™ inline process refractometer monitors and controls the concentration of dissolved solids in your process lines. The MPR E-Scan™ refractometer accurately measures your process's refractive index, providing temperature compensated readings that easily correlate to a, Brix, Percent Solids, Dissolved Solids, SGU, or R.I. scale.

Each sensing head is custom-tailored and calibrated precisely for the desired process application to ensure the most accurate and valuable reading. A simple 0-10Vdc signal transmits the reading from the sensing head to the electronics console, providing a reliable reading with little chance of interference. 

The entire package is NEMA 4X rated and built with the best materials for each application to provide years of trouble-free service with minimal maintenance. 

MPR E-Scan™ inline process refractometers from Electron Machine are industrialized, rugged, and hardened instruments that allow you to monitor and control dissolved solids' concentration continuously. Compared to manual sampling, Electron Machine inline process refractometers save time and money while improving accuracy and efficiency. Inline process refractometers directly connect to a PLC, HMI, or other data acquisition systems for easy plant integration.

Electron Machine
352-669-3101

Inline Process Refractometers for Brewers

Inline Process Refractometers for Brewers

Beer brewing and branding are all about consistency. Process monitoring is thus vital. With Electron Machine inline refractometers, you'll have less waste, use less energy, spend less money, and achieve better beer. 


While some breweries still use manual sampling and lab analysis, the trend is adapting inline monitoring and automation.  Laboratory analysis is part of R&D. It reveals how different substances or methods affect qualities like flavor and fragrance. Laboratory analysis is vital in research as it provides an understanding of chemistry. However, the utility of sampling and analysis can be limited in manufacturing due to costs and delays when the lab findings indicate the issue. Slow sample timing results in possible lost production and waste. Similarly, because the sample is a snapshot of the process, it cannot provide feedback control, timely alarms, or indicate trends. 


The angle of refraction of light in the process medium determines the refractive index (RI), which the inline refractometer computes important process variables continually. Electron Machine inline process refractometers will calibrate to Brix, Gravity, Density, or Plato and withstand CIP/SIP cleaning and rinsing operations. 


Process refractometers have a quick response time which provides critical information in all stages of beer production. Examples of applications for inline refractometers that arise throughout the brewing process:


  • Grain mashing - Refractometers measure mash concentration in the output pipe water.
  • Lautering - While the spray water rinses the grains, it completes the sugar extraction process and produces clear wort. The refractometer continuously measures this concentration to determine the rinsing breakpoint, saving water and electricity.
  • Wort boiling - Refractometer installed directly on the wort boiler continuously measures wort strength / specific gravity, allowing the brewer to determine the required concentration.
  • Rousing or Swirling - Solid particles are removed from the bitter wort in a vortex. The vortex causes the leftover particles to thicken and form sludge. The solids removal uses refractometers placed before or after the vortex for a clear bitter wort for the next phase.
  • Cooldown - A heat exchanger cools the wort, recovering some of the energy needed to boil it. Refractometers are affixed to the cooler's outflow to ensure the bitter wort has the proper level of dissolved solids.
  • Fermentation - Yeast ferments wort to produce CO2 and alcohol. The specific gravity (or relative density) of the fermented liquor is determined using refractometers. The alcohol concentration directly correlates between the initial wort density and current density, so the refractometer can closely monitor fermentation. It gives brewers real-time information into the process, allowing them to predict fermentation completion.
  • Filtration and Aging - The beer is rested after fermentation to settle the used yeast. But several filtration procedures are used to refine the beer as the last chance to impact beer quality. Refractometers assist in measuring bitterness, flavor, fragrance, foam stability, clarity, alcohol, and gas percentage.
  • Filling and CIP (Clean-in-Place) - With the refractometer, you can quickly swap between items or batches and easily detect production from cleaning products. 


In summary, refractometers assist brewers in optimizing processes, decreasing waste, saving energy, and maintaining consistency, and making great beer.


Electron Machine

352-669-3101

https://electronmachine.com

Ensure Juice and Beverage Quality and Consistency with Inline Process Refractometers

Inline Process Refractometers

The inline Brix analysis of juice and beverages offers automated, exacting process control and quality monitoring by continuously measuring and monitoring the quality and consistency of each component with high precision and controls the dosage during the blending of the products. 

Inline refractometers also assure that the correct product is in process, particularly when blending and filling a variety of juices, syrups, nectars, soft drinks, and other beverages on the same line.

Syrups, juice concentrates, and other ingredients are frequently blended with water according to specific formulas, then held in stacking tanks, and lastly poured into product-specific bottles or containers in the beverage industry. 

The entire product batch may be defective if a primary component, such as a juice concentrate, does not precisely meet the specifications or if the blending process itself is incorrect due to incorrect valve switching.  It's also possible that the faulty product goes to packaging due to an improper phase transition. If this is discovered only during final quality control, the entire production batch could be at risk. 

With an inline refractometer, each process stage gets precisely managed by measuring the dissolved sugar in the liquid. In comparison, manual Brix control sampling with a hand refractometer is labor-intensive and open to operator error. Furthermore, any mistake can only be detected after the fact, affecting the production quantity between two samples or a complete filling batch, and then discarded. The inline process refractometer is integrated directly into the process with high accuracy and continuously, allowing the definition and differentiation of each component or product.

Contact Electron Machine Company at +1 352-669-3101 or visit https://electronmachine.com if you have any question regarding the usage of refractometry in food and beverage production.

Green Liquor Process Management with Inline Refractometers

Green Liquor Process Management with Inline Refractometers

Green liquor is the dissolved concentrations of sodium sulfide, sodium carbonate, and other substances from the paper-making process's recovery boiler. Measuring its density is an essential aspect of paper production quality. 

The Electron Machine MPR EScan is used to measure the green liquor dissolved density, or TTA, at two different points in the process: after the green liquor dissolving tank and after the green liquor clarifier. With the refractometer sensing head positioned directly in the primary process lines, inline measurement enables real-time management of green liquor dilution to meet target TTA set-points. Excessive green liquid density and the accompanying harmful imminent crystallization within the dissolving tank are also indicated (and prevented) by the measurement. 

One considerable challenge is sensor head scaling associated with green liquor. An optical coating forms on the refractometer sensing head. The coating must be dealt with efficiently and quickly to maintain the accuracy and with minimum maintenance. This is key for the refractometer's ability to provide an acceptable measurement cycle and duration. The maintenance necessary to keep the cleaning system running efficiently is challenging. 

Controlling scaling is optimal when the variance of green liquor solids is reduced by automatically adjusting weak-wash dilution with the MPR E-Scan refractometer. Additionally, pressurized water, heated to the process temperature, rinses the refractometer optical components effectively, resulting in a further scaling reduction. The end outcome is advantageous for both control and acceptable maintenance scheduling. 

By limiting thermal changes, minimizing maintenance, and providing a dependable measurement source for automatic inline control, refractometers with accompanying heated high-pressure water cleaning systems deliver excellent results in improving green liquor processing.

Visit www.electronmachine.com or contact 352-669-3101 for more information.

Automatic Black Liquor Solids Content Measurement with Inline Refractometers

Black Liquor Solids Content Measurement

Until the early twentieth century, when recovery boilers first appeared, black liquor was a disposable by-product in paper production. In modern times, pulp mills use chemical recovery technologies to recapture spent cooking chemicals from the pulping process for economic and environmental reasons. An example is Black Liquor Recovery Boilers that enable papermakers to recover and reuse inorganic compounds while also extracting energy from pulping leftovers. 

The Kraft process is used in paper production, in which wood is transformed into wood pulp and ultimately into paper. However, the method generates a byproduct known as black liquor, a hazardous mixture of pulping wastes (such as lignin and hemicellulose), and inorganic Kraft process chemicals (such as sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide). The weak black liquor is directed through evaporators to increase the solids content to form strong black liquor. Injection of the concentrated black liquor into the recovery furnace burns organic molecules and reduces Na2SO4 to Na2S. The high energy content of the black liquor burned in the recovery furnace recovers as steam for process requirements such as boiling wood chips, heating, evaporating black liquor, preheating combustion air, and drying the pulp or paper products.

The pulp industry places a high value on accurate, continuous measurement of black liquor solids concentration. Black liquor solid is an essential measurement operation influencing the economics of the pulping process. The mill's environmental load and the solids content of liquor injected into a recovery furnace can significantly impact the firing behavior and thus efficiency. Current trends toward better recovery furnace control for safety and lower air emissions necessitate more robust control over incoming solids content and proper modification of operating parameters to accommodate changes in solids content. Typical analyses of black liquor solids are conducted periodically throughout the mill, from the washers through the evaporator to the ring header. These analyses consist of taking many samples at critical locations and analyzed in the lab. Alternatively, as pulp and paper mills are modernized and automated, inline process refractometers are installed, providing dependable, accurate, and reliable solids measurement and contributing to the safe functioning of recovery boilers. Inline process refractometers are time-tested and proven to provide reliable and precise automatic monitoring of black liquor solids concentration and providing considerable time and labor savings.

For more information about inline process refractometers for black liquor processes visit this link or contact Electron Machine at 352-669-3101. 

Industrial Applications for Inline Refractometers

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.

Demonstration of Measuring °Brix in Soft Drinks (Soda) with an Inline Process Refractometer

Are you a soda manufacturer that wants better quality control while reducing cost? Stay tuned to see how the inline process refractometer can help you out.

Welcome to Electron Machine Corporation, manufacturer of the world's most rugged refractometer, found in various industries across the globe. 

The next series of videos will highlight some of the most common applications for Electron Machine refractometers. 

Typically installed in a pipeline, the MPR E-Scan is set up here as a demonstration equipment piece. In this demo, a static cup measures a variety of popular sodas. The refractometer s commonly installed either on a bottling line to determine what soda you're running or on the blending line mixing the syrup with the carbonated water to ensure that it stays at the correct consistency from bottle to bottle. 

Hopefully, you'll enjoy this quick little look into what the refractometer actually can do and how it measures orange juice. Stay tuned for the next series of videos. We'll highlight another product for the refractometer to measure. 

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

Improve Your Food Production Process with Continuous, Inline Process Refractometers

Improve Food Production Process

Adherence to the concentration of dissolved substances in food production is crucial for consistent product quality. Using a refractive index measuring instrument called a refractometer is an excellent method to monitor these concentrations. 

Refractometers measure the magnitude of redirection light when immersed in a fluid, referred to as the angle of refraction. The refractometer takes these measurements and correlates them to the refractive index (nD) - a long-established calculation of known values. These values determine the concentrations of the solutions.

Measuring the dissolved solids in food production offers enormous potential for increased efficiency and quality. In many applications, the process is manual, whereby measurements are done by hand repetitively and at short intervals. This is disruptive to the process and slow. A much more efficient and time-saving way is by taking process measurements with a pipe mounted (inline) continuous refractometer, such as the Electron Machine MPR E-Scan

The density of the liquid varies as the number of dissolved particles increases or decreases. The MPR E-Scan continuously monitors the concentration using an inline sensor, enabling accurate measuring of the devolved solids, enabling repeatable management of the process. Typical applications run the gamut in all aspects of the food industry.  Examples in food production include control of sugar concentration of juices, soft drinks, jams, jellies; measuring the milk fat solids in dairy products; and  mash measurements, wort concentration, and alcohol level. By taking measurements continually and in real-time, production run time are shortened and efficiency is dramatically increased. 

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


Check out our latest Ad in PI Process Instrumentation Magazine!

Electron Machine

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.

Inline Process Refractometers from Electron Machine

Inline Process Refractometer

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

Inline Process Refractometers Used in Industry


Inline process refractometers are used in a wide variety of industrial and commercial applications including the measurement of the sugar content of food and beverages, monitoring the purity and concentration of ingredients in pharmaceuticals, analyzing the constituents in chemical used in pulp and paper processing, and purity control and concentration measurement of raw materials in the chemical industry.

Inline process refractometers provide a very reliable and accurate real time measurement, which is ideal for process loop optimization and control. With In-line process refractometers, product quality and batch times are more closely controlled, reducing costs as a result.

The Electron Machine Corporation has been designing and manufacturing in-line process refractometers since the early 1960s, with a focus on providing simple, rugged, and reliable instruments that provide value over time, with accurate measurement, minimal maintenance, and long service life. They are the pioneer in developing the industrial use of refractive index for safe, reliable, and accurate process measurement and control.

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

Inline Process Refractometers for Food & Beverage


Inline process refractometers are used in many food and beverage applications. Some examples are beer, wine, gelatin & gummy candies, soy milk & tofu, tomato purée, ketchup, brine, canned coffee, jams, jellies, and honey.

The  process refractometer is used to assist in controlling sweetness and dissolved solids. The sensor is mounted in the sanitary process piping, while the control electronics are remotely mounted and provide outputs and communications to larger supervisory control systems.

For more information about inline process refractometers used in food and beverage applications, contact Electron Machine Corporation by calling 352-669-3101 or visiting https://electronmachine.com.

Inline Process Refractometer Application Engineering Data: Heavy Black Liquor

Heavy Black Liquor RI vs. Concentration

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
Inline process refractometer on black liquor service.

What Is An Inline Process Refractometer?

Inline sensing head
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
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
      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.