This blog focuses on industrial, inline process refractometers and their use in industrial applications. Refractometry is used to measure the refractive index of a substance in order to determine its composition or purity. Posts include information on theory, construction, installation, new products and new markets.
Electron Machine Corporation | Umatilla, FL | PHONE: 352-669-3101 | ElectronMachine.com
Inline Process Refractometers for Tomato Processing
An Inline Refractive Index Analyzer for Measuring Sugar Content in Food and Beverages
The Electron Machine MPR E-Scan™ provides inline refractive index measurement of cane sugar, HFCS (High-Fructose Corn Syrup), or beet sugar concentration in food products. The analyzer continuously reads the °Brix value of fruit juices, soft drinks, fruit juice, syrups, jams, jellies, honey, and nectars.
The MPR E-Scan™ is a refractive index °Brix monitor that provides highly accurate inline sugar concentration measurements. The inline installation (with local or remote electronics) offers lower-cost operation and monitoring and control.
The MPR E-Scan™ includes a high-resolution color display, and a 4-20mA output is standard. HART® protocol, RS-232, and RS-422 outputs are available, providing you a means for data acquisition as well as visualization of all data, alarms, trends, and allows real-time product adjustments. 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 minimal maintenance.
Electron Machine Corporation
https://electronmachine.com
+1 352-669-3101
Inline Process Refractometers in Tomato Processing
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Inline Process Refractometers in Tomato Processing |
Consumers often select tomato sauces, pastes, purees and dressings based on sweetness levels, so it's very important food producers to accurately control sweetness. The common method for measuring sweetness in this industry is by reading Brix. Degrees Brix (°Bx) is the measure of the amount of sugar in an aqueous solution and is used because it's reliable and fast.
Refractometry is used to determine degrees Brix, and refractometers are the instruments used for the measurement. Very basically, refractometers use a prism to determine how light bends through a substance. The change in light direction is then used to repeatably determine certain values - in this case Brix.
There are several types of refractometers in food processing. Many food processing labs do batch sampling through the use of hand-held refractometers. Another type is the inline process refractometer. It is used to provide a Brix measuring control loop right on the production line, and can be employed anywhere in the overall process from evaporation stages up to the concentrated final product.
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Inline Process Refractometer |
The head of the refractometer is mounted directly in the processing line and provides real-time detection of Brix with a measurable output. The refractometer's circuitry then conditions the head's output and compares it to a desired value in a controller. The controller provides a corrective output signal, such as 4-20mA, to a final control element, such as a control valve. The control valve increases or decreases the amount of an ingredient to keep things in balance. Not unlike any other process control variable (pressure, temperature, level or flow), Brix measurement is determined and controlled via it's own control loop by the inline process refractometer, providing the tomato processor greater control over product quality and consistency.
For more information on the use of inline process refractometers in tomato processing, contact Electron Machine at 352-669-3101 or visit http://electronmachine.com.