Process Refractometers

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 petroleum oil, and purity control and concentration measurement of raw materials in the chemical industry.

PROCESS REFRACTOMETERS FOR THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE INDUSTRY

• Quality control and purity determination of feedstock and end products.
• Determination of sugar concentration (Brix).
• Determination of the alcohol concentration in beer, wine and spirits.
• Quality control of milk-based products

Substances Monitored

• Dairy products, jams and jellies, tomato products, fruit juices, beer, wine, spirits.

PROCESS REFRACTOMETERS FOR THE CHEMICAL INDUSTRY

• Baseline development of concentrations in research and development.
• Quality control and purity determination of feedstock and end products.
• Chemical process monitoring during production.

Substances Monitored

• Hydrocarbons, organic solvents, alcohols, salt solutions, acids, bases, stains, paints and varnishes, industrial oils, resins, glue, polymers, silicones, hydrochloric acid applications, sulphuric acid applications, boiler cleaning chemicals.

PROCESS REFRACTOMETERS FOR THE PULP AND PAPER  INDUSTRY

• Black liquor concentration and quality.
• Green liquor concentration and quality.
• Boiler cleaning chemicals.

Substances Monitored

• Green liquor, black liquor, boiler cleaning chemicals, red liquor, white liquor, tall oil, and resin.

For more information, contact Electron Machine Corporation.

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Industrial Refractometers and Green Liquor Scale Mitigation

Green liquor, a by-product of the kraft process, is the dissolved concentration of sodium sulfide, sodium carbonate, and other compounds in solution. Keeping track of its component concentration is important to the pulp processing cycle. Green liquor scaling, which includes calcite, sodium aluminosilicates, and pirssonite,  is a problem in most kraft process mills and can cause huge maintenance problems and slow production. Understanding the formation of, and potential ways to control, these formations scale is critical for optimal safety and performance.

Industrial inline process refractometers, such as Electron Machine's MPR E-Scan, are 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 inline measurement, with the refractometer sensing head mounted 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, and lower the potential for scaling.

Refractometer Optical Sensor Cleaning System 

Refractometer operating conditions must be optimized for close monitoring and control of green liquor density. Consideration of scale and coating build-up on the optical sensor on the refractometer sensing head is a primary area of concern. A clean sensing head will allow maximum accuracy of the refractometer,  maintaining tight density control, minimize scaling, and increasing kraft process quality.

With overall quality and safety in mind, the use of a refractometer sensing head cleaning system is compulsory. The use of ancillary inline cleaning systems, such as Electron Machine's HPC-2 High Pressure Cleaner, that use pressurized water heated to the process temperature, will clean the refractometer optical components and therefore mitigate scaling issues and the related quality, safety, and production problems in the kraft process.

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

Common Applications for Inline Process Refractometers in Everyday Products

Process refractometers are used in many applications, across a wide variety of industries today. These digital electronic instruments are used to measure dissolved solids and percent concentration in many common, and not-so-common, products. From foods such as juice and jellies, to harsh chemicals such as sodium hydroxide and sulphuric acid, to the paper you touch everyday, there's probably a refractometer monitoring the production line to ensure consistent quality.

Listed below are industries and applications where you may find inline process refractometers.

THE CHEMICAL INDUSTRY

Common chemical processing applications:
Sodium Bicarbonate; Copper Chloride; Hydrogen Peroxide; Acids; Acrylate; Ammonium Hydroxide; Sodium Dichromate; Polymers; Iron Chloride; Sodium Hydroxide; Ammonium Nitrate; Polymers; Lubricating Oils; Chromium Trioxide (Or Chromic Acid); Acetic Acid; Ammonium Fluoride; Oleum; Amine Oxide; Resins; Ethylene Glycol; Polyamides; Nickel Chloride; Ethylene; Glycols; Formic Acid; Amino Acid; Resins; PET; Solvents; Sulphuric Acid; Glycerol; Urea; Formaldehyde; Fluranes; Coolants; Nitric Acid; Polycarbonates; Caustic Soda; Polyethylene; Gels; Cellulose Derivates; Ammonium Sulphate; Citric Acid; Sodium Gluconate; Lactic Acid; Resins; Styrenes.

THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY AND SYNTHETIC FIBER INDUSTRY

Common process applications in the production of plastics and synthetic fiber:
Hexamethylene Diamine; Polycarbonates; Vinyls; Polyethylene; Additives; Dimethylformamide; Fiberglass; Rayon; Cyclohexanol; PET; Polyamides; Cyclohexanon; Nylon Salt; Adipic Acid; Styrenes; Polyesters; Polymers; Dimethylterephthalate; Acetate; Resins; Acrylics.

THE PULP STOCK & PAPER PROCESSING INDUSTRY

Common applications in pulp processing and paper production include:
Chlorine Dioxide; Alum; Oxidized Starch; Sizing Chemicals; Black Liquor; CMC; Green Liquor; Starch; Latex; Ozone; Hydrogen Peroxide; White Liquor; PVA; Styrene Acrylic; Dextrin; Styrene Butadiene Latex; Sodium Dithionite.

DETERGENTS, LOTIONS, AND SOAP PRODUCTION

Common applications in soap and detergent production include:
Palm Oil; Glycerol; Caustic Soda; Salt; Fatty Alcohols; Caustic Potash; Soda Ash; Sodium Bicarbonate; Citrus Oils; Fatty Acids.

THE PRODUCTION AND PROCESSING OF STARCH SWEETENERS

Common applications in the production of starch-based sweetners:
Maltose; Fructose; Aspartame; Sorbitol; Flavors; Lactitol; Xylose; Mannitol; Dextrose; Glucose; HFCS (high fructose corn syrup).

IN SUGAR PROCESSING

Common applications in sugar processing:
Liquid Sugar; Confectionery Sugar; Affination; Extraction; Vacuum Pan; Molasses; Thick Juice; Press Water; Brown Sugar; Molasses; Thin Juice; Invert Sugar; Cane Sugar; Sucrose; Beet Sugar.

For more information about the application of process refractometers in industrial applications, contact Electron Machine Corporation by calling 352-669-3101 or by visiting https://electronmachine.com.

A Successful 2019 Chem Show for Electron Machine Corporation!

Electron Machine Corporation completed a very successful 2019 Chem Show exhibition today. Visitor traffic was strong and interest in our industrial refractometer products was high. We want to thank all those who stopped by and said hi, and also a wholehearted thanks to all of our employees who worked so hard preparing for the show.