Process Refractometers for Brewing Beer

Inline process refractometers are used in breweries to measure the sugar content, or degree of fermentation, of beer during the brewing process. This information is used to control and optimize the fermentation process, which directly impacts the final quality of the beer.

The inline process refractometer is installed directly into the process flow, typically on the beer wort line, before or after the fermentation tank. As the beer wort or beer flows through the refractometer, a small amount is extracted and directed through the instrument's measurement cell. Inside the cell, a beam of light is passed through the liquid and the refraction of the light is measured.

The refraction of light is directly proportional to the sugar content of the liquid. The refractometer then calculates the sugar content and displays the results in Brix, Plato, or specific gravity units. The reading is then used to monitor the fermentation process, and make adjustments as needed.

By using an inline process refractometer, breweries can ensure consistent sugar content and fermentation, which leads to consistent beer quality. This can help to reduce the number of off-flavor batches, improve overall efficiency, and increase profitability.

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

Qualitative Analysis of Black Liquor in the Kraft Process

Black liquor is a byproduct of the Kraft process of paper production. The Kraft process, also known as the sulfate process, is a method of pulping wood chips to produce wood pulp, which is then used to make paper. In the Kraft process, wood chips are cooked in a solution of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium sulfide (Na2S) at high temperatures and pressure. This chemical cooking process breaks down the lignin and cellulose in the wood chips, separating the fibers that can be used to make paper.

During the cooking process, a black, viscous liquid known as black liquor is produced. Black liquor contains lignin, hemicellulose, and other organic compounds that are dissolved or suspended in the cooking liquor. It also contains inorganic chemicals such as sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide, as well as dissolved minerals from the wood chips.

Black liquor is separated from the wood pulp during the pulp washing and recovery process. It is then burned in a recovery boiler to generate steam and electricity for the mill. The heat from the burning black liquor drives a steam turbine, which generates electricity that can be used to power the mill and any excess can be sold back to the grid. The inorganic chemicals in the black liquor are also recovered and recycled back into the Kraft process.

Process refractometers are used in paper mills to analyze black liquor in order to determine its concentration and solids content. The concentration of black liquor can have a significant impact on the efficiency of the pulping process, so it is important to accurately measure it.

To use a process refractometer to analyze black liquor, a sample of the liquor is typically collected and placed in a sample cell. The refractometer then measures the refractive index of the sample, which is a measure of the way that light is bent as it passes through the sample. The refractive index of the sample is then used to calculate the concentration of the black liquor.

Process refractometers are widely used in paper mills because they are fast, accurate, and easy to use. They can also be used to measure the concentration of other process fluids, such as process water and spent cooking liquor.

For more information on the use of inline process refractometers for black liquor analysis, contact Electron Machine at +1 352-669-3101 or visit http://electronmachine.com.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Electron Machine

Process Refractometers for Fruit Juice Production Quality & Consistency

A process refractometer is a device that measures the refractive index of a liquid, which is a measure of how much the light passing through the liquid is bent. The refractive index of a liquid is influenced by the concentration of dissolved solids in the liquid, such as sugars, proteins, and other compounds.

In the context of fruit juice production, inline process refractometers are used in the production of fruit juices to measure the concentration of soluble solids in the juice as it is being processed. The concentration of soluble solids is an important quality parameter in fruit juice production because it determines the sweetness and flavor of the juice. Feedback from the refractometer adjusts the concentration of the juice by adding or removing water or other ingredients to achieve a desired level of sweetness or other desired characteristic.

To use an inline process refractometer in the production of fruit juices, a small sample of the juice is analyzed directly in the production line through the refractometer's measurement prism. The refractometer then measures the refractive index of the juice sample as light passes through the sample. The refractive index is directly related to the concentration of soluble solids in the juice, so the refractometer can calculate the total dissolved solids (TDS) of the juice by using a pre-determined conversion factor. 

By accurately measuring the concentration of dissolved solids in the juice, a process refractometer can help to ensure that the juice meets quality standards and has a consistent flavor profile. It can also be used to optimize the juice production process by helping to identify bottlenecks or inefficiencies and allowing for adjustments to be made to improve efficiency and reduce waste.

Inline process refractometers are typically used in conjunction with other process control instruments, such as pH meters and temperature sensors, to ensure that the juice is being produced to the desired specifications. They are also commonly used in the production of other beverages, such as beer and wine, as well as in a variety of other industrial processes.

Overall, the use of a process refractometer can help to improve the quality of fruit juices by ensuring that they meet desired standards for sweetness, flavor, and other characteristics, and by helping to optimize the production process.

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

Happy Thanksgiving from Electron Machine

Honoring All Who Served

Inline Process Refractometers for Tomato Processing

Tomato processors need to anticipate product output, consistency, and quality, as these variables directly impact sales and profitability. However, because of fruit diversity, harvest maturity, and agricultural region, it is challenging to control the consistency and quality of tomato products. 

Consumers frequently choose tomato sauces, pastes, purees, and dressings depending on sweetness levels, so food producers must manage sweetness precisely. Brix is the most commonly used method for assessing sweetness. Degrees Brix (°Bx) is a quick and accurate way to calculate the quantity of sugar in an aqueous solution. 

Refractometry calculates degrees Brix, and refractometers are the devices used to do so. Refractometers, in essence, use a prism to determine how light bends through a substance. The shift in light direction calculates to particulate quantities - in this example, Brix - in a repeatable manner. 

In food processing, there are various types of refractometers. Many food processing labs employ hand-held refractometers for batch sampling. The inline process refractometer is another. It offers Brix measuring control directly on the manufacturing line, and it can be used anytime in the overall process, from the evaporation stages to the concentrated finished product. 

Inline process refractometers are mounted using a sanitary-type pipe adapter designed and produced per 3-A Sanitary Standards. Suppose the tomato product is known to leave persistent coatings on the refractometer prism. In that case, a steam port is added to the adapter, allowing the prism to be steam cleaned at predetermined intervals. 

The refractometer's head is positioned directly in the processing line and provides real-time Brix detection with a measured output. The refractometer's circuitry then conditions the head's signal and compares it to the desired value in a controller. The controller provides a corrective output signal, such as 4-20mA, to a final control device, such as a control valve. The control device increases or reduces the amount of an ingredient. Brix measurement, like any other process control variable (pressure, temperature, level, or flow), is determined and managed by the inline process refractometer via a dedicated control loop, giving the tomato processor better control over product quality and consistency.

For more information on the use of inline process refractometers in tomato processing, contact Electron Machine at +1 352-669-3101 or visit http://electronmachine.com.