Hydrochloric Acid Concentration Control Using Inline Process Refractometers

Hydrochloric Acid, HCL, is a versatile chemical used in a number of industrial chemical processes such as hydrometallurgical processing, chlorine dioxide synthesis, hydrogen production, and petroleum well activation. Hydrochloric Acid is also commonly used in various metal etching and cleaning processes (pickling of steel), masonry cleaning processes, and the production of plastics (such as PVC), polyurethane production, leather tanning, and in food additive processing.  The dilute version of HCL is Muriatic Acid, which was originally called "acidum salis" and "spirits of salt" because it was produced from rock salt in the 15th century.

Measuring the Concentration of Hydrochloric Acid (sometimes referred to as Concentration Density of Hydrochloric Acid) is a critical part of the production process for all applications mentioned above.  It is important to closely monitor the concentration levels of the hydrochloric acid with a high degree of accuracy and reliability. Although Hydrochloric Acid Concentration can be created in excess of 40% (Concentrated Grade), Industrial Grade high concentration HCL is 30-35%, which is most stable for transport and storage, and reduces the loss of HCL to evaporation.  As the concentration lowers, other names for the concentrations exist, such as Muriatic Acid which can range in concentrations of 21-35%.  

Hydrochloric Acid is a prime candidate for concentration measurement through use of its Refractive Index (R.I.).  Unlike Sulfuric Acid, the R.I. for HCL Acid is extremely linear, rising from 0% at 1.333 R.I. to 40% at 1.425 R.I.  

An inline process refractometer is used to monitor the concentration of Hydrochloric Acid level in real time. Based upon the refractive index (R.I.) of a given aqueous solution, the refractometer can determine the HCL concentration of the solution and relay that value in real time for proactive process control.  

The Electron Machine Corporation’s family of inline process refractometers are the ideal instrument for measuring these concentrations. 

Electron Machine Corporation manufactures the MPR E-Scan; a rugged, dependable, accurate, and cost effective in-line refractometer.  Capabilities include 4-20mA and  0-10VDC outputs, a variety of up to 8 internal relays for direct control of a variety of valves, alarms, and warning indicators, as well as the capability of saving up to 99 different recipes each with their own alarms, set-points and controls. The wetted metal of the sensing head is normally made from Tantalum (other alloys are available). The non-wetted parts and the interconnection cable can be Teflon® coated for added protection.

Benefits of Using the MPR E-Scan:

• High precision and durability in extremely corrosive conditions.
• Continuous quality control.
• Hazardous chemical environmental and safety regulation compliance.
• Low maintenance, repeatable operation.

Please contact Electron Machine Corporation (+1 352-669-3101) for more information or check out our many accounts on social media. 

Inline Process Refractometers Used in Vaccine and Drug Development

Inline process refractometers are used in drug development and in vaccine manufacturing to ensure safety and efficacy. Their use is integral to the development of virus-based vaccines for diseases such as influenza, MERS, SARS, and COVID-19.

Process refractometers determine the concentration of dissolved solids by making real-time optical measurements of the refractive index (RI) and temperature in a solution. In-process Refractive Index monitoring improves the understanding of process conditions, reduces pharmaceutical development time, increases production capacity, improves product stability and product quality, as well as assisting in regulation compliance. RI measurement and control data supports the pharmaceutical manufacturer's  process validation throughout the drug or vaccine development cycle.

Inline process refractometers with hygienic or sanitary process connections are specially designed for the pharmaceutical industry and are used for the measurement of dissolved components in liquids. Sucrose density in virus purification is one example. Viruses can be banded in density gradients of sucrose, and the purification of viruses is done via sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Measuring the sucrose density with process refractometers allows for safe, accurate and efficient collection, ultimately assisting in speedier vaccine development.

For more information on the use and implementation of inline process refractometers for drug and vaccine development, contact Electron Machine Corporation. Call the in the USA at +1 352-669-3101 of visit their web site at https://electronmachine.com.

Happy 4th of July from Electron Machine!

Inline Process Refractometers for the Pharmaceutical and Food Processing Industries

When it comes to easily, reliably and accurately determining the concentration, identification or purity of substances, refractometry is the ideal method. Inline process refractometers are especially helpful as they supplement laboratory research and contribute to production improvement. These process analyzers deliver results within fractions of a second, allowing real-time monitoring and automatic control of processes.


Electron Machine Corporation's MPR E-Scan™ inline refractometers provide process analysis and control of liquid and slurry process streams in pharmaceutical and food processing applications. The MPR E-Scan™ provides accurate control and precise monitoring of variables in process streams, including percent concentration, solids dissolution, and solution reduction. The inline process refractometer also excels in measuring and managing crystallization, verifying and regulating the correct mix of various compounds, and determining the sugar concentration in a wide variety of products. In addition, the MPR E-Scan™ is often used to track concentrations in evaporation processes.

The MPR E-Scan™ is available in a broad range of models to accomodate a wide variety of measurement ranges and resolutions, providing users an abundance of choices to fit the right equipment to the right application.

Designed with ruggedness and durability in mind, the IP65 / NEMA 4X rated MPR E-Scan™ will withstand the rigors of CIP (Clean-in-Place), allowing the inline process refractometer to be thoroughly and meticulously cleaned at any time in a process environment. Each process refractometer is designed and manufactured specifically for each application, assuring trouble-free service with a minimum amount of maintenance for years to come.

The operation of the MPR E-Scan™ inline process refractometer is based upon the principle of light reflection. Light radiated from the LED passes through the prism surface to be reflected from a mirror to the prism-to-process interface. The light reaching this interface intersects the same interface over a series of angles chosen to include critical angle for the process being measured. Light intersecting the interface at an angle greater than critical angle is refracted into the solution. Light intersecting the interface at less than critical angle is reflected up to a second mirror and out of the prism up to the CCD linear array to be scanned.

In short, the MPR E-Scan™ inline process refractometer makes process metrics more visible to the user and significantly reduces product quality fluctuations. This increases efficiency, lowers production costs, and increases process reliability.  The MPR E-Scan™ can be applied to a wide range of applications in the pharmaceutical and food industries, thanks to their field-proven and reliable technology.

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

New! 24 Volt, DC-DC Option for the DCR E-Scan and MPR E-Scan In-line Process Refractometers

Electron Machine Corporation announced June 2, 2020 that the new 24v DC-DC Power Supply has been officially released for use in the DCR E-Scan and MPR E-Scan models.

“This is the successful culmination of many hours work and several revisions,” says Jack Wilburn, Operations Manager for Electron Machine, “and provides us the ability to satisfy the needs of many clients who seek a mobile solution for in-line process measurement of Refractive Index.” 

Reading Milk Fat content, de-icing solutions, and the measurement of sugars on harvesting equipment are just a few of the applications this new power supply address. Static operations that benefit from this advancement are solar operated locations as well as areas that lack high voltage AC service. This new option provides a solution for these low power areas.

Read the full article here. 

Please contact Electron Machine Corporation (+1 352-669-3101) for more information, or check out our accounts on most all social media platforms.

Inline Process Refractometers for Measurement and Control of Sulfuric Acid Concentration in Industrial Applications

Sulfuric Acid (Sulphuric Acid, H2SO4) is a widely used commodity chemical. Because of it's corrosive properties, special attention has to be paid to its handling and storage. Measuring the concentration of Sulfuric Acid (sometimes referred to as Concentration Density of Sulfuric Acid) is a critical part of the production process. Controlling H2SO4 concentration is very important in many industrial applications including the production of fertilizers, oil refinement, chemical processing, mineral processing and wastewater treatment. Maintaining the desired Sulfuric Acid concentration density ensures it's safe handling and ultimately affects product quality. Industrial inline process refractometers provide the best solution for determining and maintaining Sulfuric Acid concentration.

Electron Machine has a white paper that provides more detail on controlling Sulfuric Acid concentration. You can read and download the white paper here.

For more information contact Electron Machine by calling +1 352-669-3101 or visit their web site at https://electronmachine.com.

International Certifications and Explosion Proof Ratings for the MPR E-Scan Inline Process Refractometer

Electron Machine Corporation manufactures the MPR E-Scan; a rugged, dependable, accurate, and cost effective in-line refractometer. 

Capabilities include 4-20mA and 0-10VDC outputs, a variety of up to 8 internal relays for direct control of a variety of valves, alarms, and warning indicators, as well as the capability of saving up to 99 different recipes each with their own alarms, set-points and controls. All models of the MPR E-Scan are IP66, NEMA4X rated, for rugged use and maximum durability.

For our European clients, MPR E-Scan in the various models listed above are CE certified, which includes compliance with RoHS and WEEE Directives. Additionally, our MPR E-Scan I.S. is ATEX certified, Certificate Number: ITS19ATEX204319X, and a rating of Ex II 1 G Ex ia IIC T4 Ga -20C <= Ta <= +52C.

Our clients in North America are served by our family of MPR E-Scan that are cETLus certified to UL Standards 61010-1, 60079-0, and 60079-11; as well as CSA standards C22.2 # 61010-1, C22.2 # 60079-0, and C22.2 # 60079-11. Additionally, the MPR E-Scan I.S. model is certified HAZLOC Class 1, Division 1, Groups A-D T4, Class 1, Zone 0, Ex ia IIC T4 Ga, Ex ia IIC T4 Ga at a temperature range of -20C <= T amb <= +52C.

For our clients throughout Africa, Asia, and Australia, the MPR E-Scan I.S. is IECEx Certified, Certificate Number IECEx ETL 19.0001X, fully compliant with standards IEC 60079-0:2017 and IEC 60079-11:2011. The rating is: Ex ia IIC T3 -20C <= T amb <= +52C.

 Electron Machine also works with specific local certifications and is currently in the application process for Japanese TIIS acceptance for the MPR E-Scan I.S.

Please contact Electron Machine Corporation (+1 352-669-3101) for more information or check out our many accounts on social media.