Moisture sensors for on-line production

Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring

Analytical instrumentation suppliers

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September 2004 Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring

MoistOne.com/Sensortech Corporation has announced the release of the IR 2004. The company describes the product as the, "...only true smart NIR moisture sensor".

The IR 2004, distributed locally by Protea Automation Solutions, was designed in response to the industry demand for a more modern sensor without hard-wired interfaces. MoistOne.com uses state-of-the-art components to produce what it claims is a "far lower unit cost than any analyser currently on the market". In addition the device boasts highly efficient first surface optics, new lamp designs and digital processing.

The IR 2004 is an intelligent sensor that utilises several wavelengths of near infrared light (NIR), which are projected on the product at a very high frequency. The reflective light is then measured using a digitally enhanced detection system, which then analyses the data several thousand times per second. A powerful embedded PC is used to process, store and display the required data with accuracy 10 times more stable than other conventional sensors. The result is a highly stable and accurate sensor.

MoistOne.com has also designed a Windows software program to monitor the IR 2004. With this program users can view and adjust calibrations, parameters and diagnostics. With digital displays and graphs the MoistOne.com software program is easy use and can be operated on any PC or laptop computer.

Operation:

The IR 2004 measures moisture in product as it passes under the device in a production environment. Calibrated output is available locally through 4-20 mA signal to local digital display, PLC, etc. The sensor can be networked through Ethernet, DeviceNet, Profibus or any of several other bus structures. A Palm-type handheld PDA can be used for Blue-eye IR line-of sight communication to the IR 2004 for modifying calibrations, set-ups, maintenance and local output viewing. The device is a near-infrared backscatter type analyser providing very accurate continuous rapid readings and is generally connected to some type of process-controlling device which maintains constant moisture output. The measurement is non-destructive to the product (because it is non-contact). All components are housed in a water-tight, robust aluminium casting sealed for repetitive washdowns in harsh environments.

Applications:

Food

Cereals, coffee, tea, milk powder, cheese, cookies, crackers, animal food, citrus pulp, sugar, chocolate, potato powder/granules, beet pulp, spent grain.

Tobacco

Bright/Burley, Turkish, cut lamina, stems, leaf, reconstituted, chewing tobacco, cigar, filler, snuff, cased tobacco, CRS, expanded.

Wood products

Medium density fibreboard (MDF), oriented strandboard (OSB), particleboard, fibrboard, hardboard, flakeboard, wood shavings, raw material, hog fuel, bark, resin coating measurement.

Paper processing

Paper converting, coatings, re-moisturising, corrugating control, pressure sensitive, hot melts, wax coatings, carbonless, plastic film thickness.

Chemicals

Fertilisers, detergents, soap powder/flakes, minerals, ceramics, crumb rubber, PVB sheet, laminated glass, PVC, cellulose acetate, bauxite, plastic chips/powders, iron ore, cement, foundry sand, fibre glass, chalk.

Pharmaceuticals

Powders, pellets, lyophilised products, tablets, vacuum dryers, spray dryers.

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Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring

Moisture sensors for on-line production

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