Measuring Moisture in Process Industries

July 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Process Sensors has become the leading manufacturer of on-line NIR moisture meters. Moisture analysis is critical throughout many stages in the processing industry. Manufacturers are constantly adjusting moisture to maintain the quality of their product. If the product is too wet or too dry, the quality of the product can create problems later in the manufacturing process.

Moisture analysis is used for a variety of applications such as, moisture in tobacco, moisture in food, moisture in snack food, moisture in paper and moisture in particleboard.

Moisture in Snack Food

The continuous measurement of moisture prior to packaging is a key consideration in the production of snack foods. The proper moisture content helps guarantee taste, texture and shelf life.

The use of NIR (Near Infrared Reflection) moisture meters in snack food manufacturing environments has become an accepted technology for monitoring and control. The on-line measurements are instantaneous and non-contact. Any change in moisture level can be immediately recognized by the use of a process controller, eliminating the potential for customer quality complaints or waste.

Moisture in Particle Board

The proper moisture level of particleboard guarantees safety and high product quality.

During the drying phase, the moisture content is reduced from a high of 75% to less than 10% moisture. The dried material is then graded and separated into core and surface product. The products pass through different blenders as a function of their different requirements for resin. After the blender, the furnish is formed then pressed into boards.

Paper Converting Process

Continuously monitoring the level of moisture in paper is important. The proper moisture level can have a large impact on the curl properties of the paper. By installing the MCT Moisture Meter in line, a converter can continuously monitor the moisture level and manually or automatically control the moisture content across the paper web.

Tobacco

Moisture percentage is critical throughout the whole tobacco manufacturing process, from green leaf threshing to primary processing. Moisture affects not only smoking quality, but also storage properties, filling properties, tobacco waste and machine ability.

Process Sensors MCT Series moisture meters, employ true Smart Sensor Technology (SST?), next generation optics and stable electronics, to meet the increasingly stringent quality controls required by today’s manufacturing industries, and to provide innovative process control solutions for maximum on-line manufacturing productivity, cost efficiency and profitability. PSC?s moisture meters have all field-replaceable components and come with a comprehensive 2-Year Warranty.

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Moisture Measurement and Control For Wood Pellet Manufacturing

July 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Process Sensors NIR Moisture Meters can provide valuable information needed to control the production process. The result is consistent product produced at minimum cost and down time.

Moisture measurement is a major consideration throughout the pellet manufacturing process. Below ware some of the locations where our customers have used our meters.

1. PSC can measure the green product prior to the dryer. The main advantage is to aid the loader operator in balancing the input moisture load to the dryer. Green product is generally stored outside where it is subject to the environment, some is wet and some is dry. Large amounts of wet material can overload the dryer and moist sawdust is the result. The loader operator needs a large readout at the input hopper so he/she can properly select wet or dry material to balance the input moisture.

2. Measuring the output of the dryer provides quality control on the dryer output and allows the product to be binned by moisture content.

3. Measure the output of individual bins for accurate blending.

4. Most important is the moisture in the blended product as it enters the pellet press. It must be within a tight moisture range to produce an acceptable pellet. The instantaneous reading are very helpful to the Press Operator. The 4-20 mA output can be sent to a PLC which in turn can control the Pellet Press drive parameters in real time.

5. Laboratory or off line measurements can be made in 10 seconds with the MCT660.

6. Some mills use Hog Fuel for the boiler feed, our MCT360 offers good trend moisture measurements on the incoming Hog Fuel. The advantage is improved boiler control.

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