LIDAR, Non-contact Level Transmitter for Fast and Accurate Measurement

Jogler LLT-1000

Lidar (LIDAR, LiDAR) is a surveying technique that measures distance to a destination by illuminating the target with laser light and using a sensor to measure the reflected light. Differences in laser return times and wavelengths can then be used to determine distance and area. The name lidar was initially a portmanteau of light and radar, now used as an acronym for light detection and ranging. Lidar uses ultraviolet, visible, or near infrared light to sense and image objects.

Jogler's Lidar Level Transmitter LLT-1000 is a laser-based non-contact instrument that measures the level of silos, tanks, hoppers, chutes and bunkers. The LLT-1000 uses time-of-flight laser technology to measure distance. This principle of quick and accurate measurement provides many benefits over other level measurement techniques.

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DOWNLOAD THE LLT-1000 CUTSHEET FROM THIS ALLIANCE TECHNICAL SALES WEB PAGE

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Alliance Technical Sales, Inc.
630-321-9646
https://alliancets.com

Inline Dissolved Oxygen Sensor Designed for Breweries

InPro6970i for brewing

Oxygen in beer bottles or cans is bad. It affects the flavor and shortens shelf life, so breweries do their best to prevent oxygen getting into beer  at the filling line.  The Mettler Toledo Process Analytics InPro6970i is an inline dissolved oxygen sensor designed specifically for the needs of the brewery industry. It can measure oxygen in beer at levels of only a few parts per billion.

The sensor is inserted in the pipe at the start of the filling line, and provides real-time measurements on the oxygen content of the beer.  If the oxygen level is too high, the flow of beer is stopped to prevent the out of specification product continuing down the line.

Unlike most dissolved oxygen sensors available, the InPro6970i uses a clever optical technique for measuring oxygen. At the tip of the sensor there's a layer of molecules that absorb and emit light. These molecules are sensitive to oxygen which alters how the molecules behave. The greater the quantity of oxygen, the greater the changes in their behavior. The sensor very accurately measures these changes and sends the signal to the transmitter.  This technique is extremely fast and accurate at measuring changes in beer oxygen level, which is why it is favored by breweries. But that is not the only requirement breweries demand.  Sensors must be rugged, easy to use, and simple to maintain.The InPro6970i scores highly in all these areas. The sensor's stainless steel body is extremely robust, the unit is easily and quickly installed, and the only maintenance required is the periodic exchange of the oxygen sensitive element, the OptoCap. Intelligent Sensor Management, or ISM, is a feature of the InPro6970i that offers significant benefits to breweries. The sensor can be calibrated in a convenient location such as a lab. Upon connection to the transmitter, the system is ready to measure in only a few seconds, so measurement point down time is very short. The dynamic lifetime indicator uses sophisticated algorithms to calculate the remaining life of the sensor, breweries therefore have confidence that the sensor won't fail unexpectedly.

Contact Alliance Technical Sales for more information. Call 630-321-9646 or visit https://alliancets.com.

Heating Tapes: Application and Installation Tips

High temperature tape (left) and
moisture & chemical resistant
tape (right).

Heating tapes are easy-to-use, ideal for a wide range of thermal applications, and inexpensive. This article will provide simple installation tips to improve your heating tape product life, application performance, and most importantly, your safety.

Why Heating Tapes?

Heating tapes offer many advantages for solving a wide range of gas, liquid, and solid heating applications. 

Advantages:

1. Flexibility: Easily installs directly to a wide variety of surfaces and geometries (i.e. 1/4” diameter or larger piping, glassware, valves, reactors, chambers, etc.)
2. Rapid and uniform heat-up due to high watt densities and user-configurable installations
3. High temperature ranges
4. Easily controlled with standard temperature controlling devices
5. Variety of sizes, wattages, temperature ranges, and styles available to meet your exact heating requirements

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions
while installing or removing heating tape.

Step 1: Preparation

Prepare surface to be heated: Wipe the surface making sure there is no foreign material, like liquid, on the surface.  Foreign material inhibits heat transfer and liquid can damage select models of heating tape (i.e. High-Temperature Heating Tapes).  

Make a visual inspection of heating tape: We recommend that you replace the heating tape if it becomes torn or damaged.  Damaged heating tape is a safety hazard and will not operate correctly. 

Selecting the Proper Heating Tape

Figure B

Selection of your tape depends on: 

• Length, diameter, and configuration of the surface to be heated
• Required temperature
• Required wattage
• Environmental conditions (i.e. likelihood heating tape will come into contact with moisture or chemicals)

Step 2: Installing your Heating Tape

Figure C

Heating tape can be installed on nearly any surface due to its flexibility.  Spiral wrap the heating tape onto the surface to be heated so that the length of one entire side of the heating tape is in full contact with the surface (Figure B). The distance between spiral wraps is dependent on the uniformity requirements and the amount of available heating tape.  A minimum distance of 1/8” is required between spiral wraps to avoid damage to the heating tape.

Attach the heating tape to the surface by either using built-in tie straps (Figure C), high-temperature adhesive tape (Figure D), or mechanical clamping devices that will not cause damage to the heating tape. 

Figure D

Ensure the heating tape is not kinked, twisted, or hanging free from the surface (Figure E and F). Do not overlap heating tape on itself (Figure G). This can cause damage to the heating tape due to overheating.

Do's

• Make sure you have selected the correct heating tape for your application. BriskHeat offers a wide range of sizes, voltages, and temperature ranges.
• Visually check your heating tape prior to use.
• Make sure that the heating tape makes full contact with the surface to be heated.
• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions while installing or removing heating tape.

Don't kink or overlap, apply without control, apply over
insulation, never use near flammable materials,
do not submerge, and do not use if tape is cut or damaged.

Don'ts

• Do not overlap the heating tape over itself
• Do not use heating tape without a controlling device
• Do not install heating tape on top of insulation near flammable materials, submerged in liquids, or if cut in any way.

For more information about heat tapes, or any industrial heating application, contact Alliance Technical Sales by calling 630-321-9646 or by visiting https://alliancets.com. 

Safety, Quality, Productivity: Rethinking Gas Analytics Across Process Industries

Mettler Toledo Process Analytics designs analyzers and sensors based around a simple concept – how can the design, handling, and maintenance of their products help you improve quality, productivity, and safety? This led to their rethinking gas analytics and the development of a unique portfolio of gas instruments that offers you faster measurements, greater process availability, and unequalled ease of use.

The Mettler Toledo GPro® 500 TDL O2, CO, CO2 and moisture analyzers are designed for ease of installation and low maintenance operation in a wide variety of process applications in the refining, petrochemical, and associated process industries.

The GPro® 500 oxygen gas analyzer is a unique tunable diode laser spectrometer designed for safety applications. It uses a folded-path laser beam design for simple installation and measurement.

GPro® 500 Overview:

• Ideal for applications such as: flare safety control, combustion control, chlorination and oxychlorination, process control, ESP filter production, vent headers, inertization and vapor recovery.
• Is installed in situ, so you get a quick response without the need to extract and condition a sample. This provides a fast response time so that you can make real-time reactions to out-of-spec conditions.
• Is configurable, enabling the oxygen gas analyzer's measurement system to be paired with a variety of process adaptions to meet a wide range of installation requirements.
• Uses Intelligent Sensor Management (ISM®) technology to offer predictive diagnostics on analyzer condition, including informing you when cleaning of the optical path will be required.

AN EBOOK, PROVIDING MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT

THE GPRO® 500 AND IT APPLICATIONS, IS AVAILABLE HERE

Applications covered in the eBook include:

• Direct Chlorination
• VCM Waste Gas Recovery
• FCC Units
• Electrostatic Precipitators
• Formaldehyde Production
• Formaldehyde Production

For more information about GPro® 500 TDL O2, CO, CO2 and moisture analyzers, contact Alliance Technical Sales by calling 630-321-9646 or by visiting https://alliancets.com. 

Industrial, Inline, Process Refractometers

Industrial inline refractometers use of the principle of refractometry to assess the physical qualities of fluid. Using the device, the refractive index of the fluid is measured, which indicates whether the product is according to specification. The fundamental physical property helps in determining the purity and composition of fluids. 

Refractometers: An Overview

Refractometers are based on the principle of refractometry. The device measures the speed of a ray of light as it crosses from one medium to another. When light travels across two different media, its density and direction change. The change in direction is known as refraction. 

Every material has a different refractive index (RI) that refers to the ratio of the velocity of light in a vacuum to the velocity in a specific medium. 

Light travels faster in a medium with a lower optical density, resulting in a low reflective index. The lower the optical density of the medium, the lower will be the refractive index due to the higher speed of light. This principle of refractometry is used in various industrial processes for measuring different characteristics of a fluid such as: 

• Hydrocarbon content 
• Salinity
• Sugar concentration
• Protein concentration

Application of Refractometry in Industries 

Refractometry is used in many different industries. Let’s look at the application of the technique of different industrial processes.

Food and Beverage Industry 

Refractometry is commonly used in the beverage and food industry for quality control purposes. The technique helps in determining the purity and consistency of processed foods such as vegetables, jams, coffee, and dairy products.

The three important parameters that are assessed by refractometers in food processing. They include sugar percentage, acidity, and gelling agent concentration. These parameters are assessed to ensure the right mix that results in maximum shelf life.

The device is used for the measurement of percentage by weight of sugar in fruit juice. The measurement is also known as Brix. Accurate Brix measurement is critical for quality and cost control. The measurement can be carried out by assessing the density and refractive index. Both the parameters provide valuable insight into the content of the fruit. 

Chemical Industry 

Refractometry is also used for assessing the concentration of a range of chemicals in industries other than food and beverage. Sensors on refractometers installed on large tank, pipes, and reactor can determine the concentration of dissolved solids by optical measurement of the refractive index. The measurement is not influenced by bubbles, particles, temperature changes, or color of the liquid. 

Oil Refineries

Oil refineries also rely on refractometers to determine the quality of the oil. Refractive index is used to know the identity of the oil immediately. This method helps in quickly checking the oil that is transferred to the storage facility. 

Fertilizer Industry

Fertilizer industry also uses refractometry for assessing the quality of fertilizer solution. Density and refractive index are analyzed to find out the nitrogen concentration in the fertilizer. The method can help in assessing the quality of fertilizers easily, safely,  and cost-effectively as compared to the manual method. 

Pulp and Paper

Pulp and paper mills use industrial refractometers for green liquor and black liquor processing. Green liquor and black liquor are both part of the Kraft Process whereby wood chips are broken down into their chemical constituents and wood pulp.

Other Users of Refractometry 

Refractometry is used in many other industries such as the perfume industry, coolants, lubricants industry, and the milk industry. The process helps in determining the quality and concentration of fluids in different industries. 

Contact Alliance Technical Sales with any questions about the application of process refractometers. They can be reached by phone at 630-321-9646 or by visiting https://alliancets.com.

Old Pharmaceutical Reactor Brought Back to Life with New Control System

A bioprocess control system update helped a leading manufacturer of USDA-licensed biologicals improve batch consistency. The pharmaceutical manufacturer had an 800 liter, 30+ year-old stainless steel, steam-in-place (SIP) reactor that was mechanically sound but in desperate need of a new controller. They needed to replace the production capability and required flexible controls for the varying products their customers produced. Of foremost concern was the cost to replace the idle system. ILS Automation came to their rescue.

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GET THE FULL CASE STUDY FROM THE ALLIANCE WEBSITE HERE

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Alliance Technical Sales
630-321-9646
https://alliancets.com

Alliance Technical Sales Products

By combining world-class products, application expertise, and unsurpassed customer service, Alliance Technical Sales enables its clients to increase manufacturing efficiency, reduce production costs, and improve product quality and value. Each of the manufacturers we represent has extensive experience solving critical service applications with the products they manufacture.

Alliance Technical Sales, Inc.
https://alliancets.com
630-321-9646

METTLER TOLEDO's GPro 500 Series Tunable Diode Laser Gas Sensor

The use of Tunable Diode Laser (TDL) gas sensors is becoming more and more common in industrial processes. This is because they measure directly in the process gas stream without drift or cross-interference and are far more economical to purchase, install and maintain than other gas analyzer types. TDLs use a measurement technology called absorption spectroscopy: they output a beam of laser light at the same frequency that the gas to be measured absorbs light. The TDL analyzes the light after it has passed through the gas stream and calculates the quantity of the target gas in the stream.

Most TDLs are comprised of two parts: the laser source unit and a receiving/analyzing unit. These parts must be installed directly opposite each other, which is not always easy and misaligned can often occur. METTLER TOLEDO's GPro 500 Series solves this by combining both parts in a single unit. A probe attached to the GPro 500 sensor protrudes into the gas stream. A three-sided mirror at the end of the probe directs the beam back through the probe to the receiver, so alignment is always perfect.

The series is available with a wide range of different probes and adaptions that allow the GPro 500 to be placed wherever required in a process. These include: 

• a probe with a filter to prevent dust ingress
• a wafer probe for narrow (2") pipes
• an extractive cell for use with sampling and conditioning systems
• a White cell for trace level detection

Using a modular design, the GPro 500 tunable diode laser gas analyzer allows you to select the process adaption that fits your application, and match it with the parameter that you need to measure. We offer sensors that measure  a variety of gases including Carbon Dioxide (CO₂), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Hydrogen Chloride (HCl), Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S), Moisture, Ammonia (NH₃), Methane (CH₄) and Oxygen (O₂). 

The GPro 500 does not require maintenance-prone extractive and conditioning systems. This means that you receive consistent performance from your tunable diode laser gas analyzer without the downtime and cost associated with these traditional systems. You achieve reliable uptime, critical in safety applications, at a reduced cost of ownership.

For more information on METTLER TOLEDO Gas Analysis, contact Alliance Technical Sales.

630-321-9646

https://alliancets.com

Innovative Solutions to Difficult Paper Mill Level Application

Magnetic Level Gauges and Magnetostrictive Level Transmitters for Black Liquor Chemi-Washer in Paper Mill

Black liquor is a waste product found in paper mills from the processes used to break pulp wood down into usable fibers. Many different methods are used to wash black liquor from the fibers before they are sent to the paper / cardboard making sections of the mill, one of which is a black liquor Chemi-Washer. The Chemi-Washer consists of a train of eight washes used to clean black liquor off of the paper fibers. The waste liquid gets progressively cleaner through each section of the train. DP transmitters are traditionally used to measure level in each section of the washer.
Jogler, a leading manufacturer of industrial level instrumentation offers a case study on successfully handling this application.

Visit this page to download the full application case study.

Real-Time Bioburden Monitoring in Pharmaceutical Water with the Mettler Toledo 7000RMS

Have you ever experienced microbial contamination that led to an out-of-spec event, water system quarantine, or product recall even though you perform routine testing? How much time and cost did it take investigate or undo this damage? Even with false positive results, it’s often too late.

The water loop has to be sanitized, rinsed, retested and the affected product may be a total loss.

While plate counting is a regulatory requirement, there are inherent risks and delays that can greatly impact the accuracy of test results. Let’s take a look at these risks.

• No matter how careful you are, contamination can still occur at any stage of sampling. 
• Waiting 5-7 days to get results causes you to use “at risk" water without knowing the microbiological quality. 
• A sample you take now could yield very different results than a sample taken minutes or hours later.
• Sampling too infrequently can also cause you to miss an excursion. 
• You can only count what will culture and colonies you can actually see. 
• Such variables and limitations can mislead your assessment of the water quality. 

What if you could reduce these risks with a complementary test method? Instead of capturing snapshots that are a week old with sampling, you could have full visibility of your process with continuous, real-time monitoring. When used in parallel with plate counting, the Mettler Toledo 7000RMS real-time microbial detection analyzer can help you react quickly to any trend or excursion before it becomes an event. Giving you complete process transparency for minimized risk and real-time water release.

The Mettler Toledo 7000RMS advanced laser-induced fluorescence technology provides a direct cell count of microorganisms present in pharma-grade waters. Overcoming limitations of growth-based laboratory methods that are an estimation of microbial presence and dependent on time and incubation conditions.

Counts microorganisms from as small as 0.50 microns and accepts direct input line temperatures of up to 90ºC. The Mettler Toledo 7000RMS delivers 24/7 monitoring of water treatment, storage tanks, distribution loops, points-of-use and clean-in-place processes.

Applications: Continuous monitoring of PW, WFI and UPW

• Distribution loops
• Sub loops
• Point-of-Use
• Return loops
• Recirculating storage tanks
• Grab samples
• Post purification before storage
• Sampling points

For more information, contact Alliance Technical Sales, Inc.
https://alliancets.com
(630) 321-9646

A Better Way to Measure Dissolved Oxygen in Power Plant Pure Water Systems

In power plants, approximately half of unscheduled shutdowns can be traced to water cycle chemistry issues which involve costly repairs and lost operating revenue that can never be recovered. One of the most important parameters to measure to improve power plant water system efficiency is dissolved oxygen, DO. DO causes corrosion of components that contain iron and copper. Transport and deposits of these particles can also accelerate corrosion and damage critical plant equipment.

DO is measured at several locations in a water system. Traditionally, DO is measured with polarographic sensors, which use a gas permeable membrane to separate the sample from the electrochemical cell inside. Depending on the operating environment, polarographic sensors can require monthly electrolyte and membrane replacement.  After service, the sensor cannot produce meaningful readings for several hours because of required polarization. They are also sensitive to sample flow rate and experience interference from dissolved hydrogen.

Mettler Toledo pure water optical DO sensor 

Unlike traditional DO sensors, the Mettler Toledo Thornton online pure water optical DO sensor does not require polarization. It uses optical technology to provide fast and accurate analysis. Its measurement response is six times faster than polarographic sensors. The optical DO sensor also does not use electrolyte or a membrane, so it's not sensitive to flow or susceptible to damage from particles and dissolved hydrogen interference. There is no interior body to replace, and service is required only once a year to quickly and easily replace the one-piece Optocap sensing element. This provides plants with lower operating costs and reduced downtime. 

The Mettler Toledo Thornton pure water optical DO sensor provides a fast, accurate and low-maintenance method of measuring dissolved oxygen concentration in power plant pure water systems.

For more information for any Mettler Toledo Process Analytics product, contact Alliance Technical Sales. Visit https://alliancets.com or call 630-321-9646.

New Jogler Magnetic Level Gauge, Magnetostrictive and Laser Level Transmitter Catalog Available

Jogler, a Baton Rouge, Louisiana manufacturer of high quality high quality magnetic level gauges, magnetostrictive transmitters, laser level transmitters and point level switches has a new 2019 product catalog available.

Level Monitoring & Controls

• Magnetic Level Gauges and Accessories
• Magnetostrictive Level Transmitters 
• Laser Level Transmitters
• Direct-Reading Liquid Level Indicators 
• Direct-Reading Liquid Flow Indicators

You can download the new Jogler catalog here.

Jogler Magnetic Level Gauge, Magnetostrictive Level Transmitter, and Laser Level Transmitter Product Catalog from Alliance Technical Sales, Inc.

Keep Your Process Piping, Valves, and Instruments Insulated with the BriskHeat Silver-Series Insulators

The BriskHeat Silver-Series insulators are a configurable insulation system made of durable, high-temperature cloth that allows for very easy installation and removal. The Silver-Series provides 1” thick, needle-punched fiberglass insulation with hook & loop closures. The innovative design applies very efficient thermal insulation for hot or cold pipes, valves, instrumentation, tanks and vessels in industrial and commercial environments. Custom designs can be manufactured for unique requirements.

Alliance Technical Sales
https://alliancets.com
630-321-9646

Baby, It's Cold Outside (Have You Freeze Protected Properly?)

It's winter and it's cold outside. Pipes will freeze. Processes will stop. Maintenance costs will rise.

Facilities that use or process chemicals, gasses, or even water must maintain them above 55°F (17°C) to prevent them from solidifying, freezing, or becoming too viscous to move. A few examples of these materials include varieties of diethylene (resins and polyurethanes), DMSO (solvents), paraffin’s (petroleum product), #6 crude oil (for asphalt), and many more. Often these materials travel through unique cone, funnel, or bowl-shaped vessels and then through a series of pipes, tubes, hoses, pumps, valves, metering devices, level transmitters, and more. During a cold season, if not protected, these systems can fail to operate efficiently or even freeze causing significant damage and downtime.

Not your typical heat tracing cable.

Often the complex nature of these systems, having many twists and turns, makes them difficult to install traditional heat trace cable to protect against the cold. Also, limited access or difficult to reach areas have their own unique challenges. Traditional semi-flexible self-limiting heat-trace cable is simply too rigid for many of these installations and does not provide adequate surface contact to be effective enough.

XtremeFLEX RKP by BriskHeat
makes it easy to heat difficult
shapes and sizes.

BriskHeat’s new XtremeFLEX RKP silicone heating tapes are the perfect solution for these challenging applications. The RKP tapes have an ultra-thin profile with a super- flexible 1/4” (6mm) bend radius. No additional temperature controller is required because a built-in pre-set thermostat continuously monitors and controls the temperature output of the heater. The complete unit is fully encapsulated in silicone rubber to provide an extremely flexible, durable, and moisture resistant heater. The unique flexibility provides exceptional surface contact for maximum heat transfer and effectiveness around systems that have complex curves, bends, and contours. The heater is also pre-terminated with a power cord and electrical plug to provide quick and easy power connection. RKP silicone heating tapes are a true plug-and- play heater that is both easy to install and easy to maintain. This design makes the RKP an extremely versatile heater for a wide variety of indoor/outdoor installations.

It is always recommended to insulate any heating device to provide a safe and energy efficiency system. BriskHeat offers an Insul-Lock®DS foam pipe insulation that is perfect for use with RKP heating tapes.

For more information, contact Alliance Technical Sales by calling 630-321-9646 or visit https://alliancets.com.

Continuous Total Organic Carbon (TOC) Monitoring vs. At-line Batch Method

At-line batch TOC measurement can only provide snapshots of your water quality every six minutes or more. But alot can happen in six minutes. With true continuous TOC analysis you have real-time data to tell you exactly when an excursion starts and ends. This helps demonstrate compliance and gives you complete control of your water system. The Mettler-Toledo 6000TOCi provides real-time TOC compliance.

For more information, contact:
Alliance Technical Sales
https://alliancets.com
630-321-9646

Swissfluid Sampling Valve Piston Injector Demonstration

Swissfluid SIV Series are inline, fully lined or stainless steel sampling valves for safe and representative sampling of corrosive and aggressive process media from pipelines, pressurized or under vacuum. SIV Sampling Valves are available as wafer-style or flanged valves. The valves are distinguished by its deadspace-free design as well as the extremely short outlet way for the representative sample. The sturdy bodies are made of stainless steel casting 1.4408 (CF-8M) or optional with resistant linings

Gaseous samples can be provided by means of the Piston Injector. This video demonstrates how the Piston Injector is used.

For more information about Swissfluid sampling valves, contact Alliance Technical Sales by calling 630-321-9646 or visit their website at https://alliancets.com.

Electric Heating Solutions for Temperature Maintenance and Freeze Protection

Here is an Alliance Technical Sales product catalog for industrial electric heating and freeze protection solutions. The products contained herein are used for temperature maintenance or to prevent freezing of flowing fluids or gases in tanks, pipes, vessels, and lab equipment. Contact Alliance Technical Sales for any electric heating requirement.

https://alliancets.com
630-321-9646
Download the Electric Heating Solutions here.

Electric Heating and Freeze Protection Solutions from Alliance Technical Sales, Inc.

Mettler Toledo Process Analytics Catalog 2018-2019

The METTLER TOLEDO Process Analytics division concentrates on analytical measurement solutions for industrial manufacturing processes. The division consists of two business units: Ingold and Thornton, both recognized leaders in their respective markets and technologies.

Ingold is a worldwide leader in pH, dissolved oxygen, CO2, conductivity and turbidity solutions for process analytical measurement systems
in chemical, food & beverage, biotech- nology and pharmaceutical industries. Its core competence is high quality in-line measurement of these para- meters in demanding chemical process and hygienic and sterile applications.

Thornton is the leader in pure and ultrapure water monitoring instrumentation used in semiconductor, microelectronics, power generation, pharmaceutical, and biotech applications. Its core competence is the in-line measurement of conductivity, resistivity, TOC, bioburden, dissolved oxygen and ozone in determining and controlling water purity. The division recently expanded into Gas Analytics with a series of TDL analyzers offering unique in situ solutions.

Download the 2018-2019 Mettler Toledo Process Analytics Catalog here.

For more information, contact Alliance Technical Sales by calling 630-321-9646 or by visiting their website at https://alliancets.com.

Mettler Toledo Process Analytics Catalog 2018-2019 from Alliance Technical Sales, Inc.

New Product Alert: METTLER TOLEDO Thornton's 6000TOCi Total Organic Carbon

The 6000TOCi is a new, continuous measurement, TOC (total organic
carbon) sensor manufactured by METTLER TOLDEDO Thornton. The sensor provides
continuous, real-time measurements in pure and ultrapure waters. It uses
advanced UV oxidation technology that provides a very rapid response time.

Total Organic Carbon monitoring is vital for the measurement and control of organics contamination in pure and ultrapure waters used in industries such as pharmaceuticals, microelectronics and power generation.

To ensure changes in TOC levels are not missed, constant results are required. The 6000TOCi sensor uses conductivity measurements before and after oxidation of organic material via ultraviolet light to provide continuous, real-time determination of TOC.

Flexibility of the 6000TOCi allows installation anywhere on a water system, with the option to display results at the point of measurement or at a more convenient location for operators.

The METTLER TOLDEDO Thornton 6000TOCi Total Organic Carbon sensor has a response time of less than one minute and provides continuous monitoring, which is a huge advantage over batch measurement systems that take six minutes or longer to deliver just a snapshot of water quality.

For more information, contact Alliance Technical Sales by visiting https://alliancets.com or by calling 630-321-9646.

Understanding Refraction

This pencil appears to bend when it enters
the water because of the change in the light
ray speed as the medium changes.

Refraction is the directional change of wave propagation caused by a change in the light beams transmission medium.

Light rays travel through space in a straight line at approximately 300,000 km/s. As light passes through a transparent medium, such as water or glass, its speed is decreased.

For glass, its reduced to 200,000 kilometers per second, and for water the speed is 225,000 kilometers per second.

If the light enters into a medium perpendicular to the surface, it passes straight through but at a slower speed. However if the light beam arrives at the medium surface at an angle, not only will it speed be reduced, but it will bend due to a process called refraction.

As a beam of light reaches the surface of a medium the lower portion enters first and is slow down. However, the upper portion is still traveling at the speed of light until it arrives at the surface and enters. This speed difference at the top and bottom aspects of the light path causes it to pivot, bending toward what is referred to as the normal. This is an imaginary line drawn perpendicularly to the surface of the material.
 
Transparent materials have what is called a refractive index. This is the speed at which light travels in a medium compared to like traveling in a vacuum.
   
For example, typical glass has a refractive index of 1.33. This is calculated by dividing the speed of light in a vacuum (300,000 km/s) by the speed of light in glass (225,000 km/s).
   
The refractive index of air is 1.0003. Anytime a light beam travels from a medium with a low index of refraction, like air, to a medium with a higher index of refraction, like glass, the beam of light will bend toward the normal.
   
Likewise when the beam of light exits a highly refractive medium into a medium with the low index of refraction, the process is reversed.
   
The bottom portion of the beam of light exits first, and resumes at the speed of light, with the top portion still at the speed determined by the medium. This causes the beam to pivot away from the normal line.

Instruments used to measure the refractive index are called refractometers. Refractometers used in industrial automated systems are referred to as inline refractometers.