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

Hazardous-area Approved Silicone Rubber Heating Blankets For Electrical Surface Heating in Hazardous Locations

Hazardous-area approved silicone rubber heating blankets for electrical surface heating in hazardous locations are available from BriskHeat. They provide a low profile heater design and are ideal for heating surfaces like tanks, hoppers, conveyors, silos, etc.

Silicone rubber heaters provide exceptional durability and longevity, plus moisture, chemical and radiation resistant. They are composed of heavy duty, extra thick silicone rubber which provides exceptional durability and longevity. Available with industrial strength pressure sensitive adhesive backing for easy installation and a patented grounded heating element for your safety meets NEC 427.23.

The resistance heating element is laminated between 4 layers of heavy duty fiberglass reinforced silicone rubber; two layers of 23mil and two layers of 25mil fiberglass reinforced silicone rubber. Optional built-in high-limit thermostats designed to keep blanket below NEC article 500 T-Rating are available.

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DOWNLOAD COMPLETE SPECIFICATIONS AND CUT-SHEET FROM THE ALLIANCE TECHNICAL SALES WEB SITE

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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.

Jogler Industrial Level Measurement Products Catalog

Jogler is a manufacturer of process control instrumentation specializing in level control devices: site flow indicators, sight glass level indicators, magnetic level gauges, magnetostrictive transmitters, laser level transmitters and specific gravity analyzers. Jogler, LLC is a certified ASME boiler code facility and carries the U, UM and S stamps that are required via ASME boiler code section B31.1 and B31.3.

Jogler products include:

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

Download a copy of the Jogler Industrial Level Measurement Products Catalog here, or view in the embedded document below.

https://alliancets.com
630-321-9646

Jogler Industrial Level Measurement Products Catalog from Alliance Technical Sales, Inc.

The Preparation of Pharmaceutical Waters

While the public considers municipal water to be “pure”, the pharmaceutical market considers municipal water (feedwater) just the starting point in producing pure water. Water is the most widely used excipient in pharmaceutical manufacturing, and pharmaceutical water is a multi-functional resource, crossing all disciplines in the pharmaceutical industry. Water is used as a raw material, solvent, ingredient, reagent, and clean-ing agent, and is produced in a variety of “pure” forms.

Purified Water (PW), Highly Purified Water (HPW), and Water for Injection (WFI) used in pharmaceutical processes are produced on site from the local potable water, which has been produced by the treatment of the feedwater.

This best practice guide, titled "Pharmaceutical Waters Guide for Regulatory Compliance, Analysis and Real-Time Release" and produced by Mettler Toledo Thornton, provides insight on the following topics:

DOWNLOAD THE FULL GUIDE HERE.

Pharma Waters Overview

• The Preparation of Pharmaceutical Waters
• Pharmacopeia Overview
• Industry Trends for Pharmaceutical Waters

Process Analytical Technology (PAT) and Intelligent Sensor Management (ISM)

• Ensuring Pharmaceutical Water Compliance in a PAT Environment

Total Organic Carbon

• Total Organic Carbon Measurement is a Key Control Point for Pharmaceutical Water Systems
• Improving Water System Performance Continuous Real-Time TOC Measurements
• Case Study: Real-Time TOC Analysis Safeguards Water Purity
• Case Study: In-line TOC Monitoring: Reduces Production Downtime
• Case Study: Leading Water Treatment Solution Provider Chooses METTLER TOLEDO Thornton
• The Value of Measuring TOC in CIP and Cleaning Validation Applications

Conductivity/Resistivity

• Ensuring the Absence of Ionic Impurities with Conductivity/Resistivity Measurements
• Calibration Solutions for Pharmaceutical Waters
• Case Study: Clean in Place Systems Manufacturer Relies on METTLER TOLEDO

Ozone

• Reliable, Cost-effective Sanitization the Power of Ozone
• Application and Control of Ozone Sanitization for Pharmaceutical Waters
• Case Study: Critical Ozone Measurement in Purified Water Systems

DOWNLOAD THE FULL GUIDE HERE.

Surface Heating for Analytical and Scientific Instrumentation

Electric surface heating for
analytical and scientific
applications. (BriskHeat) 

In many research & development and laboratory applications, surface heat is required to successfully conduct experiments and tests. The heat may be required for a number of reasons:

• Temperature Compensation - Varying results due to temperature fluctuation are eliminated when the temperature is constant over several repetitions or tests.
• Vacuum Bake-out - Heat helps release moisture and impurities/particulates in a closed system to allow the test results to be more accurate and consistent.
• Temperature Elevation - A higher temperature may be required to generate the desired results.

The document below, courtesy of BriskHeat, provides electric heating solutions for various laboratory applications where analytical and scientific apparatus require heat. You can also  download a PDF of "Surface Heating for Analytical and Scientific Instrumentation" here.

https://alliancetes.com
630-321-9646

Surface Heating for Analytical and Scientific Instrumentation from Alliance Technical Sales, Inc.