Elevating the Art of Craft Beer through Precision Measurement Techniques

The craft beer industry has witnessed a remarkable rise in popularity, with discerning consumers seeking distinctive flavor profiles and superior quality. Craft breweries must prioritize consistency and excellence throughout the brewing process to satisfy these discerning palates. Integrating advanced measurement solutions for critical parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, gaseous oxygen, and turbidity is paramount to attaining optimal outcomes and preserving the intended taste characteristics of craft beers.

The Role of pH in Crafting Exceptional Beers:

The acidity or alkalinity of the brewing environment, quantified by pH, exerts a profound influence on the activity of enzymes, the well-being of yeast, and the ultimate flavor profile of the beer. Precise pH monitoring is indispensable for maintaining batch-to-batch uniformity. Cutting-edge pH meters with features like automatic temperature compensation and calibration functionality empower brewers to track and fine-tune pH levels closely throughout the brewing cycle. By diligently regulating pH within the ideal range, brewers can ward off undesirable flavors, guarantee efficient fermentation, and create beers that exemplify their intended taste attributes.

Dissolved Oxygen: A Critical Factor in Beer Quality:

The dissolved oxygen concentration (DO) in beer is a pivotal consideration, as it can significantly impact flavor stability and longevity. Excessive DO levels can trigger oxidation reactions, imparting stale or cardboard-like off-flavors to the beer. Cutting-edge DO meters employing optical sensing technology deliver precise and dependable measurements, empowering brewers to monitor and regulate vigilantly DO concentrations across the brewing and packaging stages. By minimizing the beer's exposure to DO, craft breweries can safeguard the freshness and integrity of their products.

Mitigating the Impact of Gaseous Oxygen:

Beyond dissolved oxygen, gaseous oxygen in the brewing environment warrants meticulous attention. Gaseous oxygen can infiltrate the beer during transfer processes, bottling, or canning, potentially leading to oxidative deterioration and compromised flavor. Advanced gaseous oxygen analyzers equip brewers to identify and quantify oxygen levels in the headspace of packaged beer. By diligently monitoring and controlling gaseous oxygen, craft breweries can effectively prevent oxidation and preserve the intended flavor characteristics of their beers.

Ensuring Beer Clarity through Turbidity Control:

Its turbidity or clarity greatly influences the visual allure and overall perception of craft beer. High-precision turbidity meters offer reliable and consistent measurements, enabling brewers to closely monitor the clarity of their beers at different junctures in the brewing process. By expertly manipulating turbidity levels, craft breweries can guarantee a consistent visual presentation and cater to consumer expectations, whether the desired outcome is a crystal-clear or intentionally hazy beer.

In conclusion, adopting state-of-the-art measurement solutions for pH, dissolved oxygen, gaseous oxygen, and turbidity is crucial for craft breweries aiming to elevate the quality and consistency of their offerings. Precise and reliable measurements arm brewers with the insights needed to make well-informed decisions, streamline their processes, and consistently deliver exceptional craft beers to their patrons. By strategically investing in cutting-edge measurement technologies, craft breweries can optimize their operations, minimize product inconsistencies, and cement their reputation as producers of top-tier, flavor-forward beers that stand out in the fiercely competitive craft beer landscape.

Alliance Technical Sales, Inc.
312 Park Avenue Unit 145
Clarendon Hills, IL 60514-0145
Phone: 630-321-9646
https://alliancets.com

Process Analytics: Measuring and Controlling Vital Parameters in Industrial Applications

Process analytics is fundamental to many industrial applications, particularly in water treatment, chemical processing, food and beverage production, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. These operations often depend heavily on precisely monitoring and controlling specific process parameters, such as pH, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), dissolved and gaseous oxygen, dissolved CO2, ozone, conductivity, and turbidity. Understanding these parameters and how they can be effectively measured and regulated is critical to maintaining optimal process conditions, ensuring product quality, and complying with environmental and safety regulations.

What is Process Analytics?

Process analytics is the systematic analysis of various industrial processes to optimize performance and efficiency. It involves collecting, processing, and interpreting data to monitor process performance, pinpoint issues, make informed decisions, and implement operational improvements. The specific parameters monitored will vary depending on the industry and process in question, but they typically relate to the process medium's chemical, physical, and biological characteristics.

Understanding Key Parameters

pH

pH is a critical parameter in many industrial processes as it measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. It is essential in chemical reactions, biological processes, and corrosion control. Process analytics involves continuously monitoring pH to ensure it stays within specified limits. pH sensors, typically comprising a reference electrode and a pH-sensitive glass electrode, are used to measure this parameter.

Oxidation-Reduction Potential (ORP)

ORP measures the tendency of a solution to either gain or lose electrons, essentially quantifying its oxidizing or reducing potential. This parameter is critical in chemical reaction processes like wastewater treatment and disinfection. ORP sensors, similar to pH sensors, utilize a reference electrode and a sensing electrode to provide a voltage output proportional to the solution's ORP.

Dissolved and Gaseous Oxygen

A process's dissolved and gaseous oxygen concentration can significantly impact chemical reactions, microbial activity, and oxidation processes. Oxygen sensors, which can be optical or electrochemical, measure the oxygen present. The sensors apply in various applications, including fermentation, water treatment, and combustion control.

Dissolved CO2

In processes like fermentation, brewing, and carbonation, the concentration of dissolved CO2 is a critical process parameter. Too much or too little can dramatically affect product quality and process efficiency. Infrared absorption or chemical sensing methods are often used to measure dissolved CO2 levels.

Ozone

Ozone is a powerful oxidizing agent used in water treatment and bleaching processes. Concentration needs close control to ensure effective treatment while minimizing the risk of harmful byproducts. Ozone sensors usually work by measuring the absorption of UV light, a characteristic property of ozone.

Conductivity

Conductivity measures a solution's ability to conduct electricity related to the concentration of ions in the solution. It's a crucial parameter in processes involving aqueous solutions, such as water treatment and chemical production. Conductivity sensors typically operate based on the principle of Ohm's law.

Turbidity

Turbidity measures the cloudiness or haziness of a fluid caused by suspended solids. It is a crucial parameter in water and wastewater treatment, as it can indicate the effectiveness of filtration processes and the presence of pathogens. Turbidity sensors usually work by measuring the scattering and absorption of light.

The Role of Process Analytics

Process analytics plays a critical role in modern industrial operations. By continuously monitoring these parameters and controlling them within defined limits, operators can maintain optimal process conditions, maximize efficiency, and ensure the quality and consistency of their products. Furthermore, data from process analytics can be used for predictive maintenance, helping to prevent equipment failure and reduce downtime.

In summary, process analytics provides invaluable insights into industrial operations, offering real-time visibility and control over critical process parameters. As technology advances, process analytics capabilities will expand further, bringing even more significant benefits to a wide range of industries.

Alliance Technical Sales, headquartered in Clarendon Hills, Illinois, are experts in evaluating, specifying, and applying process analytics instrumentation across many industries. Contact them at 630-321-9646 or visit their website at https://alliancets.com.

New 2020 Mettler Toledo Process Analytics Catalog

Mettler Toledo Process Analytics, which includes the well-known Thornton and Ingold brands, has published their 2020 product catalog.

Ingold has a long track record of innovative high-quality solutions for demanding process analytics applications. Their products include systems for the measurement parameters of pH/ORP, dissolved oxygen (DO), dissolved CO2, conductivity and turbidity.

Thornton is the market leader in critical ultrapure and pure water analytics, where accuracy and reliability are essential. Their products include analytical instruments and sensors for the measurement of resistivity, conductivity, TOC, bioburden, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), sodium, silica and ozone.

For more information, and to download the 2020 MT Process Analytics catalog, visit this Alliance Technical Sales webpage.

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

Accurate, Easy-to-Calibrate Online Turbidity Monitoring Solution with a Low Cost of Ownership

MTOL+ is the next generation of online turbidimeters from HF scientific. The MTOL+ Online Process Turbidimeter has been specifically designed to meet regulations of EPA 180.1 and ISO 7027.

Benefits:

• Fast and Easy Calibration - Primary calibration can be completed in less than 5 minutes.
• Low Volume Sample Chamber - Reduces calibration costs and provides quick response times.
• Long Lasting Light Source - Field replaceable if necessary.
• Low Maintenance Fail Safe Design - Simple modular design. Easy to operate & service. No external controller needed.
• Bubble Rejection System - Eliminates bubbles without delaying response time.
• Value - High quality with many features.

New Features:

• Data logging and storage of 1 year’s measurement and calibration data
• Variable user-selectable logging interval from 1 to 60 minutes
• Download data via USB
• Software updates via USB
• Isolated 4-20mA output standard
• 4-20mA and RS-485 Modbus outputs simultaneously
• Ultrasonic cleaning standard

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

Turbidity Measurement Tailored for Water Treatment Applications

Learn about the HF Scientific MTOL+ turbidimeter from this short video. Turbidity measurement is a common task in water treatment and water quality monitoring. Instruments designed for accuracy and easy of use, such as the MTOL+, can save time while producing reliable results. Notable features of the redesigned online instrument include:

• Primary calibration can be completed in less than 5 minutes.
• Low volume sample chamber enables quick response time.
• Field replaceable long lasting light source.
• Simple modular design with low maintenance burden
• No external controller needed.
• Bubble rejection system eliminates bubbles without delaying response time.
• Data logging and storage of 1 year’s measurement and calibration data
• Variable user-selectable logging interval from 1 to 60 minutes
• Download data via USB
• Software updates via USB
• Isolated 4-20mA output standard
• 4-20mA and RS-485 Modbus outputs simultaneously
• Ultrasonic cleaning standard

Watch the video, and share your water quality measurement requirements and challenges with process measurement specialists. Leverage your own knowledge and experience with their product application expertise to develop an effective solution.

Water Quality Testing - Turbidity Standards

ProCal turbidity standards are suitable for use
with instruments from other manufacturers.
Image Courtesy HF Scientific

Turbidity is a commonly measured indicator of water quality. Regardless of the instrument being used, frequent and regular calibration is part of the procedure assuring accurate and traceable results that may be used as evidence of regulatory compliance.

Calibration requires the use of a prepared sample of a known value. HF Scientific, manufacturer of water quality instrumentation, reagents, and standards, provides high quality premixed turbidity standards that are suitable for use with their instruments, as well as those of several other manufacturers.

Share your water quality analysis requirements and challenges with process analytic specialists, combining your own experience and knowledge with their product application expertise to develop effective solutions.

Turbidity Standards for Turbidity Measurement from Alliance Technical Sales, Inc.

HF Scientific - Water Quality Measurement

Alliance Technical Sales recently commenced representation of HF Scientific, a manufacturer of water quality instrumentation and chemistry products. The arrangement complements the already broad line of analytical products offered by Alliance for fluid processing and analysis across a wide range of applications and industries.

Alliance Adds Thornton to Process Analytical Instrument Offering

Alliance Technical Sales, experienced provider of process analytical solutions throughout many industries, has added the Thornton brand of instruments to expand its offering of Mettler Toledo analytical products. Thornton specializes in on-line liquid process measurement solutions for pure and ultrapure water applications. The product line includes instrumentation and sensors providing high quality measurement of conductivity/resistivity, TOC, pH, ORP, dissolved oxygen, dissolved ozone, sodium, silica and bioburden. The Thornton line complements and expands the extent of Mettler Toledo products already available from Alliance Technical Sales.

Share your fluid process analytical challenges with product application experts, combining your process knowledge and experience with their product application expertise to develop effective solutions.

Process Analytics Product Catalog from Alliance Technical Sales, Inc.

Paths for Optimizing Chemical Industry Processes

Ingold brand InPro pH probes
Courtesy Mettler Toledo

The success of an industrial process hinges upon simultaneously or continuously maintaining an array of variables within a comparatively narrow operating band. Operators rely heavily upon sensing and measuring equipment to provide critical information about process operation that cannot be gathered by the human senses.

There is a robust section of the measurement and control equipment industry devoted to analytical measurements for chemical processes. Mettler Toledo, with their Ingold brand of analytical instrumentation, has been a key player in the process analytical field for many years. Through continuous research and development, the company has innovated products that provide greater performance and operational benefits to their industrial process control customers.

The piece included below provides a useful overview of the company's analytical and measurement capabilities, with an emphasis on how the products are employed in various industries. Modern technology is incorporated to improve product life cycle performance and reduce maintenance burden.

See for yourself with a browse through the document included below. More information is available on products and applications from a specialist, with whom you should share your analytical process challenges. The most effective solutions will come from collaboration between process operators and analytical equipment specialists.

Optimizing chemcial industry processes from Alliance Technical Sales, Inc.