At Cannon Water Technologies, we provide inline digital refractometers from trusted brands like Pyxis. These refractometers provide accurate digital values of dissolved solids in water. Browse our collection of digital refractometers to find the right product for your needs!
Working Principle of Inline Refractometers
The working principle of an inline refractometer centers on measuring the refractive index of a substance, which is the ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to its speed in the substance. When a light beam passes from one medium to another, it changes direction; this bending, or refraction, is quantified by the refractive index. Inline refractometers are integrated directly into a production line, where they continuously sample the medium being processed.
The device emits a light beam into the medium through a prism. As the light enters the medium, it bends at an angle dependent on the medium's refractive index. A sensor detects the angle of refraction, and the refractometer's internal processor calculates the refractive index based on this angle. The refractive index is directly related to the concentration of dissolved solids or other properties of the medium, providing crucial real-time data.
By measuring the refractive index, refractometers can determine the concentration of substances like sugars, salts, or chemicals. This data is transmitted instantly to the control systems, allowing for immediate adjustments in the production process. This continuous monitoring ensures consistent product quality, reduces waste, and optimizes production efficiency, making inline refractometers invaluable in industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.
Why Portable or Handheld Refractometers are Important in the Field or Lab
Portable or handheld refractometers are essential tools in many industries, providing quick, accurate, and reliable measurements on the go. These refractometers are particularly valuable for field applications where immediate results are required, and access to a laboratory setup is impractical. Whether for water treatment, food and beverage, or pharmaceutical industries, having a portable refractometer helps professionals make real-time decisions that affect production, quality control, and customer satisfaction.
Key Reasons Why Portable Refractometers Matter
Here are some advantages portable refractometers offer.
- Convenience: A handheld refractometer allows field technicians and lab professionals to carry out refractive index measurements at any location, without to the need for bulky or stationary equipment. This is especially helpful in industries where monitoring needs to occur outside of the lab such as outdoor locations.
- Real-Time Data: The ability to quickly obtain results in the field helps businesses take immediate corrective action. This real-time data is critical for industries such as food and beverage processing, water treatment, and pharmaceuticals, where maintaining precise measurements can prevent costly mistakes.
- Ease of Use: Unlike some complex benchtop refractometers, handheld versions are designed for simplicity. With user-friendly interfaces and digital readings, operators can take measurements quickly, without compromising accuracy.
- Versatility: A handheld refractometer is adaptable and can be used for a wide variety of applications. For instance, it can measure sugar content in beverages, salinity in water, or even coolant concentration in industrial settings.
- Portability: Being lightweight and compact, portable refractometers are ideal for technicians who need to work in remote locations or on production floors, where space and mobility are key considerations.
- Minimized Downtime: Our refractometer sensors help prevent production stoppages due to quality issues by providing real-time data and alerts, thereby reducing downtime and maintaining steady production flow.
- Compliance and Reporting: Digital refractometers have automated data logging and reporting features, assisting manufacturers in meeting regulatory compliance and documentation, and data analysis requirements.
Best Practices for Use & Field Handling of Handheld Refractometers
While handheld refractometers offer great flexibility, it’s important to handle and maintain them properly to ensure accurate results and longevity. Following best practices for use and field handling will help you get the most out of your investment in our range of compact, powerful brix refractometers.
- Calibrate Regularly: Ensure calibration is done using distilled water or the appropriate calibration solution for your specific refractometer model. Calibration should be done before each use, particularly when transitioning from one measurement environment to another.
- Clean After Each Use: Always clean the lens and the body of the refractometer after use, especially if you’re measuring sticky liquids like honey or viscous fluids like oils. Use a soft cloth and distilled water to avoid contaminating the lens with impurities that can affect the accuracy of your readings.
- Protect From Extreme Temperatures: Refractometers, especially handheld versions, are susceptible to performance degradation in extremely hot or cold environments. Protect the instrument from direct exposure to harsh conditions. For example, avoid leaving it in a car during the summer or winter months, and store it in a protective case to prevent physical damage.
- Handle With Care: Although handheld refractometers are designed for portability and field use, they are delicate devices. Drop impacts, especially on hard surfaces, can cause misalignment of the internal components or damage to the sensor. Always store your refractometer in a padded, secure case when not in use.
- Use the Right Sample Size: Ensure that you are using the correct amount of sample liquid for accurate readings. Most handheld refractometers require only a few drops of liquid, so ensure your sample is enough to cover the prism but not excessive to overflow.
- Know the Application Settings: When using a handheld refractometer, ensure you're using it for the right application, such as using a brix refractometer for measuring sugar content in beverages. Using the wrong type of refractometer can lead to inaccurate readings, which may affect the overall outcome of the process.
- Store Properly: Always store your handheld refractometer in a cool, dry place when it’s not in use. Keeping it in a protective case can help prevent dust accumulation or damage to the lens and sensor. Ensure it is placed in a stable environment away from any sources of direct sunlight or extreme humidity.
When Installing Inline Refractometers?
When installing inline refractometers, follow below best practices to ensure that accurate, reliable data and increased efficiency of the production process.
- Correct Placement: Install the inline refractometer sensor at a location where it can accurately sample the process fluid, typically in a well-mixed area to avoid stratification or air bubbles.
- Stable Environment: Ensure the refractometer is installed in an area with stable temperature and pressure conditions to prevent fluctuations that could affect readings.
- Clean Installation: Ensure the refractometer and the surrounding installation area are clean and free from contaminants that could interfere with the sensor's operation.
- Regular Maintenance: Schedule regular maintenance and calibration of the inline refractometer to ensure ongoing accuracy. This includes cleaning the sensor, checking for wear and tear, and recalibrating as necessary.
- Proper Alignment: Align the refractometer correctly with the flow of the process fluid to ensure consistent and representative sampling. Incorrect alignment can lead to inaccurate measurements.
- Secure Connections: Ensure all connections, including electrical and fluidic, are secure and leak-free to maintain the integrity of the measurements and the safety of the operation.
- Integration with Control Systems: Properly integrate the inline refractometer with the plant’s control and monitoring system to allow for seamless data transmission and real-time adjustments.
Tips to Choose the Right Refractometer
Choosing the right refractometer for water treatment isn’t easy and requires a comprehensive consideration of several factors. Here are a few key considerations that would help you make an informed decision:
- Measurement Parameters: The first question is how you want to use the refractometer? For instance, you can use it to determine parameters like salinity, coolant concentration, dissolved solids, or sugar content in beverages. Hence, choose a refractometer that can accurately measure these desired parameter(s) in the required range.
- Accuracy and Precision: Water treatment processes are complex and demand high accuracy at every phase. Hence, look for a refractometer that assures accuracy and precision. This would help you achieve reliable and consistent results, and ensure better quality control.
- Measurement Range: What is the maximum and minimum measurement range of the parameter? Once you understand this, you must check if the device can measure these low and high concentrations, depending on your application requirements.
- Temperature Compensation: The refractive index of the sample is affected by several factors and the temperature is one of them. Always ensure to choose a refractometer with temperature compensation (ATC). The feature adjusts the readings based on the sample's temperature, ensuring accurate results regardless of temperature variations.
- Build Quality: Water treatment facilities are challenging work environments. They are laden with dust, debris, and moisture. Hence, focus on the build quality of these devices. Focus on the material used in construction and ensure it is robust enough to withstand the environment in which it will be used.
- Ease of Use: Refractometers are available in different designs. Always choose a refractometer that is user-friendly and easy to operate. It must possess an easy-to-follow display and intuitive controls or interfaces. This will facilitate efficient measurements and minimize errors.
Calibrating and maintaining accuracy in multiparameter refractometers is crucial for ensuring precise measurements in various industrial applications. By following these steps, you can maintain the accuracy and reliability of multiparameter refractometers, ensuring precise and consistent measurements in your processes.
Features of Digital Refractometers
We provide digital refractometers from industry-leading brands. These refractometers are extremely popular with our clients due to the following reasons.
- These refractometers feature a push-button interface and display, which enable easy digital readouts.
- These devices feature simple and easy-to-install designs, which makes their use and maintenance easy.
- Our refractometers feature a built-in historical data log that can store data for up to 56 days and allow 1 reading per minute via the UPyxis App.
- Sturdy stainless steel construction of these devices makes them ideal for challenging environments.
Applications of Refractometers
We have been providing refractometers for the following water treatment applications.
- Refractive index direct read for process applications
- Mono-propylene glycol closed loop system monitoring
- Mono-ethylene glycol closed loop system monitoring
- BRIX/sugar concentration process applications
- Advanced low viscosity fluid heat transfer fluid
- Specific gravity determination via refractive index
FAQS on Refractometers
At Cannon Water Technology, we regularly process orders of refractometers. Although used in water treatment industries for several years, our experts still spend time answering their specific questions. This section includes some general and popular questions answered by our clients.
- Are refractometers effective in water quality control?
Indeed, they are effective in water quality control. They provide information about the dissolved contaminants or solids in water. In water treatment facilities, the operators use refractive index measurements to identify deviations from desired levels. These measurements help them take appropriate measures to ensure the water quality remains within desired limits.
- What are the benefits of using refractometers for coolant concentration analysis?
Our RT-100 Prism Inline Refractometers from Walchem are extensively used in analyzing concentrations of coolants like mono-propylene glycol and mono-ethylene glycol in closed loop monitoring systems. These devices measure the refractive index and provide data on the coolant-to-water ratio. This helps operators in water treatment facilities to maintain the optimal ratio of coolant-to-water to prevent corrosion and facilitate effective heat transfer in closed-loop monitoring systems. Sometimes, the readings of the refractive index also help operators to measure the effectiveness of the coolant.
- Can I use these refractometers for measuring salinity in water?
Yes, you can use our refractometers for measuring salinity in water. The salts present in water will impact the refractive index. The salinity is often determined by comparing the refractive index of the water sample with the calibration curve or the known value.
- Can refractometers be used to measure sugar content in beverages?
Yes, they can be used for sugar content measurement. RT-100 PRISM Inline Refractometers offered by us is used to measure the sugar content in a solution. These devices measure the refractive index of the liquid to indicate sugar concentration. The refractive index of a solution will increase for high sugar concentration. These increased values are referred to make necessary adjustments during the production process.
- Do I need to take special precautions while using refractometers for water treatment?
Although our refractometers are designed for challenging work environments, it is always recommended to take certain precautions to optimize their performance in these environments. For instance, these devices would require regular calibration to ensure accurate readings. The samples must be handled carefully and the device must be operated to manufacturer's guidelines.