AustriaACMTechnical exchange of refractometer

1 Brand and Product Overview

AustriaACMThe company was established in1982In, headquartered in Vienna, it is a company specializing in liquid process analysis and measurement technology. The company has long been committed to the research and production of refractometers and related analysis systems for continuous online monitoring of liquid concentration. Its products are based on the principle of light refraction, providing real-time data support for concentration control in process industries. After years of development, its product line has expanded from core refractive measurement to related fields such as density and gas composition detection, forming a relatively complete process analysis solution.

The main product types of this brand include the following:

Ø Online refractometer (process refractometer)

Ø Laboratory refractometer

Ø online densitometer

Ø Alcohol concentration monitor

Ø Carbon dioxide（CO₂) Online analyzer

Ø Oxygen（O₂) Online analyzer

Ø Dual parameter measurement system (such as concentration and density synchronization)

Ø Tank top gas analyzer (used for fermentation tanks, storage tanks)

Ø Sampling system and sample processing unit

Ø Process Control and Data Management Software

II Main models and technical parameters

ACMHaving multiple series of products to meet the needs of different application scenarios. Here are their10Representative main models:

Ø LR-10Basic online refractometer, suitable for a wide range of concentration measurements.

Ø LR-13For high temperature and high pressure cleaning（CIP/SIP）The working conditions have been optimized.

Ø LR-15Designed for the food and beverage industry, for measuring the Brix content of juices and syrups.

Ø LR-16Suitable for a wider measurement range or special process requirements.

Ø AlcotecSeries alcohol analyzer, used for monitoring alcohol concentration during fermentation and distillation processes.

Ø Density 30XOnline density sensors are often used in conjunction with refractometer data.

Ø CO₂-InsideOnline carbon dioxide analyzer, used for carbonated beverages and beerCODetermination of ₂ content.

Ø O₂-InsideOnline oxygen analyzer monitors the dissolved oxygen content in the product, which is related to the shelf life.

Ø QUADRALINEMulti parameter measurement system that can integrate various sensors such as refractive index and density.

Ø BeerMonitorAn integrated monitoring system specifically developed for beer brewing processes.

withLRIntroduce the series of online refractometers as an example:

Product Introduction:LRThe series isACMThe core product is used to directly and continuously measure the concentration of liquids in pipelines or containers. It provides real-time readings without the need for sampling, helping to achieve automated control of the process.

Technical parameters (typical values):

Ø Measuring range:0-30% Brix(White sugar content, other units can be customized)

Ø Measurement accuracy:±0.1% Brix

Ø Repeatability:±0.05% Brix

Ø Process temperature range:0°Cto+100°C(Some models can reach)130°C）

Ø Process pressure: maximum10 bar

Ø Protection LevelIP65

Ø Output signal4-20mA，RS485, or fieldbus protocol (such asProfibus）

Working principle: Its core is based on the principle of light refraction. The sensor head has a prism through which light passes towards the interface of the measured liquid. Changes in the concentration of a liquid can cause a change in its refractive index, resulting in a shift in the critical angle of reflected light. The optical detection system inside the instrument will accurately measure this angle change and directly convert it into a concentration value (such as...) through built-in algorithms and temperature compensationBrixThePlatoEtc.) and output.

III Core Features

In practical industrial applications,ACMThe performance of refractometers presents the following characteristics:

Ø Process adaptability: The sensor part is usually made of stainless steel material, which can withstand the common high temperature cleaning in the production environment（CIP）And steam sterilization（SIP）The program has a protection level that meets the requirements of humid and dusty environments.

Ø Measurement stability: Based on the principles of physical optics, the measurement is not easily affected by significant interference from liquid color, small bubbles, or suspended particles. The digital signal processing and automatic temperature compensation function reduce drift and help maintain long-term reading stability.

Ø Integration convenience: Provides analog and mainstream industrial fieldbus communication interfaces, which can be easily integrated into existing systemsPLC(Programmable Logic Controller)DCS(Distributed Control System) orSCADAThe data collection and monitoring control system achieves centralized monitoring and closed-loop control of data.

Ø Relatively low maintenance requirements: Due to the optical principle and no direct friction between moving parts and the tested medium, the maintenance cycle is relatively long under compliant installation and use conditions. The main maintenance work is focused on regular inspection and cleaning of the optical window.

4 application field

ACMThe refractometer and analysis system are applied in process industries that require precise concentration monitoring, mainly including:

Ø Food and beverage industry: This is the most important application area. Used for online monitoring of the Brix content of fruit juice, concentrated juice, soft drinks, and syrup; Monitoring wort concentration and fermentation degree during beer brewing; Control the concentration of milk concentration and whey separation in dairy factories.

Ø Brewing and Distillation Industry: Used to monitor the sugar content of grape juice and changes in alcohol concentration in fermentation tanks, providing a basis for fermentation process control.

Ø Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology: Monitoring the density of culture medium or substrate concentration in fermentation processes, and can also be used for concentration control in certain solution preparation stages.

Ø Chemical industry: applied to online detection of chemical liquid concentrations such as ethylene glycol, urea solution, and caustic soda.

Ø Sugar industry: Continuous monitoring of sugar concentration in various stages such as sugar extraction, evaporation, and crystallization.