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Total Moisture - Bulk Density
In-Line Automated Moisture and Bulk Density Monitoring System
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The AquaDens™
incorporates the
accuracy and
reliability of
the Reliadens™
with the
precision and
dependability of
the AquaTrend.
This in-line
combined system
uses a 6-step
cycle which
collects a known
volume of
product and
measure both
bulk density and
moisture on the
same sample,
before returning
it to the
product stream. |
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For foods sold by weight but dispensed by
volume, or retailed with a nutritional assurance, inconsistencies cut
into profit. Aquadens units can be installed anywhere in the process
from raw materials to finished product, and help achieve strict control
of bulk density and moisture by providing the information needed to make
corrections before problems get out of control.
Applications include process control of expanded and fried snack lines
and cereal systems. For example, one snack manufacturer uses a feedback
signal from an Aquadens™ unit to adjust fryer oil temperature and
thereby control product expansion. Controlling expansion in this way not
only ensures consistent taste, texture and pick up but also reduces bulk
density variation. In many cases this enables manufacturers to reduce
bag size and therefore packaging costs.
 Other benefits include:
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Eliminating the cost
of rejecting out of
specification
product
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Significantly
reduced product
give-away
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Greater consistency
in cooking and
frying
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Improved dryer
control
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Eliminating the
labor costs and
imprecision of hand
sampling
A consistent measure of
product is taken
directly from the
product stream for
analysis: bulk density
is measured by weight,
and moisture by radio
frequency. The
measurements can be
repeated as often as
every minute, so the
data collected is near
real-time. This ensures
that adjustments, manual
or automatic, are made
immediately to address
any variations.
How Aquadens™ Works
The AquaDens™ uses an enhanced Radio
Frequency technique to measure total product moisture. The transmitting
probe is encased in teflon, which diffuses the signal and allows they
system to detect all moisture, not just surface moisture. The AquaDens™
also uses a patented receiver which is not temperature sensitive,
allowing for accurate moisture measurement in a variety of operating
conditions. Measuring moisture and bulk density together allows the
AquaDens to correct the moisture measurement for changes in bulk
density.
Benefits of Aquadens™
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Uses bulk density
compensation for
accurate moisture
determination
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Stable calibration,
auto zero reduces
drift
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Accurate and
reproducible
moisture and bulk
density measurements
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Measures total
moisture not surface
moisture
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Readings not
affected by changes
in temperature or
production rate
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Capable of
communication with
your control and
data acquisition
systems
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