Microwave measurement technology to determine brix content

Precise process measurements are indispensable for the sugar industry. ProMtec Theisen GmbH claims to be the leading supplier in the field of industrial density and concentration measurement. Based in Ettlingen, Germany, the company was founded in 1996 by Karl-Heinz Theisen.

Its no-contact inline measurement method set a standard on the glo­bal market, and ProMtec Theisen has installed more than 6,000 measuring devices in over 60 countries around the world.
In particular, sugar industry segments such as sucrose factories, cane mills and cane sugar refineries as well as derivatives such as liquid sugar systems, ethanol fuel production or the processing of vinasse benefit from the precise density and concentration measurements that this process provides. Direct measurement is primarily conducted via the microwave radio-graphy process which helps to pre­cise­ly determine the concentration and density of liquids.
Dead space-free connection of the sensor technology to the process allows these important values to be ascertained with no contact. ProMtec managing director and founder Karl-Heinz Theisen explains, “The measurement system is therefore predestined for applications in the food products industry, which places the highest demands on cleaning and hygiene capabilities”. To ensure a precise measurement result, microwave measurements are conducted continuously inline and always under the same conditions during the production process. This allows the concentration and the Brix content to be permanently evaluated in every stage of sugar production.
The ProMtec measuring devices are used in a variety of areas in sucrose factories. These include initial operations for soil sludge dehydration and extend to final operations for sugar dust extraction and molasses processing which encompasses lime water, raw juice, carbonated juice, concentrated juice, thin juice, syrup, sugar melting and others.
“Incorrect measurement values often result in reductions in quality or yields, or even entire faulty batches, and not just in the ­sugar industry”, says Theisen. Thanks to the modular construction of the measurement systems, adaptations to the respective individual requirements can be made on-site at any time. Depending on the individual customer’s needs, the sensors are installed in prefabricated pipe sections or can also be supplied in different mod­els for installation in a boiler.
ProMtec’s equipment manufacture uses only components that comply with the high standard of demands and concepts established in the compa-ny’s philosophy, a factor which distin­guishes and highlights the precision and high quality standards of this machinery. Industries of all kinds will find it particularly interesting that these measurement systems also function under the toughest of conditions thanks to the exclusive use of only high-quality materials and ProMtec’s many years of corresponding know-how.