Turbidity measurement for monitoring and controlling filtration

Sigrist TurBiScat

Turbidity measurement for monitoring and controlling filtration

Since 1946, the name SIGRIST-PHOTOMETER AG has been firmly associated with turbidity measurement in beer filtration. We have also been committed to highest quality and precision, durability, and reliability for more than 70 years. This is reflected in the continuous optimization and development of our products such as our SIGRIST TurBiScat. With its combination of precise dual-angle scattered light measurement, optional colour measurement and virtually maintenance-free operation, our in-line process turbidimeter is ideally designed to meet today’s requirements of our international customers.

Highest quality, precision and measuring accuracy

The secret of their high-quality standard lies in their “Swissness”. The instruments are developed and produced at our headquarters in Ennetbürgen and are individually tested before shipment according to strict quality standards in accordance with ISO 9000:2008.

Its sophisticated instrument design together with the use of high-quality optical components is the basis of the unrivalled precision of the measurement. Our TurBiScat thus achieves a resolution of 0.001 EBC with a repeatability of +/- 0.001 EBC. The reproducibility between 2 instruments is +/- 0.02 EBC with a short response time of less than two seconds (step response).

Technical data

Resolution < 0.001 EBC
Repeatability +/- 0.001 EBC
Reproducibility between2 instruments +/- 0.02 EBC
Response time < 2 s (step response)
Wavelength turbidity LED 650 nm
Wavelength color (optional) LED 430 nm

 

Turbidity measurement using scattered light

The TurBiScat determines turbidity with optimum colour compensation using 650 nm scattered light measurement and is thus MEBAK/EBC compliant. Adapted to individual requirements and applications, the instrument covers a measuring range of 0 – 1000 EBC and can be variably configured for single or dual angle measurement. However, the significance of the turbidity measurement can be enormously increased by the dual angle measurement. Thus, in addition to conventional filtration monitoring at 90°, the additional 25° measuring angle allows the following two quality checks to be carried out:

  • checking the filter construction
  • early warning of a filter break

Integrated colour measurement

Optionally, the TurBiScat can be equipped with an integrated MEBAK/EBC/ASBC compliant color measurement (430 nm) up to 50 EBC/SRM 25.4. This flexible 2 in 1 integration option results in cost advantages in the acquisition on the one hand as well as savings in process connections on the other hand. A further advantage are the numerous possible applications in the brewhouse, filter cellar and pressure tank.

Low maintenance, seal less and sustainable design

The sensor head is made of corrosion resistant Hastelloy®, the window of the measuring cell consists of high-quality sapphire glass. Its integrated LED lamp requires little power consumption and has a service life of at least 10 years; replacement during this period is therefore completely unnecessary. The compact, seal less design can be easily and quickly installed in a Varinline® or compatible housing, allowing it to be used in virtually any process application.

Reliable and fast quality assurance

The TurbiScat has an automatic cyclical self-check which checks all functions of the instrument daily and issues a warning in case of a fault. In addition to the optical functions, all other parameters of the instrument are permanently monitored by the instrument and shown as plain text messages on the display.

Since the TurbiScat is a testing instrument, SIGRIST supplies an extra certified testing specimen with which the certification obligation can be fulfilled at any time and without external service personnel. The test is carried out using a life-long stable solid reference. Thus, neither tools nor toxic chemicals such as formazine are necessary, which is in turn beneficial to health and the environment.

Abb. 1: Features TurBiScat

SIGRIST TurBiScat monitoring and controlling filtration
Classic beer filtration consists of at least one kieselguhr filter, usually followed by a fine filter and, in larger breweries, a PVPP filter for stabilization. For measuring turbidity, the outlet of the kieselguhr filter is the most important point of installation. The turbid, unfiltered beer is freed from many clouding substances in the filter with the aid of the highly porous kieselguhr. These include particulate substances such as yeast as well as dissolved (colloidal) clouding agents such as proteins and glucans.

Turbidity measurement must permanently detect even small changes in the turbidity of the filtrate to provide the operating personnel with information on how to control the filter. If the 90° proportion of turbidity increases then, for example, the kieselguhr mixture of coarse and fine matter must be changed. If the 25° turbidity value increases relatively suddenly, this can mean a so-called filter break. In this case, the filter automatically switches to a closed circuit with continuing dosage of kieselguhr until the damage in the filter cake has closed. The measured values of the turbidity measurement are thus the most important indicators for the quantity and mixture of the filter aids. In general, it can be said that the 90° value covers colloidal turbidity of less than 1μm. The consumer sees this turbidity as a light veil (opalescence) in the beer which in turn causes complaints. The 25° value on the other hand is more sensitive to larger particles.

For more than 70 years and with continuous further development, the 25° forward scattered light angle has proven to be the optimal configuration to prevent disturbing reflections caused by measuring angles that are too small. This makes the 25° measurement angle best suited for particle detection. The world’s leading breweries have adopted the proven combination of 90/25° angle measurement. The TurBiScat 90/25° naturally provides these measured values colour-compensated.

 

Abb 2 Measuring points of the SIGRIST TurBiScat for filtration monitoring and controlling

About ProDetec

ProDetec was established in 2003 and is a quality ISO9001 company with an extensive client base throughout Australia and New Zealand. ProDetec is focused on client satisfaction and process efficiency. We have in-house and on-site service & commissioning capabilities and a team of qualified engineers.