1 of 24

Hydrotrac HT02 �Microwave Probe

Fives

Driving Progress

2 of 24

Hydrotrac HT02 Probe

  • Hydrotrac – unaffected by purity
  • Operates at 800 MHz
  • Calibrate using software
  • Reliable design – ex concrete industry
  • Output – Brix

Fives Fletcher June 2009

2

3 of 24

Water Molecule

Fives Fletcher June 2009

3

H

- -

+

+

105º

-

+

Electric

dipole

O

H

4 of 24

Normal movement within a water solution

Fives Fletcher June 2009

4

Water Molecule

Anion

Cation

Non-Ionic

5 of 24

Movement within a water solution subjected to D.C

Fives Fletcher June 2009

5

+

+

+

-

-

-

+ D.C. --

Water Molecule

Anion

Cation

Non-Ionic

Direction

6 of 24

Movement with a water solution subject to Microwaves

Fives Fletcher June 2009

6

A.C. / Microwave

Frequencies

Water Molecule

Anion

Cation

Non-Ionic

Rotation

7 of 24

Types of Microwave Probes

Fives Fletcher June 2009

7

Microwave

Oscillator

A : Two Element Probe

R.F. Generator

Detector Circuit

B : Single Head

Receiving Antenna

Transmitting Antenna

Sensor

Output

Signal

Sensor

Output

Signal

8 of 24

Transmission between Two Antennae

Fives Fletcher June 2009

8

Transmitter

Receiver

Signal in

Air

Signal in

Material

1

2

2

1

3

3

4

4

5

5

6

6

Phase

Shift

Attenuation

Distance Apart

9 of 24

Response to a Change in Moisture

Fives Fletcher June 2009

9

f1

f2

a1

a2

Signal Amplitude

Resonant Response

for dry material

Resonant Response

for wet material

10 of 24

Sensing Volume

Fives Fletcher June 2009

10

Sensing

Volume

11 of 24

Hydrotrac HT02 Probe

Fives Fletcher June 2009

11

Sensing Area

Mounting Flange

Electronic Housing

Material Temperature

Sensor

12 of 24

New Mechanical Seal Arrangement

Fives Fletcher June 2009

12

Ceramic Face Plate

‘O’ Ring

‘O’ Ring

Security Sealant

13 of 24

Recommended Applications

  • Normal Operating Range - 50 to 98 Brix
  • Evaporators
  • Vacuum Pans
  • Melters and magma minglers
  • Pan Supply Conditioning Tanks
  • Sugar after centrifugals

Fives Fletcher June 2009

13

14 of 24

Installation

Fives Fletcher June 2009

14

15 of 24

Installation

Fives Fletcher June 2009

15

16 of 24

Continuous Vacuum Pan

Fives Fletcher June 2009

16

Independent nozzle for programmed cleaning

17 of 24

Evaporator Syrup Brix

Fives Fletcher June 2009

17

Evaporator Syrup Brix application – probe shown mounted into a vessel on the outlet syrup piping.�

18 of 24

PC Connectivity

Fives Fletcher June 2009

18

RS485/USB Module

RS485/R323 Converter FF Standard Option

Ethernet Adapter

19 of 24

Brix Definition

Fives Fletcher June 2009

19

Brix = Mass of Sucrose x 100

(Mass of Sucrose + Mass Water)

​

​

Generally Accepted Concept of BRIX

Brix = Mass of Soluble Solids

(Mass of S. Solids + Mass of Water)

20 of 24

Hydrotrac Probe

Fives Fletcher June 2009

20

21 of 24

Calibration

Fives Fletcher June 2009

21

Raw Sensor Output (unscaled)

Material calibration

% Brix

  • Every material has different electrical properties, therefore it is not possible to produce a sensor that can measure true moisture for all materials without having to be calibrated
  • Factory calibration procedure sets the ‘Unscaled’ units to 0 in air and 100 in water.
  • One advantage of a digital sensor is that they are ‘digitally’ factory calibrated. This ensures that every sensor is identical.
  • Site calibration sets values to convert the ‘Unscaled’ units to brix

22 of 24

Calibration

Fives Fletcher June 2009

22

  • Brix calibration pre-configured
  • User adjustable using supplied HydroCom software
  • Brix seeding point calculator
  • Output = A – B.e(C.us) + D.us2

23 of 24

Conclusions

  • Reliable operation
  • Cost effective measurement
  • Ease of calibration
  • Wide range of applications
  • Better exhaustion of massecuites
  • Improved control of crystal growth
  • Excellent repeatability of output signal
  • Growing acceptance in the sugar industry

​

Fives Fletcher June 2009

23

24 of 24

  • Thank You For Your Attention