NIR Spectral Range

Near Infrared 780-2500 nm

Why NIR Can Measure Chemical ConcentrationsNIR photons striking a molecule sometimes causes the molecule to take that photon and turn it into vibrations.We measure the loss of those photons to tell how many molecules of that type are present.Different molecules absorb photons of different wavelengths.

An example of a spectrum. The red dots indicate measurement points of a discrete filter instrument.

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1100 1300 1460 1660 1740 1900 2060 2180 2260 2360

Moisture

ProteinOil/Fat

Original Spectrum

IndividualConstituent Absorption

Spectral response

Inframatic Principle

Lamp Filter wheel

SphereDetectors

Window

Sample

Basic characteristics of Filter instruments:• Well-proven low-cost technology• Measures one wavelength after

another• Discrete wavelengths

Scanning Monochromator

SampleScanning Grating

Single Detector

Diffuse Light from Sample

Basic characteristics of Scanning Monochromator:• Well-proven technology• Measures one wavelength after another• Complete spectra, not just discrete

wavelengths

DA On-Line Principles of Operation

Diode A

rray

Sam

ple

Diffuse Light from Sample

Stationary Grating

White light from Sourceto the Sample

Turning Mirror

Primary lamp

Spare lamp

Sapphire Window

Modern diode array technologyBasic characteristics

• Extreme sensitivity• No moving parts in

optics• Simultaneous data

collection at all wavelengths

• 300 spectra collected in 3 s.

These characteristics makes the DA technology especially suitable for On-Line measurements

NIR – Applications in Process Industries

Until now majority of on-line analysers are filter based Our new offer includes on-line measurement using DA technology

System MYRF – Whole grain Online measurement unitMeasured constituents

(wheat)• Protein

8.5% ... 18.5% ± 0.2% SEP

• Moisture8.5% ... 19.5%± 0.2% SEP

• Hardness• Sedimentation• Others…• 0-30 t/h capacity

System MYRB – Flour/Semolina Online measurement unit

Measured constituents• Protein

8.5% ... 18.5% ± 0.2% SEP

• Moisture8.5% ... 19.5%± 0.2% SEP

• Ash0.3% ... 2.0% ± 0.2% SEP

• Water Absorption• Starch Damage • Others…• 1-2 t/h capacity

Benefits with On-line TechnologyIncrease yield, reduce waste and optimise the use of raw material by :

• Automatic process control for:• Target optimisation• Consistent quality

– Ash– Gluten addition– Moisture

• Faster to target on start-up and grade changes

• Faster to target after grade changes• Continues surveillance for process changes

Tendency to run operation e.g. flour mill with less personnel

• No people at night shift or week-ends• Mill must automatically control itself. No-

one there to control it• QC and alarms for automatic shut-down

essential

Typical ROI € 150’-250’ / Year

Perten DA On-line CameraThe On-line system is equipped with a 640*480 pixels RGB colour camera

Primarily used for Semolina speck count

Will show sieve breakage as an increase in specks

Colour Measurement

L=89 a=1 b=9

L=84 a=1.5 b=20

L=81 a=2.5 b=30

L* is light to darka* is rednessb* is yellowness

Flour and semolina

Live VideoUsed as a trouble-shooting toolCompare live image with reference picturesVery useful when verifying spec count measurementImage capture on demand or on events

Lab & On-line Same TechnologyOn-line and lab instrument based on the same Diode Array technologyImproves agreement between lab and on-line resultsSimplifies calibration work and transfer of calibrationsReduces training requirements