Product category:
Flowmeters and Flow Sensors
News Release from: Hydramotion | Subject: Hydramotion XL7 on-line viscometers
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 28 April 2008
Viscosity monitoring aids chocolate
tempering
A UK manufacturer of chocolate products recently installed Hydramotion XL7 on-line viscometers on pipelines to its mixing tanks as part of a global automation project.
On-line viscometers from Hydramotion are helping to ensure that the chocolate melts in your mouth, not in your hand Chocolate consists of fine cocoa powder and sugar particle dispersed in a continuous fat phase (usually cocoa butter or equivalent)
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 12 Nov 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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The Viscolite 700 from Hydramotion gives instant spot measurement of viscosity in the field, factory or lab without requiring any on-site setup or calibration.
During production, molten chocolate must be cooled in a controlled way in order to promote the formation of small, stable fat crystals, a process known as "tempering".
Stable cocoa butter crystals provide the right qualities of texture, surface gloss and melting behaviour in the finished product.
If the crystals are small enough the chocolate will taste smooth and melt in the mouth (at a temperature of about 35C) but not in the hand (at about 20C).
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The Hydramotion MudBug is a safe, easy-to-use system for determining the navigable depth of a shipping channel by measuring the density of the silt or fluid mud.
Process viscometers have unlimited range
Novel technology gives unlimited range to the latest XL/7 series of inline process viscometers from Hydramotion.
The viscosity of melted chocolate depends directly on its fat content and the degree of tempering, so monitoring viscosity gives an immediate window into the production process.
With this in mind, a UK manufacturer of chocolate products recently installed Hydramotion XL7 on-line viscometers on pipelines to its mixing tanks as part of a global automation project.
By continuously monitoring the viscosity of the liquid chocolate its fat content could be adjusted automatically in real-time, maintaining product quality and reducing wastage.
The XL7 offers high sensitivity and excellent repeatability, as well as high immunity to plant noise and vibration, providing continuous, reliable and accurate viscosity measurement regardless of variations in fluid condition.
Suitable for pipe or tank mounting in any orientation, the instrument can be supplied with any size or type of sanitary fitting, including RJT, IDF or DIN quick-release tri-clamp mountings.
The sensor has a clean-in-place all-welded 316 stainless steel construction with a crevice-free design, minimising the risk of fouling or material entrapment while withstanding hostile conditions.
Measurements are unaffected by stirrers, agitators, changes in flow rate or the presence of bubbles or solid particles.
Capable of being located up to 1000m from the sensor, the dedicated readout unit provides a 4-20mA analogue viscosity signal and a more comprehensive RS232 serial data link for remote monitoring or viscosity control.
Factory-calibrated using certified viscosity standards traceable to NIST, the XL7 viscometer requires no field calibration and with no moving parts, seals or bearings it is virtually maintenance-free, giving a very low total lifecycle cost. Request a free brochure from Hydramotion ...
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