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Hydronix digital sensors are now proven to give highly accurate and reliable results allowing rice processors the ability to more accurately control their process. Around 50% of the worlds’ paddy rice production is parboiled. This is a process during rice production in which the paddy (raw) rice is steamed in the husk and then dried. This hardens the individual grains making them easier to handle and reduces the amount of broken kernels during milling. Other benefits include an increased product storage life, an increased nutritional value and sterilisation of the grain. The need to measure moisture There are three basic steps to the parboiling process. While in the paddy form, the rice is soaked to achieve an optimum moisture level typically around 30%. The rice is then heat treated by steaming or boiling which gelatinizes the starch within the kernel. This part of the process increases the moisture content of the rice grains to around 38% Finally the rice is dried to a moisture level of 12-14% where it can then be stored or moved through to a milling process. Incorrect moisture levels in the parboiled rice leads

In the manufacture of foodstuffs, getting the moisture content right is paramount. So, what do we need to consider in moisture measurement in food production - and what moisture sensors will be suitable in this demanding application? Too little moisture in the ingredients and the product might go stale too quickly or have an incorrect consistency. Too much moisture content and certain foods could develop moulds. Texture, weight, colour, taste, shelf life – all can be affected by incorrect moisture content, with the risk of costly product recalls and lost production time. Getting ingredients to the right moisture content often involves drying them, so moisture measurement is vital if manufacturers are to avoid using excess energy. So, what do we need to consider in moisture measurement in food production – and what moisture sensors will be suitable in this demanding application? 1. When and where do I measure moisture? Moisture measurement of foodstuffs is carried out at various stages depending on the processes used. For example, ensuring the moisture content of coffee is controlled precisely will give a more consistent product quality and reduce wasted materials. The next stage is

The Hydronix microwave moisture control system can help brick manufacturers get higher quality and more production at a lower cost. Bricks have been in use for thousands of years and form the basic structures of our civilisation. Originally, the brick making process was manual and involved clay being moulded and then dried in the sun. Today, although this process still exists in some parts of the world, it is now mainly automated, using large machines to mix, cut and mould the clay to shape before firing in kilns. All raw materials have a different capacity for holding moisture. This can depend on the geographical location of the source material, how it is stored, the humidity in the atmosphere and also the different particle size. Moisture levels can also vary between batches from the same source. Because raw materials are so variable in their moisture content, each batch of bricks will require a different amount of water to be added to the mix to ensure the right consistency at the end of the mixing process. Why moisture measurement is important The moisture content of the mix is crucial

Hydro-View a touch screen interface to view Hydronix sensor data, and configure, calibrate these. It has a built in web server with a web API for machine data requests. The Hydro-View provides a simple interface to view Hydronix sensor data in addition to sensor configuration, diagnostics, calibration and data collection. The Hydro-View can be used either as a stand alone unit for recording sensor data or integrated into a control system. Up to 16 sensors The Hydro-View connects a network of up to 16 Hydronix sensors with multiple systems simultaneously. Connections can be made using TCP/IP, existing RS485 networks implementing the Hydro-Link Protocol or through the Fieldbus option. Built in web server The Hydro-View has a 10.1” touch screen for local configuration and viewing and features a built in web server with a web API for machine data requests. Its web browser interface gives it the flexibility to be used with tablets and PCs when a remote connection is required. For systems that have already implemented the Hydro-Link protocol, the Hydro-View adds the full functionality of Hydro-Com software via the web browser

Hydronix sensors successfully measure moisture in all types of grain, whole kernel corn, wheat or maize as well as cut maize and flaked oats. Moisture Control in grain Controlling moisture in grain, nuts and pulses throughout different stages of processing can be one of the biggest problems for manufacturers. All sorts of factors will affect the moisture level in the raw product; how it is stored, humidity in the atmosphere, the variety of the grain and also its particle size. All of these will have a contributing factor in the amount of moisture that either needs to be added or evaporated during processing. Hydronix sensors successfully measure moisture in all types of grain, whole kernel corn, wheat or maize as well as cut maize and flaked oats. Benefits * Reduction in energy costs as the correct amount of energy required for drying can be accurately calculated * Reduction in amount of wasted materials * Consistent, repeatable quality end product Correct drying Correct moisture control during the drying or conditioning of the grain or other similar materials enables a direct cost reduction in

Hydronix microwave moisture measurement has proved to be invaluable industries that use sand or aggregates to increase the accuracy of batching and slump control. Modern plants can weigh aggregates with an accuracy of up to ± 0.5%. If the amount of moisture in a batch of sand or aggregates varies from between 2% to 10% then this will affect the accuracy and proportions of the weighed materials since water is effectively being weighed and not dry materials. Benefits * Reduction in number of spoilt batches * Ability to batch the correct weight of sand regardless of water content * Ability to set high or low moisture levels alarms Moisture sensors can measure moisture levels in materials being discharged from bins, on conveyor belts or within vibratory feeders. The sensors are placed directly in the flow of the material, and take 25 measurements per second as the sand or aggregate flows over the ceramic measurement surface. These measurements are then transmitted to the plant control system in real time. This allows the manufacturer to accurately control water addition during processing and ensures that batches are of a

New digital moisture sensors for Animal Feed, Grain, Rice and Liquids. A single unit contains all on-board functionality: signal processing, smoothing and averaging With an increasing demand for our technology to measure moisture in the bulk solids and liquids sectors, Hydronix is delighted to announce the launch of 2 brand new microwave moisture sensors. Using our already proven digital technology, our new sensors are manufactured from food safe materials and have been designed specifically for use in Animal Feed, Grain, Rice, Nuts and Liquids. The Hydro-Mix HT is a high temperature sensor that will measure moisture in materials that have a process temperature of up to 120°C. This makes it ideal for installation before or after dryers or in mixing systems. Typical applications include animal feed production, rice and grain processing or other similar applications that need to control moisture in high temperature materials. The Hydro-Mix XT is a digital moisture sensor that has measurement modes that optimise results in materials such as grain, rice and other similar materials. This sensor has an external seal enabling it

Hydronix is delighted to announce that it has updated its range of sensors with a complete internal redesign which takes advantage of increased microprocessor speeds and memory. Our new models retain the existing and proven exterior design of our current sensors but we have included some new features for enhanced functionality. New fatures include: • A second analogue output: this is now available on all sensor models including the Hydro-Probe. This enables the user to simultaneously output moisture and temperature or any other combination of two configurable outputs. • Improved calibration functions: individual calibration points may now be loaded directly into the sensor making it much easier for engineers to instantly diagnose the quality of a sensor’s calibration. • On-Board Event Log: to improve diagnostics and assist with customer support. • Simultaneous measurement modes: sensors with additional measurement modes (all models apart from the Hydro-Probe)