Flow Control Innovation Awards 2018 honorable mention ES-FLOW™ ultrasonic flow meter
Bronkhorst High-Tech is very pleased on being named a Flow Control Innovation Awards honorable mention for the key innovations represented by its ES-FLOW ultrasonic volume flow meter.
See Flow Control Innovation Awards 2018
Bronkhorst’s submission for the Innovation Awards featured the ES-FLOW ultrasonic volume flow meter used in an application for additive supply in candy manufacturing.
Ultrasonic flow measurement of additive supply in candy manufacturing
Flow measurement is gaining importance within the confectionery industry. Haas Mondomix provides solutions and machinery to confectionery manufacturers. To accurately measure liquid additives during the production of candy, Bronkhorst was asked to supply a flowmeter that fit customer requirements. By using Bronkhorst’s newest product, the ES-FLOW ultrasonic volume flowmeter, the measurement accuracy could be improved, and consequently, the quality control of the manufacturing process.
Application requirements
To give a piece of candy its own taste, texture and appearance, additives such as colorings, flavorings and acids are added during the manufacturing process.
The flows of coloring agent, flavoring agent and acid come from three individual reservoirs and enter the main stream through three separate small pumps. Each of these pumps is controlled by a programmable logic controller, where the main stream is the master.
By measuring how much additive is added to the main stream, the consumption of these additives has to become more efficient while keeping the quality of the end product at a constant, high level.
Process solution
Bronkhorst supplied three ES-FLOW ultrasonic flow meters. Each instrument measures the flow of coloring, flavoring and acid. Because these fluids are highly concentrated, only small amounts have to be added. These amounts can be measured with the ultrasonic flowmeter, as the measurement range is within 4 to 1,500 milliliters per minute with a precision of +/- 1 percent reading. The overall performance and user-friendly operation of the ES-FLOW flow meter is the main reasons for choosing this device.
The ES-FLOW is constructed and designed for hygienic applications. The flow meter is equipped with a straight SS316 sensor tube to ensure no dead volume and excellent cleanability. The display can be used for read-out and control and is mounted in the stainless-steel housing. The back of the display features a connector for connection to a pump or a control valve, and with proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control on-board, a process can be controlled through the display.
Natural colorings and flavorings are costly agents. Controlled and efficient use of these substances will yield a better-quality product and save on raw materials. By using the ultrasonic flowmeter, the quality control of the process is improved.
In the old days, poor quality was observed by looking at the candy at a rather late stage, resulting in entire batches of candy that had to be defined as “second choice.” Now, by using the ES-FLOW volume flow meter, poor quality — if any — will be detected earlier.
Depending on the type of candy to be produced, the amounts and types of colourings, flavourings and acids will vary. Because the ES-FLOW is liquid-independent and can be used for all liquids without recalibration, the devices are incorporated as standard option in Haas Mondomix equipment for confectionery manufacturing.
Related articles
Application story: Measurement of additive supply in candy manufacturing
Blog: How does candy gets its own taste, texture and appearance?