Importance of Humidity Control During Drying

Download (360 KB)

Industry:  Food and Beverage
Product:   ZR802/ZR22 Oxygen Analyzer

Oxygen Analyzer Dryer MeasurementWhy Does Humidity Matter?

Humidity is a good indicator of drying progress as it expresses the amount of vapor in the carrier gas stream. Humidity affects the dryness of the solids with which it comes into contact. Therefore, humidity control is crucial for final product quality in drying processes such as in food manufacturing, tobacco production, and malt drying. Challenges vary from too much drying, which can cause cracking, to too little drying, which results in poor taste and texture quality. 

Application Installation Example

In dryers, inlet humidity is a controlled parameter that affects the process, whereas outlet humidity is a monitoring parameter that is affected by the process. Typically, a Zirconia Oxygen sensor is installed in the vent line of the dryer. While the measurement is the same, the indication varies slightly, depending on the process: 

  • Continuous Drying: Humidity measurement indicates whether drying is consistent and can provide an early warning of fluctuations in solids inlet moisture content.
  • Batch Drying: Humidity measurement provides an indirect indication of how close the solids are to their desired final moisture content (endpoint). 

However, in both cases, the analyzer is programmed for humidity monitoring. The process variable input is used by the dryer controller to increase or decrease the temperature. 

Online Analyzer Solution

ZR22 / ZR802 Oxygen AnalyzersSensor:  ZR22 Oxygen Detector

Analyzer:  ZR802 Oxygen analyzer

Calibration:

  • MC1      Single channel manual calibration unit
  • AC1       Single channel automatic calibration unit
  • IAC24    Integral automatic calibration unit

Key Advantages

  • Maintenance-friendly probe design
    • Minimal hardware and tools are required for disassembly.
    • Enables a reduction in maintenance downtime.
  • Large cell surface area 
    • High sensitivity to O2  provides improved measurement. 
      • Resistance to poisoning extends cell life.
  • Local manufacturing in Newnan, Georgia
    • The factory can ship a probe within two days ARO.

Industries

  • Food & Beverage

    The food and beverage industry must produce safe, high-quality foods and beverages for consumers. In addition to quality control, the manufacturing processes include many challenges such as managing ingredients, improving efficiency and handling global environmental issues. Yokogawa leverages its decades of technological expertise to help customers build and operate the ideal factory.

    See More

Related Products & Solutions

  • Zirconia Oxygen/Humidity Analyzer ZR22G, ZR802G

    This Oxygen concentration and humidity at high temperatures consists of a ZR22G detector equipped with a long-life and highly reliable zirconia sensor, and a converter ZR802G equipped with digital communication and data log functions.
    ZR22G and ZR802G can be measured directly and continuously without a sampling device. It is easy to maintain and reduce operating costs by self-diagnosis of sensor deterioration (without using calibration gas )and replacing the heater assembly on site.

    See More
  • Oxygen Analyzers

    Oxygen analyzers provide valuable measurements in combustion control, process quality, safety and environmental applications.

    See More
×

Have Questions?

Contact a Yokogawa Expert to learn how we can help you solve your challenges.


Top