Brewed to perfection with OPTIMASS

9th September 2003   A-KRO121

Impressive results in customer trials demonstrating the ability to handle high viscosity products at low flow rates, have led major European brewery supplier Decker Maschinenbau to adopt KROHNE?s OPTIMASS mass flowmeters as part of its standard plant for the liquid hops extract production process.

During the extraction process, the hops need to be roasted in a heating chamber at 45°C.  In order to optimise costs and precisely control the amount used, the brewer needs a highly accurate flowmeter to monitor the dosage of hops flowing into the chamber.

Decker Maschinenbau tested KROHNE?s OPTIMASS straight tube 7000 series Coriolis mass flowmeter, and compared its accuracy with a certified scale.  The results were truly impressive: Over a series of trials testing the meter against the scale, the deviation between the two was insignificant.  On average, the OPTIMASS produced far better than it?s own accuracy specification of +/- 0.1% of measured value.

The meter?s outstanding stability and accuracy were key purchasing points for Decker Maschinenbau, which needed a meter that could cope with the very high viscosity of the hops, keep pressure drop to an absolute minimum, and operate at low flow rates.  The trials highlighted a marked improvement in the accuracy and  ?zero stability? of the OPTIMASS meter compared with competitor equipment being tested.

In the design of this straight tube meter, KROHNE has incorporated its unique patented ?Adaptive Sensor Technology? (AST), which ensures maximum accuracy and repeatability of results.  AST intelligently ?tunes? each meter, independent of external forces and fluid density, to produce an inherently balanced meter that remains stable in the most demanding processes.

To ensure completely smooth communication of results in this application, the meter was also supplied with a PROFIBUS© PA digital interface.
A key advantage of the 7000 series in hygiene-critical food and beverage applications, is its ingenious 'single seal' aseptic process connection system in accordance with DIN 11864-2, which satisfies even the most stringent hygiene demands.  This design complies with the ASME Bio processing equipment directive, is EHEDG certified and 3A approved, and is constructed from FDA approved materials.

Also available are all-welded ?Tri-clamp? connections, where the connection piece is orbitally welded directly to the measuring tube. These have  no internal seal.

The meter has no installation limitations and can be sited anywhere in the pipework.  A unique feature is the capability to support the meter on its own body, something that was previously impossible with most Coriolis mass flowmeters.  The 7000 series is also the first meter of its kind with wetted parts available in titanium, stainless steel and Hastelloy®, producing outstanding corrosion resistance.

The OPTIMASS family of meters can handle high viscosity fluids and particulate matter with ease, and even maintain excellent accuracy in the presence of entrained air. The family caters for flow rates from 0.3kg/h up to 560,000kg/h (0.66 - 20,500lbs/min) and offers a complete range of process connections.