OPTIMASS cuts upgrade costs at fruit processor

The exceptional measurement range and low pressure differential of KROHNE?s OPTIMASS Coriolis mass flowmeter has enabled a leading American fruit processor to almost halve the number of flowmeters it expected to install as part of an upgrade of its plant in California.

While planning the upgrade the fruit processor investigated the options available for accurately measuring the flow of bulk concentrates used in the manufacture of its products.  Because the flow rate of the concentrate can vary substantially during production, the best solution presented from the company?s previous supplier was to install two flowmeters for each production process; one to measure low and the other high flow rates.

As well as almost doubling the number of instruments needed ? when compared to the original mechanical meters used - it was found that this solution also introduced production problems.  Each instrument contained two ¼ inch tubes which introduced a significant pressure drop and restricted the flow of the concentrate.

KROHNE, which manufactures the OPTIMASS at its factory in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, then became involved and proposed using its OPTIMASS 7000 flowmeter.  The instrument is of single, straight-tube design which does not impede the flow of substances passing through it.

The instrument also has a broad measurement spectrum, which ranges from 0.3 to 560,000 kg/h (0.66 to 20,500 Ibs/min).  This meant that only one flowmeter was needed for each production process.

The fruit processor has already purchased nineteen OPTIMASS flowmeters and will be standardising on them throughout its plant.  They are used to accurately measure the flow of bulk concentrates, including corn syrups, high fructose and sucrose into mixing vessels.

A signal output from the OPTIMASS is fed to a PLC which controls the flow of concentrate into the mixing process.  This enables the fruit producer to manufacture bulk product to precisely the desired Brix.  During a second phase the blended concentrate is diluted with water and placed into a container with fruit.

During initial trials of the OPTIMASS, engineers working for the fruit processor found that because the pressure differential was much less than the units that had previously been installed, they could use a smaller instrument than they had envisaged.  This also enabled the company to further reduce costs.

KROHNE?s OPTIMASS Coriolis flowmeter was the first of its kind to incorporate a single straight tube design.  It is manufactured from materials that conform to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines and complies with EHEDG (European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group) and 3A standards.  The meter is available with a wide range of industry standard hygienic process connectors which makes it ideally suited for use in food applications.