Precision Moisture Measurement
In food production, it is important to have correct levels of moisture. Too much or too little moisture can affect product quality. By using a MoistTech moisture sensor on-line, moisture levels can be adjusted in real time, which leads to improved product quality, less material waste and more efficient production.
The Background
A large manufacturer of dehydrated potato flakes was experiencing issues with incorrect moisture levels. They had used an on-line sensor from a different manufacturer in the past, but it was removed after it did not work looking into bucket elevator buckets. Learn how MoistTech was able to solve the manufacturer’s moisture issues.
The Problem
The manufacturer dehydrated cooked mashed potatoes into a potato flake that is processed into a finished flavored potato product. During the manufacturing process, the potato flakes are mixed with oil, water, butter flavor, salt, milk powder and a mix of other minor ingredients. After the mixture is dried, it is sent to packaging. It is crucial to have the correct levels of moisture to maintain quality and prevent spoilage. The manufacturer had previously been using a moisture sensor from a different manufacturer. This sensor required samples to be taken and tested in a lab, which was time consuming. By the time the samples were taken and the data were retrieved, the adjustment process was delayed, which made controlling product in specification challenging.
The Solution
Following the removal of the old sensor, the manufacturer installed a MoistTech IR3000-IP67 moisture sensor. This sensor allows for moisture measurement in real time, so adjustments can be made to reduce product waste and line downtime. The old sensor also did not work for looking into bucket elevator buckets. “Now there is a better location to install an on-line moisture sensor and the plant prefers MoistTech,” said the manufacturer.
Contact MoistTech Today
When manufacturing food products, it is key to have proper moisture levels to for quality and safety. MoistTech’s moisture measurement sensors use near infrared (NIR) technology to gather moisture data in real time. Contact MoistTech today to learn more about our moisture measurement solutions and to receive a quote.