Online measuring technology from OPTO-EMS Wolfgang Raske Dannsatdt

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Bruce Cannon
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1 Introduction A new development in the field of online measuring technology for measuring precipitatable turbidity producing contained substances, such as proteins and total polyphenols, directly in the filtration process. The consumer demands a beer which is stable for several months. Today beers are distributed throughout the world, therefore it is imperative to master their colloidal stability. Thus the assessment of the beer stability is a very important factor for the brewery. The colloidal keeping quality is chiefly determined by the amount of turbidity producing protein and tannic substances. The available monitoring facilities for the turbidity producing protein and tannic substances are, however in most cases slow and too costly for direct production line and quality control monitoring, and therefore poorly suitable. Subsequent customer complaints can have a very negative effect on the image of the brewery! Thus in practice the checks of the turbidity producing conditions of proteins and tannic substances are generally made by adding adsorbents such as Bentonite, silica gel or PVPP in amounts lying on the "safe side" and are consequently often too large. At present the stabilising effect can be assessed only with time consuming tests such as the forcing test. The degree of success of the individual production measures appears only later, after bottling, as "general result". Thus false assessment of the stabilising measures can have fatal consequences. It is then often too late for making corrections. This is where the online measuring technology comes in, directly in the filtration process Page 1 of 7

Today beers are distributed throughout the world, therefore it is imperative to master their colloidal stability. Thus the assessment of the beer stability is a very important factor for the brewery.

2 Overview Whereas numerous parameters are measured continuously in the laboratories, the actual filtration process is monitored only by random sampling. The measured data come too late, disturbances are not detected, and therefore a correction of the stability is no longer directly possible. The O.N.L analyser in the filter cellar has been developed as measuring device to remedy this weak point. Origin and development This application became possible only by the completely new development of the instrument, of the method and of the accurately functioning reagents. Conventional procedures based on ammonium sulfate and PVP derivatives are unsuitable because of their poor sensitivity, slow reaction rate and nonlinearity. The instrument can be used for simultaneous measurement of short chain proteins in pairs or long chain proteins together with the total polyphenols. The reagents are very stable and can be manufactured in high concentration also permitting dispatch to foreign countries, saving volume and transport costs. The reagents are non-critical in the sense of IATA and do not constitute any transport risk. The data are evaluated and presented graphically by a computer which can be located at a distance of up to 50 metres. A complex program permits various possible depictions. Diagram of connections Functional principles The curve measured online, here recorded as a progressive filtration, permits a quick check and gives an overview. Unfavourable effects of the filtration or changes are recognised immediately and, if necessary, appropriate countermeasures can be initiated in good time. The time window for the recording can be selected. On reaching the time window limit, the recording is in each case automatically extended by one hour. The measured values are stored continuously throughout the recording, thus the overview and course of the filtration always remain visible for several hours. For example, the production of the day until shift change Page 2 of 7

L analyser in the filter cellar has been developed as measuring device to remedy this weak point.

3 The course of a recording, here with fluctuations in the region of the polyphenols. Recording and depiction To improve possible subsequent data sorting, each recording is limited in time to the production of one day. After elapse of this time - i.e. at 24:00 hours - the recording is terminated and a new data field is created for the starting new date. This takes place automatically without interruption of the long term measurement, and facilitates subsequent evaluation and overview. The existing visible recording is still retained. Separately depictable delimitation bands - for both evaluation procedures - proteins and polyphenols are possible for about 99 different types. These ranges can be defined in type-dependent manner while a filtration is running. The limit values are saved in addition to the measured data at the same time and can be called up again at any time for the same types and, if necessary, changed in the course of a recording. This definition of the delimitations permits constant production of the same type and quality, as well as monitoring of dosing and compliance with the documentation under ISO Page 3 of 7

This takes place automatically without interruption of the long term measurement, and facilitates subsequent evaluation and overview. The existing visible recording is still retained.

4 Trend recognition A further depiction permits trend recognition. With three successive measurements in different intensity, here shown as filled circles, the protein index and the polyphenol index are plotted in each case on two axes. This quickly shows up the course of the filtration, and intervention in the control system is possible. Database function The entire values are put into a database and can be taken at any time for a protocol report. X-Value Y-Value Time Prot-ONL-5 Poly- AKNP35 SType 07:48:47 22,290 6,455 Testx 07:55:22 22,290 6,455 Testx 08:00:48 22,734 6,647 Testx The data can be exported at any time to Microsoft(R) Excel. Observer program A separate program, the "Observer program" as utility permits simultaneous real time depiction of the parameters on up to 10 computers via a network. The commercially available network version is preset for 5 users and can be extended for at most 10 users Page 4 of 7

This quickly shows up the course of the filtration, and intervention in the control system is possible.

5 Scope of delivery The instrument is delivered individually with standard software. There are no licence fees to pay in addition. A metal housing complying with the IP standard for wet rooms is available for ordering and can be installed by the brewery staff as required by the local conditions. The connection is established via a 6 mm input supply line with maximum permitted length of about metres. Like its companions (2000PPT analyser and standard measuring instrument), the instrument is long-term stable and requires only little maintenance which can be provided by the operating personnel. Standard programs A standard software is delivered with the online device. Additional programs are under development. The programs do not require any installation process. They are ready for operation after copying them into the working directory. The programs control the measuring equipment via the interfaces and provide the displays described above. The computer can be located in the control room up to 50 metres distant from the measuring point. There are no licence fees to pay. EBC-ONLINE The standard program EBC-ONLINE is used for the online instruments. It implements all required functions. EBC-CONTROL A new standard software EBC-CONTROL is available for all laboratory and sample taking devices. This significantly improved version, together with the new methods and reagents, provides a very quick overview of the turbidity producing substances contained in the beer Page 5 of 7

The connection is established via a 6 mm input supply line with maximum permitted length of about 10-15 metres.

6 Observer program for the online system EBC-OBSERVE As separate program, EBC-OBSERVE permits simultaneous depiction of the online measurements in real time by up to 10 computers via a network connection. It is possible at any time to switch over between the available measuring clients. It is only necessary in the network to enable the data recording directories of the clients. Additional software An additional software package is available for evaluating the databases. It permits an overview of the measurements made in the past, as well as type-dependent analyses in various presentations. This is a presentation of a tea analysis as already practised in the Far East for tea beverages. This program can be utilised on all PT devices which are equipped with the new software or which can be retrofitted therewith. All programs can be run on WIN98 and WIN2000P computers and network connections. WIN2000XP versions are unsuitable. Linking via standard computer PC-notebook under WIN 95. Please inquire for other linking Page 6 of 7

Additional software An additional software package is available for evaluating the databases.

7 Operating systems Technical prerequisite: Computer with operating system Windows 98, Windows NT or Windows 2000 according to the state of technology. Proprietary rights All EBC programs come from the software house IBuS Engineering Office Peter Stang, D-Schriesheim, which owns all the proprietary rights for the software. Wolfgang Raske For further information please contact OPTO EMS W.RASKE SEEBACHRING 26 D69125 DANNSTADT - GERMANY TEL.-FAX MOBILE [email protected] Page 7 of 7

Proprietary rights All EBC programs come from the software house IBuS Engineering Office Peter Stang, D-Schriesheim, which owns all the

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