UK-based Hosokawa Micron has developed a light-emitting sensor that can be flush fitted into mixer walls to enable the continuous monitoring of the homogeneity of a powder mix without the need to take samples.
Light is emitted through a sensor or eye, which has a diameter of 25mm, onto the material which is passing it continuously. Measuring the light reflection enables the particle size, colour, density and roughness to be determined. The information thus obtained about the mix composition is shown on a graphical display in the form of a mixing index.
As the material is continuously monitored, it is immediately clear when a homogeneous mixture is obtained, enabling over- and under-mixing to be avoided.
The ability to check product quality during the production process rather than after the event saves time and cost by eliminating out-of-spec batches, the company says. Further savings are achieved through reduction in laboratory analysis time. An ATEX version of the sensor is also available if required.