6.00 INFRARED ANALYZER

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1 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS PAGE 1 OF 7 QUESTION 1 What is the difference between the application for the IRPC one constituent, and the IRPC multi-constituent? ANSWER 1 The IRPC NIR Analyzer, one constituent, provides one analog output for simple moisture for liquids or solids. The IRPC NIR Analyzer, multi-constituent, provides two analog outputs in real-time analysis for two on-line measurements. For example: 1. Moisture + Fat 2. Moisture + Protein 3. Protein + Fat QUESTION 2 What is the exact measuring capability of the IRPC? ANSWER 2 The IRPC Analyzer can be used for the measurement of moisture, fats, protein of granulates, powdered material at a belt, a stainless auto sampler for a gravity/pneumatically convoyed product, at a chute, and in a vessel with special arrangements (ie sapphire window with flange). The IRPC can also be used for measuring moisture, fat, and protein for liquid or pasta on-line in a pipe with adapted measuring cells. QUESTION 3 The IRPC NIR Analyzer is a compact instrument, however, I want to have a digital display of the on-line measuring values. Is this possible? ANSWER 3 The IRPC NIR Analyzer provides two analog outputs (4-20 ma), which can be connected to a remote display unit. Additional displays can be provided upon request.

2 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS PAGE 2 OF 7 QUESTION 4 How many wavelengths are used in the IRPC NIR Analyzer? Is it possible to have a digital display of the on-line measuring values? ANSWER 4 According to the application data sheet of the NIR IRPC Analyzer, three (3) or six (6) wavelengths can be provided. 1. Simple application for moisture: 3 filters 2. Combination applications: 6 filters QUESTION 5 What is the power supply of the NIR Analyzer? ANSWER 5 Standard power supply is 24 VDC, or Standard power supply is 24 VAC OPTION Power box (90/120 VAC - 24 VAC) Converters are provided upon request QUESTION 6 I would like to run the output signal to a control room. What is the maximum length of cable? ANSWER 6 The 4-20 ma output signal from the sensor can be connected to the control room with a maximum distance of 1 kilometer.

3 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS PAGE 3 OF 7 QUESTION 7 What is the effect of ambience temperature on the IRPC Analyzer? ANSWER 7 The IRPC Analyzer uses an IP65 housing: Ambient temperature is 0-50 C ( F) The maximum ambient temperature is 50 C (120 F). Without cooling accessories it ranges from 50 C to 80 C (160 F), and an optional cooling plate must be used. The water cooling plate and air cooling plate is also available upon request. In very bad atmosphere conditions (dust in suspension) an air purge must be used continuously in order to clean the optical part of the sensor (pipe connection diameter - 6 mm). The air purge must be cleaned without oil. QUESTION 8 Can the NIR IRPC Analyzer operate accurately with process variation of temperature of the product? ANSWER 8 The IRPC is not temperature compensated. QUESTION 9 How often do you use the reference plate provided with the sensor? ANSWER 9 The reference plate is used during the first commissioning to the reference parameters of the sensor (light energy, measuring distance, spot dimensions, filter efficiency, and motor speed). No routine control is necessary. If the process accuracy requirement is very high for the operator, the reference plate must be used every four (4) weeks to compensate for draft caused by ambient condition variations. For normal conditions, the reference plate correction can be done every three (3) months. If

4 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS PAGE 4 OF 7 the lamp is broken and must be exchanged, the reference plate allows the user to start the system without a new calibration. QUESTION 10 If I used more than the IRPC Analyzer on my site, how do I use the reference plate provided with the sensor? ANSWER 10 One reference plate is enough for all the sensors used at the site. QUESTION 11 What type of software is used for the sensor? ANSWER 11 A Windows TM based program is provided as a standard with the IRPC Analyzer. This can be used on a PC or laptop computer to access the sensors internal parameters. QUESTION 12 Do I have to use a computer permanently in connection with the IRPC sensor? ANSWER 12 No, the PC computer is used only during the commissioning at site for: Setting the basic customer s parameters: Measuring range, parameters adjustment, and recipe Alarm thresholds Constituent s selection, moisture, fat, and protein Checking the analyzer Calibration Procedure Control time for timing the accuracy of the analyzer for diagnostics

5 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS PAGE 5 OF 7 Connection is RS232 or RS485 QUESTION 13 What is the NIR IRPC standard configuration? ANSWER 13 The standard configuration for process is: IRPC sensor (one or multi-constituent measurement) Reference plate Computer software QUESTION 14 What options are there for the NIR IRPC? ANSWER 14 The options for the NIR IRPC are: Water cooling plate, Air cooling plate, or Power supply box 90/120 VAC/24 VAC QUESTION 15 Can I use the IRPC NIR Analyzer off-line as a laboratory instrument? ANSWER 15 The IRPC NIR on-line analyzer can be used easily as an alternative low-cost laboratory instrument. When many production lines cannot be equipped for cost reasons, the IRPC can be used close to the production lines as a fast laboratory analyzer.

6 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS PAGE 6 OF 7 The sample is taken directly by the operator from the production line and placed in a standard PETRI dish (60 mm in diameter). Reading time of the sample is less than 15 seconds with excellent accuracy. For some products that are not homogenous, the sample must be prepared before measurement in order to optimize the accuracy. We supply a laboratory holder in option. The instrument is sturdy and allows a fast quality control of the product over the sample. Rather than the traditional methods of sampling by laboratory operators with sophisticated methods and expensive analyzers. QUESTION 16 Is the analyzer calibrated before I receive it? ANSWER 16 Yes, the IRPC NIR Analyzer is pre-calibrated for many products. A curve for the application is installed in a program, but as the arrangement of the sensor is on-site, distance; filter efficiency; and light energy is not identical from one sensor to another. A correction of the calibration must be done during commissioning. QUESTION 17 What is the calibration procedure? ANSWER 17 The PC or laptop must be connected to the sensor (RS232 or RS485). During the process, samples are analyzed by the laboratory. The value of the samples are compared to the values of the NIR IRPC Analyzer. A minimum of ten (10) samples must be used for the correction of the pre-calibrated curve in the full measuring range of the process operation. The program automatically creates the new corrected calibration curve, which it will implement in the sensor. The program gives the operator the accuracy in percent, which is the correlation of the calibration. After the basic commissioning is completed, the operator, during the process can take new samples and do additional corrections to optimize the accuracy. The routine control can be handled the same way. To store the sample values in the memory of the sensor, the PC can be disconnected from the sensor and connected only for the correction action.

7 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS PAGE 7 OF 7 QUESTION 18 How do I take a sample? ANSWER 18 When the operator takes the sample (ie: on the conveyor belt) he must press the green button on the sensor. The measuring value is then memorized in the sensor. The date, time, and minutes of the sample must be written down to ensure that the right values of the sample are set in the calculation program. The laboratory values can be set when the operator gets the values from the laboratory. QUESTION 19 What is the preferred installation method? ANSWER 19 The choice of the measuring installation is dependent upon the application. The IRPC NIR compact analyzer can be mounted over the belt conveyor where the product flow is regular. This is an easy installation with low-cost mechanical support. The holder must be fixed to a place with no vibration The IRPC must have easy access for sampling Avoid having a spotlight in the beam of the IRPC spot