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Beverage Process

How can I optimize my beverage production with Anderson-Negele instrumentation?

Intelligent sensing technology can help to ensure reproducible product quality throughout the production process, automate processes, minimize energy and resource consumption, and avoid production downtime and food waste. As diverse as raw material quality, recipes and processes in beverage production are, so are the demands on measurement technology. That‘s why we offer a complete sensor range, each with a wide range of variants and options. You get exactly the performance you want for every application and every business type, from regional producers of specialty juices to industrial soft drinks bottlers – no more, no less.

Our Tip: Check which of the applications in this overview you use in your operation, take a look at the product portfolio we offer from a single source, and build your “dream sensor system”. We will be happy to help you find the optimal solutions. Just contact us.

Click here to download brochure

Which sensors does Anderson-Negele provide for the beverage industry?

Fermentation vessel:

For the fermentation process, open or closed fermentation vessels are used, depending on the starting and end product, and on the process type like yeast, mash, cold, or warm fermentation. When installed in insulated tanks, the sensors must take the wall depth into account. Especially the vessels for pressure fermentation must also be monitored with regard to overpressure.

  • Depending on the type of yeast or fermentation, the different fermentation temperatures must be maintained very precisely, monitored by Temperature Sensors.
  • Point Level Sensors prevent overflowing of the fermentation tanks.
  • Pressure Sensors are used to monitor the CO2 level.

Centrifuge / Separator:

Depending on the respective juice, wine or other ingredient, turbidity is partially or completely filtered out of the suspension before storage or further processing. This can be done by various systems or separators / centrifuges.

  • In all cases, Turbidity Sensors help to generate the desired degree of turbidity or purity of the filtrate in a reproducible manner and to monitor the filtering system.
  • Pressure Sensors monitor the function and report malfunctions that become noticeable through deviations from the target pressure.
  • Flow sensors measure the amount of liquid in the process and can monitor saturation or optimal function by measuring the flow velocity upstream of the separator / centrifuge.

Concentration / Evaporation:

If required, the amount of liquid is reduced to a desired concentration by evaporation.

  • The level, pressure and temperature must be controlled with the utmost precision. Foam that forms as a result of boiling must not influence the instrumentation.
  • NSL Potentiometric Level Sensors measure the level precisely and without the influence of foam.
  • Point Level Switches type NVS are used to prevent the vessel from overflowing or running dry.
  • For Flow Measurement, various models are available, depending on the requirements for measuring accuracy.

Filtration:

The clarity of a beverage or a natural turbidity are deliberately defined quality characteristics. A highly precise specification for the systems, such as layer, crossflow or cartridge filters, places great demands on the process control and measurement technology for a trouble-free filtration process.

  • A Flow Sensor can monitor saturation or optimal function of the filter cloths by measuring the flow velocity upstream of the filter.
  • Pressure Sensors provide control of the filter function and permeability of the mash filter by measuring differential pressure.
  • With a Turbidity Sensor after the mash filter, the filtration result can be monitored automatically for optimum product quality.
  • Temperature sensors support the process monitoring.

Pasteurisation / UHT:

The products are made shelf-stable by heating them to precisely specified temperatures for a short time.

  • Temperature and Point level sensors monitor the process to achieve the mildest pasteurisation possible.
  • For Flow Measurement, various models are available, depending on the requirements for measuring accuracy.

Ingredient / concentrate container:

For many beverages, ingredients or concentrates are delivered in transport containers. The contents of such interchangeable containers must be precisely controlled. However, level sensors permanently installed in the tanks are often technically or economically not feasible. Precise content control is made possible by load cells.

  • Turn your vessel into a precision scale with Load Cells. This means you always have full control over the contents, even with interchangeable containers for ingredients or additives.
  • Pressure sensors measure the pressure at the inlet and outlet so that any deviation from the setpoint, and thus any possible malfunction, is immediately output as an alarm signal.

Water treatment:

Fresh water control is crucial for high end product quality.

  • Turbidity sensors can monitor the purity of fresh water. The ITM-4DW is specified for water applications.

Batch blending / mixing / dosing:

In both batch processes and continuous processes, you need to be able to control your recipes precisely.

  • Temperature Sensors, Hydrostatic Level Sensors and Point Level switches are more commonly used in batch processes.
  • Conductivity meters or turbidity meters can also support the continuous production processes.

Storage Vessels:

  • Temperature Sensors, Hydrostatic Level Sensors and Point Level Switches help to ensure that the beverage matures into a ready-to-sell product under the defined climatic conditions and times, or that undesired product deterioration is prevented.

Filling Lines:

Different filling systems are used for bottles, tanks, bag-in-box or other packaging. In bottle cleaning, sensors monitor the quality of the cleaning and the cleaning liquids.

  • Magnetic-Inductive Flow Sensors can be used for keg filling control.
  • Conductivity Sensors supervise products in the pipes and ensure that the juice or drink ends up in the bottle, keg or can and rinsing water ends up in the drain. For CIP cleaning they ensure that the caustic concentration in bottle washing complies with the specifications.

CIP System:

CIP systems for a beverage production can be central or decentralized. For improved efficiency, the return flow of the media can be monitored for the degree of contamination by analysis sensors. This allows the expensive cleaners to be automatically returned to the batch tank when the degree of contamination is low, and low-contaminated rinse water can be re-used for pre-rinsing in the next process. With conductivity measurement the cleaner concentration can be monitored and controlled automatically. In our “Solutions” / “CIP Control” section, you will find all the details on how intelligent sensor technology can contribute to resource-efficient and reproducible CIP processes.

How can sensing technology avoid food waste?

For a producer, this not only means an ecological and ethical component, but also pays off in hard cash. Every liter of wasted resources means lost value. And every liter of product that ends up in the gutter even causes additional expense in wastewater treatment. Areas where intelligent instrumentation can help prevent losses include phase transition between two media, insufficient product quality due to processes that are not optimally controlled, inaccurate level control in storage or process vessels, and a CIP process that is not automated.

Our tip: Examine all your processes for their optimization potential. We will be happy to help you on site. Just contact us.

What advantage does sensing technology offer in batch or continuous processes?

Every production process has its specific requirements. In batch processing, instrumentation in the process vessel is often in conflict with moving parts; here, factors such as installation situation, flushness, suitability for insulated tanks and vibration resistance are important. In the continuous process, sensors are your “eye in the pipe”, your view into the process. Here, for example, short response times, auto-adaptation to media changes or automated error alarms are important success criteria.

Our tip: Thanks to a large selection of sensor types and configuration options, our product range offers a suitable technology for most requirements and production methods. Tell us your specific application and we will be happy to help you select the best solution.

What exactly does “Hygienic by Design” mean?

Anderson-Negele products are designed and built exclusively for food applications. Therefore, they meet all requirements for hygiene-sensitive production areas from the very beginning, as evidenced by certifications such as 3-A and EHEDG. This means maximum hygienic protection of your products, easy equipment cleaning, and ultimately maximum peace of mind and enjoyment for your customers.

Our tip: When it comes to process connections, we also offer a wide range of solutions that ensure hygienic integration into your plants through dead space-free design and superior material and surface quality. With CLEANadapt and FLEXadapt, we have specially developed process connection systems that simplify hygienic installation and operation and can even be retrofitted.

What can digitization with IO-Link do?

Most Anderson-Negele sensors with IO-Link are equipped with “Flex-Hybrid Technology“, i.e. digital IO-Link and analog 4…20mA communication in parallel. Even if the plant is operated analog, you can commission all sensors with only one software via computer. Specific programming can be easily transferred to other sensors by copy-paste. And in the case of a sensor exchange, the entire individual programming is transferred simply by plugging it in.

Our tip: With Flex-Hybrid Technology, you already have advantages in installation and commissioning. And if you switch to digital IO-Link technology later, there is no need for new sensors. Find out all about our IO-Link solutions in our “Solutions / IO-Link” section or at the IO-Link website.

What advantage do remote sensors offer?

Many of our sensors are available as “remote” version. The actual measuring device and the electronics unit with operating display and transmitter are separated. This protects the electronics from vibrations and high temperatures and can significantly increase the service life. It is also extremely practical, as you can simply place the electronics and displays where it is most convenient and accessible for easy and quick reading or programming.

Our tip: Get the perfect overview of all processes and vessels without having to bend down or walk around and ensure easy programming and longer service life with remote sensors.

And does all this really work in practice?

Many customers use our sensors under a wide variety of everyday requirements. Discover how other beverarge producers are successfully overcoming their challenges with Anderson-Negele sensors. Our case studies show examples where we have been able to help our customers achieve their goals through application consulting, product testing or technical support. You can find our case studies online here.

Our tip: Our case studies can give you a small overview of the variety of applications where intelligent instrumentation, used correctly, can make your work easier, improve quality and reduce costs. We are happy to meet you on site to find answers to your questions on site. Please contact us!

What benefits do Anderson-Negele sensors offer for the beverage industry?

Temperature Sensors

They are indispensable in almost every step of the beverage production and for CIP control. That’s why we offer our Temperature sensors in 2 standards (Big and Mini), with a comprehensive performance range and an almost infinite variety of customization, process connections and options.

Pressure Transmitters and Gauges

Keep optimum control of process or vessel pressure at all times. Thanks to many sensor options you always find the most suitable solution for every application, every requirement and every desired pressure measuring range, be it as an on-site display or for PLC connection.

Level Sensors hydrostatic  /  Level Sensors potentiometric  /  Point Level Sensors

Different temperatures, different vessel shapes, sometimes pressurized, different densities, differently foaming media, different turbidity and solids contents – highly different requirements and dynamic changes influence the control of the filling level of your various vessels and containers. However, at any moment you need to know exactly how much product is in the vessel or ensure that a vessel does not overflow or run dry. That’s why we offer different measuring techniques and many different designs and options, so that you get the best solution for every purpose and application.

Flow Meters  /   Flow Switches

Here’s how to keep control of your beverage recipes, monitor your blending, and ensure the reliable operation of your plant: Precise flow control with electromagnetic flow meters. Flow monitors give an alarm when the flow stops and are ideal for monitoring pump systems, filters, cooling circuits, the CIP return or for detecting misdirected media.

Turbidity Sensors

The clarity of a beverage or its natural turbidity are deliberately defined quality characteristics. Do you want to safeguard your product quality by precisely monitoring the degree of turbidity? Control your separator optimally? Supervise the function of your filter systems? Reuse slightly contaminated CIP media and thus save costs? Minimize wastewater costs through contamination monitoring? Then our turbidity sensors are your perfect solution.

Conductivity Sensors

For active, automated phase transition, control of the CIP return of acid / caustic / water and concentration control of the CIP cleaners: ILM-4, your safeguard for process reliability.

Process adapters

For a wide range of sensor types, our connection systems offer a consistent hygienic installation concept: High-quality stainless steel or PEEK for all wetted components, simple and secure screw connection or even installation in thermowells for sensor removal without disrupting the process.

Weighing Systems

Turn your vessel into a precision scale. When integrated level control systems fail, weighing systems come into their own. Load Discs give you full control of the contents, even with interchangeable containers for ingredients or additives.

IO-Link Sensors

Your key to greater efficiency: sensors with IO-Link in Flex Hybrid technology. These make planning, commissioning, and operating your plants easier, faster and more flexible. For existing analog plants, Flex-Hybrid means easier programming, sensor changes with “plug-and-play”, and if you upgrade to IO-Link control at some point, the sensors are changed over just by plugging them in.

We have summarized in an overview brochure how we at Anderson-Negele can support you in optimizing your beverage processes:

Here you can download the brochure “Measurement technology for the beverage process” as a PDF file.

Check at our product portfolio and assemble your “desired sensor technology” for your corporate. Here you can contact us.