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Flow technology: food industry choices

28 July 2023

Stéphane Gromada discusses two of the different flow technologies available today and provide advice on which ones are best suited for applications in the food industry.

In recent years, the food industry has made significant improvements in its manufacturing processes and operations. One area where technological advances have proven invaluable is flow measurement technology, which plays a crucial role in ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and safety in food production and processing sector. Two technologies stand out: 

Electromagnetic flow meters: Electromagnetic flow meters – also known as magmeters – are widely recognised for their reliability and versatility. These meters use Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction to measure the flow rate of conductive fluids. Magnetic flow meters are particularly well-suited for applications in the food industry because they can accurately measure the flow of various liquids. Additionally, magmeters are relatively unaffected by temperature, pressure, or viscosity variations, making them a preferred choice for many food processing operations. 

Of course cleanliness and hygiene are of the utmost importance in the food processing sector. Clean-In-Place (CIP) is used widely as an automated method of cleaning and sterilising process systems without the need to disassemble them. This method utilises chemicals and water to clean the process line. Thanks to the variety of wetted part materials available on magnetic flowmeters, this flow technology is ideal for the CIP process control.

Coriolis mass flow meters: Coriolis mass flow meters have gained popularity in recent years due to high accuracy and additional measurements available such as density, temperature, and concentration, making them ideal for applications where the highest accuracy is required. Additionally, applications measuring non-conductive fluids, liquid with entrained gas or gas are also ideally suited to Coriolis measurement.

Based on the Coriolis effect, the mass flow is directly measured while other flow technologies deliver volumetric flow measurement. Volumes are influenced by changes in process conditions such as temperature and pressure, while mass is not affected. Many processes in food industry are based around mass measurement. For example, ingredients of a recipe that need to be added in the right mass ratio to ensure that the final product will always have the same taste. 

Conclusion
In conclusion, the food and beverage industry can benefit greatly from the latest enhancement in flow technologies. Electromagnetic and Coriolis mass flow meters are just a few of the options available. By carefully considering the characteristics of the application and seeking expert advice, it is possible to make a well-informed decision to ensure accurate measurements, efficient processes and enhanced productivity.

Stéphane Gromada is Field Instrumentation – Business Unit Manager at Yokogawa Europe.


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