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FOOD & BEVERAGE THE BENEFITS OF TWO IN ONE SENSORS


Combined flow and temperature sensors from Baumer are able to optimise filter monitoring applications in the dairy industry


factors including; the degree of automation, efficiency of production, hygienic design, effective cleaning and, ultimately, food safety. The dairy processing industry treads a thin line between food safety and equipment efficiency. With a strong focus on improving the efficiency of the process, sensors are now playing an increasingly important role. Sensing and instrumentation specialists


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BAUMER develops sensors together with customers to meet their specific requirements, a good example of which is their flow and temperature sensors for filter monitoring applications in the dairy industry. Today, many foods such as yogurts, milk drinks and quark are enriched with additional protein and are claimed to have nutritional benefits to support the build-up of muscle. The production of these products can be optimised if filtration processes are monitored using the right sensors. A good example of this is at Homann, part


of the Müller Group, manufacturers of a wide range of dairy products including yogurts, milk drinks, mayonnaise and salad dressings. BAUMER has helped Homann in achieving their goal of maximising process optimisation in their production processes, thanks to the features and benefits of their monitoring sensors. The basis for proteins that can be used for


food fortification is provided mostly by whey or skimmed milk and these need to be


aintaining competitiveness in today’s dairy processing industries depends upon a combination of


filtered step-by-step in order to increase protein concentrations. The objective is to obtain a concentration with as high a protein content as possible which is then dried and further processed. This process is energy intensive and its


effectiveness largely depends on the condition of the filter. Calorimetric flow sensors can facilitate the monitoring of the condition of the filter which helps to optimise the quality and cost-efficiency of protein extraction. Cross flow filtration technology is usually


the preferred option for filter units used in the dairy industry, typically to increase the protein content in milk or whey where the media, the so called ‘feeds’, are pumped through filters until the remaining concentrate reaches the desired dry mass. An indicator of the effectiveness of the


filtration pumps (and therefore the filtration process) is usually a combination of temperature and pressure measurement. The pressure differential of the measured values before and after filtration means conclusions can be drawn about the effectiveness of the filter, such as clogging. However, a better and more direct option is to measure the flow rate of the medium to know for sure how the filtration process is working. For example, if the flow rate is too low, the filter clogs up faster and needs to be cleaned or replaced. When module batteries are connected in parallel, shifts and variations in flow patterns are a problem. If the flow rate is too high, the permissible


26 DECEMBER 2021/JANUARY 2022 | PROCESS & CONTROL


pressure loss per module is exceeded and the modules telescope. At the same time, temperature is an


important factor to consider when filtering. For example, when temperature is selected at approximately 50ºC, this favours filtration without denaturation of the thermo-sensitive whey proteins which means that process temperatures must also be monitored. Thermal flow sensors, such as Baumer


FlexFlow sensors are an effective, viable and cost-effective solution for filter monitoring, as they measure not only the temperature, but also the flow rate. Since these sensors benefit from having no moving mechanical parts, they are virtually maintenance-free and allow for reliable monitoring of the cross-flow filters. Based on the calorimetric measurement principle, the sensors can monitor both flow velocity as well as media temperature. They have IO-Link and, depending on


settings and connections, either two switching outputs, or one switching and one analogue output (4-20 mA/ 0-10 V). The PF20H and PF20S versions are suitable for hygienic and industrial applications. The combination of two measuring


functions in one sensor reduces the number of measuring points in closed systems and minimises costs of installation, service and storage. Thanks to their symmetrical, centered design, the sensors can be optimally installed in the process independent of their installation position and orientation to guarantee precise measurements and process safety. Several sensors can be simultaneously


configured via IO-Link which simplifies switching point adjustment for different process stages during set-up or batch changeover. Diagnostic data polling and evaluation is possible at all times, increasing


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