Grape & Wine analysers

There are many analysis methods available for different parameters in the wine must. Typically the most common is to measure the Brix or Baume for the sugar content, this is particularly important as the sugar converts to alcohol during the fermentation process. The Brix or baume is typically measured using a refractometer. Other common analysis performed on wine must would be PH and Total Acidity.

Samples have been taken traditionally using manual methods, which can be cumbersome and nor representative of the entire load. The more accurate method wuld be to use one of the various types of grape sampler that can be used for this purpose. These are designed from small portable units to larger hydraulic arms and samplers used in large scale winery receiving areas.

A refractometer uses light to measure liquid concentration. An LED sends the light into a sapphire or balf prism. The prism is in contact with the wine and the light from the LED is reflected back from the liquid surface like a mirror. The angle of the reflected light will change depending upon the liquid concentration. This reflected angle is called the angle of refraction. A refractometer uses a CCD to capture the returned light from the liquid. A shadow will be cast on the CCD and this shadow will move based on the angle of refraction. A refractometer uses the output from the CCD to precisely calculate the liquid concentration based upon the CCD image.

All wine must refractometers operate on the same principle, but there are many different versions of refractometers from basic to very sophisticated. A user would select the type needed based on the application, accuracy and budget they have for a refractometer. There are very simple hand held refractometers that are purley held up to the light and using the eye the reading is taken, these are typically low cost and low accuracy and affected by human error. The next level would be a small hand held digital refractometer where the determination of the refractive index is calculated electronically, these come in low, medium and high accuracy and will vary in cost accordingly. There are laboratory and at line refractometers for bench top use and these also come in various accuracies and will be selected based on the application and accuracy needed. Inline refractometers would be the last refractometer type and these will monitor a process continuously, these also have various types and brands and should be selected based on the accuracy required and application.

The term inline process is used when a measurement of a product is required to be done during the manufacturing process. This product could be a liquid or also me a solid material as there are alo technologies to measure solid materials inline. In the case of a refractometer, inline process analysis means analysing the concentration of a liquid during the manufacturing process. This becomes especially important if the manufacturer wants to improve quality or increase yield from the liquid.

An Inline process refractometer is typically mounted into the production line using a ferrule, spool or mounting fitting. These inline connections come in various types from tri-clamp sanitary to Varivent and flanged connections with various flange patterns. The Inline fitting is usually welded or connected to mating flanges at the position where the most representative reading of the process can take place. The Inline refractometer is then inserted into the fitting and it will measure by sending a light beam into the process medium and measuring the angle or refraction of the returned light onto a CCD detector. From the CCD the liquid concentration or Brix (%Sugar) can be determined

Yes these devices have different names but are the same type of device. Brix / Baume is a term used in industry for % sugar concentration 1 degree Brix is 1 gram of sugar in a 100 gram solution. A refractometer is very simple to operate and the most accurate way of measuring sugar or brix / Baume concentration in a liquid.