Posts Tagged ‘moisture balance’
How to Determine Moisture Content
Moisture content – the amount of moisture contained in a product – can be determined by using a moisture analyzer. Specifications for correct moisture content span a host of industries and products. Here you will learn how moisture analyzers are employed by researchers, QC personnel, professional associations, and government agencies to ensure products meet moisture content specs. It includes info on how moisture analyzers work along with purchasing and operating tips.
Why Moisture Content is Critical
According to Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations section n, “Safe-moisture level is a level of moisture low enough to prevent the growth of undesirable microorganisms in the finished product under the intended conditions of manufacturing, storage, and distribution.”
Types of Moisture
While most folks think of moisture as water, moisture is anything that evaporates on heating. Examples include fats, oils, alcohol, and solvents.
Moreover, moisture can lurk in places you … Read the rest
How to Develop Moisture Analysis Methods
Many of our posts on using a moisture analyzer to check on moisture content provide examples of conducting a moisture analysis for a specific product. The importance of proper moisture content is described in our post on why moisture content matters. But how is a moisture analysis method developed?
Several analyses may be made by researchers in order to identify the parameters to apply for a specific product such as plastic pellets, sugar, body lotion and bread crumbs. Among the testing parameters to be identified are included:
• Sample size. Usually in grams, but how much should be used for the analysis?
• Sample protection. Certain products may require being placed on and/or covered by fiberglass filters.
• Drying temperature. Too hot or not hot enough may skew results.
• Drying profile. This relates to how heat is applied to the … Read the rest
A Moisture Analyzer for Shampoo Quality Control
Most everyone has their favorite shampoo and probably pays little attention to what’s inside the tube or bottle – only that it does a good job cleaning hair. Chances are the thickness of the shampoo is important as well – cheaper brands that are thin and watery usually don’t pass muster. Yet water, specifically deionized water – comprises about 70 to 80% of the shampoo formulation with the actual target specified by the manufacturer. Keeping formulations on target is eased with a moisture analyzer for shampoo quality control.
While formulations vary, the approximately 25% non-water contents of shampoo include detergents and surfactants, foam boosters, thickeners and conditioners. Preservatives and modifiers, fragrances and dyes are typically added to the batch then mixed. After the mixing period samples are sent to the quality control lab. Among other tests QC personnel can use a moisture analyzer to determine that the water content is … Read the rest
Selecting a Moisture Analyzer Drying Process
Infrared moisture analyzers such as the new Kern MLS-C now available from Tovatech use the thermogravimetric drying process to calculate the moisture content of a sample. Also called the loss of weight on drying (LOD) method, the drying process compares the weight of a sample after drying to the weight before drying. The difference is displayed the percent of moisture in the sample. This is a critical quality control step to confirm that commercial bulk drying ovens are performing to specification and that the product meets regulatory or industry standards for moisture content.
Selecting the Moisture Balance Drying Mode
Because products react differently to heat employed during the drying process, laboratory moisture balances can be programmed for different drying modes or drying profiles. These can be classified as standard, rapid, step and gentle. The mode is graphically displayed on the control panel. Here is a general description of each:
- Standard
How to Use a Moisture Analyzer for Dry Bulk Powders
The moisture content of virtually any product on the market has a bearing on the product’s quality, shelf life and a host of other considerations. Ideal moisture content varies, of course, with the product under consideration. Ideal moisture content is determined by and in some cases governed by industry associations and regulatory authorities. Proof of compliance is eased when a moisture analyzer is employed on a regular basis as batches are prepared for packaging, whatever the product, and records are kept.
Moisture analyzers such as the Kern models offered by Tovatech operate on the thermogravimetric principle using halogen heaters in combination with an analytical balance to precisely determine the percentage of moisture in a sample during a programmed testing cycle. Simply stated the sample is weighed before moisture analysis begins, and after the cycle is completed. The loss in weight is the moisture content.
Let’s Take Cement as an Example… Read the rest