This document discusses near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and its use in measuring chemical concentrations online. NIR photons interact with molecules, causing vibrations that can be measured to determine concentrations. Different molecules absorb different wavelengths. Modern diode array NIR systems simultaneously collect data at all wavelengths without moving parts, providing sensitive, rapid online analysis of properties like protein, moisture and hardness in grains and flours. Benefits include automatic process control and optimization, faster start-up and grade changes, and reduced need for personnel. Systems shown analyze wheat, flour and semolina at throughputs up to 30 tonnes/hour.

1. NIR Spectral Range
Near Infrared 780-2500 nm

2. Why NIR Can Measure Chemical
Concentrations
NIR photons striking a
molecule sometimes
causes the molecule to
take that photon and
turn it into vibrations.
We measure the loss
of those photons to tell
how many molecules
of that type are
present.
Different molecules
absorb photons of
different wavelengths.

3. An example of a spectrum. The red dots indicate
measurement points of a discrete filter instrument.
0.00
0.10
0.20
0.30
0.40
0.50
0.60
0.70
0.80
0.90
1100 1300 1460 1660 1740 1900 2060 2180 2260 2360
M oisture
Protein
O il/F at
O riginal Spectrum
I ndividual
C onstituent A bsorption
Spectral response

4. Inframatic Principle
Lamp Filter wheel
Sphere
Detectors
Window
Sample
Basic characteristics of Filter instruments:
• Well-proven low-cost technology
• Measuresonewavelength after another
• Discretewavelengths

5. Scanning Monochromator
Sample
Scanning
Grating
Single
Detector
Diffuse Light
from Sample
Basic characteristics of Scanning Monochromator:
• Well-proven technology
• Measuresonewavelength after another
• Completespectra, not just discretewavelengths

6. DA On-Line Principles of Operation
DiodeArray
Sample
Diffuse Light from Sample
Stationary Grating
White light from Source
to the Sample
Turning Mirror
Primary lamp
Spare lamp
Sapphire Window

7. Modern diode array technology
Basic characteristics
• Extremesensitivity
• No moving partsin optics
• Simultaneousdata
collection at all
wavelengths
• 300 spectracollected in 3 s.
Thesecharacteristicsmakes
theDA technology
especially suitablefor On-
Linemeasurements

8. NIR – Applications in Process Industries
Until now majority of on-line analysers are filter based
Our new offer includes on-line measurement using DA technology

9. System MYRF – Whole grain Online measurement unit
Measured constituents (wheat)
• Protein
8.5% ... 18.5%
± 0.2% SEP
• Moisture
8.5% ... 19.5%
± 0.2% SEP
• Hardness
• Sedimentation
• Others…
• 0-30 t/h capacity

10. System MYRB – Flour/Semolina Online measurement unit
Measured constituents
• Protein
8.5% ... 18.5%
± 0.2% SEP
• Moisture
8.5% ... 19.5%
± 0.2% SEP
• Ash
0.3% ... 2.0%
± 0.2% SEP
• Water Absorption
• Starch Damage
• Others…
• 1-2 t/h capacity

11. Benefits with On-line Technology
Increase yield, reduce waste and optimise the use of raw
material by :
• Automatic processcontrol for:
• Target optimisation
• Consistent quality
– Ash
– Gluten addition
– Moisture
• Faster to target on start-up and gradechanges
• Faster to target after gradechanges
• Continuessurveillancefor processchanges
Tendency to run operation e.g. flour mill with less
personnel
• No peopleat night shift or week-ends
• Mill must automatically control itself. No-one
thereto control it
• QC and alarmsfor automatic shut-down essential
Typical ROI € 150’-250’ / Year

12. Perten DA On-line Camera
The On-line system is equipped
with a 640*480 pixels RGB
colour camera
Primarily used for Semolina
speck count
Will show sieve breakage as an
increase in specks

13. Colour Measurement
L=89 a=1 b=9
L=84 a=1.5 b=20
L=81 a=2.5 b=30
L* is light to dark
a* is redness
b* is yellowness
Flour and semolina

14. Live Video
Used as a trouble-shooting tool
Compare live image with
reference pictures
Very useful when verifying spec
count measurement
Image capture on demand or on
events

15. Lab & On-line Same Technology
On-line and lab instrument
based on the same Diode Array
technology
Improves agreement between
lab and on-line results
Simplifies calibration work and
transfer of calibrations
Reduces training requirements