sensors throughout the process makes this easily achievable. Pro-active, immediate adjustments are easily made to ensure optimal manufacturing by line personnel while monitoring the process anywhere in the facility. Maximizing automation and increasing reliability by reducing costs is a major benefit for operating personnel and easily achieved through moisture monitoring. Moisture ranges outside of a ma-chine’s tolerance can unravel important facets of the production process. Each phase of the manufacturing process runs more effi-ciently with accurate moisture content and leads to higher profits. Identifying and using the best methods can lessen problems such as warping, claims, checks and excessive transportation costs. WHY NEAR-INFRARED? the product back to the sensor. Absorption is key to NIR analysis. By implementing a NIR moisture sensor, wood and wood fuel product manufacturers can adjust moisture levels based on re-al-time information, thereby reducing raw material and fuel costs, as well as producing higher yields and more uniform products. NIR offers clear advantages over traditional methods, such as ease-of-use, elimination of hazardous chemicals, and increased efficiency of product testing. NIR analysis eliminates all manual steps of collecting, drying, and accurately weighing samples. PROACTIVE AVOIDANCE Multiple moisture detection methods exist for industrial process-ing – but, not all technology is created the same. Radio frequen-cy (RF), weight loss and probe methods have various factors that need to be considered as they can sometimes provide more of an educated guess than a reliable measurement that can be repeated. NIR technology does not have to be in contact with the prod-uct at all – in fact, it measures moisture approximately four to 12 inches away from the product. Non-destructive and precise accuracy also make NIR the No. 1 choice for moisture detection. NIR spectroscopy and imaging provide fast, nondestructive analysis of the chemical and physical information in the product. When light hits a product, it interacts in various ways; transmitted light will pass through while backscattered light will reflect from Continuously monitoring moisture content leads to proactive avoidance of potential issues caused by out-of-tolerance mois-ture levels. Delivering the highest quality product by utilizing NIR moisture detection systems ensures the highest quality of ac-curacy and repeatability. The sensors are insensitive to material variations such as particle size and material height/colour; provide continuous, reliable readings with zero maintenance; require one-time calibration; are non-contact; and feature a non-drift optical design. Adjustments are made on-the-fly, producing instant mea-surements, improving performance, reliability, and consistency. • Sarah Hammond is the Florida-based marketing manager for MoistTech, producing content tailored to the needs of manufacturers looking to in-crease efficiency. Contact MoistTech to see how proper moisture measure-ment and control can affect your production line at [email protected] or 941-727-1800. Uzelac Industries offers Parts & Service! Sign up for our Annual Service Contracts! Here is what this includes: *We are the only company authorized to service M-E-C drying systems. • Annual Full Dryer inspection • Measure Airflow, Temperatures, Control Systems, Fuel and Infeed Systems • Parts and Service Inventory checks • Operator Training • Recommend Process or set point changes • Provide recommendations for any improvements CONSULTATIONS ARE FREE. Main Office | Greendale, WI • 414.529.0240 uzelacind.com 21 Kansas Office | Neodesha, KS • 620.325.2269 Canadian BIOMASS CB_Uzelac_Winter21_CSA.indd 1 2021-01-14 3:51 PM
Canadian Biomass Winter 2021: Page 21
