3 Ways Grain Facilities Can Benefit from NIR Technology

来源:凯特

Moisture is one of the most important variables to control when growing, harvesting, buying/selling, processing, preparing and shipping grains, seeds, and other small agricultural products.

决定最好的moisture measurement technology, however, it is important to avoid choosing solely on the initial purchase price of the instrument.

权衡拥有和使用水分表的好处，并了解它如何影响效率和利润是成功获得长期收购的关键。

与传统的水分测量方法相比，使用NIR测量的先进技术可带来重大好处。

Today, NIR moisture meters can help grain facilities achieve substantial production labor savings and superior product quality, while optimizing raw input purchase price, end product sales price and shipping cost.

NIR技术的优势

了解NIR技术的运作方式，以及最适合使用它的基础知识，将有助于谷物设施欣赏它如何为他们节省金钱并改善底线。

NIR测量使用反射率和吸光度原理来计算项目的水分含量。仪表从产品上弹出一束光束，在某些情况下，通过样品传输光。

根据约翰·博加特（John Bogart）的董事总经理约翰·博加特（John Bogart）的说法凯特我们, a manufacturer of a full range of moisture and organic composition analyzers.

“The higher the moisture content, the higher the amount of light absorbed," says Bogart.

“仪器测量反射的光，算法确定样品吸收的光。”

He notes that the moisture meters enable very accurate measurement of solids, pastes and liquids without contact or sample preparation, so there is no contamination in handheld and online models.

谷物设施可以通过三种显着的方式从NIR技术中受益：

1. More Efficient Personnel and Production

如果一粒facility is still using the Karl Fischer (KF) or loss on drying (LOD) method for determining moisture, chances are that a considerable amount of personnel time is being tied up conducting these tests when they should be carrying out more profitable activities.

The KF test involves adding chemical reagents to the sample to separate the water from the remaining product. The water removed is then compared with the initial mass or volume.

Since chemical reagents are used, skilled personnel must determine the initial parameters, confirm that the system is properly calibrated and maintained and, at times, are required to conduct the tests. These tests take time and destroy the sample. Disposal of the waste products can be very costly and time consuming as well.

The LOD test, which measures the total material weight change after drying, typically requires a sample to be prepared and brought to a lab. The test takes at least 15 minutes to several hours to perform, which is too slow when more immediate measurements are necessary. It also requires the sample to be altered or destroyed.

In contrast, NIR technology enables the user to get the accurate measurement results needed instantly and is simple enough for virtually anyone to use with minimal training. Generally, only seven to 10 samples are needed for a valid calibration, and once calibrated the moisture level in a product is determined immediately.

As an example, with Kett’s KJT130 Handheld Portable Instant Moisture Meter, the user simply points the instrument at the product and the moisture content is instantly shown on a digital display, with results accurate to .01% in a 0-100% measurement range.

该单元是摄录机的大小，设计用于固定和移动（过程线）产品的必要时频繁的点检查。水分测量数据可以存储在仪器中，连续下载或手动记录。

2.改善质量控制

Quality can be compromised if grain facilities do not have the correct amount of moisture in their product. This can result in either product loss or reduced shelf life.

同样重要的是，这也可能导致不满意的客户，他们可能会放弃未来的购买，甚至在社交媒体上分享他们的不满。

Fortunately, the speed and accuracy with which grain facilities can obtain results from NIR technology will enable them to conduct more tests within a given time period. Because facilities can conduct more tests and at a higher frequency, production managers will achieve tighter control of their product quality.

Bogart说：“由于NIR水分表不需要直接接触或样品改变，因此粒度变化和异常纹理不是问题。”

“当与一系列的原料，配方或最终产品一起使用时，这可能很重要。”

该技术的多功能性意味着谷物设施可以在需要时（无论是在实验室还是在实验室中还是在现场）实现准确的水分测量。

全部of this equates to faster test results and feedback. The approach enables managers to ensure high quality at all levels of production.

Because the process is non-destructive, samples also remain unaltered so they can be used for additional tests or, if removed for a desktop test, may be returned into the product stream.

3.优化买卖交易和运输成本

当水分水平是原始投入的购买价格或最终产品销售价格的一个因素时，准确的水分测量和调整可以帮助确保最佳交易。

For instance, if purchasing raw inputs with high moisture content, negotiating a discount might be possible in some circumstances. If selling a product by weight, moisture content could be kept within acceptable limits, but modified to secure the best price.

使用不正确的产品中的水分也可以通过增加运输成本来降低利润。随着产品中额外的水分，总发货将较重，从而导致更高的运输成本。在运输之前将其正确干燥到可接受的限制可以大大降低运输成本。

尽管粮食设施更加熟悉traditional moisture measurement methods like KF and LOD, the availability of advanced NIR technology is presenting an opportunity to the industry.

通过利用NIR水分表的速度，准确性，多功能性和易于性，谷物设施可以极大地改善生产，质量和利润。