ATAGO Inline Refractometers for Liquid Concentration Monitoring
Is your liquid mixture staying at the required concentration throughout production? ATAGO inline refractometers provide continuous measurements at the installation point, helping operators identify dilution, blending changes and concentration drift while the process is running.
Applications include food and beverage production, glycol cooling circuits and industrial liquid processing. The correct model depends on the liquid, required measuring range, accuracy and process conditions.
What Does an Inline Refractometer Measure?
A refractometer measures refractive index, an optical property that changes with liquid composition. The instrument can express this measurement as Brix or, with a suitable scale, as the concentration of a particular solution.
Brix is based on sucrose concentration. For other liquids, a Brix reading should not automatically be treated as the percentage of the chemical present. A dedicated concentration scale or a validated relationship between refractive index, concentration and temperature is needed.
Which ATAGO Model Suits Your Application?
| Model | Measurement Range | Published Accuracy | Typical Selection Reason |
|---|
| CM-800α |
Brix: 0.0–80.0% |
Brix: ±0.1% |
Compact instrument with an integrated display for routine inline Brix monitoring. |
|---|
| PRM-100α DX |
Brix: 0.00–100.00%
Refractive index: 1.32000–1.55700 nD |
Brix: ±0.05%
Refractive index: ±0.00010 nD |
Wider measuring range, higher Brix accuracy and user-defined concentration scales. Separate detection and display sections. |
|---|
| CM-800α-PG |
Propylene glycol: 0.0–90.0% |
Propylene glycol: ±0.4% |
Direct concentration monitoring of propylene glycol solutions. |
|---|
| CM-800α-EG |
Ethylene glycol: 0.0–90.0% |
Ethylene glycol: ±0.4% |
Direct concentration monitoring of ethylene glycol solutions. |
|---|
These figures apply to the stated measurement scales. Confirm the selected configuration and its suitability for your actual liquid before ordering.
Food and Beverage: Check Brix During Production
For beverage blending, syrup preparation and liquid food processing, inline Brix measurement helps operators follow concentration changes during a batch or production run. It can also support checks before filling and help identify the transition between product and rinse water.
The CM-800α is a starting point for routine Brix monitoring. Consider the PRM-100α DX when the application needs its wider range, higher Brix accuracy or separate display arrangement.
Cooling Systems: Monitor Glycol Concentration
Where a cooling circuit uses glycol and water, choose a model matched to the glycol type: CM-800α-PG for propylene glycol or CM-800α-EG for ethylene glycol. Both models also provide a freezing-point scale.
A potential application is checking coolant concentration in a data centre or industrial cooling system that uses a compatible glycol mixture. Share the coolant datasheet, including additives, so the measurement scale and wetted materials can be reviewed against the actual formulation.
Industrial Liquids: Select the Correct Concentration Scale
ATAGO offers dedicated CM-800α variants for selected chemicals, including sodium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide. The PRM-100α DX also supports user-defined concentration scales using suitable refractive-index, concentration and temperature data.
For cleaning, dilution or chemical blending applications, start with the liquid composition and the concentration you need to control. Where several ingredients can change independently, the reading needs application-specific validation before it is used to control one component.
Connect Measurements to Your Process System
The models listed above provide 4–20 mA and RS-232C outputs. These allow measurements to be passed to compatible recording or control equipment. High- and low-limit alarm outputs are also available on these models.
Automatic temperature compensation is specified from 5 to 100°C for the listed models. This should be distinguished from the instrument's temperature display range and its cleaning-temperature capability.
Installation and Material Selection
The process connection, sample contact and cleaning method are part of selecting the instrument. ATAGO offers different fittings and selected alternative wetted-material versions, including titanium and Hastelloy.
Tell us about deposits or coating on existing equipment. Prism cleaning requirements and suitable cleaning accessories can then be considered together with the installation.
Information to Include with Your Enquiry
- Liquid name, composition and available datasheet.
- Normal concentration and required measuring range.
- Required accuracy and purpose of the measurement.
- Operating temperature and pressure.
- Pipe size, connection type or proposed sampling arrangement.
- Cleaning chemicals, cleaning temperature and frequency.
- Required output and existing control system.
Discuss Your Liquid Concentration Application with Seacom
Send us the liquid details and what you need to measure. If you already have an instrument, include its model number and a photo of the installation. We can help review the application and identify the model and configuration to quote.
