Feature: Conductivity sensors
Fast and precise conductivity sensors save water and cut costs T
he need for effective wash-down and cleaning whilst meeting increasing demands to save resources and cut costs has always been a tricky challenge – especially as optimum hygiene is essential in food and beverage manufacturing.
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A high-speed CombiLyz Conductivity Sensor, supplied by BAUMER, has made an important contribution at Granarolo, Italy’s largest dairy processing operation. Effective cleaning of a hygienic dairy processing system usually requires a range of liquids – such as milk, water, lye and acids – working within a complex, clean-in-place (CIP) process, where different liquids flow alternately through pipes and tanks. All these liquids have a financial and/or envi-
value of conductivity within 15 seconds,
underneath the metal are faster. However,
ronmental cost so must be used sparingly
compared to around 50 seconds typically
frequent temperature fluctuations tend to
and, where applicable, recycled.
achieved by other sensors. This means the
wear-off the transition between plastic and
control mechanisms can react faster and
metal, causing these types of sensors to
Precision and speed were crucial to the
separate the individual phases by actuat-
fail more frequently, rendering them unsuit-
success of the CombiLyz conductivity sen-
ing values.
able for hygienic applications.
The sensor’s ability to measure precisely
Bruno Landuzzi, Maintenance Manager
The CombiLyz sensors also have a col-
the electric conductivity of liquids in the
at Granarolo explained, “Our tanks, pipe-
our-coded touch display which enables
system determines which type of medium
lines and thermal treatment systems are
easy parameterisation. The freely definable
is flowing and its concentration. The Com-
cleaned up to 30 times a day and thanks to
conductivity areas can be allocated to any
biLyz sensor provides a precise measured
the quick temperature compensation of the
display colours, such as blue for water and
CombiLyz sensors, we can save more than
red for acid. This means operators can see
100,000 litres of water per year at every
from a distance which medium is passing
measuring point.”
through the pipes at any given moment.
sor in this challenging CIP fluids handling.
Additionally, the sensor transfers its measThe fast temperature compensation re-
ured values via a 4/20mA interface with op-
sponse is primarily due to the design of the
tional HART protocol.
CombiLyz sensor which features a onepiece hygienic design measurement probe
The options available are the CombiLyz
made of PEEK plastic. This contains the
AF14 (where the entire sensor is contained
inductive sensor elements for measuring
in a single housing) and the AF15 (for appli-
electric conductivity and the temperature
cations with limited space). The AF15 has
sensor.
the sensor element and display separated and connected via a cable, to facilitate
The sensor tip has a low thermal mass
more flexible positioning. Both options
and low thermal transition, enabling the
have an IP69k rated stainless steel hous-
sensor to react very quickly, even to signif-
ing to ensure suitability for high-pressure
icant temperature fluctuations. Only sen-
steam cleaning.
sors with two-part measurement probes where the temperature sensor is located
24 dpaonthenet.net
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