Feed & Additive Magazine Issue 2 March 2021

ARTICLE FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE March 2021 75 An essential and often overlooked difference in the technologies is the linearity and stability of their outputs. Resistive, capacitive, and analogue microwave sen- sors have a nonlinear relationship to the moisture, making them very difficult to calibrate as they re- quire numerous points to design the curve. Nonlin- ear measurement techniques also give a low accuracy at the wet and dry end of the scale (Figure 1). Sensors with the digital measurement technique have a linear output, so that signal and water content are directly and proportionally related. This method enables an optimal calibration to be achieved with a few points (In theory with a lin- ear system, it is possible to achieve calibration with only two points). We had a brief journey from harvesting to the fi- nal product, and we observed the importance of wa- ter content control and automation. It is now possible to define the ideal requirements of this system. • In line with multiple readings per second, pro- viding quick feedback for the control to adjust and stay on the target moisture. • Robust, made with high-quality materials to withstand tough industry conditions • Linear output stable in time, accurate in every condition and easy to calibrate • Store multiple calibrations for multiple recipes • Self-contained and easy to integrate into a pre-existing system • Low maintenance and cost-effective • Able to monitor from any device for full connec- tivity and remote analysis • High-temperature resistance may also be re- quired • Some applications could also require ATEX or IECEx certificate Thanks to the expert research and development team at Hydronix, you can find all the above char- acteristics in the XT series of sensors with unique digital microwave technology. Sensors with the digital measurement technique have a linear output, so that signal and water content are directly and proportionally related. This method enables an optimal calibration to be achieved with a few points.