Solutions for measurement and monitoring of water activity
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Solutions for measurement and monitoring of water activity Avoid stale surprises

INTRODUCTION TO WATER ACTIVITY Water activity is often called “free” or “non-chemically bound” water in foods and other products. Although these terms are easier to understand, they do not define all aspects of the concept of water activity. The correct definition “Water activity – a measure for the energy status of the water in a system” specifies the relationship between the water vapor pressure of a product and the saturation pressure of pure water at the same temperature. It is stated in “aw” in the range 0…1 aw and is an important indicator for product quality in the industrial...

Water activity plays an important role for product quality in various fields, including: • Industrial manufacturing • Food industry • Pharmaceutical and Cosmetics industry • Tobacco industr y • Seed storage The water activity (aw) in foods can be controlled by using various additives (humectants), using satisfactory packaging materials and by maintaining favorable maturation and storage conditions. Should too much water be available, there is a risk of microbial growth and water migration. Food manufacturers today must prove to the FDA that the water activity of a product has been reduced...

Rotronic offers a complete range of products for measurement of water activity. The instruments are accurate and boast high efficiency, compatibility and simple calibration. Combine the measurement heads, insertion probes, benchtop display units and handheld instruments as you need.

PRODUCTS AwTherm Temperature-stabilized measurement The AwTherm is a professional high-end laboratory analyser for temperature-stabilized measurement of water activity in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and other industries. The wide control range permits measurements to be integrated directly in the temperature controlled manufacturing or storage process. Water activity measurement reacts very sensitively to variances in temperature. Stabilizing the temperature prevents imprecise results due to external temperature influences. Tested at 25 °C, AwTherm therefore fulfills the...

PRODUCTS HygroLab C1 Laboratory application The HygroLab C1 is a laboratory analyzer for water activity measurements with up to four interchangeable measurement heads. The possibility to combine measurement heads and insertion probes makes the HygroLab C1 extremely flexible. Order code Validated software The HygroLab C1 is easy and intuitive to use. It offers a high degree of user friendli- ness and the possibility to connect the benchtop display unit to a PC running Rotronic HW4 software (included in the SET) using a USB cable and via the Ethernet. The HW4 software can be used to configure...

PRODUCTS Aw measurement head HC2-AW The aw measurement head was developed for use in combination with the HygroLab C1 Order code and the HP23-A-AW handheld analyser. This digital probe enables quick and easy measurement of water activity. It can be calibrated via the HygroLabC1, HP23-A-AW or via the HW4 PC software. The sample holder size is reduced to a minimum, thereby making it possible for humidity equilibrium to be reached quickly for all products being tested, while the metal housing ensures high temperature stability. All critical surfaces are made of chrome steel for minimal...

PRODUCTS AW insertion probes HC2-P05, HC2-HP28, HC2-HP50 Direct measurement Order code This probe is suitable for direct measurement of water activity in bulk material sam- ples such as powder, granulated materials, corn and grain. The HC2-HP is equipped with a robust stainless steel probe with a diameter of 10 mm and interchangeable sinter steel dust filter for measurement in dusty bulk materials. The HC2-P05 is the ideal measuring instrument for dust-free applications such as tablets, gel capsules and granulated plastics. • 5 mm insertion probe, for water activity measurement in dust-free...

SOFTWARE HW4 software Full compatibility Order code The HW4 software is compatible with all Rotronic products with USB, UART or Ether- net interfaces and runs on all WINDOWS 7/8/10 operating systems. Functions • Live display of current measured values • Alarm function with e-mail • AwQuick function (HW4-P-QUICK) • Recording of measured values • Measurement within 4 – 5 minutes • User management • Probe calibration and adjustment • Online calculation of humidity and aw values Viewing of measured values / Monitoring Viewing of measured values is very easy and user-friendly. Files of any...

This mobile calibration system is appreciated around the world as it generates stable temperature and humidity conditions quickly and saves considerable time in the calibration of all types HG2-XL of humidity measuring instruments from all manufacturers. The HygroGen2 calibrates measuring instruments across their complete working range and fulfills strict quality and conformity regulations, as a result of which it has become a leading instrument in its class particularly in the pharmaceutical HG2-XL industry. The chamber volume of the XL version is 10 times greater than that of the...

THEORY How to carry out a water activity measurement? Temperature control? 1. As a qualitative measurement it is important that variables are eliminated when Water activity is sensitive to tempera- performing measurements, this includes temperature and sample preparation. ture. Measurements can only be made when the product sample, sample hold- 2. Place a sample of the product to be measured into a sample cup (14 or 40 mm deep). Recommendation: fill up to within 3 mm of the rim if possible. The less air stable temperatures. Many standards in the container, the faster the time to achieve...

Rotronic is present in more than 40 countries worldwide. You can find a complete list of all our partners on www.rotronic.com UK ROTRONIC Instruments UK Ltd. Crompton Fields, Crompton Way Crawley, West Sussex RH10 9EE Phone +44 1293 571 000 Fax +44 1293 571 008 www.rotronic.co.uk CHINA ROTRONIC Shanghai Rep. Office 2B, Zao Fong Universe Building No. 1800 Zhong Shan West Road Shanghai 200233, China Phone +86 40 0816 2018 Fax +86 10 8225 4374 www.rotronic.cn www.rotronic-usa.com JAPAN ROTRONIC Japan c/o Michell Japan KK Musashino Center Building 1-19-18 Nakacho, Musashino Tokyo 180-0006 Phone...