Analysis of Moisture

- Doctors Scales
- Price Computing Scales
- Jewelry Scales
- Detecto Scales
- Health O Meter Scales
- Seca Scales
- Ohaus Scales
- Pelouze Scales
- Analytical Balances
- Moisture Analyzers
Moisture analysis is the study of how much moisture content is in a particular solid, liquid or gas. It covers a wide variety of methods for measuring moisture content. Moisture is monitored in commercial food production, agriculture, gas production and other quality assurance manufacturing. Trace moisture has to be closely controlled for the manufacture of pharmaceutical products so that drugs will not lose potency. Extremely important moisture analysis is done in gas measurement for applications including insulated gas for power plants and natural gas pipeline transport. Moisture analysis is an important tool in scientific laboratories in many facets of manufacturing and quality assurance.
Measuring moisture in solid or semi-solid materials is done in a laboratory using a loss on drying technique (LOD). This is the method used by scientists to study moisture loss and content. In this technique, a sample of the material is weighed and heated. It is heated in an oven for a predetermined period and then cooled in a dry atmosphere. This dry atmosphere is usually provided by a scientific appliance called a desiccator. Desiccators are sealable enclosures containing desiccants used for preserving moisture-sensitive items. When removed from the desiccator, the sample is then reweighed. The LOD is determined by the difference in weights.
This laboratory method is sometimes slow and tedious. Because of this, automated moisture analyzers have been developed to help with these tests. It has reduced the amount of time to just a few minutes. These moisture analyzers actually determine the moisture loss rate or how fast the sample is drying. These analyzers implore infrared heating technology to perform a LOD method. When the sample’s weight is no longer changing, it can be reasonably assured that all the moisture content is gone.
The moisture analyzer has two important components which are a balance and a heater. When an analyst places the sample in the moisture analyzer and the balance takes the initial weight. The heater inside the moisture analyzer heats the sample. During the entire test, the balance is recording the weight. When the sample is no longer losing weight the instruments turns off the heat and weighs the sample again. The comparison of these weights determines the moisture content.
Moisture analysis is important in many industries that are significant to our everyday lives. In the paper industry it is used for coating, printing and production of paper products. It is used in the production of soaps, rubber, ceramics, fertilizers, salts, drugs and resins. Perhaps, most used is moisture analysis in the food industry. Dried fruits, flour, sugar, confectionary products, coffee, cookies and crackers use moisture analysis as an important part of the manufacturing process. In building products, moisture analysis is used for drywall, cut lumber, particle board, plywood, carpet and ceramic tiles.
For a process, method and appliance that no one seems to think about, moisture analysis and moisture analyzers seem to affect where we live, what we eat, how we medicate ourselves and other important aspect of the every day life in America.

