Current
location:
Product Introduction
In food processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and chemical production, moisture content is the single most critical parameter that determines product quality, shelf life, and process efficiency. Yet many production facilities still rely on oven-drying or Karl Fischer titration — methods that require 1 to 4 hours per sample and provide only retrospective data. By the time results arrive, the production line has already moved forward, and off-spec material may have already been packaged.
The HM-ZHS Online Near-Infrared Moisture Analyzer from HM Instruments addresses this challenge by providing real-time, non-contact moisture measurement directly on the production line. Using NIR absorption spectroscopy at 1.45 μm and 1.94 μm wavelengths, the system continuously measures moisture content from 0% to 60% with ±0.1% to ±0.5% accuracy (material-dependent) without touching the product. This enables immediate process adjustments — adjusting dryer temperature, conveyor speed, or raw material feed — before quality degrades.
The dual-detector architecture eliminates instrument drift, a critical requirement for 24/7 production environments where frequent recalibration is impractical. The 7-band, 14-optical-path design handles the complex surface variations of different materials — from fine pharmaceutical powders to coarse chemical granules — ensuring consistent readings across product changeovers. With Android 10 touchscreen operation, onboard model building, and free cloud data platform, the HM-ZHS provides a complete moisture monitoring solution that integrates seamlessly into modern quality management systems.
For an overview of reliable manufacturers in this space, see our brand recommendation article. For a detailed cost-performance analysis, read our cost-performance review.
Applications
Food Processing: Flour, starch, protein powder, milk powder, tomato powder, sugar, salt, MSG, tea, and food additives. Real-time moisture feedback enables immediate adjustment of drying parameters, reducing energy consumption and preventing microbial growth from excess moisture.
Pharmaceutical Manufacturing: Pharmaceutical granules and medicinal powder. Non-contact measurement eliminates contamination risk. The 16GB storage with 20,000 record capacity provides GMP-compliant data trails, while the RS485 interface enables integration with batch control systems.
Chemical Industry: Chemical raw material powders, granules, fertilizers, and detergents. The multi-band design handles varied surface characteristics. Auto-alarm with high/low limit alerts prevents packaging of out-of-spec hygroscopic materials.
Paper and Packaging: Paperboard, paper, and packaging paper. Non-contact measurement from 250 mm distance eliminates web contact wear. The 60 mm spot diameter provides area-averaged readings for better web moisture representation.
Textile: Cotton cloth and fabric. Continuous monitoring during drying enables real-time optimization of dryer speed and temperature, ensuring uniform moisture across fabric rolls.
Wood and Building Materials: Timber, wood boards, sawdust, cement, concrete, and mineral sand. The 14-optical-path design handles rough and uneven surfaces, while the IP65 probe withstands dusty environments.
Animal Feed: Feed pellets and grain powders. Multi-point monitoring with auto-alarm prevents microbial growth and mycotoxin formation from excess moisture.
Key Features and Advantages
- Android 10 operating system with 7-inch 1024×600 HD touchscreen for clear UI interaction and enhanced operator experience
- Dual-detector measurement: main and auxiliary detectors compare infrared signals at each wavelength, effectively eliminating instrument drift for stable 24/7 online operation
- Multiple onboard temperature sensors provide secondary compensation for dual-detector temperature drift and comprehensive system health monitoring
- 7-band, 14-optical-path optical design improves tolerance for surface variations, ensuring measurement accuracy across different material types and product changeovers
- High-quality imported halogen light source with high efficiency, long lifespan, and reduced maintenance costs for continuous production environments
- Filter-based wavelength selection for precise spectral separation of moisture-specific absorption bands
- Imported high-sensitivity detectors improve signal-to-noise ratio, delivering data with higher confidence for quality-critical applications
- Rapid detection response with adjustable filter range (0% to 2.5%), single detection in seconds, suitable for rapid screening of large-batch online products
- Onboard software supports user-built quantitative models: operators can independently sample representative materials and build, validate, and maintain calibration curves without vendor dependence
- Free cloud data platform accessible via Wi-Fi or Ethernet for remote monitoring of multiple production lines, with no subscription fees or additional costs
- IP65 probe sealing rating for reliable operation in dusty and humid industrial environments
- 200 detection channels support multi-point measurement configurations for complex production lines
- 16GB onboard storage with 20,000 record capacity for GMP-compliant data retention and traceability
- Auto-alarm system with low-limit and high-limit alerts and queryable alarm history for immediate quality control response
- Multiple interface options: 4-20 mA alarm interface, dry contact switch output, and RS485 for secondary development and system integration
- Low power consumption (≤65 W) for energy-efficient continuous operation
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Measurement range | 0% - 60% (material-dependent) |
| Measurement accuracy | ±0.1% - ±0.5% (material-dependent) |
| Spot diameter | 60 mm (at 250 mm working distance) |
| Light source | Imported high-efficiency halogen lamp |
| Working distance | 250 ± 50 mm |
| Response time | 1 - 80 s adjustable |
| Data acquisition period | 1 - 120 min adjustable |
| Probe sealing grade | IP65 |
| Detection channels | 200 |
| Probe material | High boron quartz glass |
| Auto alarm | Low-limit alarm, high-limit alarm, alarm records queryable |
| Storage capacity | 16GB, 20,000 results |
| Interface configuration | 1 channel low/high limit alarm 4-20 mA, 1 group dry contact switch output, 1 RS485 for secondary development |
| Power | ≤65 W |
| Probe arm mounting tube diameter | 25 mm - 32 mm |
| Probe dimensions | 380 mm × 180 mm × 180 mm |
| Host dimensions | 235 mm × 170 mm × 102 mm |
| Probe weight | 10 kg |
| Host weight | 5 kg |
FAQ
Q: How does the HM-ZHS compare to lab-based Karl Fischer titration for moisture measurement?
Karl Fischer titration provides highly accurate lab results but requires 5-30 minutes per sample and cannot provide real-time feedback during production. The HM-ZHS delivers instant non-contact readings every few seconds, enabling immediate process adjustments. While Karl Fischer may achieve ±0.1% accuracy under ideal lab conditions, the HM-ZHS achieves ±0.1% to ±0.5% in real-time production environments, which is sufficient for the vast majority of process control applications. The two methods are complementary: use Karl Fischer for periodic validation and the HM-ZHS for continuous monitoring.
Q: What is the maximum conveyor belt speed the HM-ZHS can measure on?
The HM-ZHS measures an area with a 60 mm spot diameter at 250 mm working distance. As long as the material passes through this spot area, the measurement is valid. The response time is adjustable from 1 to 80 seconds, allowing optimization for different belt speeds. For fast-moving lines, a shorter response time provides more frequent updates, while slower settings provide more stable averaged readings. The system has been successfully deployed on conveyor belts in food, chemical, and paper production lines.
Q: How often does the HM-ZHS need recalibration?
The dual-detector architecture and multiple temperature sensors significantly reduce drift, extending the interval between recalibrations compared to single-detector systems. In practice, recalibration frequency depends on the material stability and environmental conditions. For a single material type with stable characteristics, recalibration may only be needed every 3-6 months. For multiple product changeovers, a quick model verification (5-10 minutes) is recommended when switching products. The onboard model-building software allows operators to perform this verification and recalibration independently.
Q: Can the HM-ZHS measure moisture in colored or dark materials?
Yes. The 7-band, 14-optical-path design uses multiple wavelength references to compensate for surface color and texture variations. The imported high-sensitivity detectors maintain adequate signal-to-noise ratio even on materials that absorb more light. For dark-colored materials, calibration model development with representative samples is particularly important to ensure accuracy. The system has been successfully applied to materials ranging from white flour to dark chemical powders.
Q: What data integration options are available for connecting the HM-ZHS to existing factory systems?
The HM-ZHS provides three integration paths: (1) 4-20 mA analog output for direct connection to PLC or DCS alarm and control loops, (2) RS485 digital interface with secondary development capability for custom integration protocols, and (3) free cloud platform accessible via Wi-Fi or Ethernet for remote monitoring and data export. The cloud platform requires no subscription fees and allows quality managers to monitor multiple production lines from a single dashboard. For facilities without existing automation infrastructure, the cloud platform provides a plug-and-play monitoring solution.
Q: Is the HM-ZHS suitable for pharmaceutical GMP environments?
Yes. The non-contact measurement eliminates contamination risk. The 16GB storage with 20,000 record capacity provides GMP-compliant data trails. The RS485 interface enables integration with batch control systems for automated process documentation. The free cloud platform provides remote monitoring and data backup without recurring subscription costs.
Article address:https://www.spectrometer.top/online-infrared-moisture-meter/online-nir-moisture-analyzer-food-pharma-chemical.html
- Previous: no more
- Next: no more
