Retrofitting a filling machine with Coriolis mass flowmeters by Krohne offers several advantages, including high filling accuracy for liquids with little or no conductivity. This technology enables the filling of both carbonated and still liquids using a single machine, ensuring a high level of repeatability even with variable quantities.
Background: In the realm of precise filling quantity control, filling machines, whether rotary or linear, are integrated with flow measuring devices. Traditionally, electromagnetic flowmeters are employed for filling PET bottles, pouches, and cans with water, lemonade, tea, and milk products.
Measurement Requirements: Krones AG, headquartered in Neutraubling, Germany, specializes in designing, developing, manufacturing, and installing machines for various technological processes, including filling and packaging. They secured a contract from a soft drink producer for a rotary filling machine featuring 112 filling stations to accommodate different products in a single line. The challenge was to fill both carbonated and still products with superior accuracy and repeatability.
KROHNE Solution: Due to the increasing use of water from osmosis installations in beverage production, with a conductivity ranging from 5 to 10 μS/cm, the accuracy of electromagnetic flowmeters diminished. This led to a decline in the overall accuracy of the filling system. To overcome this challenge, Krones opted for Coriolis mass flowmeters as an alternative to electromagnetic meters.
Application Report: In the Food & Beverage industry, Coriolis mass flowmeters, such as the OPTIBATCH 4011 C with the nominal size DN 15 / (approx.) ½”, offer benefits irrespective of viscosity, conductivity, or inlet runs. They excel in determining precise volume or mass flow in exceptionally short filling times. The chosen flowmeters were equipped with hygienic flange connections conforming to DIN 11864-2 standards, ensuring a reliable and efficient solution for the soft drink producer’s filling needs.
Coriolis Mass Flowmeters