The benefits of corn chip oil control include

• improved product quality
• lower energy costs
• reduced start-up times
• less waste and downtime
• 100% product inspection

Measuring moisture and oil in food applications is essential to the product outcome. Excess moisture and/or oil can have heavy impacts on the taste, appearance, shelf life and more of the corn chips.

The sensor is coated in a food grade Teflon with a polymeric viewing window enabling manufacturers to improve product quality without any contamination. MoistTech’s IR-3000 takes instant, accurate, non-contact measurements of not only oil, but also moisture, temperature, fat, sugar, seasonings, protein, and more. Uniformity of spray or oil deposition can be monitored and adjusted either manually or automatically.

Installation

We recommend installing sensor(s) at the exit of the fryer and after any flavoring has been added. The sensor should be installed several inches above the belt or screw conveyor to allow the user to continuously monitor the process and control the oil content either manually or automatically in the finished product. After an oil spray, it is important to install the sensor at an angle to cut down any reflection from the oil coating.

MoistTech is very experienced with the requirements in the production of corn chips and snack foods. Our sensor calibrations, measurement wavelengths, algorithms and sensor optical requirements are pre-set at the factory. Typical accuracy is about ±0.1% moisture. Typical analog range is 0-10% moisture. The outputs can be adjusted to optimize PLC or recording requirements.

Environment

If the corn chip oil sensor has to be installed close to the oven or fryer outlet where it will be susceptible to extreme heat conditions, it is necessary to cool the sensor with either air or water. Furthermore, if the sensor is located near an oil spray, it is necessary to clean the sensor’s optical window during regular routine cleaning.