ATAGO CM-800α Soymilk Online Refractometer
| Brand | ATAGO |
|---|---|
| Origin | Japan |
| Model | CM-800α Soymilk |
| Type | In-line Refractometer |
| Display | Digital |
| Measurement Range | Brix 0.0–80.0% |
| Accuracy | ±0.1% Brix |
| Temperature Control | Not Integrated |
| Compliance | CE, RoHS, ISO/IEC 17025 traceable calibration support |
Overview
The ATAGO CM-800α Soymilk is a high-stability in-line refractometer engineered for continuous, real-time monitoring of soluble solids concentration—expressed as Brix—in soy milk and related aqueous plant-based fluid streams. It operates on the principle of critical-angle refractometry: a collimated LED light source directs a beam through a sapphire prism in direct contact with the process fluid; the angle at which total internal reflection occurs is precisely measured by a linear CCD sensor array and converted into Brix values via factory-calibrated polynomial algorithms. Unlike benchtop or handheld units, the CM-800α integrates directly into stainless-steel sanitary process lines (3A-compliant flange options available), enabling uninterrupted measurement during mixing, concentration, neutralization, fermentation, and CIP (clean-in-place) cycles. Its optical architecture is optimized for turbid, low-viscosity, protein-rich suspensions typical of soy milk production—minimizing scattering artifacts through spectral filtering and dynamic baseline compensation. The device delivers stable output under variable flow rates (0.5–5 m/s recommended) and pressure conditions up to 10 bar, with no moving parts or consumables.
Key Features
- Full-range Brix measurement from 0.0 to 80.0% with ±0.1% accuracy—validated against NIST-traceable sucrose standards and cross-verified with soy-specific calibration curves.
- Digital output via 4–20 mA analog signal and optional Modbus RTU over RS-485 for seamless integration into DCS, SCADA, or PLC-based control systems.
- IP67-rated stainless-steel housing with sapphire sensing prism (Vickers hardness >2000 HV) resistant to abrasion, caustic cleaning agents (pH 1–14), and thermal shock (operating range: 0–60°C ambient; process fluid: 5–80°C).
- Zero-drift design featuring automatic temperature compensation (ATC) using dual-point platinum RTD sensors embedded in the prism block—eliminating manual recalibration during thermal transients.
- Self-diagnostic firmware with real-time status indicators for optical path contamination, signal saturation, and communication integrity—supports predictive maintenance logging.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The CM-800α Soymilk is validated for use with heat-treated, homogenized, and enzyme-modified soy milk formulations—including those containing lecithin, isoflavone glycosides, and oligosaccharides—at concentrations spanning raw slurry (≈3–5% Brix) to concentrated paste (up to 75% Brix). It maintains linearity across pH 5.8–7.2 (typical soy milk range) and exhibits minimal interference from suspended solids <5 µm when installed downstream of fine filtration. The instrument complies with IEC 61000-6-2 (EMC immunity) and IEC 61000-6-4 (EMC emission) standards. Calibration documentation supports GLP/GMP environments, and data integrity meets FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when paired with ATAGO’s optional audit-trail-enabled software interface. Third-party validation reports are available per ASTM D1078 (refractometric analysis of aqueous solutions) and ISO 21543 (determination of soluble solids in plant-based beverages).
Software & Data Management
The CM-800α interfaces natively with ATAGO’s proprietary RefView™ Process Manager (Windows-based), which provides real-time trend visualization, alarm threshold configuration (e.g., deviation >±0.3% Brix triggers batch hold), and automated report generation compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 record-keeping. Historical data export supports CSV, Excel, and OPC UA protocols. For enterprise-level deployment, RESTful API access enables integration with MES platforms such as Siemens Opcenter or Rockwell FactoryTalk. All calibration events, sensor diagnostics, and user actions are timestamped and digitally signed—ensuring full traceability for regulatory audits.
Applications
- Real-time control of alkali addition during isoelectric precipitation of soy protein isolate—maintaining optimal pH/Brix ratio for yield and purity.
- Monitoring concentration gradients in multi-effect evaporators processing soy whey or okara extract.
- Verification of final product consistency prior to UHT sterilization and aseptic filling.
- Quantitative assessment of enzymatic hydrolysis progress (e.g., protease activity) via soluble peptide accumulation.
- Validation of cleaning solution strength (NaOH/HNO₃) during CIP cycles—reducing water and chemical consumption by 12–18% versus fixed-time protocols.
FAQ
Is the CM-800α suitable for measuring Brix in fermented soy products like soy sauce or tempeh broth?
Yes—its optical algorithm accommodates chromophore absorption shifts common in Maillard-reacted or microbially modified matrices; however, periodic verification with offline HPLC-sugar profiling is recommended for long-term validation.
Can it be installed in vertical pipe sections?
Yes, provided flow velocity exceeds 0.8 m/s to prevent air pocket formation; orientation-specific mounting brackets are available upon request.
Does ATAGO provide application-specific calibration services?
Yes—on-site or lab-based calibration using customer-supplied reference soy milk batches is offered under ATAGO’s ISO/IEC 17025-accredited service program.
What is the expected service life of the sapphire prism under continuous CIP exposure?
Based on accelerated corrosion testing per ASTM G128, the prism maintains optical fidelity for ≥5 years at standard 2% NaOH/1% HNO₃ CIP frequency (3×/day), with annual verification advised.
Is explosion-proof certification available?
ATEX II 2G Ex db IIB T4 Gb and IECEx certification options are available for hazardous area installation (Zone 1/21); consult ATAGO Engineering for model-specific variants.
