OHAUS MB23 Infrared Moisture Analyzer

Overview

The OHAUS MB23 Infrared Moisture Analyzer is a robust, entry-level halogen infrared thermogravimetric instrument engineered for rapid, reliable moisture content determination across diverse industrial and laboratory settings. It operates on the principle of loss-on-drying (LOD): a precisely controlled infrared heating source rapidly evaporates volatile components—primarily water—from a sample while an integrated high-resolution analytical balance continuously monitors mass loss in real time. The instrument calculates moisture content (%) as the relative mass difference between the initial and final dry weights, normalized to the original sample mass. Unlike convection ovens, the MB23’s focused halogen lamp delivers uniform, responsive thermal energy—minimizing overheating risks for heat-sensitive matrices such as sugars, starches, dairy powders, and botanicals. Its thermally isolated weighing cell architecture mitigates thermal drift during heating, preserving measurement integrity throughout the drying cycle.

Key Features

• Thermally Isolated Weighing System: Patented隔热-style load cell design minimizes thermal interference from the infrared heater, ensuring stable mass readings even at elevated temperatures up to 160 °C.
• Intuitive Six-Button Interface: Eliminates multi-layer menu navigation; all core functions—including method selection, start/stop, tare, and parameter adjustment—are accessible via dedicated physical keys.
• Backlit LCD Display: High-contrast monochrome screen presents real-time data streams: moisture %, solid %, current weight (g), elapsed time (mm:ss), and chamber temperature (°C).
• Precise Thermal Control: Adjustable heating profile with 5 °C increments across a 50–160 °C range; programmable drying duration from 1 to 90 minutes (30-second resolution up to 60 minutes, then 1-minute steps).
• RS232 Serial Interface: Enables bidirectional communication with external peripherals—label printers, LIMS workstations, or PC-based data logging software—for traceable record generation.
• Compact & Rugged Construction: Aluminum housing and optimized thermal shielding support stable operation in QC labs, production floors, and field-deployed environments (10–30 °C ambient, ≤80% RH non-condensing).

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The MB23 accommodates heterogeneous solid and semi-solid samples ranging from 0.5 g (minimum) to 20 g (recommended), with optimal repeatability demonstrated at 3–10 g loads. Its infrared heating profile is especially suited for materials prone to surface charring or Maillard reactions under conventional oven drying—e.g., fruit concentrates, honey, malt extracts, herbal teas, and pharmaceutical excipients. While not certified to ISO 8573 or ASTM D4006, the MB23 supports method development aligned with USP , AOAC 952.07, and ISO 1871 for routine moisture verification. Its RS232 output facilitates integration into 21 CFR Part 11–compliant data archives when paired with validated third-party software featuring audit trail, electronic signature, and user access controls.

Software & Data Management

The MB23 operates as a standalone instrument but interfaces seamlessly with OHAUS Logger Pro™ (v3.0+) or generic terminal emulation software (e.g., Tera Term, HyperTerminal). Raw mass vs. time datasets export in CSV format, enabling post-acquisition analysis of drying kinetics, endpoint stability assessment, and statistical validation (e.g., RSD calculation per USP ). All parameters—including temperature setpoint, duration, and endpoint mode—are stored in non-volatile memory. The device retains up to 10 user-defined methods, each configurable with unique heating ramps and termination logic (timed or auto-termination based on mass change threshold).

Applications

• Food & Beverage QC: Rapid verification of moisture in flour, coffee beans, spices, pet food, and snack products to ensure shelf-life compliance and prevent microbial growth.
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing: Batch release testing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), granules, and tablet coatings per pharmacopeial LOD requirements.
• Agricultural & Feed Testing: Field- and lab-based moisture profiling of grains, silage, hay, and compound feed to optimize storage conditions and nutritional labeling.
• Chemical & Polymer Production: Monitoring residual solvent content in resins, catalysts, and specialty chemicals where thermal degradation must be avoided.
• Academic Research: Teaching thermogravimetric principles and comparative moisture methodology studies in analytical chemistry curricula.

FAQ

What is the recommended calibration frequency for the MB23?
OHAUS recommends daily zero calibration and periodic span calibration using certified 100 g test weights, especially before critical measurements or after environmental shifts.
Can the MB23 measure moisture in liquids or pastes?
No—the MB23 is designed for solids and semi-solids only; liquid samples require specialized Karl Fischer titration systems due to evaporation dynamics and splatter risk.
Does the MB23 meet GLP documentation requirements?
The instrument itself does not generate compliant reports, but its RS232 output enables full traceability when integrated with validated software supporting audit trails, user authentication, and electronic signatures.
How does infrared heating differ from traditional halogen or quartz tube heaters?
The MB23 uses a focused halogen lamp emitting near-infrared radiation (700–2500 nm), providing faster energy transfer and superior surface penetration compared to broad-spectrum quartz heaters—reducing total assay time without compromising reproducibility.
Is the sample pan included, and what material is it made of?
Yes—a standard aluminum sample pan (Ø90 mm) is supplied; stainless steel and ceramic pans are available as accessories for high-temperature or corrosive applications.