ATAGO PAN-1 Immersion Digital Refractometer for Brix and Temperature Measurement

Overview

The ATAGO PAN-1 is an immersion-type digital refractometer engineered for continuous, in-situ monitoring of soluble solids concentration (Brix %) and temperature in liquid process streams. It operates on the principle of critical-angle refractometry: light passes through a sapphire prism in direct contact with the sample, and the resulting refraction angle is precisely measured to determine the refractive index—then converted to Brix % using the internationally accepted ICUMSA sucrose calibration curve. Unlike handheld or benchtop refractometers requiring manual sampling, the PAN-1 is designed for permanent installation directly onto tank walls, pipes, or reactors via its universal clamp mount—enabling real-time, non-invasive measurement without flow interruption or sample extraction. Its robust mechanical architecture supports operation across industrial food & beverage, pharmaceutical, chemical, and bioprocessing environments where hygienic integrity, measurement stability, and long-term drift resistance are critical.

Key Features

• Immersion-grade sapphire prism sensor with IP67-rated wetted parts, resistant to corrosion, abrasion, and thermal shock
• Universal clamp mounting system—no drilling, welding, or process shutdown required; compatible with flat or curved vessel surfaces (min. radius 150 mm)
• Dual-parameter output: simultaneous real-time display of Brix (0.0–42.0%) and temperature (10.0–99.9°C) with automatic temperature compensation (ATC) per ISO 21527-1
• High-resolution LCD interface with backlight; Brix resolution: 0.1%, temperature resolution: 0.1°C
• Measurement repeatability: ±0.1% Brix under stable conditions; accuracy certified to ±0.2% Brix and ±0.5°C (traceable to NIST-traceable reference standards)
• Low-power design powered by a single D-cell alkaline battery (typical service life: ≥12 months at 30-second interval measurement mode)
• Operating ambient temperature range: 10–45°C; process fluid temperature range: 10.0–95.0°C

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The PAN-1 is validated for use with aqueous solutions containing sucrose, glucose, fructose, invert sugar, and other common carbohydrates—as well as low-viscosity acids, alkalis, and salt solutions within specified concentration limits. It complies with relevant optical metrology standards including ISO 21527-1 (determination of soluble solids in fruit and vegetable products), ASTM D1078 (standard test method for distillation range of volatile organic liquids), and JIS K 0061 (general rules for refractometric analysis). The device meets IP65 rating for the display unit and IP67 for the immersed sensing head—ensuring protection against dust ingress and temporary submersion. While not intrinsically safe, it is suitable for Zone 2/Class I, Division 2 environments when installed per manufacturer guidelines. No regulatory certification for FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance is provided; however, raw measurement data may be exported manually for GLP/GMP-aligned documentation workflows.

Software & Data Management

The PAN-1 operates as a standalone instrument with no embedded data logging or network connectivity. All measurements are displayed locally in real time; no proprietary software, drivers, or cloud integration is required. Users may manually record readings at defined intervals (e.g., every 30 seconds in continuous mode) into external LIMS or SCADA systems via visual inspection or optional third-party analog output modules (not included). For audit-ready documentation, users are advised to implement standardized observation protocols aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 requirements—including daily verification using certified sucrose standard solutions (e.g., 10.00 ± 0.02% Brix at 20.0°C). Battery voltage and measurement status indicators support preventive maintenance planning.

Applications

• Continuous Brix monitoring during juice concentration, syrup blending, and jam cooking in food processing lines
• In-line quality control of sugar-based excipients in pharmaceutical oral liquid manufacturing
• Real-time concentration tracking in fermentation broths, enzyme reaction mixtures, and buffer preparation tanks
• Process validation and cleaning-in-place (CIP) endpoint detection via refractive index shift
• Field-deployable verification of incoming raw material specifications (e.g., cane syrup, corn syrup, honey dilutions)
• Research applications requiring stable, unattended Brix acquisition over extended durations (e.g., osmotic stress studies, crystallization kinetics)

FAQ

Can the PAN-1 be used in pressurized pipelines?
No—the PAN-1 is rated for atmospheric or low-static-pressure immersion only (max. 0.1 MPa). Use requires direct contact with freely flowing or static liquid; it is not rated for insertion into pressurized closed-loop systems.
Is temperature compensation automatic and adjustable?
Yes—ATC is factory-calibrated to the ICUMSA sucrose curve and cannot be user-adjusted; this ensures consistency with international trade and QC standards.
What maintenance is required for long-term accuracy?
Daily prism cleaning with distilled water and soft lint-free cloth; quarterly verification with traceable Brix standards; annual recalibration recommended per ISO/IEC 17025-accredited labs.
Does the device support output signals for PLC integration?
Not natively—the PAN-1 has no analog (4–20 mA) or digital (RS-485, Modbus) outputs. Integration requires external signal converters or vision-based OCR capture systems.
Can it measure non-sugar solutes like sodium chloride or ethanol?
It will report refractive index-derived values, but Brix readouts are calibrated exclusively for sucrose solutions. For non-sucrose matrices, users must apply empirical correction factors or use dedicated salinity/ethanol refractometers.