Supersaturation is the most important parameter during sugar crystallisation. Some of the new results on its investigations had been published by the author in two papers in the International Sugar Journal in 1996 and 1997 (Vol. 98, No. 1176 and Vol. 99, No. 1182B). Traditional instruments used to control sugar crystallisation provide data, which, though are somehow correlated to supersaturation, are functions of several variables and therefore are unfit to provide reliable information on supersaturation during a complete strike. SeedMaster is a software program option, developed to be run by the built-in microcomputer of the K—PATENTS on-line refractometer widely used in the sugar industry. The program relies on the data measured by the refactrometer (syrup concentration and temperature), and on laboratory data entered manually. Its main features are: on-line, realtime monitoring and display of supersaturation during crystallisation. Calculated data are available as a standard (4-20 mA) current output for further use. High and/or low alarm signalisation is possible by using the relay outputs. Seeding of the pan can be implemented by the pan-man (manual seeding) at a pre-set supersaturation signalled by SeedMaster, or by using a dedicated relay output completely automatically, when supersaturation equals its selected set-point for seeding. K-PATENTS refrectometers already in use can be upgraded by the SeedMaster program option, which is available from K-PATENTS Oy, Finland, or from PROCIFON Ltd., Hungary.
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