Source: Coperion GmbH
DewTector® is a new moisture-measuring device designed to provide reliable, automated online measurements of surface moisture content in bulk materials, particularly plastic pellets. The patent-pending device offers an economical, simple and reliable method to help plastic manufacturers and recyclers monitor moisture levels more efficiently. It addresses a critical challenge faced by processors in maintaining both product quality and maintaining compliance with industry standards. The DewTector introduces a partial flow of bulk solids into a pressure-tight product chamber. The system determines the moisture content by analyzing the moisture released into the airflow. As the air absorbs moisture, it is analyzed by a hygrometer that measures only water content. This targeted detection ensures reliable results unaffected by other substances or changes in material composition. The system neither requires extensive calibration, nor the use of chemicals for different materials or recipes, making it easy to operate and maintain. The system achieves an accuracy of +5% to −15% across moisture levels ranging from several thousand ppm to a few hundred ppm, with up to ten measurements per hour. Traditionally, moisture measurement has been labor-intensive and prone to inaccuracies, often relying on sporadic manual assessments of relative humidity in bags and containers. Existing automated methods, such as capacitive and microwave resonance techniques are typically complex, expensive and require extensive calibration for different formulations, making them impractical for many users. — Coperion GmbH, Weingarten, Germany