Evaluating and implementing lean manufacturing principles assists in eliminating waste and improving overall plant production. With implemented moisture control, manufacturing plants can find large money savings in a short amount of time.
When considering the many challenges plant operators are tasked with, moisture control plays a large role. Moisture content can affect the product quality and equipment function, making it a crucial implementation in proactive avoidance of quality control issues. Dryer effectiveness is critical as they consume a large amount of energy to operate, the implementation of moisture measurement before and after the dryer provides immediate control over the temperature and operational efficiency.
Moisture measurement and control sensors are located in countless applications all over the world, saving manufacturers time and money by quickly detecting the variable manufacturing process, allowing corrections to be made in real-time. Near-Infrared (NIR) technology is best suited for instantly online, offline, and laboratory moisture instrumentation.
Ideally, a moisture control system should be able to accurately detect moisture at different stages of the manufacturing process, be easy to maintain, and be tough enough to withstand the harsh, abrasive nature of the raw materials and production environment. The installation of a NIR moisture detection device prevents bad/out-of-spec products due to undesirable moisture levels, allowing the facility to fine tune the setup to make sure a more consistent, higher quality product is being produced, which ultimately improves the bottom line. Save money, time and prevent negative results due to inconsistencies and human error.
Over-drying a product can result in a dusty, ambient environment that can also result in a fire or dust explosion. Significant cost savings and product quality, as well as plant safety, are achieved with a proper moisture measurement system. The overuse of dryers results in overpaying energy costs. By implementing a moisture detection process, producers can monitor 100% of their product quality instantly and consistently; active adjustments can continuously be made to the process, optimizing the outcome.
Preventing airborne dust and controlling the weight of the ash residue can be controlled by reading the moisture levels during processing. Data collection and analysis during the production process helps to determine the characteristics of the material prior to final processing which provides process efficiency and optimization. Regular measurements of moisture in manufacturing lines remain necessary for drying control, which reduces treatment costs.