Microwave moisture measurement for butter from Berthold Technologies

In modern dairy processing, precision is no longer just a mark of quality but a key economic factor. This is especially evident in butter production, where the moisture content must be carefully balanced. Depending on production conditions and process parameters, the moisture content can vary between 15% and 17%.

However, the legal limit in the European Union is 16%. If the moisture content exceeds this threshold, the product cannot be sold. To avoid exceeding the legal limit, many manufacturers intentionally set a lower target moisture content, typically between 15% and 15.5%.

This precautionary buffer reduces profitability, as even a slight decrease in water content increases the fat proportion in the product, resulting in financial losses. Moreover, insufficient moisture can negatively impact butter quality, compromising spreadability and lead to an undesirable texture.

It is evident that reliable, continuous moisture measurement directly within the production line is essential. Only with real-time monitoring can water addition be automatically regulated, enabling butter production to be optimised for consistent quality and maximum efficiency.

The Berthold Technology study examines the practical application of the MicroPolar LB 566, a microwave measurement system designed to determine moisture content in butter. The system delivers precise, non-destructive measurements using microwave technology and is specifically engineered for seamless inline integration into dairy production processes. The goal is to provide manufacturers with an optimal solution to increase yield, ensure product quality and reliably comply with legal requirements.

The measurement system generates microwaves that interact with the water molecules due to their high dielectric constant. This interaction causes an attenuation of the microwave energy, which can be detected as phase shift and attenuation. Since the phase shift and attenuation change are directly proportional to the water content in the product, the concentration or solids content in the medium can be determined with high accuracy. The multi-frequency technology from Berthold ensures stable and reliable measurements, unaffected by interfering reflections or resonances from the measuring environment, the company says.

For further information please visit this link:  www.berthold.com/dairy