Features

For the quality control of Bitterness, Colour and pH. Handles both light and dark beers Produces fast reliable results compared with manual techniques Uses small amounts of reagent per test Requires minimal startup times Optional automatic startup and shutdown Expandable for other measurements Note: now supplied in the white and blue colour scheme unless specified otherwise

Introduction

Maintaining the identity of beers in the international drink industry is important both for the manufacturers and the customers. Strict quality control and standardisation in manufacture are essential requiring improved methods of routine chemical analysis to ensure consistent levels of bitterness and colour. Traditional manual methods of the Institute of Brewing/European Brewing Convention are often slow and labour intensive. Production laboratories facing increasing workloads for a wider range of chemical analysis see automation and the introduction of more dedicated chemical analysers as a way forward. For the SERIES 2000 analyser continuous flow analysis was chosen as the automatic flow method ideally suited for simultaneous analysis of bitterness, colour and pH and other determinands in beer and malt samples.

Performance

The capability of the analyser extends to many other components frequently measured by brewing laboratories. Automation in the laboratory for the simultaneous determination of bitterness and colour in a wide range of commercial beers has shown good correlation with the values determined by the reference methods (IOB/EBC international method). The analysis times are approximately 25 samples per hour and values for precision in terms of repeatability and accuracy in terms of standard error of prediction (SEP) are within required tolerances. It only takes 2 minutes from sampling to measurement.

Economy

The Series 2000 Beer-malt analyser utilises halogen and ultra-violet light sources for the colour and bitterness analysis. Separation of Iso-octane and aqueous segments in the method is achieved using a hydrophobic membrane to prevent the aqueous phase entering the flow cell. Only 1.5ml of sample and 2ml of Iso-octane is required for the analysis. This greatly reduces assay costs compared with other methods.

Bitterness method

The analysis is quantified by comparing the signal responses of the samples with a set of standards prepared from three beers of low, medium and high bitterness content that have been analysed by the conventional method. The analysis of 23 beers for bitterness shows a very good correlation between the two methods with a Standard Error of Prediction (SEP) of 1.52. Regression analysis gave a correlation coefficient of 0.9913 and an equation of y=0.9959x +0.3247: table 1 shows these results. The analysis has a linear calibration and this linearity is further demonstrated by taking a beer of high bitterness and analysing serial dilutions. A linear correlation of 0.996 was obtained.

Colour method

The measurement of colour in beers using the standard Burkard colorimetric detector is made by diluting the beers 1:10 and comparing the absorbance at 430nm with a set of 3 standard beers analysed manually in a spectrophotometer. The comparison of the 23 beers analysed manually and by the Burkard Series 2000 analyser gave a correlation coefficient of 0.9981.

Automation & Data acquisition

The Series 2000 Beer-Malt analyser can be fully automated with the MicroStream data-processor providing full system control in addition to data acquisition. MicroStream is powerful and multi-tasking offering real time analysis where primary data acquisition, graphics, peak detection, calibration and calculation take place in the background so results are produced immediately upon a peak being detected. Results box, chart display and calibration graphs can be viewed by the operator during a run.

Applications

Burkard have been involved with the analysis of products from the brewing industry for many years. The results described for bitterness and colour in dark and light beers has promoted further development leading to many additional methods. Using the same principles for chemical analysis it can be used for the determination of pH, Nitrate, Nitrite, Polyphenols, Density, Carbohydrates, Thiobarbituric Acid Value, Sulphur Dioxide, Diacetyl, Anthocyanogen, Β-glucan, Free Amino Nitrogen, Ethanol, Acetaldehyde.

Servicing

The design of SERIES 2000 analysers mean that your servicing routine is minimal. Only the regular change of pump tubes by the user is required for routine operation. Annual and bi-annual service contracts will keep your instrument professionally maintained.

Specifications

ANALYSIS MODULE
Pump speed	30 RPM
Pump capacity	Up to 25 channels
Pump delivery	0.12 - 12 ml/min
Pump tubing	PVC, Viton, Tygon, Silicon
Chemistry tray	Accommodates 6 way 'T' manifold, reaction coils, dialysis and components
Mixing coil	PTFE: 0.6mm I.D., coil lengths: 15, 20, 30, 50 & 80cm
Heating bath (optional)	Temperature variable 30° C-160° C with proportional control and display
Supply voltages	110/240V, 50/60Hz (to be specified)
DETECTOR	Colorimeter
Light sources	Halogen and deuterium (UV)
Flow cells	12mm sq. quartz window (flow through), Burkard non-debubbling flow cells 10 and 15mm path length
Output	Analogue 0-13V with variable gain and damping
Supply voltages	110/240V, 50/60Hz (selectable)
Dimensions	410mm x 180mm x 160mm
Optional detectors	ISE, Chemiluminescence, Fluorescence
SAMPLE CHANGER	Carousel or XYZ
Capacity	Carousel: 8-160 place (sample cups 2ml - 35ml volume), XYZ: 300 place
Sample time	1-999 secs
Wash time	1-999 secs
Sample setting	Keyboard entry
Dimensions	Carousel: 330 x 330 x 200 mm, XYZ: 560 x 480 x 340mm
Supply voltage	110/240V, 50/60Hz (selectable)
FLAT BED RECORDER
Input sensitivity	0-1, 2, 5, 10, 20 ,50, 100, 200, 500mV, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 ,50V. Full scale deflection 250mm
Chart speeds	1, 2, 3, 6, 10, 15, 30, 60cm/min & hr
Dimensions	376 x 425 x 105mm
Supply voltages	240V, 50/60Hz
DATA ANALYSER	MicroStream for Windows™
Computer	Microsoft Windows ™ based PC. (Please call for latest spec.)
Processor	Second analogue processor board (ISA) for peak analysis.
Channels	Up to 16 independent channels. Channels distributed in any combination over systems
Speed	Measures narrow (2-10 seconds) and wide (several minutes) peaks at up to 300 peaks per hour per channel
Resolution	Separate 16 bit ADC on each channel gives 0.025% resolution over normal range with x5 extension for over-range samples
Sampler control	Included as standard, also random access control
System control	Options for automatic start-up and close-down
Results output	Configurable print-out modes and export to spreadsheet or database management software
LIMS interface	Configurable bi-directional link to LIMS for worksheet acquisition and down-loading of results
Internal correction	Full baseline and sensitivity drift correction plus carry-over compensation
Supply voltages	110/240V, 50/60Hz

The company reserves the right to change specification without notice.

Printable Product Datasheet (PDF)

• Series 2000 Beer-Malt Analyser Product Datasheet

Download Acrobat Reader