Tech firm targets processing industries with ‘game-changing’ product
A Manchester tech firm has launched a unique technology enabling automated in-line rheology measurement for fluid processes.
Stream Sensing is a spin-out of Industrial Tomography Systems (ITS), a world leader in tomography-based analytical process instrumentation.
Suitable for complex fluids, the Stream Line Rheometer and accompanying software will help improve process efficiency in the personal care, household cleaning, food, pharma, speciality chemical and oil and gas sectors.
A rheometer is used to measure the way in which a liquid pours or flows – or its viscosity. As part of the manufacturing process, the rheology of a liquid product, such as shampoo or liquid soap must be monitored, because a fluctuation in raw ingredients or small variabilities in processing can impact the end product’s viscosity – imagine having shampoo that falls straight off wet hands, or ketchup that gets stuck in the bottle.
If the viscosity measurement taken during processing is not correct, then that batch may have to be thrown away and production halted, which can be very costly and time consuming for manufacturers.
Traditionally, rheology measurements have been done in a laboratory, meaning a sample is taken from a production line, taken to a quality control lab and then run on a laboratory instrument – this method is time consuming and is not able to measure rheology continually in real time.
Stream Sensing’s in-situ, in-line rheometer, the first of its kind, measures the liquid continually during processing, eliminating the need for sampling or time consuming lab-based testing.
The patented instrument was developed by experts at ITS based on the latest electrical resistance sensing technology and provides a continuous measurement that does not interfere with the process and eliminates the need for sampling or time consuming lab-based testing.
The technology has been proven to provide an accuracy of 98% compared with offline rheology measurements.
Ken Primrose, Stream Sensing’s CEO, said: “The ability to accurately measure the flow profile of liquid in a pipe, in real time, is a game-changer for FMCG manufacturers and other process companies.
“Until now, they have used sampling solutions that measure flow properties during the manufacturing process, resulting in the loss of millions of pounds each year because of time and materials wasted while waiting for test results.
“Our technology provides accurate measurements of a key functional product quality in the production line in real time, and could result in huge savings, shorter lead times and better quality control.”
He added: “Ensuring the rheology is right is key to product quality and effectiveness. We’re already in the advanced stages of trialling the technology at processing plants of leading blue chip manufacturers and are excited to be offering this unique digital technology to global processing markets as part of the Industry 4.0 revolution.”
Earlier this year, Stream Sensing secured a six-figure investment from NPIF-Maven Equity Finance, managed by Maven Capital Partners and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, allowing the business to fully commercialise the technology and support its planned growth.
