Fluid dosage assembly is based on mass flow instruments

Paul Boughton
Bronkhorst is launching the Cori-Fill, a compact fluid dosage assembly that is based around the accurate mass measurement offered by its Cori-Flow and Mini Cori-Flow series of Coriolis-type instruments. Developed using innovative hardware and software, Cori-Fill technology features integrated batch counters and the facility to control directly a close-coupled shut-off valve, proportional control valve or suitable pump for a wide range of dosing and filling applications at flow rates between 200mg/hr and 600kg/hr. Cori-Fill offers all this functionality in one compact footprint and from one supplier, with single-point responsibility and without the need for complex programming of additional hardware.

Cori-Fill is designed for batching, blending, dosing, filling, sterilisation and similar duties in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, contact lens and life sciences industries; it will also be of interest to OEM machine builders. Suitable for all types of liquid additives, fragrances, flavours and colourants, including those with entrained air or solids, the Coriolis direct mass measurement method eliminates volumetric variation caused by changing temperatures and densities of ingredients, leading to accurate, repeatable quantities batch after batch.

In contrast with gravimetric processes using weighing scales, where compounds are dosed one by one, Cori-Fill systems can also add all ingredients simultaneously, thereby shortening batch and agitation cycles, as well as improving quality. The amount to be dosed can be preset by programming the batch counters via a fieldbus connection, with all the standard digital protocols available.

Offering 'plug and play' simplicity that enables an immediate start to dosage duties after connecting power and fluid accessories, each self-contained Cori-Fill assembly consists of a Coriolis mass flow meter and either a shut-off valve for brief batch sequences down to <0.3s, a proportional valve for longer sequences, or a gear pump for dosing without the need for pressurised vessels. The Cori-Flow based series covers flow rates in the range 20g/hr to 600kg/hr, while the highly compact Mini Cori-Fill instruments are designed for capacities between 200mg/hr and 30kg/hr. Capable of dosing both mass and volumetric recipes, Cori-Fill offers accuracy levels up to +/-0.5 per cent or better for mass dosing and +/-1 per cent for volume, thanks to the Coriolis technique, which is independent of changes in fluid temperature, pressure, viscosity or density.

The compact footprint of the Mini Cori-Flow instruments in particular means that the flow meter can be installed very close to the shut-off valve, which results in fast response times and even greater accuracy, since there is a minimal delay effect in the pipeline. It is also possible to mount multiple Cori-Fill assemblies together in highly compact, simultaneous dosing systems, with the absence of moving parts or line intrusions making for less maintenance and cleaning downtime.

For more information, visit www.bronkhorst.co.uk

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