Periodic Reporting for period 2 - FAME (Development and demonstration of an innovative FT-NIR-based system for food content analysis)
Berichtszeitraum: 2016-11-01 bis 2018-04-30
The objective of the project is to develop and demonstrate an innovative system for qualitative food content analysis in liquid food samples, based on the Fourier-Transform Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-NIR) method.
The new system will be the first food analyser in any technology that can be used for taking advanced laboratory-type measurements of higher precision and on a wider number of parameters directly in the production line (continuous in-line measurements). Moreover, the system will make it possible to perform measurements in more than one production location at the same time, as well as operate simultaneously in the production line and in the lab environment.
This unique combination, together with the superior precision and versatility of analysis offered by our patented FT-NIR solution will open up new possibilities for food and beverage producers to have a complete control of their production process at any time, thus ensuring the highest standards in food quality and safety as well as reducing costs and increasing their efficiency in production.
The new system will be the first food analyser in any technology that can be used for taking advanced laboratory-type measurements of higher precision and on a wider number of parameters directly in the production line (continuous in-line measurements). Moreover, the system will make it possible to perform measurements in more than one production location at the same time, as well as operate simultaneously in the production line and in the lab environment.
This unique combination, together with the superior precision and versatility of analysis offered by our patented FT-NIR solution will open up new possibilities for food and beverage producers to have a complete control of their production process at any time, thus ensuring the highest standards in food quality and safety as well as reducing costs and increasing their efficiency in production.
In the second reporting period, the primary focus has been on the demonstration of the system and optimisation of its core modules. We have acquired feedback on the developed solutions in order to optimise the industrial design of the system. The project has been completed.
The new system developed in the project can simultaneously be used both for lab purposes and for process monitoring, as it requires only one analysing module that handles data from all probes measuring samples both in the production facility and in the lab. The FT-NIR technology is more precise than other methods currently used in the process monitoring, and has already gained recognition as a technology particularly suited for high precision measurements.
The possibility to use this superior measurement method in process monitoring will help food processers to have a better overview and control over the production process, leading to optimization of resources, increased quality of the output and reduction of waste. The system will have the following innovative features that are unique on the market:
- One single instrument for measuring liquids in several locations in the production process, as well as in lab. First ever unified system that allows high precision both in production and in laboratory,
- Unique cost-efficiency – one FT-NIR device can be used for several simultaneous measurements in separate production locations. Calibration data can be shared and information can be distributed in both LAN and Internet networks. Several modules, connected to one measurement instrument saves costs, ensures data cohesion, and increases flexibility when expanding the system,
- First ever application of the more specific and precise FT-NIR technology on automated in-line process monitoring. This means that the instrument can measure a larger range of parameters than competing in-line solutions, replacing the use of separate instruments for laboratory analysis.
The possibility to use this superior measurement method in process monitoring will help food processers to have a better overview and control over the production process, leading to optimization of resources, increased quality of the output and reduction of waste. The system will have the following innovative features that are unique on the market:
- One single instrument for measuring liquids in several locations in the production process, as well as in lab. First ever unified system that allows high precision both in production and in laboratory,
- Unique cost-efficiency – one FT-NIR device can be used for several simultaneous measurements in separate production locations. Calibration data can be shared and information can be distributed in both LAN and Internet networks. Several modules, connected to one measurement instrument saves costs, ensures data cohesion, and increases flexibility when expanding the system,
- First ever application of the more specific and precise FT-NIR technology on automated in-line process monitoring. This means that the instrument can measure a larger range of parameters than competing in-line solutions, replacing the use of separate instruments for laboratory analysis.