Schmidt + Haensch | Refractometers
Refractometry – refractive index and more
In a vacuum, light travels at 300.000 km/s while travelling through water, the speed is about 225.000 km/s,
which is 25 % less. In a sapphire it will only reach 170.000 km/s.
A refractometer is a measuring instrument for the speed of light. The result will not be indicated directly
but related to the speed of light in air. This comparison is called refractive index.
The indication, that a certain material has a refractive index of 1.5 thus means, that the speed
of light travels 50 % faster through air than through this material.
Who is interested in the speed of light in samples?
The refractive index is a value specific to a material. It depends on temperature and wavelength
(colour) of the light. Thus using a refractometer, will enable you to determine the concentration
of a material, if temperature and wavelength are known. But it is also possible, that different
materials have the same refractive index at various concentrations. Thus a clear determination of
liquid substances may only be successful with binary mixtures (Mixtures consisting of two compounds).
In practice, the refractive index determines the mixing ratio also of multicompound solutions quite
exactly and easily as in general only the concentration of one of the componends needs to be determined.
Thus it is a quantitative measurement. With known compounds, also quality may be determined.
For mixtures like for example olive oil or orange juice, the measuring value within a certain range
corresponds to a certain quality.
Thus refractometry is a quality control of substances.
There is a definite correlation between the refractive index and the composition of many
two-compound solutions. The best known example for such a mixture is a solution of sucrose
in water, which has been studied throughly. A refractometer can be grated in a way that the value
may be indicated directly as dry substance % RTS. For sucrose, this unit is also named Brix (abb. Bx).
The determination of the density of samples can also be done with refractometry.
As a rule in optical measuments density and dry substance corresponds to each other.
Refractometers convert the measured refractive indices in concentration or density.
VariRef Series
VariRef the New Laboratory Refractometer
The VariRef combines proven S&H technology with the modularity of the VariFamily.
The new double isolated Peltier systems allows fastest temperature control and reduces the influence of environment temperature, resulting in fast and precise measurements.
The VariRef has the well-established S&H sample room. Its flat shape is ideal for easy cleaning.
When dealing with hard to clean or hazardous materials we offer you a special covered version to ensure a long and proper product life.
The LED light source and the self-checking capabilities for cleanliness, environment temperature effects, calibration and more result in a virtually maintenance free product life.
To ensure highest precision over the long product life, the VariRef enables you to make a multi-point calibration for the complete measurement range. Thus giving you the tools for a fast and economic maintenance at your side.
With the VariRef you have access to the complete scale library of Schmidt + Haensch offering readymade solutions for numerous applications.
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ATR-P Touch
The critical angle refractometer ATR-P is especially designed for applications in the sugar industry. Complete system consists of the ATR-P measuring head and the “L-Controller” electronic unit. As an alternative to the “L-Controller” electronic unit, the ATR-P measuring head can be connected to a PC or laptop. In the minimal version configuration and calibration are performed using a supplied free software. Much more comfortable version is the PC software “Aquisys Basic”.
Main Features:
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ATR-BR
Compact laboratory refractometer for versatile applications
Compact laboratory refractometer.
The new ATR-BR is an critical angle refractometer for the measuring of liquid media from low to high viscosity, and independent of opacity and color. The ATR instrument are available in a variety of configurations for laboratory and production quality control.
The newly designed casing offers more space for a bigger LCD display and a splash proofed foil keyboard. Batch numbers can be entered directly and also simple form may be created and printed out.
4 special scales, one of them being programmed as Brix scale by the factory, allow various applications in production and laboratory.
The software of the ATR-BR, designed close to the practice, makes it possible to take the mean value and to determine standard derivation and adjustable measuring delay for special measurement in dependence of the temperature. All functions may also be controlled via PC using the remote control program.
Applications:
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ATR-L
Digital multiple wavelength refractometer
The digital, fully automatic spectral refractometer ATR-L consists of an electronic unit separated from the stainless steel measuring unit. Dispersion measurement at 7 wavelengths over the full visible range. A sample volume of 0,3 ml is sufficient for measuring. The refractometer is equipped with a Peltier thermostat (no external water bath necessary). Refractometers are widely used in food, oil, fuel,.. to measure the concentration of components. They measure the critical angle of total reflection and calculate the refractive index from this value. The refractive index of a substance depends on the wavelength of light and usually increases towards shorter wavelengths. The ATR-L is used for a better characterization of this behavior (dispersion) which could give a fingerprint about the material itself. This makes it possible to distinguish substances which otherwise are similar at 589 nm (sodium- wavelength).
Applications:
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DHR 95
Digital handheld refractometer – Brixmeter
Measurement of liquid media from low to high viscosity.
Handy design, simple operation, reliable.
Automatic temperature compensated Brix value within +5 to 70 °C.
Various models are available and more specific for honey, wine, saline or glycol.
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HR Visual Handheld Refractometer
Handheld refractometers are classic, visual refractometers and are used for the determination of the refractive index of liquid media of low or high viscosity. They are mainly used for quick on-the-spot-control of process streams and the field analysis in fruit and vegetable plantations. Different models of handheld refractometers for special application available.
Determination of:
• % Brix (4 different measuring ranges available), % Oechsle
• Urine determination (0 – 12 g/l)
• Salinity tests (0 – 28 %)
• Wine measurements (0 – 32 % Brix; 0 – 140°Oe)
Resolution and precision depends on the model.
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ABBE-Refractometer AR12
The Schmidt+Haensch ABBE refractometer AR12 is a classical, visual refractometer, named after its inventor Ernst Abbé and designed for the determination of the refractive index of liquid media with high or low viscosity. It is used in the fast control of liquids and the "in-field analysis".
The ABBE refractometer AR12 is equipped with hose connections at the prism unit for the thermostatisation of the optical parts. The temperature is measured with a digital thermometer. The measuring principle is based on the law of Snellius (law of refractive index) and is able to measure with transmitted or totally reflected light. With a contact fluid even solids can be measured with the ABBE refractometer.
Optional an illumination unit is available for prism and scale illumination with a red LED.
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In-Line Process Refractometers
Inline Process Refractometers measure the refractive index continuously and in real time, thus determining the concentration of liquids or the mixing ratios of binary or quasi-binary mass ratios.
The measurement is independent of turbidity, color, absorption and viscosity, which ensures maximum precision and better process control.
Process refractometers can be installed in pipelines, mixing tanks, reaction boilers, storage vessels, cooking appliances or evaporators using various flange connections.
Find more information on the following Schmidt-Heinsch webpage
Accessories
Accessories:
| Calibration Standards for Refractometer at 589nm in 10ml glass bottles | ||||
| Substance | Refractive index | Temperature range | Certificate | Tolerance of RI |
| De-ionised water | 20°C ≈ 1.333 | 20°C and 25°C | factory certificate | dnD=0.00005 |
| De-ionised water | 20°C ≈ 1.333 | 5 to 95°C | factory certificate | dnD=0.00005 |
| Silicon Oil | 20°C ≈ 1.404 | 20°C and 25°C | factory certificate | dnD=0.00005 |
| Silicon Oil | 20°C ≈ 1.404 | 5 to 95°C | PTB certificate | at 20°C dnD=0.00001 |
| other temperature | ||||
| dn=0.00005 | ||||
| Paraffin Oil | 20°C ≈ 1.446 | 20°C and 25°C | factory certificate | dnD=0.00005 |
| Paraffin Oil | 20°C ≈ 1.446 | 5 to 95°C | PTB certificate | at 20°C dnD=0.00001 |
| other temperature | ||||
| dn=0.00005 | ||||
| Technical White Oil | 20°C ≈ 1.474 | 20°C and 25°C | factory certificate | dnD=0.00005 |
| Technical White Oil | 20°C ≈ 1.474 | 5 to 95°C | PTB certificate | at 20°C dnD=0.00001 |
| other temperature | ||||
| dn=0.00005 | ||||
| CRM-R Custom | 10 ml factory certified reference material, customer specified RI in the range 1.36 bis 1.70 RI, calibrated to dn=0.00005 accuracy | |||
| Certified Reference Material (CRM) Sugar | |
| CRM-R Saccharose B | Sugar reference solution, different concentrations, separate containers for saccharose and distilled water, after shuffle one week durable (concentration range: 0 - 55 Bx --> please specify desired concentration when ordering) |
| CRM-R Saccharose P | Sugar reference solution, different concentrations, separate containers for saccharose and distilled water, after shuffle one week durable (concentration range: 0 - 55 Bx --> please specify desired concentration when ordering), with factory certificate |
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