Practical Applications of Moisture Analyzers

With the progress of science and production technology, quantitative moisture analysis has become one of the basic items in the physicochemical analysis of all kinds of substances and a key quality indicator. Different moisture contents in different sample forms impose different measurement requirements. Moisture determination can be process control analysis in industrial production or quality verification of industrial and agricultural products; it can measure moisture in tons of product or analyze a few microliters of test solution in the laboratory; it can be macro moisture analysis at several percent to tens of percent water, or trace moisture analysis below one part per million.

Imported moisture analyzers hold certain advantages in accuracy and stability but are prohibitively expensive for some domestic laboratories and enterprises. In recent years, many Chinese instrument makers have strengthened research and practice in moisture analyzers and achieved remarkable results, bringing domestic technology up to international standards—fully meeting the needs of ordinary laboratories and industrial production.

Moisture analysis methods fall into two broad categories: physical and chemical. Traditional methods have gradually been replaced by a variety of new ones; the main moisture analyzers on the market today are Karl Fischer moisture analyzers, halogen moisture analyzers, far-infrared moisture analyzers, gas dew point moisture analyzers, and various dedicated moisture meters. These methods are easy to operate, highly sensitive, reproducible, and capable of continuous measurement with automatic data display.

The VicoMeter VM-E01 halogen moisture analyzer was the first to offer and open up dual temperature and weight calibration, with built-in display modes for moisture content, solids content, moisture regain, wood moisture, and more. Measurement methods can be customized for different industries and sample types; the upgraded ring halogen lamp heats fast, evenly, and durably, and results comply with the international oven method. Interactive, visualized sample measurement windows enable one-touch intelligent determination.

The Karl Fischer method (KF method) has two variants: titration (volumetric) and coulometry (electrolytic). Among the chemical methods for determining moisture, it is the most specific and accurate for water. Though a classic method, recent improvements have raised its accuracy and widened its range, and it is listed as the standard method for moisture determination in many substances. It rapidly measures moisture in liquids, solids, and gases and is the industry-standard analytical method worldwide, widely used in petroleum, chemicals, electric power, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, universities, and research.

The halogen moisture analyzer is a new type of rapid moisture testing instrument. With ring halogen lamp heating and intelligent operation, it dries samples quickly and evenly for accurate results, and its clear moisture display makes operation intuitive, simple, and convenient.

Infrared moisture analyzers are simple to operate, fast, and accurate, so they are widely used for laboratory analysis, incoming goods control, and process testing in chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food, tobacco, grain, and other industries.

Gas dew point moisture analyzers are easy to operate, mechanically simple, and generally satisfactory, and are often used for trace moisture in permanent gases. But the method suffers many interferences: some easily condensable gases, especially at high concentration, condense before the water vapor and interfere.

In addition, various dedicated moisture analyzers occupy an increasingly prominent place in the market. Specific to one application and simple to operate, they are widely used for online process control analysis and quality verification of industrial and agricultural products—examples include moisture analyzers for oil, soil, tobacco, grain, wood, concrete, and paper.