Products Test & Measurement
Chip moisture analyzer launched

May 25, 2018 – FITNIR Analyzers Inc. of Vancouver has added FITNIR MC to its product suite. Using NIR spectroscopy, FITNIR MC delivers fast, online moisture content measurements.

FPInnovations, in partnership with FITNIR Analyzers, developed FITNIR MC to provide high-quality and timely chip moisture data necessary for process optimization and cost savings. FITNIR MC was developed in response to soaring costs, high variability and a short supply of wood chips.

Wesley Gilbert of FPInnovations, presented the results of applying this latest NIR analyzer in conjunction with a novel control strategy to a dual vessel continuous digester at the 2017 TAPPI PEERS conference,. A trial at a Canadian mill analyzed the moisture content of wood chips being fed to the digester and demonstrated such benefits as a four per cent increase in production, translating to a $14 million gain in revenue.

“We are encouraged by the response FITNIR MC has received since its initial launch at the TAPPI PEERS Conference in the fall of 2017,” Thanh Trung, VP of technology with FITNIR Analyzers, said. “There is an obvious need in the market for an online wood chip analyzer of this calibre and functionality that has the ability to measure moisture content and possibility to expand to other biomass properties.”

Currently, a trial is underway with FITNIR MC for measuring the moisture content of hog fuel to the power boiler and has garnered excellent success and uptime, given the variability in available sources. Hog fuel and wood chip moisture content are only two applications of the technology to date. Other potential measurement applications include lime mud moisture or solids content for kiln operation, and the measurement of other biomass properties such as density, lignin and extractives.

FITNIR is a leading global supplier of innovative FT-NIR online, benchtop, kappa and now, moisture content analyzers.