Moisture determination, NIRA

Near-Infrared Spectroscopy. Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is a technique that has been around for some time but, like NMR spectroscopy, has only recently been improved and developed for on-line applications. Near-infrared analysis (NIRA) is a nondestructive technique that is versatile in the sense that it allows many constituents to be analyzed simultaneously 112, 113). The NIR spectrum of a sample depends upon the anharmonic bond vibrations of the constituent molecules. This condition means that the temperature, moisture content, bonding changes, and concentrations of various components in the sample can be determined simultaneously. In addition, scattering by particles such as sand and clay in the sample also allows (in principle) the determination of particle size distributions by NIRA. Such analyses can be used to determine the size of droplets in oil-water emulsions. 

NIRA, electric conductivity moisture meters, moisture balances, air oven method (AACC 44-15A) Rotap equipped with different sieves Visual determination... 

The efficiency of the various milling procedures is usually determined by the analysis of moisture, ash, fat, and color of refined products. The most common way to determine milling efficiency is by the quantification of ash (AACC Methods 08-03 and 08-12), because the degree of refining is inversely related to the mineral content. This is because bran contains 20 times more ash than the endosperm. Ash is determined gravimetrically after burning or incinerating a sample at temperatures of 600°C. There are other less accurate methods that can predict ash content. The most popular used today is the NIRA. 

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