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Continuous monitoring of water content in Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK)

 

Precise inline measurement of water content in methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) for optimal product quality and process safety.

LiquiSonic® Ultrasonic technology: In real-time and without sampling.

Real-time measurement

Continuous monitoring without delay

Maintenance-free

No moving parts or wear components

Highest accuracy

Precise measurement even under difficult conditions

Cost savings

Reduction of operating costs and scrap

Why is the determination of water content in MEK
a challenge?

Typical challenges:

  • Quality control in the pharmaceutical industry: Even small amounts of water can affect the stability of active ingredients
  • Adhesive industry: Moisture reduces adhesive strength
  • Chemical synthesis: Undesirable side reactions
  • Paint manufacturing: Too high water content leads to surface defects and reduced adhesion

Problems of conventional methods:

  • Delays: Laboratory results often available only after hours
  • Sampling: Risk of contamination
  • High costs: Reagent consumption, personnel effort, quality losses
  • Karl Fischer titration: Problematic side reactions with ketones

Our solution for MEK water content measurement

SensoTech's LiquiSonic® Measurement systems revolutionize concentration measurement through innovative ultrasonic technology. Our maintenance-free inline sensors enable continuous process monitoring without sampling.

Ultrasonic technology:

Measurement of the absolute sound velocity in MEK as a precise physical quantity, independent of color, turbidity, or conductivity.

Real-time measurement:

Continuous monitoring directly in the process without time-consuming laboratory analysis or sampling.

Robust sensors:

Fully encapsulated design without moving parts, maintenance-free and resistant to aggressive media.


Economic benefit

Minimize costs

- Reduce laboratory costs

- Less personnel effort

- Reduction of scrap

- Optimized energy consumption

Fast amortization

- Typical amortization time = less than 1 year

- Low maintenance effort

- Long lifespan

More productivity

- Real-time data

- Quality improvement

- Automated documentation

- Fast response possible


Technical background

The LiquiSonic® technology uses the physical property that ultrasonic waves propagate at different speeds in liquids of different compositions. The speed of sound in methyl ethyl ketone-water mixtures changes with the water content.

A high measurement frequency allows the detection of rapid concentration fluctuations. The integrated temperature measurement automatically compensates for temperature-related fluctuations in the speed of sound.

Technical specifications

ParameterSpecificationRemark
Measuring range
0-100 wt% H₂O in MEK

Depending on concentration and temperature

Measurement accuracy
±0.05 wt%

Depending on concentration and temperature

Repeatability
±0.02 m/s

Under constant conditions

Temperature range
-40 °C to +200 °C

Integrated temperature compensation

Pressure range
up to 500 bar

Pressure-resistant sensor design

Materials
Stainless steel, Hastelloy, PFA, ETFE, ...

Depending on application requirements

Sensor length
up to 3000 mm

Custom adaptation

Output signals
Analog and digital interfaces

4-20 mA, Modbus, Profibus, ...

Transmission distance
Up to 1000 m

More range on request

Ex-protection (optional)
ATEX Zone 1 & 2

For explosive areas

Protection type
IP67/IP68

Fully encapsulated

Calibration
Factory or on-site calibration

Traceable certificates

Practical examples and applications

Pharmaceutical production

• Water content below 0.05 wt% required

• Automatable batch release

• Sterile process connections

Paint manufacturing

• Quality control before dilution

• Solvent recovery optimization

• Longer storage stability

Chemical synthesis

• Avoidance of unwanted side reactions

• Optimization of yield

• Process validation



Over 35 years of experience in concentration measurement

Since 1990, SensoTech has been a leading provider of inline measurement technology and has established itself as a specialist for precise concentration and density measurements.

Our systems are used worldwide, even in critical applications.

35+

Years of experience

1000+

Installed systems

50+

Countries worldwide

ISO 9001

Quality certified

Do you need further references or a custom feasibility study?

Describe your application - we will contact you for technical coordination!
Together we clarify boundary conditions and possible solutions.

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Details

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Frequently asked questions

What is SensoTech?

SensoTech GmbH is a leading company in the field of process measurement technology based in Barleben, near Magdeburg, Germany. We develop and produce innovative solutions for monitoring and optimizing industrial processes. Our specialization lies in the precise measurement of concentrations, densities, and other parameters in liquids – in real-time and directly during the process.

What distinguishes LiquiSonic® from conventional measurement technology?

Unlike optical methods, which are affected by color or turbidity, conductivity-based methods, which are sensitive to electrical conductivity, or density-based methods, which can be disturbed by temperature or gas bubbles, our ultrasonic method is independent of these influences.

The LiquiSonic® measurement technology also contains neither moving parts nor components that can wear out or be consumed. Therefore, after installation, the measurement system is completely maintenance-free and drift-free.

The sensors offer digital signal transmission up to 1000 m and enable continuous inline measurement without sampling.

How is the water content in MEK measured accurately?

Our system uses ultrasonic transit time measurement to determine the sound velocity in the liquid. The sound velocity correlates directly with the water content and allows measurement accuracies of ±0.05 wt%. The integrated temperature compensation ensures stable results even under fluctuating process conditions.

Why is Karl Fischer titration problematic with MEK?

With ketones like MEK, Karl Fischer titration leads to disturbing side reactions: ketal formation with methanol and bisulfite additions. These can cause both high and low measurement values. SensoTech's ultrasonic technology completely bypasses these chemical interferences.

How does LiquiSonic® respond to temperature fluctuations?

Since sound velocity, like all other physical quantities, is influenced by temperature, all our LiquiSonic® sensors are equipped with temperature sensors. This allows the influence of temperature on the measurement to be directly compensated Therefore, it is not necessary to integrate additional temperature sensors.

What process conditions can be covered?

Our sensors operate reliably in a temperature range from -40 °C to 200 °C and pressures up to 500 bar. Various material options such as stainless steel, Hastelloy, or PFA coatings also allow for the measurement of aggressive media. Explosion protection for Zone 1 and 2 is also available.

Can extreme operating ranges also be covered?

Yes, our sensors are designed for extreme conditions. In addition to the extended temperature and pressure range, we offer customizations such as sensor lengths up to 3000 mm, special alloys for corrosive media, and various protection types, such as optional explosion protection. Each sensor is individually tailored to your requirements configured.

Can multiple components be monitored simultaneously?

Yes, by combining speed of sound measurement with additional physical quantities (e.g., conductivity), up to 3 components can be determined simultaneously. This also allows monitoring of additional additives.

How is integration into existing automation systems achieved?

The system offers various digital interfaces (e.g., Profibus, Ethernet/IP, Foundation Fieldbus) as well as analog 4-20 mA outputs. The integration is seamless via standardized protocols.

Is adaptation to special pipelines or containers possible?

Yes, SensoTech manufactures sensors individually according to customer requirements. All standard flanges, any installation lengths (up to at least 1000 mm, further lengths on request), various threads, and special geometries for crystallization containers or small pipelines are available.

How quickly do you receive measurement results in water content determination?

The system provides measurements in real-time. Based on the measurements, you receive a current measurement value every second. This fast response time enables effective process control and early detection of deviations.

What maintenance is required for monitoring water content in MEK?

The system is completely maintenance-free. There are no mechanical wear parts, seals, or optical windows that could be compromised. Regular calibration is not required - the sensors remain stable for years.

Monitoring of water content

The water content in methanol significantly affects reaction kinetics, catalyst stability, and separation processes. Even small amounts of water can reduce product quality, increase energy requirements, and promote corrosion processes in plants.

The water content in caprolactam is a crucial parameter for polymerization to polyamide 6. Deviations lead to altered molecular weight distribution and thus to significant losses in mechanical and thermal material properties.