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During three years, OPSIS has gathered reference data from the Absolut Vodka production in Nöbbelöv, Sweden. With this test, beverages industries now have the possibility to monitor their fermentation process in real time, thanks to the first liquid analyser that takes advanced laboratory-type measurements of higher precision directly in the process.

OPSIS Liquid Monitoring in Cooperation with Absolut VodkaOPSIS has taken the well-proven monitoring system for gas compounds and designed an innovative liquid analysis system for sampling directly in a manufacturing process, either from tanks or from pipes. The sampling module offers a climate controlled environment for analysis and can be operated from a control room. This unique technology also makes it possible to connect several modules to one analyser, which is a very cost-effective solution.

”The unique module for sampling offers, for the first time, the possibility to select a controlled sample from a process line. The module has automatic temperature control and automatic cleaning. This makes the measurements accurate and reliable.” says Olle Lundström, Sales Director of OPSIS' Liquid Monitoring Division.

Testing at Absolut Vodka

Together with Absolut Vodka, OPSIS has tested this system at the facilities of Absolut in Nöbbelöv, in the south of Sweden. During three years, OPSIS has gathered reference data from the production and analysed the results from their laboratory. All data has been included to create a prediction/calibration model for the OPSIS FT-NIR (Fourier-Transform Near-Infrared spectroscopy) solution. The conclusion is that the system is well suited for continuously analysing the content of fermentation tanks, not only at an overall level but also in detail, for example in the composition of various sugar types such as glucose, maltose, maltriose, etc.

Thanks to the cooperation, Absolut Vodka has gained better knowledge of their fermentation process. This is something that other beverages producers also could benefit from.

“The cooperation with OPSIS has given us better understanding of our fermentation process. We see many potential benefits in the direct monitoring method that OPSIS offers, and we will share this knowledge to the rest of the Pernod Ricard group.” says Thomas Olsson, Senior Advisor Distillery at Absolut Vodka.