JPH0769217B2 - Liquid color monitor - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial field of application] The present invention is for continuously monitoring the quality and aging of oils and fats such as edible oil, soy sauce or whiskey, and mineral oils such as alcoholic beverages and lubricating oils. Liquid color monitor.

[Prior Art] Generally, the color of various liquids is measured in various industrial fields.

For example, in the field of food industry, the color of edible oil has become an important indicator of product quality in the trading of oil and fat products. Therefore, the color of edible oil is measured.

Traditionally, this color is measured by JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) K3503
Stipulated in.

This method uses a Lovibond colorimeter and is performed as shown in FIG. That is, the oil to be measured 2 is put in the glass cell 1 having a predetermined optical path length and a flat optical surface, and the light from the light source 4 reflected by the white plate 3a is transmitted through the oil to be measured 2 in the glass cell 1. . On the other hand, the light from the light source 4 reflected by another white plate 3b is transmitted through the standard color glass 5 having a large number of colors prepared in advance. Then, the measurer 6 sequentially moves the standard color glass 5 as shown by an arrow A ₁ to compare (colorimetric) the two transmitted lights and identify the standard color glass 5 closest to the color of the oil 2 to be measured. .

However, the standard color glass 5 is JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard)
The color glass provided in the Robibond colorimeter manufactured by British Robibond Co., Ltd. has been used all over the world, and its use has been standardized.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the colorimetric method as described above, the measurer visually compares the color of the oil 2 to be measured and the color of the standard color glass 5 with each other. Not only does it require a great deal of work time and labor to measure the color of No. 2 but it is difficult to continuously measure the color of the oil 2 to be measured, and the above colorimetric method is a human visual sense. Since it is a measurement that depends on, the measured value varies depending on the measurer or even the same measurer, for example, in the morning and the evening, the measured value is different depending on the psychological state,
There was a problem that the reproducibility was also low.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid color monitor that improves the colorimetric method that has been conventionally performed by relying on the visual sense, and can perform reliable, stable and quick determination continuously.

[Means for Solving the Problems] Therefore, according to the present invention, a sensor unit that projects light onto a liquid to be measured, detects the transmitted light, and converts the light into an electric signal, and a signal from the sensor unit are received. A liquid monitor comprising a data processing unit for continuously detecting the color of a liquid to be measured, wherein the sensor unit is connected to an intake port and a discharge port for the liquid to be measured, and the liquid to be measured passes through the inside. A measurement optical system having a flow cell and projecting light from a light source onto the liquid to be measured passing through the flow cell, a container for accommodating the measurement optical system therein, and receiving light transmitted through the object to be measured. A main color sensor for converting into an electric signal, a color sensor for reference light for receiving the light from the light source and converting into an electric signal, and a color sensor for accommodating both of these color sensors inside and keeping them at the same temperature condition. Constant temperature bath for sensors, an optical fiber for transmitting light that guides the transmitted light of the liquid to be measured to the main color sensor, and an optical fiber for guiding reference light that guides the light of the light source to the color sensor for reference light. It is characterized in that the output fluctuation of the main color sensor due to the fluctuation of the light emission amount of the light source is corrected by the output of the color sensor for reference light.

[Operation] The liquid to be measured is supplied to the flow cell from the intake port, and the light from the light source is projected. The transmitted light transmitted through the liquid to be measured in this flow cell is guided to the main color sensor by the transmitted light guiding optical fiber. The main color sensor detects the transmitted light incident from the transmitted light guiding optical fiber.

On the other hand, the light from the light source enters the reference color sensor through the reference light guiding optical fiber. This reference color sensor detects a change in the light emission amount of the light source.

Since the main color sensor and the reference color sensor are housed in the same color sensor thermostatic chamber and are maintained at a constant temperature, the temperature drift between them is substantially zero. Therefore, the output variation of the main color sensor and the output variation of the reference color sensor due to the variation of the light emission amount of the light source have a constant relationship. Therefore, the error that occurs in the output of the main color sensor due to the variation of the light emission amount of the light source is
It can be corrected by using the output of the reference color sensor.

If the main color sensor and the reference color sensor have temperature drifts that are substantially equal to the temperature, the correction can be made more accurate.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, the liquid to be measured is continuously supplied to the flow cell, and the transmitted light passing through the liquid to be measured passing through the flow cell is continuously detected by the main color sensor. The color of the liquid to be measured can be continuously detected by the output of the color sensor, and the color of the object to be measured can be continuously monitored.

Further, according to the present invention, since the main color sensor and the reference color sensor are housed in the same color sensor thermostatic chamber and are maintained at a constant temperature, the output of the main color sensor due to the variation of the light emission amount of the light source. And the output of the reference color sensor have a fixed interval, and the error that occurs in the main color sensor due to the change in the light emission amount of the light source can be corrected by the output of the reference color sensor. The color of liquid can be monitored with high accuracy.

Embodiments Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, an example in which the present invention is applied to a monitor of the color of fats and oils conforming to the color test method for fats and oils by a Robibond colorimeter manufactured by Robibond Co., Ltd. in England, which is defined in JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) K3503, will be described.

In this embodiment, the oil / fat color monitor used for monitoring the color of oil / fat projects light on the oil / fat for color monitoring,
A sensor unit that detects the transmitted light and converts it into an electric signal,
It comprises a data processing unit for receiving the signal from the monitor unit and detecting the color of oil and fat for color measurement. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the sensor section, and FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the overall configuration of the oil and fat color monitor.

The sensor unit 11 whose structure is shown in FIG. 1 has an appearance as shown in FIG. Further, in FIG.
The data processing unit 12 whose configuration is shown together with the configuration has an appearance as shown in FIG.

The sensor unit 11 is arranged, for example, at the site of a factory that manufactures or processes fats and oils, and the data processing unit 12 is arranged in the control room of the factory. Therefore, the sensor unit 11 and the data processing unit 12 are normally separated from each other by about 50 m to 100 m, and are connected by a communication cable or wirelessly between them.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sensor unit 11 includes a measuring optical system 15 for projecting light from a light source 14 onto a flow cell 13 through which oil or fat for monitoring color passes, and a light passing through the oil or fat for passing through the inside of the flow cell 13. A main color sensor 16 for detecting and converting to an electric signal, a reference light color sensor 17 for receiving the light (reference light) of the light source 14 of the measurement optical system 15 and converting it into an electric signal, the main color sensor 16 and Color sensor thermostat 18 for holding the reference light color sensor 17 under the same temperature condition, transmitted light guiding optical fiber 19 for guiding the transmitted light of oil and fat flowing in the flow cell 13 to the main color sensor 16, the light source The reference light guide optical fiber 21 for guiding the 14 lights to the reference light color sensor 17 and the data collection system 22.

The outer case 23 of the sensor unit 11 is an upper case 23 of two upper and lower stages.
It consists of a and lower case 23b. The upper case 23a and the lower case 23b are a heat shield plate 23c made of a resin having a good heat insulating property.
They are placed one above the other with a space between them. And above case 23
The measurement optical system 15 is housed in a, and the lower case 2
A main color sensor 16, a reference light color sensor 17, a color sensor thermostatic chamber 18, a data collection system 22, and the like are housed in 3b.

The measurement optical system 15 is a light source 14 including a halogen lamp,
Condenser lens 24, collimator lens 25, slit 26
Further, the adjusting lens 27 is arranged in this order on the optical axis L ₀ . The flow cell 13 is arranged between the slit 26 and the adjusting lens 27.

As shown in FIG. 5, the measurement optical system 15 includes a sensor unit 11
The outer case 23 is placed on a support plate 29 whose both ends are fixed to the upper case 23a by fixing fittings 28a and 28b. That is, the light source 14 of the measurement optical system 15, the condenser lens 24,
The collimator lens 25 and the slit 26 are housed in a casing 31 and fixed to the support plate 29. Light source 14
In order to replace the halogen lamp, the lamp base 32 is detachably attached to the casing 31 as shown by an arrow A ₂ . The lead wire 33 drawn out from the lamp base 32 is connected to the terminal plate 34 provided on the upper case 23a.

The adjusting lens 27 of the measuring optical system 15 is housed in another casing 35 and fixed to the supporting plate 29. 2 above
A constant temperature bath 36 is detachably attached between the two casings 31 and 35 as indicated by an arrow A ₃ . The flow cell 13 is housed in the constant temperature bath 36. Then, in order to replace the internal flow cell 13, the base portion 36a and the cover portion 36b can be separated.

As shown in FIG. 1, a thermal conductor 37 is placed in contact with the flow cell 13 in the constant temperature bath 36, and a heater H1 and a temperature sensor S1 are incorporated in the thermal conductor 37. . The heater H1 and the temperature sensor S1 are connected to a temperature instruction controller 38a. The temperature instruction controller 38a causes the heater H1 to keep the temperature inside the constant temperature bath 36 detected by the temperature sensor S1 constant. Energization is controlled. As shown in FIG. 5, these heater H1 and temperature sensor S1
The lead wire 39 is connected to a terminal plate 41 provided on the upper case 23a.

It should be noted that this constant temperature bath 36 is not for keeping the temperature of the oil or fat for monitoring the color constant, for example, it is solidified at room temperature,
It operates when measuring the color of oils and fats such as fish oil that becomes liquid at temperatures between ℃ and 60 ℃. That is, in the case of measuring the color of the oil or fat which is solidified at room temperature, the temperature of the constant temperature bath 36 is set to a temperature slightly higher than the temperature at which the oil or fat is solidified. As a result, when the flow of the oil or fat is stopped, or when the monitoring device is stopped due to a factory holiday or the like, the flow cell 13
The oil and fat are prevented from solidifying inside.

The flow cell 13 in the constant temperature bath 36 preferably has a cylindrical shape with both end surfaces being flat optical surfaces, and as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. A pipe 43 is connected to the inlet port 42, and a pipe 45 is connected to a discharge port 44 for discharging the oil and fat that has passed through the flow cell 13. In FIG. 6, the oil and fat inflow port 13a provided in the flow cell 13 and the oil and fat intake port 42 are connected by a pipe 43, and the oil and fat outflow port 13b provided in the flow cell 13 is connected to the oil and fat outflow port 13b. It is shown that a pipe 45 connected to the oil / fat discharge port 44 is connected.

As shown in FIG. 1, the constant temperature bath 36 has a light projection hole 36c for projecting light to the flow cell 13 of the measurement optical system 15, and transmitted light that has passed through the oil and fat in the flow cell 13 from this light projection hole 36c. And a light lead-out hole 36d for leading out.

The light emitted from the light source 14 of the measuring optical system 15 is condensed by the condenser lens 24. The condenser lens 24 includes an infrared cut filter 46 that removes infrared light from the light of the light source 14 and transmits only visible light. The light emitted from the condenser lens 24 passes through the collimator lens 25 and becomes parallel light.

A slit 26 having a slit hole is arranged at the subsequent stage of the collimator lens 25. The parallel light that has passed through the slit holes of the slit 26 is flow cell 13 in the constant temperature bath 36.
to go into. The light entering the flow cell 13 is
A specific color is absorbed by the oil and fat which continuously flows through the inside, and reaches the adjusting lens 27 due to the light absorbing property peculiar to the oil and fat.

This adjusting lens 27 is composed of a convex lens,
The transmitted light of the flow cell 13 is projected onto one end of the transmitted light guiding optical fiber 19. The adjusting lens 27 is indicated by an arrow on the optical axis L _0.
It is movable as indicated by A ₄ , and its position is adjusted so that the transmitted light of the flow cell 13 is always imaged at a constant size on one end of the transmitted light guiding optical fiber 19. The other end of the optical fiber 19 for guiding transmitted light is connected to the main color sensor 16
It is fixed so as to face the light receiving surface of.

By the way, since the sensor unit 11 is a site where oil or fat is produced or processed in a factory in which dust, oil mist, etc. are suspended, the installation environment condition is the upper case 23a of the outer case 23 in which the above-mentioned measurement optical system 15 is housed. Is sealed to the outside. That is, the upper case 23a is provided with a pressurized air supply port 47 to supply pressurized air.
Increasing the number mmH ₂ O to several 10 mm H ₂ O pressure than the inner atmospheric pressure,
The measurement optical system 15 is protected by preventing dust and oil mist from entering the upper case 23a. The pressurized air supplied into the upper case 23a also passes through the upper case 2
After circulating the case 3a to cool the inside of the case 23a, the case 23a is discharged from the air outflow valve 48.

On the other hand, detecting the change in the light amount of the light source 14 of the measurement optical system 15,
In order to correct the change in the measured light amount entering the main color sensor 16 due to the change in the light amount of the light source 14, part of the light of the light source 14 that has passed through the infrared cut filter 49 is converted into a reference light by the reference light guiding optical fiber 21. Color sensor
Light is guided to 17.

As the color sensor 17 for reference light, a photoelectric conversion element of the same type as the main color sensor 16 and having substantially the same temperature characteristics, for example, a photodiode is used. Then, the reference light color sensor 17 is
To make the temperature conditions equal to those of the main color sensor 16,
They are attached to the heat conducting plate 50 and are thermally coupled to each other. The main color sensor 16, the reference light color sensor 17, and the heat conduction plate 50 are further housed in the color sensor thermostatic chamber 18. This is because, under the same temperature condition, the temperature drift of the output of the reference light color sensor 17 and the temperature drift of the output of the main color sensor 16 with respect to the same incident light are made substantially zero.

The color sensor constant temperature chamber 18 also includes the heat conduction plate 50.
A heat conductor 50a is arranged in contact with the heat conductor 50a, and a heater H2 and a temperature sensor C2 are incorporated in the heat conductor 50a.
These heater H2 and temperature sensor S2 are the temperature instruction controller 38
The temperature instruction controller 38b is connected to b, and the temperature inside the thermostat 18 for the color sensor detected by the temperature sensor S2 is controlled to be constant. The temperature inside the light root tank 18 for the main color sensor is set to be slightly higher than the ambient temperature at the installation site of the sensor unit 11. For example, the sensor section
If the maximum ambient temperature of the 11 installation sites is 40 ℃, 45 ℃
The temperature is set to about 50 ° C. so that the temperature inside the constant temperature bath 18 for the color sensor can be controlled to be constant against changes in the ambient temperature.

Temperature chamber 18 for the color sensor, temperature indicating controller 38a, 38
b, the data collection system 22 is housed in the lower case 23b of the outer case 23 of the sensor unit 11. An air-cooling fan F, to which the filter Fa is fixed by a filter cover Fb, is attached to the lower case 23b in order to suppress the temperature rise inside the lower case 23b.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main color sensor 16 detects the R (red), G (green) and B (blue) components of the received light, and the R signal amplifier 51R of the data acquisition system 22 described below, G
The signal amplifier 51G and the B signal amplifier 51B respectively receive an R signal and a G signal.
Signal and B signal are output.

The reference light color sensor 17 also detects the R (red), G (green) and B (blue) components of the received light, and the R signal amplifier 52R, G signal amplifier 52G and B signal amplifier of the data acquisition system 22. The reference R signal, G signal, and B signal are output to 52B, respectively.

The data collection system 22 includes an R signal amplifier 51R, a G signal amplifier 51G, a B signal amplifier 51B on the main color sensor 16 side, an R signal amplifier 52R on the reference light color sensor 17 side,
G signal amplifier 52G, B signal amplifier 52B, multiplexer 53
And an A / D converter 54.

The multiplexer 53 is an R on the main color sensor 16 side.
Signal amplifier 51R, G signal amplifier 51G, B signal amplifier 51B,
Reference signal color sensor 17 side R signal amplifier 52
The respective outputs of the R, G signal amplifier 52G and the B signal amplifier 52B are sequentially output in a time division manner to the A / D converter 54 in the next stage. This A / D
The converter 54 converts the signal (analog signal) input from the multiplexer 53 into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal to the next data processing unit 12.

The data processing unit 12 includes an arithmetic processing unit 55 and a data storage unit 5
6, memory 57, input interface 58, output interface 59, keyboard 61, external communication port 62, display 63, printer 64, and the like.

The arithmetic control unit 55 includes an arithmetic unit 55a and a control unit 55b, and is composed of a microprocessor. The details of the function of the arithmetic control unit 55 will be described later together with the algorithm for color measurement of oils and fats shown in FIG.

The data storage unit 56 has an R signal amplifier 51R and a G signal amplifier 51 on the side of the main color sensor 16 which is input to the external communication port 62 from the A / D converter 54 and converted into a digital signal.
It is a buffer memory that temporarily stores each output of the G and B signal amplifiers 51B and each output of the R signal amplifier 52R, the G signal amplifier 52G, and the B signal amplifier 52B on the reference light color sensor 17 side.

On the other hand, the memory 57, for a plurality of fat samples,
The calculation value calculated by the calculation control unit 55 on the basis of each output stored in the data storage unit 56 is stored. The memory 57 is also a measurement data Y ₀ and R _{0 of the} plurality of colorimetric samples measured by using a Robibond colorimeter by Robibond Co., Ltd. of England, which is specified in JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) K3503.
Memorize That is, in the memory 57, as will be specifically described below, for each oil and fat sample, the calibration value indicating the correspondence between the calculated value by the calculation control unit 55 and the measurement data Y ₀ and R ₀ by the Lovibond colorimeter. The line is remembered. Measurement data by the Robibond colorimeter Y ₀ and R ₀
Is driven by the keyboard 61.

The input interface 58 converts outputs of the keyboard 61 and the external communication port 62 into signals that can be taken into the arithmetic control unit 55 and the data storage unit 56.

Further, the output interface 59 converts the signal output from the arithmetic and control unit 55 into a signal for displaying on the display 63 and a signal for printing out by the printer 64.

Incidentally, the control unit 55b of the arithmetic control unit 55, the data collection system 22,
The control signal is output to each unit of the data processing unit 12.

In the sensor section 11 of the oil / fat color monitor described above, the oil / fat intake port 42 and the oil / fat discharge port 44 are piped as shown in FIG. 7 in order to continuously monitor the color of the oil / fat. That is, the intake port 42 is connected to the switching valve 73 that switches between the sample container 71 containing the oil and fat sample and the main pipe 72 through which the oil or fat being manufactured or processed flows.
Further, the oil / fat discharge port 44 of the sensor unit 11 is
It is connected to a pump 74 for flowing oil and fat to 13. Then, the outlet side of the pump 74 is calibrated as described later.
At the same time, it is connected to a switching valve 76 that switches between a waste liquid container 75 from which the oil and fat sample is discharged and the main pipe 72.

A manual valve 77 and a defoamer 78 are connected between the switching valve 73 and the main pipe 72. A manual valve 79 and a check valve 81 are connected between the other switching valve 76 and the main pipe 72.

Next, the oil / fat monitoring operation by the above-described monitoring device will be described with reference to FIG.

[Calibration] First, a calibration standard solution is prepared and poured into the sample container 71.

Next, in FIG. 7, the switching valve 73 is set to the sample container 71 side, the switching valve 76 is set to the waste liquid container 75 side, and then the pump 74 is energized. As a result, the calibration standard solution in the sample container 71 flows as shown by an arrow A ₁₁ in FIG. 9, and the calibration standard solution flows in the flow cell 13. For this calibration standard solution, the R of the transmitted light was measured using the monitor device of FIG.
The (red), G (green) and B (blue) components are measured. Reference signal color sensor 17 side R signal amplifier 52R, G
Depending on the output of the signal amplifier 52G and the B signal amplifier 52B,
Every time the calculation unit 55a of the calculation control unit 55 of the data processing unit 12 measures the R, G, and B components of the transmitted light of the calibration standard solution, the error due to the change in the light amount of the light source 14 of the measured value is corrected.

Next, the correction values of the R, G and B components of the transmitted light of the calibration standard solution are stored in the memory 57 as R ₀ , G ₀ and B ₀ , respectively.

After that, in the measurement operation at the time of creating the calibration curve and at the time of monitoring, the following (1) to (3) are used by using the above R ₀ , G ₀ and B _0.
Correct according to the formula.

By this operation, it is possible to correct the error caused by the contamination of the cell and the long-term change of the light source.

[Creation of calibration curve] First, n fat and oil samples (samples) for creating a calibration curve
Is prepared (# 1).

For each of these n samples, the standard color glass 5 was used by using the Robibond colorimetric system (optical path length of the glass cell 1 is 133.4 mm) defined in JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) K3505.
The values Y ₀ , R ₀ (see FIG. 12) are obtained (# 2).

On the other hand, after the switching valve 73 of FIG. 7 is set to the sample container 71 side and the switching valve 76 is set to the waste liquid container 75 side, the pump 74 is energized. As a result, the sample in the sample container 71 flows as indicated by an arrow A ₁₁ in FIG.
One of the above-mentioned n oil and fat samples flows in the inside of 3. With respect to each of these n fats and oils samples, R (red), G (green) and B of the transmitted light were measured using the monitor device of FIG.
The (blue) component is measured (# 4). In accordance with the outputs of the R signal amplifier 52R, the G signal amplifier 52G and the B signal amplifier 52B on the reference light color sensor 17 side, the arithmetic unit 55a of the arithmetic processing unit 55 of the data processing unit 12 causes each of the n samples described above. Every time the R, G and B components of the transmitted light of the sample are measured, the error due to the change in the light amount of the light source 14 of the measured value is corrected. Further, by using the formulas (1) to (3), the error caused by the contamination of the cell, the long-term change of the light source, etc. is corrected.

From the correction values of the R, G and B components of the transmitted light of each of the above n samples, it was experimentally obtained from the analysis of standard glass of the Lovibond colorimeter and the analytical data of various oil and fat samples (# 9). Using the following equations (4) to (11), the primary conversion (Lovibond conversion) is performed to calculate the Y'value corresponding to the yellow component of oil and fat and the R'value corresponding to the red component of oil and fat (# 5, # 6).

R '= 0.95R + 0.05B (4) G' = 0.3R + 0.7G (5) B '= 0.2G + 0.8G (6) R "= (R' / 100) ^1/3 (7) G ″ = (G ′ / 100) ¹ / ³ … (8) B ″ = (B ′ / 100) ¹ / ³ … (9) The arithmetic operations of the above equations (4) to (11) are executed by the arithmetic unit 55a of the arithmetic control unit 55 of the data processing unit 12.

Next, for n samples, a calibration curve showing a corresponding relationship is created from the values Y ₀ , R ₀ colorimetrically determined by the Robibond colorimeter and the Y ′ and R ′ values (# 7). This calibration curve is stored in the memory 57 of the data processing unit 12.

A method such as the least squares method can also be used to determine the calibration curve.

This completes the preparation for measurement.

[Sample discharge] Next, switch the switching valve 73 in FIG. 7 to the main pipe 72 side,
Open manual valve 77. As a result, the arrow A in FIG.
_As shown by ₁₂ , the oil / fat in the main pipe 72 flows, and the oil / fat sample in the flow cell 13 at the time of creating the calibration curve is pushed out to the waste liquid container 75.

[Monitor] Next, when the sample discharge is completed as described above, the switching valve 76 is switched to the main pipe 72 side and the manual valve 79
open. As a result, the oil and fat in the main pipe 72 flows as indicated by an arrow A ₁₃ in FIG. 11, and a part of the oil and fat flowing in the main pipe 72 continuously flows in the flow cell 13 (# 3). About this oil and fat, its transmitted light R, G and B
Measure the ingredients (# 4).

Hereinafter, the same correction and calculation as the calculation of the V ′ value and the R ′ value from the R, G and B components of the transmitted light were performed for n samples in the preparation of the calibration curve, and the oil and fat sample passing through the flow cell Find the Y'value and R'value of (# 5, #
6).

From these Y'value and R'value and the calibration curve obtained in the above-mentioned preparation of the calibration curve, the Y value and R value which are the monitor values are obtained (# 7, #
8).

The Y value and the R value can be directly displayed on the display 63 of the data processing unit 12 or can be output to the printer 64. It is also possible to issue an alarm when the Y and R values are out of the specified range.

In this way, if a calibration curve is created using a plurality of samples, it can be seen that the unknown oil and fat sample can be continuously and easily monitored without relying on human vision.

The present invention, in addition to the color monitor of oils and fats, based on the color, soy sauce, to monitor the maturity of foods such as whiskey and alcoholic beverages, in the production process of lubricating oils and mineral oils, the quality by color. Can be monitored.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a sensor section of an embodiment of the liquid color monitor according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram of a liquid color monitor having the sensor section of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the sensor section and the data processing section of the liquid color monitor of FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the sensing section, and FIG. 6 shows the details of the flow cell and its constant temperature chamber section. Fig. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the sensor unit. Fig. 7 is a connection diagram of piping of the sensor unit. Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an algorithm of the oil and fat color monitor by the liquid color monitor of Fig. 2, Fig. 9, Fig. 10, and Fig. 11. Each of the figures is an explanatory diagram of a distribution route of the oil and fat when the color of the oil and fat is monitored by the liquid color monitor of FIG. 2, and FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the principle of measuring the oil and fat color by the conventional colorimeter. 11 …… Sensor section, 12 …… Data processing section, 13 …… Flow cell (13a …… Inflow port, 13b …… Outflow port), 15 …… Measurement optical system, 16 …… Main color sensor, 17 …… Reference light Color sensor, 18 ... Color sensor thermostat, 19 ... Transmitted light guiding optical fiber, 21 ... Reference light guiding optical fiber, 22 ... Data collection system.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A sensor section for projecting light on a liquid to be measured, detecting the transmitted light and converting it into an electric signal, and a signal from this sensor section for continuously detecting the color of the liquid to be measured. A liquid color monitor comprising a data processing unit, wherein the sensor unit has a flow cell which is connected to an intake port and an exhaust port for the liquid to be measured and through which the liquid to be measured passes.
A measurement optical system that projects light from a light source onto the liquid to be measured that passes through the flow cell, a container that houses the measurement optical system inside, and receives transmitted light of the liquid to be measured and converts it into an electrical signal. A main color sensor, a color sensor for reference light that receives light from the light source and converts it into an electrical signal, and a color sensor thermostatic chamber that accommodates both of these color sensors inside and holds them at the same temperature condition, The transmitted light of the liquid to be measured is guided to the main color sensor, the transmitted light guiding optical fiber, and the reference light guiding optical fiber that guides the light of the light source to the reference light color sensor. A liquid color monitor characterized in that the output variation of the main color sensor due to the variation of the light emission amount of the light source is corrected by the output of the color sensor for use in the liquid color.