Technology data

Possible applications

After harvest, grains are dried until they reach a moisture level suitable for storage and distribution. It is important to measure moisture content in order to prevent mold formation during storage due to high moisture content and quality deterioration due to over-drying. (In the case of rice, over-drying brown rice make the kernels cracked. Cracked brown rice are easily broken when being milled).

Since grains are dried for storage and distribution, moisture content is closely related to their weight. Grains are traded by weight between producers and processors, and the moisture value of the grain is sometimes used as an indicator of the selling price, so accurate moisture measurement is important.

Since the above cannot be achieved in areas where customary methods such as touching and chewing are used to determine the state of dryness and moisture value, by using our moisture meter to measure moisture values accurately and traceable to international standards (ISO), accurate quality control and fair trade based on objective values during weight transactions can be achieved. This enables accurate quality control and fair trade based on objective values at the time of weight trading.

Competitive advantage

• High accuracy (The mechanical and electronical part of each and single tester is strictly checked and adjusted when manufactured. They are certified as type approval system in some countries, including Japan.)
• Various application (Over 300 calibration curves for grain and seed)
• Accordance with the international standard
• Durable
• Rubber sealing is adopted in some part
• Long-term service (spare parts supply and repair)

Performance

High accuracy (standard error of calibration is 0.5% or less compared to the international standard method when the moisture range is 20% or less).
Regarding the specification of the product, kindly refer to our website: https://www.kett.co.jp/products_category_en/grain/

Typical examples of moisture measurement

1. Continuous measurement of rice grain
   We provide the automated electrical resistance type testers which conduct high-speed continuous moisture measurement of unpolished grains. It can treat max. 999 grains and quickly calculate moisture distribution of the whole section by measuring a single grain (see Fig. 3).

   

   Fig. 3 High speed continuous measurement of rice grains by using single kernel grain moisture analyzer “PQ-520” (electrical resistance type)

Technical maturity / Past record of introduction

                                                                        Table 1 Overseas sales

Information on patent related to this technology

N/A

Company data

International operation

Modality of business transaction

Partnership
Use local partners as sales agents and outsource sales and after-sales support for its products.

Schematic illustration of the technology

• JETRO Interview “The World Now – JETRO Global Eye” Our company and product are introduced from 5:45 to 11:05
  https://www.jetro.go.jp/tv/internet/2021/08/b4a5ceb100048a57.html

• APLMF’s Guide to Grain Moisture Meter
  APLMF (Asia-Pacific Legal Metrology Forum) is composed by APEC members and this guide explains the principal of grain moisture measurement and how the accuracy should be maintained to help member countries are able to establish legal metrology about grain moisture in each country. This guide was made by referring to OIML (International Organization of Legal Metrology).
  http://www.aplmf.org/uploads/5/7/4/7/57472539/aplmf_guide_6_-_rice_moisture_measurement_-_may_2017.pdf