PCE Instruments DRB 10 Digital Abbe Refractometer

Model # DRB 10

The digital Abbe refractometer is easy to use and requires only small sample quantities. The digital display prevents reading errors. The results can be stored in the Abbe refractometer, printed or transferred to a PC.
The possibility of assigning eight-digit user and sample designations via the menu of the Abbe refractometer facilitates later the evaluation of the measurement results. For each measurement, the measuring temperature is displayed on the touchscreen of the Abbe refractometer so that the temperature-dependent measured values can be converted.
Abbe refractometers are devices that use optical rules to determine the refractive index. Light can be diffracted, reflected or absorbed when passing from one medium to another. This Abbe refractometer uses the reflection principle.

BrandPCE Instruments
Model NumberDRB 10

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The digital Abbe refractometer is easy to use and requires only small sample quantities. The digital display prevents reading errors. The results can be stored in the Abbe refractometer, printed or transferred to a PC. The possibility of assigning eight-digit user and sample designations via the menu of the Abbe refractometer facilitates later the evaluation of the measurement results. For each measurement, the measuring temperature is displayed on the touchscreen of the Abbe refractometer so that the temperature-dependent measured values can be converted.
Abbe refractometers are devices that use optical rules to determine the refractive index. Light can be diffracted, reflected or absorbed when passing from one medium to another. This Abbe refractometer uses the reflection principle. The reflection takes place at the boundary layer between the prism and the sample. Since the light does not have to pass through the sample, this Abbe refractometer measures independently of the turbidity, viscosity or transparency of the sample.
The sample is placed on the prism in the measuring chamber of the Abbe refractometer. The lid of the measuring chamber must be closed to avoid the measurement errors due to extraneous light. After starting the measurement, the internal light source of the Abbe refractometer sends light beams through the prism onto the boundary layer between the sample and the prism. These light beams are completely reflected from a certain angle. The optical sensor of the digital Abbe refractometer detects these reflected rays. By means of evaluating the illuminated sensor areas, the Abbe refractometer calculates the refractive index of the sample. The refractive index of the prism used in the Abbe refractometer must be greater than the refractive index of the sample. The prism used therefore determines the upper measuring range limit of the Abbe refractometer.
The measuring range of this Abbe refractometer is 1.30000 nD to 1.70000 nD. The D stands for the wavelength of the light used in the measurement with 589.3 nanometres wavelength. The refractive index depends not only on the type of light but also on the temperature. As the temperature increases, the refractive index decreases. To make the highly accurate results possible, many Abbe refractometers have tube connections for temperature control.
There is a direct relationship between refractive index and Brix value. Therefore, instead of the refractive index, the Brix value can also be determined very accurately with this digital Abbe refractometer. The Brix value is the most frequently used unit for measuring sugar concentration worldwide and is very often determined with the Abbe refractometer. It is defined by the sucrose content in water. At 1 °Brix = 1 %Brix, 100 g of solution contains 1 g of sucrose in 99 g of water. At 12 °Brix = 12 %Brix, 100 g solution contains 12 g sucrose in 88 g water. The Brix value is often used as a test value – also for samples not containing sugar – because it is easier to compare than the refractive index. For example, at 20°C measuring temperature 2 %Brix = 1.33586 nD, 12 %Brix =1.35093 nD, 30 %Brix = 1.38115 nD and 60 %Brix = 1.44193 nD.
Abbe refractometers are widely used because they allow the refractive index to be measured quickly and easily. Often the refractive index is used to test the purity of a substance. For many mixtures of two substances, there is a clear correlation between the refractive index and the composition. The Abbe refractometer thus makes it possible to determine the content of a certain substance in a solvent easily via the refractive index. In the case of substance mixtures that are subject to certain variations, for example honey with varying water content, a range can often be specified for the desired refractive index. Compliance with these values can be checked with the Abbe refractometer.
Abbe refractometers in the chemical, automotive, metal and building industries enable concentration determination for solvents, mordants, industrial oils, lacquers, adhesives, surfactants, coolants and the check of the flow of chemical processes during the production.
Abbe refractometers in sugar, food and beverage industry are used to determine the sugar concentration in intermediate and end products, to determine the alcohol content in beer, wine, spirits, quality control and for waste water control.
Abbe refractometers in medicine and pharmacy allow for fast analysis of body fluids, purity control of raw materials, intermediate and end products e.g. for infusion solutions, dialysis preparations.
Concentration determinations of raw, auxiliary and operating materials as well as semi-finished and finished products are then carried out. Checking the solids content is extremely important in many industries in development, research and production and is often carried out with the help of the Abbe refractometer. In the beverage industry, checking the sugar content and sugar concentration is a very important measure and is therefore a part of routine analysis.
Many applications aim to determine the concentration in a carrier medium. A traditional example is the determination of the sugar content in mostly aqueous solutions. For example, by determining the sugar concentration of a grape, its degree of ripeness can be determined, which makes it interesting for winemakers. The Abbe refractometer can also measure the original wort when brewing beer, the water content in honey. But also in industry, the Abbe refractometer can be a real aid, for example, thus, the oil-water concentration in cooling emulsion mixtures in metalworking machines or the acid concentration in batteries can be determined. The Abbe refractometer can also be found in medicine, for example, the protein content in urine can be measured. There are many other areas of application in which the refractometer is useful and greatly simplifies the work. Meanwhile, in order to ensure the comparability of the results, own scales have been established (degrees Oechsle, degrees Brix, degrees Plato). Refractometers are usually equipped with the double scale % mas sucrose (Brix)/°Oe or triple scale % mas sucrose (Brix)/°Oe/KMW-Babo. Internationally, the % mas sucrose (Brix) scale is valid. The Oechsle scale 0-140°Oe is valid for fruit juices, foreign grape musts and distilling mashes. For German grape musts only the Oechsle scale 30-140°Oe is valid. Refractometers with this scale are marked with a “D”.

Measuring range refraction index	1.3000 … 1.7000 nD
Resolution	0.0001 nD
Accuracy	± 0.0001 nD

Measuring range sugar content	0 … 100%
Resolution	0.1%
Accuracy	± 0.1%

Measuring range thermometer	0 … 95°C / 32 … 203°F
Resolution	0.1°C / 0.18°F
Accuracy	± 0.3°C / 0.54°F

Further technical specifications of the Abbe refractometer

Memories	100
Interface	RS-232
Wavelength	589 nm
Ambient temperature	10 … 35°C / 50 … 95°F
Storage temperature	-20 … 60°C / -4 … 140°F
Mains voltage	100 … 240V AV, frequency 50/60 Hz
Weight	4 kg / 8.8 lbs
Dimensions	360 x 240 x 150 mm / 14.2 x 9.4 x 5.9 in (L x W x H)
Calibration	Single-point calibration
Display	5.6″ LED touch screen