Do you understand well what is a refractometer? A refractometer is a type of test device, usually used to measure the solubility of solids in a solution. To better understand the applications and construction principles of refractometers, please refer to the article below.

1. What is a refractometer?

What is a refractometer? A refractometer is a type of water tester, which measures the concentration of dissolved substances inside liquids. Types of liquids that can be measured with a refractometer include: water, wine, beer, juice or milk.

This device is often used by many people such as: shrimp farmers, honey bee farms, research and evaluation units , winemaker,… The machine has a cylindrical design, compact, suitable for hand-holding, carrying when traveling long distances.

Refractometers are usually divided into types like:

– Electronic desktop line

– Handheld electronic line

– Handheld line

– ABBE

2. Principle, structure

Once you know what a refractometer is, let’s learn about the principle and construction of a refractometer. This tool usually includes 2 types, each type will have different structure and characteristics:

Mechanical refractometer: Design includes: Prism, eyepiece, shield, calibration position, focus adjustment,… Structured mechanical refractometer Structure like a cylinder, apply the principle of light refraction to analyze the sample and determine the concentration of solids inside the solution.

Electronic refractometer: Composed of 3 main parts: LCD screen, function keys and sample area. To use, you just need to pour liquid into the sample container, turn on the meter, press the READ key, after 3-5 seconds, the numerical result will appear on the display.

3. Principle, usage

Basically, most refractometers work like a prism, based on Snell’s law or refractionlight. The refractive index (n) of a substance with respect to air is calculated as the ratio between the sine of the angle of incidence and the sine of the angle of refraction of the light beam traveling from the air into the substance.

When going from an air medium into a medium other than a liquid (another medium), the light ray will be deflected by an angle called the angle of refraction. When examining liquids with a refractometer, based on the deviation of the light beam, the concentration of the solute can be calculated and from that the percentage of water in the food can be calculated.

4. Refractometer Applications

In fact, this type of device has many different applications:

Application of refractometers in chemical industry

Tin the chemical industry, refractometers are used during research and development product. This device can test the purity and concentration of input materials, thereby monitoring the reactions in the production process of salt solutions, paints, plastics, industrial oils, glues, silicon or other organic solvents, while controlling the quality of their output.

Food industry applications

In the food industry, refractometers are often used to measure salinity or sweetness in the process of checking input materials as well as final product quality of sugars, jams, dairy products, or spices, sauces,…

Besides, refractometers can also be used in the production and processing of wine and alcoholic beverages in testing and controlling the degree of accuracy. alcohol of wine, beer, juice.

Pharmaceutical industry applications

In the pharmaceutical industry, refractometers can also be used to test and identify purity, concentration and properties of raw materials. input materials as well as the final product in the production process…. In addition, this instrument is also used in the research and development of pharmaceuticals, serums or dialysis solutions….

Application in the sugar industry

For the sugar industry, this type of refractometer is commonly used to measure sweetness to help determine sugar concentration, check the purity of semi-finished products and final product.

Application in some other areas

Besides the above applications, refractometers can also be used in the oil and gas, aviation, process technology and construction industries. metal. In these fields, refractometers play an important role in checking the composition and stability of fuels, lubricants, coolants, cleaning agents…

Not only that, refractometers are also applied in many other industries and fields such as: production of fragrances, perfumes, essential oils; activities in the hospital; laboratory research and educational and training activities in schools and academies….

5. Current popular refractometers

Kruss DR6000-T Series Desktop Electronic Refractometer

Line Kruss DR6000-T Series Desktop Electronic Refractometer equipped with a Peltier unit that controls the sample temperature up to 80°C .

Excellent Features of Kruss DR6000-T Series Desktop Electronic Refractometer:

–  Measure turbid or highly viscous samples

– With built-in high-precision Peltier thermostat

– Predefined and preset scales with custom formula-based conversion values

– Chemical resistant materials such as sapphire prism, stainless steel sample chamber

– Easy and intuitive operation via touch screen

– The device automatically records and backs up data including testing

– Allows flexible data retrieval

– Complies with global standards and regulations such as GMP/ GLP, 21 CFR Part 11, OIML, ASTM, ICUMSA,,…

Kruss DR Series Handheld Electronic Refractometer

Handheld Electronic Refractometer Kruss DR Series with 3 Models DR101-60, DR201-95 and DR301-95 is the ideal solution for the industry chemical, petrochemical, automotive, aviation, metal processing and food industries as well as for hospitals and pharmacies.

Applications of Kruss DR Series Portable Electronic Refractometers:

– Check properties in research and development

– Identity check, purity control and concentration determination of raw materials, semi-finished products and end products

– Track chemical processes during production

– Check the outgoing goods

– Stability test

– Determination of sugar concentration

– Check incoming and outgoing goods

– Drug test

– Analysis of body secretions

Hopefully through the article, you have been able to clearly understand what a refractometer is, its structure, principles and applications in life and manufacturing. Hiep Phat is currently providing product lines refractometers from Kruss. If you have a need to buy refractometer product lines, do not hesitate to contact us via Hotline: 098 4677378 or Email: sales@thietbihiephat.com for more product information.