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Design and performance of a capacitor sensor and impedance analyzer for nondestructive moisture content determination

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Abstract

In this work, the design and performance of a low-cost impedance analyzer, called the CI Meter, that was assembled and calibrated to measure impedance and phase angles at 1, 5 and 9 MHz is given. A cylindrical sample holder with a single set of parallel-plate electrodes embedded inside along its length that can hold samples (100–150 g) of peanut pods (in-shell peanuts) was built and used with this instrument. The measured values of impedance and phase angle with this experimental setup were used in an empirical equation to obtain the average moisture content values of peanut samples with moisture contents in the range of 6–23%. The moisture content values determined by this system and a commercial impedance meter were compared with those obtained by a standard method. For over 90% of the samples tested in the moisture range between 6 and 23% the moisture content values were found to be within 1% of the standard values for both systems. Ability to determine the average moisture content of in-shell peanuts without shelling and cleaning them, with a low-cost instrument, will be of considerable use in the peanut industry. This method could be extended to other types of in-shell nuts.

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Notes

  1. Moisture contents are expressed in % wet basis throughout this paper.

  2. Mention of company or trade names is for purpose of description only and does not imply endorsement by USDA.

  3. SEC = \( \left( {\frac{1}{{n - p - 1}}\sum_{i = 1}^n {e_i ^2 } } \right)^{\frac{1}{2}} \) where n is the number of observations, p is the number of variables in the regression equation with which the calibration is performed, and ei is the difference between the observed and reference value for the ith observation.

  4. SEP = \( \left( {\frac{1}{{n - 1}}\sum_{i = 1}^n {(e_i - \bar e)^2 } } \right)^{\frac{1}{2}} \) where n is the number of observations, ei is the difference in the moisture content predicted and that determined by the reference method for the Ith sample, and \( \bar e \) is the mean of ei for all of the samples.

References

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Acknowledgement

The authors acknowledge Franteshia Thornton, Electronics Technician, NPRL, Dawson, GA for her help during this entire work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 509, Dawson, GA, 39842, USA

    C. V. K. Kandala & C. L. Butts

Authors
  1. C. V. K. Kandala
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  2. C. L. Butts
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Correspondence to C. V. K. Kandala.

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Kandala, C.V.K., Butts, C.L. Design and performance of a capacitor sensor and impedance analyzer for nondestructive moisture content determination. Sens. & Instrumen. Food Qual. 2, 240–246 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11694-008-9050-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11694-008-9050-4

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