KERN ORL 94BS Premium Digital Refractometer, Brix 0–94%, nD, IP65

The ultimate standard for refractive index and sugar measurement: the KERN ORL 94BS Digital Premium Refractometer

In modern industrial quality control, highly complex food technology, pharmaceutical research and the petrochemical industry, the ability to determine substance concentrations in liquid media in a matter of seconds and with absolute accuracy is a business-critical process. Optical measurement of light refraction (refractometry) has established itself worldwide as by far the fastest, most elegant and gentlest method for this purpose. However, whilst traditional analogue handheld refractometers quickly reach their analytical limits due to subjective reading errors, imprecise scale markings or difficult lighting conditions, the KERN ORL 94BS digital laboratory refractometer (MPN ORL 94BS) sets entirely new standards for precision. As an outstanding premium benchtop instrument from KERN & SOHN, it combines unrivalled optical measurement accuracy with state-of-the-art digital evaluation technology and is the perfect solution for any professional laboratory that requires highly precise, reproducible and standard-compliant measurement data on a daily basis.

An enormous measuring range: Brix (0–94 per cent) and refractive index (nD)

The performance of the KERN ORL 94BS is evident in its exceptionally wide and universally applicable measuring range. The instrument is equipped as standard with two of the most important scales in refractometry. The Brix scale covers the vast range from 0 % to a staggering 94 %. This extreme range represents a massive technological advantage. With just a single measuring instrument, you can analyse both very dilute aqueous solutions (such as light fruit juices, isotonic drinks or water-miscible cooling lubricants in industry) and extremely highly concentrated, viscous media such as pure honey, thick molasses, highly reduced syrups or highly saturated fruit jams with high precision. This is complemented by the universal refractive index scale (nD), which covers the range from 1.3330 to 1.5290 with a remarkable resolution of 0.0001 nD. This scale is indispensable for purity testing of chemical solvents, valuable essential oils or complex pharmaceutical raw materials during incoming goods inspection.

The physical principles: premium sapphire prism and stainless steel measuring cuvette

At the heart of the measurement lies the highly sensitive yet extremely robust optical system. The measuring well of the KERN ORL 94BS, into which the sample material is placed, is made of high-quality, corrosion-resistant stainless steel. Embedded within it is the actual measuring prism, made of ultra-hard sapphire glass. Unlike simple glass prisms, sapphire is extremely resistant to mechanical scratches and to sharp, corrosive or highly acidic chemicals. For a valid, highly accurate measurement, you need only one or two drops of your valuable sample. The integrated LED lighting system illuminates the sample from below, and a high-resolution digital sensor analyses the exact angle of total internal reflection at the interface between the prism and the sample. The result is a purely physically objective, digitally determined measurement value that leaves no room for interpretation by the user.

Automatic Temperature Compensation (ATC): consistently eliminating sources of error

The refractive index of a liquid is fundamentally dependent on its current temperature. If, for example, you take a warm jam sample directly from the cooking pot and place it on the cool prism of the refractometer, the result would be massively distorted without the appropriate physical correction. The KERN ORL 94BS solves this problem using a highly intelligent, electronic Automatic Temperature Compensation (ATC) system. Precise temperature sensors continuously measure the heat at the interface and process this data in real time using complex internal algorithms. The instrument automatically converts the measured value to the internationally standardised reference temperature of 20 °C. For you as the user, this means: you no longer need to consult time-consuming conversion tables or remember temperature correction factors, and you can measure even samples with widely fluctuating temperatures immediately and without error.

The digital colour display and intuitive operating logic

Another special feature of this premium benchtop instrument is the large, brilliant TFT colour display. It not only shows you the actual measured value (e.g. the Brix value) in extremely large, easy-to-read digits, but also informs you simultaneously of the currently measured sample temperature, the selected scale and the instrument status. This crystal-clear digital display eliminates the biggest weakness of traditional refractometry: parallax error. With optical instruments, looking through the eyepiece at even a slight angle or a poorly focused scale inevitably leads to incorrect readings. The KERN ORL 94BS completely eliminates this uncertainty. It is operated via a hygienic, easy-to-clean membrane keypad, which makes taking measurements, changing scales or calibrating the zero point a matter of seconds.

IP65 protection rating: Uncompromising hygiene and durability in everyday laboratory use

In food analysis and chemical production environments, conditions are often damp, sticky and dusty. A sensitive electronic device must be able to withstand the toughest conditions here. The engineers at KERN have therefore certified the ORL 94BS to the stringent IP65 protection class. This means that the entire housing is completely dust-tight and, furthermore, protected against powerful water jets from all directions. After measuring a sticky sugar solution or an oily lubricant, you can rinse and clean the stainless steel measuring cup and the sapphire prism without hesitation under running water or with suitable mild solvents. This outstanding level of sealing not only guarantees superior laboratory hygiene and prevents cross-contamination between two samples, but also ensures the long-term, trouble-free functionality of the highly sensitive internal electronics.

GLP-compliant operation and simple calibration

Calibrating the zero point on this state-of-the-art instrument is extremely user-friendly and cost-effective. You do not need any expensive or toxic calibration fluids; a few drops of standard, distilled or deionised water are all that is required to reset the instrument precisely to zero at the touch of a button. For audits in accordance with the strict guidelines of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) or ISO 9001, you can rely on the impeccable reproducibility of this instrument. The KERN ORL 94BS is a long-term investment in your company’s quality assurance, which pays for itself in no time at all through savings in working time, error-free processes and reduced production waste.

Technical Specifications

• Device type: Premium digital benchtop refractometer
• Scale 1 (Brix): Measuring range 0 – 94 % / Readability 0.1 % / Accuracy ± 0.1 %
• Scale 2 (refractive index nD): Measuring range 1.3330 – 1.5290 nD / Readability 0.0001 nD / Accuracy ± 0.0002 nD
• Temperature compensation: Automatic (ATC) integrated
• Prism: Ultra-hard sapphire glass
• Measuring cuvette: Stainless steel, extremely easy to clean
• Display: Large, multi-line TFT colour display
• Enclosure protection class: IP65 (dust-tight and protected against water jets)
• Calibration: Zero-point calibration using standard distilled water
• Power supply: USB interface or supplied mains adaptor
• Dimensions (W×D×H): 145 × 67 × 38 mm (very compact desktop size)
• Net weight: approx. 0.6 kg (sturdy, non-slip base for use on a laboratory bench)

Contents

• 1 x KERN ORL 94BS digital refractometer
• 1 x calibration solution (distilled water)
• 1 x pipette for safe sample dispensing
• 1 x cleaning cloth for the prism
• 1 x mains adaptor / USB cable
• 1 x Sturdy carrying and storage case
• 1 x Detailed operating instructions

Individual requirements & accessories

Do you require official, certified proof of the measurement accuracy of this optical instrument for your quality management department? We recommend that you order the KERN ORL 94BS directly together with a factory calibration certificate (ISO) for digital refractometers. This provides you with optimum protection during any audit. For customers in the automotive industry who need to determine the freezing point of coolants or the AdBlue content rather than sugar levels (Brix), KERN offers special models from the ORL series. Please feel free to contact our procurement service at any time for expert and bespoke system advice on all aspects of optical analysis.