Hanna Instruments HI96841 User manual

HI96841
Refractometer for
Beer Measurements
INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Thank you for choosing a Hanna Instruments product.
Please read this instruction manual carefully before using
this instrument.
This manual will provide you with the necessary informa‑
tion for correct use of this instrument, as well as a precise
idea of its versatility.
If you need additional technical information, do not
hesitate to e‑mail us at [email protected] or view our
worldwide contact list at www.hannainst.com.
Dear
Customer,
All rights are reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited
without the written consent of the copyright owner, Hanna Instruments
Inc., Woonsocket, Rhode Island, 02895, USA.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preliminary Examination ........................................................
General Description................................................................
Specifications........................................................................
Principle of Operation............................................................
Functional Description............................................................
Display Elements...................................................................
Measurement Guidelines ........................................................
Calibration Procedure.............................................................
Measurement Procedure.........................................................
Making a Standard % Brix Solution .......................................
To Change Temperature Unit .................................................
Battery Replacement..............................................................
Error Messages .....................................................................
Accessories............................................................................
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The HI96841 Digital Beer Refractometer is a rugged portable, water resis‑
tant device that benefits from Hanna Instruments’ years of experience as a
manufacturer of analytical instruments.
The HI96841 is an optical instrument that employs the measurement of
refractive index of a solution. The measurement of refractive index is both
simple and quick and provides the brewer an accepted method for sugar
content analysis. Samples are measured after a simple user calibration with
deionized or distilled water. Within seconds the instrument measures the
refractive index of the beer or wort and converts it to °Plato. The HI96841
digital refractometer eliminates the uncertainity associated with mechanical
refractometers and is easily portable for measurements in the field. Tempe‑
rature (in °C or °F) is displayed simultaneously with the measurement on
the large dual level display along with icons for Low Power and other helpful
message codes.
Key features include:
• Dual‑level LCD
• Automatic Temperature Compensation (ATC)
• Easy setup and storage
• Battery operation with Low Power indicator (BEPS)
• IP65 Waterproof protection
• Quick, precise results readings are displayed in approximately
1.5 seconds
• Small sample size, as small as 2 metric drops.
Remove the instrument from the packing materials and examine carefully
to ensure no damage has occurred during shipping. If any damage has
occurred, contact your local Hanna Instruments Office.
Each HI96841 instrument is supplied with:
• 9 V battery
• Instruction manual
• Plastic pipette
• Quality certificate
Note: Save all packing material until you are sure that the instrument
functions correctly. A defective instrument must be returned in its
original packing.
PRELIMINARY EXAMINATIONGENERAL DESCRIPTION

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SPECIFICATIONS
Range 0.0 to 30.0 °Plato / 0.0 to 80.0 °C (32.0 to176.0 °F)
Resolution 0.1 °Plato / 0.1 °C (0.1 °F)
Accuracy ± 0.2 °Plato / ± 0.3 °C (±0.5 °F)
Temperature
Compensation
Automatic between 10.0 and 40.0 °C
(50.0 ‑ 104.0 °F)
Measurement Time Approximately 1.5 seconds
Minimum Sample
Volume 100 µL (cover prism totally)
Light Source Yellow LED
Sample Cell Stainless Steel ring and flint glass prism
Case Material ABS
Enclosure Rating IP65
Battery Type / Life 9V / 5000 readings
Auto‑Off After 3 minutes of non‑use
Dimensions 192 x 102 x 69 mm (7.6 x 4.1 x 2.7”)
Mass 350 g (12.3 oz.)

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The °Plato determination is made by measuring the refractive index of a
solution. Refractive Index is an optical characteristic of a substance and the
number of dissolved particles in it. Refractive Index is defined as the ratio of
the speed of light in empty space to the speed of light in the substance. A
result of this property is that light will “bend”, or change direction, when it
travelsthroughasubstanceofdifferentrefractiveindex.Thisiscalledrefraction.
When passing from a material with a higher to lower refractive index, there
is a critical angle at which an incoming beam of light can no longer refract,
but will instead be reflected off the interface. The critical angle can be used
to easily calculate the refractive index according to the equation:
sin (θcritical) = n2/ n1
Wheren2istherefractiveindexofthelower‑densitymedium;n1istherefractive
index of the higher‑density medium.
In the HI96841, light from an LED passes through a prism in contact with
the sample. An image sensor determines the critical angle at which the light
is no longer refracted through the sample.
PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

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The °Plato scale is a way to quantify the concentration of sugars and
dissolved solids in wort. It is used as an indicator of the potential alcoholic
strength of a beer. The HI96841 converts the refractive index reading to
°Plato based on the tables maintained by the International Commission
for Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis (ICUMSA) and the American Society
of Brewing Chemists (ASBC).
PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

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FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
TOP VIEW
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8. Battery Cover
9. Battery Compartment
BOTTOM
1. Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
2. Secondary Display
3. Primary Display
4. READ Key (User Measurement)
5. ZERO Key (User Calibration)
6. ON/OFF
7. Stainless Steel Sample Well and Prism

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1. Battery (blinks when low battery condition detected)
2. Primary Display (displays measurement and error messages)
3. Measurement in Progress Tag
4. SETUP: Factory Calibration Tag
5. CAL: Calibration Tag
6. Measurement Unit
7. Automatic Temperature Compensation
(blinks when temperature exceeds 10.0‑40.0 °C / 50.0‑104.0 °F range)
8. Temperature Units
9. Secondary Display (displays temperature measurements; when blinking,
temperature has exceeded operation range: 0.0‑80.0 °C / 32.0‑176.0 °F
DISPLAY ELEMENTS

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• Handle instrument carefully. Do not drop.
• Do not immerse instrument under water.
• Do not spray water to any part of instrument except the “sample well”
located over the prism.
• The instrument is intended to measure the sugar content of wort in
Brewing process. Do not expose instrument or prism to solvents that will
damage it. This includes most organic solvents and extremely hot or cold
solutions.
• Particulate matter in a sample may scratch the prism. Absorb sample
with a soft tissue and rinse sample well with deionized or distilled water
between samples.
• Use plastic pipettes to transfer all solutions. Do not use metallic tools
such as needles, spoons or tweezers as these will scratch the prism.
• To reduce the effects of evaporation or absorption of water when taking
readings over a period of time, the prism and sample well can be covered
with plastic wrap.
MEASUREMENT GUIDELINES