Rotronic solutions for thermal mapping

Overview

Thermal mapping describes the collection of environmental data in monitoring areas before the start of actual logging, in order to find out where the loggers should be installed and where the critical points are located.

Rotronic, the world-leading manufacturer of environmental measurement and monitoring equipment, has the techniques and tools needed to ensure thermal mapping is a success, as highlighted by a recent case study involving fellow Swiss-based company, herbal cosmetics specialist Rausch.

Thermal mapping project

Rausch AG in Kreuzlingen, Switzerland, has researched and used herbs and their extracts to manufacture high quality, innovative and near-natural products for hair and body care since 1890.

During 2017, Rausch AG decided to evaluate and replace the instruments for measurement of temperature and air humidity in its high-bay stores and production rooms. Due to a high quality concept proposal, they selected Rotronic to undertake this project, which will use a high performance monitoring system to ensure that raw ingredients and end products are stored correctly under ideal environmental conditions.

During the evaluation phase, Rotronic recommended Thermal Mapping be undertaken to characterize the critical areas before installing loggers. This was necessary to ensure all loggers and probes were installed in the key points where temperature and humidity were critical.

Applications of thermal mapping

Mapping is primarily used in the pharmaceutical and food industries and in any premises where correct climate is critical. It is performed when installing complex measurement systems or where regulations dictate.

To obtain accurate measurement data, it is vital to evaluate the premises and position the loggers correctly. Mapping can also be used for existing measurement systems to check that the loggers are always installed at the right measuring points.

A further benefit of the mapping exercise at Rausch was to ensure that the storage area itself was properly planned and laid out to protect temperature and humidity-sensitive products.

As Rausch Technical Director Dr. Philippe Charles Auderset, explained, it is key that the dry and fresh herb essences used are of highest quality, placing a premium on correct storage.

José Trujillo, Head of Quality Management, added: “The mapping is able to tell us if we store our raw and end products in the right place.” He explained that some essences need to mature in containers for months before they are ready for use in production.

Installation of the new measurement system

To improve the quality of data, a real-time online monitoring system is to be installed on the Rausch local area network (LAN). The system can provide SMS or email alarms notifications when temperature and/or humidity variations move outside the defined tolerance range.

In the first phase Rotronic installed data loggers from the HygroLog HL-NT series in the high-bay stores, where optimum storage conditions are a must. This meant air humidity should range between 40 and 60 percent and temperature from 16 °C to 24 °C.

In a further installation phase the Rausch satellite site in Bottighofen was equipped with new probes and a LAN-based measurement system.

About Rausch

Rausch AG has been run by three generations of the Baumann Family, with a constant mission to guarantee the highest possible percentage of natural raw materials from nature to ensure highest quality hair care.

RAUSCH uses only tensides (surfactants), which are produced using renewable raw materials and which are ideal for cleansing and treating both hair and scalp.

Quillaja bark extract (Quillaia saponaria extract) has a high level of saponins, oxalic acid, quillaic acid, bitter substances and starches. A natural washing-active substance is obtained using Rausch’s own extraction and maceration methods.

Rausch makes much use of high quality Sodium Laureth Sulfate mild tenside, manufactured from mass-balanced palm kernel oil (Elaeis guineensis L.) and coconut oil (Cocos nucifera L.) with a high level of saturated fatty acids such as lauric acid (44%) and myristic acid (17%) and palmitic acid (8%). Together, they form a gentle, anionic washing-active substance.

Coco glucoside (Lauryl Glucoside) manufactured from corn starch (Zea sativa L.) and coconut oil (Cocos nucifera L.) are used to provide mild, non-ionic washing-active substances.

Resources

Click on Rotronic solutions for thermal mapping for more information.
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Click on Products for more information on the HygroLog HL-NT series and other Rotronic measurement solutions.