Sensors & Measurement Technology
Precision built on experience
Precise inline measurement of O₂, CO₂, density and sound velocity
for determining concentrations such as alcohol, extract, Brix °Bx and Oechsle °Oe
Centec sensors deliver precise measurements of density, concentration, oxygen, CO₂, and other parameters – inline, hygienic, and robust. Ideal for applications in the beverage, food, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries.
Precise data
the foundation of every successful process
Centec develops process sensors for the continuous measurement of O₂, CO₂, density and sound velocity in liquids and gases. Depending on the application, these measured variables are also used to determine product-specific concentrations. The technologies used include optical measurement methods, density measurement based on the vibrating tube principle and sound velocity measurement.
Inline measurement technology for stable processes
Zuverlässige Inline-Messwerte sind die Grundlage für stabile Prozesse, reproduzierbare Qualität und schnelle Reaktion auf Abweichungen. Verzögerte Labormessungen, ungenaue Sensorik oder fehlende Integration in Prozessleitsysteme erhöhen Produktverluste, Fehlerkosten und den Aufwand in Überwachung, Nachregelung und Qualitätssicherung.
Designed for industrial practice
The sensors are designed for hygienic and industrial applications and are used, among other things, in the brewing, beverage, food, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Depending on the measuring task, solutions for liquids and gases as well as inline and mobile systems for direct process monitoring are available.
O₂
Optical oxygen measurement for liquids and gases
CO₂
Dissolved carbon dioxide via pressure/temperature or NIR
ρ + m/s
Density and sound velocity measurement as precise process variables
°P / °Bx / %ALC / °Oe
Product-specific units for breweries, soft drinks, wine and cider
Centec Sensors & Applications
For different process requirements, Centec offers suitable measurement principles and matching sensor families - from optical O₂ measurement and density measurement based on the vibrating tube principle to sound velocity measurement.
Optical oxygen measurement
OXYTRANS TR measures O₂ in deaerated water, wort, beer, beverages, liquid foods, CO₂ and protective gases. The technology works optically; electrolyte and membrane changes are not required.
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Liquid phase: 1 ppb to 2 ppm or 30 ppb to 35 ppm
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Gas phase: 0 to 4.2% O₂ or 0 to 50% O₂
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Response time: t90 ≤ 10 s
Dissolved CO₂ in the process
CARBOTEC TR-PT measures CO₂ via pressure and temperature measurement in a measuring chamber. CARBOTEC NIR uses ATR/NIR technology and measures pure CO₂ content with a very short response time.
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Measuring range: 0 to 10 g/l
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TR-PT accuracy: ± 0.05 g/l
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NIR response time: ≤ 3 s
Density + sound velocity
COMBITEC combines density measurement and sound velocity measurement for 3-component systems. This allows density, sound velocity and concentration to be measured simultaneously.
The acoustic measuring principle is based on determining the sound velocity in the medium in m/s. Changes in composition and concentration directly affect this measured variable and thus provide additional, independent process information.
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Density: 0 to 3 g/cm³
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Sound velocity: 400 to 3,000 m/s
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For complex mixing systems in the process
What makes Centec Sensor Technology unique
✅ In-house development & manufacturing in Germany
✅ Hygienic design (EHEDG, 3A)
✅ Inline and laboratory versions available
✅ High long-term stability & low maintenance
✅ Direct integration into PLC systems
✅ 50 years of experience in process analytics
OXYTRANS TR
Optical inline sensor for continuous O₂ measurement in liquids and gases.
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Applications: deaerated water, wort, beer, beverages, CO₂ and protective gases
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Measuring principle: Optical oxygen measurement
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Process value: Fast response to deviations during operation
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Use: Continuous monitoring instead of delayed spot sampling
CARBOTEC
Inline measurement of dissolved CO₂ - depending on the version via pressure/temperature or optically via NIR.
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Variants: TR-PT and NIR
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Media: Beer, sparkling wine, soft drinks and other beverages
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Process value: Stable carbonation and traceable process control
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Application: Direct integration into the ongoing process
RHOTEC
High-precision density sensor for density and concentration measurement in continuous operation.
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Measuring principle: Vibrating tube principle
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Typical media: Acids, alkalis, fats, emulsions and solvents
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Process value: Reliable concentration values directly from the process
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Use: Hygienic and industrial applications
COMBITEC
Combined density and sound velocity measurement for complex multicomponent systems.
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Measured variables: density, sound velocity and concentration
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Process value: additional independent process information through sound velocity in m/s
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Strength: relevant for mixing ratios and product changes
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Application: complex media and process conditions
BRIX MONITOR / ALCOHOL-BRIX MONITOR
Inline measurement systems for sugar content in non-alcoholic liquids as well as for the combined measurement of %ALC and °Bx.
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Measured variables: °Bx and, depending on the version, additional %ALC
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Applications: Soft drinks, mixed beverages and alcoholic beverages
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Process value: Product-specific concentration values directly in the process
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Use: Continuous quality and process monitoring
OECHSLE MONITOR
Measurement solution for Oechsle measurement before fermentation in wine and cider production.
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Measured variable: °Oe as the relevant reference value in wine applications
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Applications: Must, wine and cider
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Process value: Application-specific assessment directly in the process
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Use: where °Oe matters in winemaking rather than °P or °Bx
OXYSTEAM
Measurement solution for O₂-relevant tasks in water deaeration and utility-related processes.
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Application: Monitoring O₂-critical conditions in water deaeration
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Process value: Better process assessment based on continuous measurement data
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EMS relevance: Reliable data basis for transparency and optimization in operation
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Use: Relevant for control-based operating strategies
Brewery process chain
The value of inline sensors lies not only in the measurement itself, but in improved process controllability. What matters is robust process data, short response times and better transparency regarding quality-relevant process conditions.
Lower product losses
Continuous measurement data allows earlier detection of deviations and timely correction. This can reduce product losses, overdosing and off-spec batches without waiting for delayed laboratory data.
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Earlier response to process deviations
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Better traceability during product changes
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More stable adjustment of quality-relevant parameters
Lower error costs
Inline-Messung schafft eine verlässlichere Datengrundlage für Prozessführung, Qualitätskontrolle und Ursachenanalyse. Das unterstützt eine stabilere Produktion und kann den Aufwand durch Nachregelung, Nacharbeit und Ausschuss senken.
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kontinuierliche Werte statt Einzelstichprobe
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schnellere Identifikation von Abweichungen
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bessere Grundlage für reproduzierbare Qualität
More transparency for EMS and optimization
Sensor technology provides a reliable data basis for assessing process conditions, media use and operating behavior. It can therefore also be used effectively in the context of energy and media management - especially where stable processes are a prerequisite for efficient operation.
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Greater data transparency during ongoing operation
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Better assessment of deviations and losses
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Sound basis for optimization measures
Process applications
Depending on the industry, different measured variables are in focus. What matters is that sensors are not viewed in isolation, but as part of stable, traceable and economically sound process control.
Brewery
In breweries, inline measurements support process control from the brewhouse to filling. Relevant measured variables include O₂, CO₂, extract, °P and, depending on the application, alcohol, density and sound velocity. This improves transparency at quality-critical points and facilitates stable process operation.
Soft drinks and non-alcoholic beverages
Bei Softdrinks stehen typischerweise °Bx, CO₂ und produktspezifische Konzentrationen im Fokus. Kontinuierliche Messung unterstützt eine gleichmäßige Produktqualität und schafft eine bessere Grundlage für die Regelung von Misch- und Karbonisierungsprozessen.
Wine and cider
In wine and cider processes, Oechsle measurement before fermentation is a central topic. It is important to represent the product-specific terminology clearly: while °P or °Bx is often used in other applications, °Oe is the relevant reference value in winemaking. This distinction should also be clearly visible in operation, documentation and process evaluation.
Chemicals and pharmaceuticals
In chemical and pharmaceutical applications, the focus is on density, concentration and the characterization of media and mixing ratios. The combination of density and sound velocity is particularly relevant where complex compositions need to be assessed inline.
Utility-related processes and water deaeration
Even in utility-related applications, continuous sensor technology can help monitor critical process conditions better and make operating modes more transparent. This is particularly relevant when stable operation, media usage and optimization need to be considered together.
Quality control and verification
In addition to fixed inline installation, mobile measurement solutions are useful when process values need to be checked, verified or assessed on site during service. This allows stationary measurement to be supplemented in a targeted manner during operation.
Typical applications and process logic
Precise sensor technology saves time, energy, and raw materials. Real-time monitoring prevents defective batches and unnecessary downtime – reducing costs and increasing production reliability.
💡 Up to 25% faster process optimization through real-time data
💡 Reduced product losses through precise control
Measured variables at a glance
Precise sensor technology saves time, energy, and raw materials. Real-time monitoring prevents defective batches and unnecessary downtime – reducing costs and increasing production reliability.
💡 Up to 25% faster process optimization through real-time data
💡 Reduced product losses through precise control
Speak with Our Sensor Specialists
We provide tailored guidance to identify the optimal sensor solution for your process – whether oxygen, CO₂, density, or conductivity measurement.