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Can you beat three gallons per x bushel?

Can you beat three gallons per bushel?

There are lots of ways to increase ethanol yields, but they all hinge on one key factor: knowing what’s going on inside your processes, at every moment. 

That’s where IRmadillo™ comes in. It's a powerful real-time analysis tool that gives you continuous, precise data for all your yield improvement projects.

“Increases plant stability and productivity”
Technical Director
“The most robust instrument we’ve seen in the market
Julian Parra
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Real-time analysis for total process control

“Gives us better control … by providing real time information on how fermentation kinetics are progressing”
Julian Parra

Introducing the IRmadillo:
Revolutionizing Fuel Ethanol Production

During the ethanol production process, the innovative IRmadillo can detect the concentrations of many, many chemicals in real time – chemicals like lactic acid, acetic acid and more. Watch below how batches progress, with concentration traces for ethanol, DP4 and lactic acid over time.

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Batch 1: It's perfect, with an ethanol drop of 14.1%.

Batch 2: Low yielding. Something's gone wrong: its drop is only 12.7%. And watch the lactic beginning to trend upwards at the end – a warning of more trouble ahead?

Batch 3 has a catastrophic lactobacillus infection. Its yield gets wiped out. The plant loses money. The operators lose time.

IRmadillo shows the disaster as it unfolds – showing the spike a full 8 hours before the HPLC does.

Can you afford to wait 8 hours to know something’s gone wrong?

IRmadillo warns you before lactic acid starts to spike

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Built tough, for your industry

The IRmadillo is designed for the rigors of industrial production: it can be installed directly into manufacturing lines without worry. With no moving parts, it stands up to vibrations, impacts, and general movement.

But it delivers lab-grade accuracy, continuously measuring the concentrations of a huge range of chemical substances.

With the IRmadillos real-time monitoring, you get the reliable data you need to optimize every step of your production process, leading to higher yields and better overall efficiency.

If you want to exceed 3 gallons per bushel, there is no better way.

“IRmadillos … have multiple benefits for an ethanol plant”
Technical Director

“Helps run fermentations [that are] more stable, and as close as possible to ‘golden batch’ conditions”
Technical Director
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IRmadillo knows how to keep your yeast happy

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“An early warning system … to detect potentially faulty fermentation processes [when] correction is still possible”
Technical Director
“Allows identification of small deviations from your standard
fermentation curve that otherwise remain unnoticed”
Technical Director

About the IRmadillo

IRmadillo’s unique technology

The IRmadillo was actually developed for use on Mars, as part of the UKs contribution to the Mars space program. Manufactured by Keit Industrial Analytics, the device now has a secure and practical commercial niche in many earth-bound industrial processes.

What can IRmadillo measure?

If there's any chemical youd like to measure in real-time, its likely IRmadillo is the tool to do it. It's not designed to replace HPLC in terms of error margins or detection limits, but it offers far more frequent data over shorter intervals. This means you get real-time insights that guide you when to take HPLC extracts, helping to deploy staff more efficiently and effectively.

How does IRmadillo fit into my processes?

The IRmadillo’s diamond-tipped probe is built to handle Clean-In-Place (CIP) practices, including caustic washing. Rated for up to 600 psig (40 barg), it can withstand direct exposure to caustic streams. With an operating temperature range up to 430°F (220°C), it’s ideal for use in distillation or liquefaction.

Sealing options for the probe include a straightforward port and flange assembly for secure tank integration. For added safety, an intermediate ball valve can be provided to allow probe removal mid-fermentation if necessary.

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What output will I see when I use it?

The IRmadillo’s software includes built-in calibration and performs real-time measurements that provide continuous updates on chemical concentrations (typically in %wt, but adjustable to your preferred units) throughout the process. Data can be exported as text files for further analysis, aiding in process optimization.

Real-time concentration data is sent directly to your DCS, PLC, or SCADA via standard communication protocols like OPC-UA or Modbus TCP over Ethernet, seamlessly integrating with existing control systems.

Installation and calibration

The IRmadillo is designed for seamless integration into your processes with a “fit and forget” setup. It can be installed directly through an existing flange into tanks, with or without a ball valve for isolation, or fitted into recirculation pipework. The instrument communicates directly with your DCS or control system, making it an easy addition to plant operations. Calibration and maintenance support programs are available to keep everything running smoothly.

IRmadillo knows pure, high quality ethanol when he sniffs it

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What our users say

The IRmadillo is the most robust instrument that we have seen in the market for real time monitoring of ethanol fermentation. It gives us better control of the fermentation process by providing real time information on how fermentation kinetics are progressing, in other words, how the sugars are being consumed and converted into ethanol”

Julian Parra, Engineering and Technology | Manager Pannonia Bio

"IRmadillo online analyzers, installed on fermentation vessels, have multiple benefits for an ethanol plant: because of their easy integration into the plant DCS system, they can work as an early warning system for plant operators to detect potentially faulty fermentation processes at a moment when correction is often still possible. Further, the continuous measurement allows identification of small deviations from your standard fermentation curve that otherwise remain unnoticed. This knowledge helps to run more stable fermentations, as close as possible to 'golden batch' conditions, which in turn increases plant stability and productivity. The system is also an ideal tool for process engineers when testing new fermentation recipes, like new yeast strains, new enzymes, or other chemicals, and different process settings

Technical Director | Biofuels Plant in Western Europe

"We're excited to fully implement the IRmadillo with our operators and see its true potential, especially given the rapid advancements. Im really excited to see where the technology will go in regard to fermentation monitoring. The Keit teams impressive engineering and data analytics expertise have made them a pleasure to work with”

Dakin Nolan, Chemical Engineer and Environmental Specialist | United Wisconsin Grain Producers
“An ideal tool for process engineers testing new fermentation recipes … and different process settings”
Technical Director
“The Keit team's impressive engineering and data analytics expertise have made them a pleasure to work with”
Dakin Nolan
“I’m really excited to see where the technology will go”
Dakin Nolan

Rent or buy

Rental

Want to try out an IRmadillo? We can bill you monthly for an agreed span of time. Easy to renew, you have control over how long you keep it – from a few months to an even longer rent-to-own plan.

Purchase

Own your IRmadillo to monitor any process on-line and in real time as you see fit.

Im interested. Whats next?

Fill out the form below or email us at info@irmadillo.com. A local representative will be in touch to see how IRmadillo could help improve your yields.