MoistTech to showcase technology at International Biomass Conference & Expo

MoistTech Corp., a Sarasota, Florida-based manufacturer of moisture measurement and control solutions, says it will showcase its IR3000 series moisture sensors at the International Biomass Conference & Expo, March 31–April 2 in Nashville, Tennessee.  

The company says the advanced near-infrared (NIR) technology of the IR3000 delivers precise, real-time moisture analysis for a wide range of biomass materials, including wood pellets, wood chips, agricultural residues, energy crops and biofuel byproducts. 

In biomass production and fuel preparation, the IR3000 can optimize drying and conditioning processes, enabling continuous moisture measurement that improves fuel quality, increases throughput and reduces energy consumption. 

MoistTech says the IR3000 is guaranteed to never drift over time. Each IR3000 sensor can store calibrations for up to 50 different biomass products or product variations. 

The IR3000’s accuracy is unaffected by most material variations such as height, color and particle size, as well as by ambient temperature and lighting conditions, the company says. MoistTech software automatically compensates for small gaps, inert material, foreign objects and conveyor surfaces. The IR3000 utilizes rugged cast aluminum enclosures to disperse heat and ensure accurate readings. 

In biomass and bioenergy applications, MoistTech says tight moisture control is essential to maximize combustion efficiency, reduce emissions and protect downstream equipment from plugging, fouling or incomplete combustion. By maintaining ideal moisture levels, producers can achieve more uniform BTU content, improved pellet durability and safer long-term storage conditions. 

Real-time, continuous moisture measurement enables operators to make immediate, data-driven adjustments to temperature, feed rate and dryer settings. With NIR analysis, MoistTech says manual sampling and lab testing steps, such as collecting, drying and weighing samples, are significantly reduced or eliminated. Instead, live moisture data is fed directly to plant control systems for automated process control, allowing biomass facilities to increase productivity while maintaining strict quality targets. 

The IR3000 sensor is a complete solution that the company says is easy to install and integrate into existing biomass production lines, conveyors, hoppers and storage systems, without requiring the purchase of additional hardware or software. Its non-contact design minimizes contamination and wear, enabling continuous operation without interfering with material flow or production throughput.