Thesis (MScEng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / In order to rapidly detect, monitor and predict changes in milk as it ferments, sensors would need to be
designed specifically for milk. To this end, invasive surgical stainless steel probes were investigated and
the probe impedances were characterised according to measurements made in various saline concentrations.
Based on these findings, specific probes were designed that were robust and easy to use in milk.
To measure multiple probe sensors continuously and accurately, an automatic measurement device was
designed and manufactured. The device was self-sustaining, portable and calculated and stored all probe
impedance data internally, allowing experimental runs to take place in controlled laboratory environments.
The probes designed in this thesis were consequently tested in various milk fermentation experiments
and it was found that surgical stainless steel probes were effective at detecting and monitoring fermentation
changes. The probe impedance changes also lead the pH changes in milk, giving it a predictive element.
The probe sensor studies provided enough data so that studies could be done into potential non-invasive
sensors. Therefore, capacitive sensors were investigated and a fringe field capacitor was presented as a
potential non-invasive milk fermentation sensor.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/1804 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Van der Westhuyzen, Petrus Johannes |
| Contributors | Fourie, C. J., University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 1844364 bytes, application/pdf |
| Rights | University of Stellenbosch |
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