The HI96813 is a rugged, portable digital refractometer designed for sugar (% Brix) measurement and potential alcohol measurement (% V/V) of wine, juice and must. The HI96813 features a high accuracy of ±0.2% Brix and 0.2% V/V potential alcohol. All readings are automatically compensated for temperature variations according to the ICUMSA Methods Book standard and displayed within a 1.5 second response time. The sealed flint glass prism and stainless steel well are easy to clean. Just wipe with a soft cloth in preparation for the next sample.
- Sample size as small as 2 metric drops (100 μl)
- Sealed stainless steel well with high-grade optical prism made of flint glass
- Fast 1.5 second response time for temperature compensated readings
The HI96813 Digital Wine Refractometer converts the refractive index of the sample to sucrose concentration in units of percent by weight, % Brix (also referred to as °Brix). The conversion used is based on the ICUMSA Methods Book (International Commission for Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis). Since the majority of sugar in grape juice is fructose and glucose and not sucrose, the reading is sometimes referred to as “Apparent Brix”.
The HI 96813 allows the user to tailor the instrument to their specific needs based on their experience since no fixed conversion factor is universally applicable. The first conversion is based on the % Brix value and an adjustable conversion factor between 0.50 and 0.70 (0.55 is a common value).
Potential alcohol (%V/V) = (0.50 to 0.70) x % Brix
One drawback of the above equation is that it does not take into account the non-fermentable sugars and extract. A second equation is also available that takes these factors into account and can give a more accurate estimate of the alcohol content in the finished wine. This conversion is named “C1” on the meter, and uses the following equation:
Potential Alcohol (%V/V) = 0.059 x [(2.66 x °Oe) - 30] (C1)
* 1°Oe is roughly equal 0.2% Brix
The HI96813 is an easy to use tool for winemakers for measuring sugar and potential alcohol in grapes or must, in the field or in the lab.
- Designed for wine sugar and potential alcohol analysis
- Temperature Compensation algorithms based on sucrose solution
- 0 to 50 % Brix range with an accuracy of ± 0.2% Brix
- 0-25 % potential alcohol range with an accuracy of ± 0.2% potential alcohol
Making a Standard % Brix (Sucrose) Solution
To make a Brix Solution, follow the procedure below:
- Place container (such as a glass vial or dropper bottle that has a cover) on an analytical balance.
- Tare the balance.
- Weigh out X grams of high purity sucrose (CAS #: 57-50-1) directly into a beaker.
- Add distilled or deionized water to the beaker so the total weight of the solution is 100g.
- Note: Solutions above 65% may need to be vigorously stirred or shaken and heated in a water bath to roughly 40°C (104°F).
- Remove solution when sucrose has dissolved and allow to cool before use.
Example to prepare as 25% sucrose solution:
| %Brix |
Sucrose (g) |
Water (g) |
Total (g)
|
| 25 |
25.000 |
75.000 |
100.00 |
