Automated Measurement of Total Oxygen in Beer Packages. G. L. Jandreau and C. W. Hahn, Adolph Coors Co., Golden, CO 80401. J. Am. Soc. Brew. Chem. 36:0044, 1978.

An instrument has been developed to provide accurate, reliable analyses of total oxygen levels in filled beer packages. It is readily adaptable to all sizes of cans and bottles, and analysis cycle time is about 5 min. By utilizing the Hersch galvanic cell to analyze only the headspace gas and then determining the total oxygen by automatic calculation, many process problems have been avoided. The method is non-destructive of the sample, and the same beer can later be used for chemical and organoleptic analyses. Automatic sequencing and direct digital readout make the analyzer insensitive to operator skill level and provide a reliable means to relate µg/kg oxygen levels in the packaging operation to levels obtained in the cellaring operation.

Keywords: Automatic sampling, Dissolved oxygen, Gas/liquid equilibrium, Headspace oxygen, Hersch cell.