Tobacco drying creates a particularly challenging process environment with high temperatures, strong air movement, fine dust particles and, – in the case of ambient-air drying – regular phosphine fumigation for pest control. Phosphine is highly reactive and corrosive to metals such as aluminium and copper. In addition, deposits of fine tobacco dust can lead to measurement inaccuracies. E+E sensors are specifically designed for these demanding conditions. Smart and robust designs ensure high operational reliability:

• Heated humidity sensors: The integrated sensor heating (High Humidity Guard) prevents condensation from forming on the sensor and ensures consistent measuring accuracy, even in high humidity or condensation-prone environments. This extends sensor service life and reduces maintenance requirements.
• IP65/IP67 housing with interchangeable filters: Prevents the ingress of dust and water, ensuring maximum reliability even under harsh conditions such as high-pressure cleaning or H₂O₂ sterilization.
• E+E sensor coating: A specially developed hygroscopic protective layer covers the active sensor surface. It shields against dust, corrosion, and moisture exposure.  This ensures stable and accurate readings.
• Innovative sensor encapsulation: A dedicated protective capsule guards the electronics against fine dust, dirt particles, and chemical contamination. This ensures reliable sensor performance even in heavily polluted environments.

Industrial tobacco drying processes are highly automated. Both conventional drying systems and modern fluidized bed dryers are equipped with central control units for managing temperature, humidity, airflow and energy supply. To avoid downtime during retrofitting or maintenance, fast and uncomplicated sensor integration is essential. E+E sensors can be seamlessly integrated into existing systems thanks to standardized interfaces such as Modbus RTU, as well as analogue and digital outputs. Output signals can be preconfigured individually, minimizing installation effort. This makes the sensors ideal for both new systems and retrofit projects with maximum compatibility to existing automation infrastructure.

Drying chambers and conveyor lines in tobacco processing are often difficult to access. Any downtime has a direct impact on throughput and product quality. Sensor solutions must therefore not only deliver reliable measurements but also require minimal maintenance. E+E Elektronik provides a smart solution: The modular design of the sensors allows quick on-site replacement of the sensor module without dismantling the entire device or performing time-consuming recalibration. This is a major advantage, especially in areas with phosphine exposure or heavy dust build-up. The replaceability significantly reduces maintenance effort, minimizes downtime, and ensures long-term operational reliability, which is a measurable benefit in high-capacity production lines.