Frequently asked questions

The Practical Guide to Alcoholometry is a historical reference, like the Practical Tables of Alcoholometry, adopted for decades by spirits professionals to convert alcohol content and volumes at different temperatures. The use of these paper charts is tedious and prone to reading and transcription errors. Labox Alcoholometry offers a digital version of these tools, combining speed and reliability while complying with the R22 Recommendation of the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML).

Temperature variations cause liquid expansion or contraction, modifying the measured volume and, consequently, the pure alcohol volume calculation. A measurement taken at 15°C does not correspond to one at 20°C, the legal reference. Precise conversion to the standard temperature ensures regulatory compliance and analytical consistency, essential for inventories, tax declarations, and commercial exchanges.

To obtain the pure alcohol volume (PAV), multiply the volume at 20°C (V) by the actual alcohol content by volume at 20°C (ABV in % vol.) divided by 100: PAV = V × (ABV÷100). With Labox, this calculation is instantaneous, as it incorporates temperature correction and contraction or expansion phenomena related to dilution or blending.

• Hydrometer: floating glass tube with density graduations.
• Alcoholmeter: specific model for spirits with direct % vol. graduations.
• Electronic densimeter: digital sensor that measures density with instant reading, automatically converts this value to 20°C and alcohol content for spirits.
• The relationship between density and alcohol content is only possible for spirits. Otherwise, it is essential to perform distillation or use a more sophisticated method.

ABV adjustment is done by adding water or spirits. Labox precisely calculates the volume of water or spirits to add to reach a target ABV, whether higher or lower. Labox calculations take into account contraction or expansion phenomena, ensuring an exact result without trial and error.

The volume of a container depends on its shape (cylindrical, conical, truncated cone). Traditionally, paper charts are used; Labox simplifies the process by allowing you to enter the measured height (ullage or wet) and choose the container shape. The tool instantly calculates the gross volume then converts it to 20°C and pure alcohol.

Optimix is a multi-constraint optimization engine that takes into account analytical aspects (alcohol content, acidity, methanol, volatile substances), technical aspects (available volumes, volumes to be processed or optimized), and economic aspects (ingredient costs). You import your Excel data (ingredients, analyses, prices); Optimix calculates the ideal formula to reproduce a blend, adjust an existing blend, or create a new product. The Premium version (Optimix +) offers advanced customization and complete parameter management.