DE2331842A1 - PROCEDURE AND EQUIPMENT FOR HUMIDIFYING CEREAL GRAIN BEFORE ITS GRINDING - Google Patents

Description

MIAG 06/19/73 Pat / Ad / Gr

(EM 1583)

Method and device for moistening cereal grain before it is ground

The invention relates to a method for moistening cereal grain before it is ground, in particular for moistening of barley malt before grinding, in which the grain is brought into a humidification room and with the The humidifying medium is wetted and remains in the humidifying room for a certain period of time for soaking and after soaking is derived or requested for further processing.

The invention also relates to a device for humidifying of cereal grain before it is ground, in particular for moistening barley malt before grinding, with a humidification chamber, which has a material inlet and a material outlet and means for moistening the material introduced into it Has grain material to practice this procedure.

When making beer, it is important for the lautering of the wort that the skins of the malt grains are as whole as possible because whole, large bowls are essential for rapid filtration. To the bowls in the whole of to loosen the relatively dry malt grains and largely exclude subsequent crumbling, turns the so-called wet milling is started, that is, the malt is grinded or ground after it has been intensively moistened Has; the shells become elastic through appropriate moisture absorption.

This moistening of the malt has hitherto been done predominantly in such a way that in each case the amount required for a beer brew Entered the amount of malt into a so-called soft container, here sprayed with water and left to soak for a certain time Will and after this softening process respectively

409883/0592

MIAG - 2 - 19.06.75 Pat / Ad / Gr

(EM 1583)

after sufficient moisture absorption of the. The husks are then fed to the grist mill, where it is ground and subsequently is mixed with water in the brewhouse to make the mash. The known method is with the help of a so-called Reservoir carried out periodically. This pre or soft container is a funnel-shaped vessel with a the capacity of approx. 5 to 7 tons of brewing malt corresponding to the malt batch required for a beer brew, the the malt on top and water using a spray device is supplied and from its outlet opening provided in the lower part the moistened or softened Malt flows into the grist mill, which is usually located immediately below; between the soft hopper and the gristle mill a subsidy was added to allow the softened malt to be removed or to remain in the soft container determined. Such a humidifying device is for example in the German Gbm 6 608 782 / 50b 5.01.

Both the known method and the humidifier used to practice this method are liable for defects that have a detrimental effect on the practical operation. The malt grains in the soft container each introduced malt batch experience a very different degree of humidification due to the different Residence time in the soft container, which depends on where the individual grain is located within the filling; The malt grains lying at the top of the soft container linger longer in it, so that their degree of moistening is higher than with malt grains below, near the outlet opening. This different humidification is unfavorable for that Grist and also means a very different enzymatic breakdown, which is undesirable. In addition, that in the event of malfunctions, the malt to be softened or moistened is exposed to spoilage when it becomes too

- 3 -409883/0592

MIAG - 3 - 19.06.73 Pat / Ad / Gr

(EM 1583)

remains in the soft container for a long time. Furthermore, eat that known method is still unfavorable, as the different and relatively long residence time of the Unwanted and uncontrollable biological processes can be triggered prematurely in the malt in the soft container.

The shortcomings of the known humidifier are that they, to the relatively large, several To be able to accommodate tons of malt batches, when placed above the grist mill, builds very high and thus requires a room of great height for their installation, which is usually difficult in existing brewhouses. The structural design of the known humidifier limits the amount of malt to be ground; there but within a certain period of time for a certain batch of malt both moistening and that Grist must be done for biochemical reasons, are for large bulk quantities ^ e beer brew at this periodic Moistening a large number of grist mills with associated soft containers required, which high investment costs and a corresponding additional requirement for installation space.

The invention has the task of realizing a humidification process, with which also large Malt quantities evenly moistened and with regard to the biological processes caused by the moistening triggered, all malt grains are treated equally, that is, the exposure time of the moisture before the grinding is the same length for each grain of malt. This object is achieved according to the invention in that the Grain is placed in a continuous process on a moving, porous conveying surface, on the conveying surface moved and during this movement the humidifying medium is applied to it. If in accordance with

409883/0592

MIAG - 4 - 19-06.73 Pat / Ad / Gr

(EM 1583)

the further development of the method according to the invention moves the grain continuously on the conveying surface is, so even very large amounts of malt can be moistened relatively quickly evenly, which is with regard to the is important today in the large amounts of bulk that are often used today. A very good promotional effect and also a special one intensive moistening of the malt grains from all sides can be achieved in that according to a Another feature of the invention, the grain is moved swinging on the conveying surface. The evenness of the Moisture can be increased by the fact that the grain always with an approximately constant layer height is placed on the conveying surface. To absorb moisture from the husks of the malt grains To facilitate it, it is advantageous if the humidifying medium is applied in finely divided form, what - how it is is known - can be done by spraying. The penetration of moisture into the shells can through Heating the humidification medium can be increased, with the malt already used for the later mashing process is pre-tempered. So that in the conveying area in which the wetting takes place, the core material through the Any excess humidifying medium that has not been absorbed is not swept away in the conveying direction, it is in the sense of the term rapid removal of the excess moistening medium is favorable if the grain is moved horizontally or obliquely upwards in the moistening space.

A further object of the invention is design a device for practicing the method according to the invention is based. It is assumed thereby from the known humidifying device mentioned at the beginning with a humidifying chamber which has a material inlet and has a material outlet and means for moistening the grain material introduced into it, and after the further invention this additional task

- 5 409883/0592

MIAG - 5 - 19.06.73 Pat / Ad / Gr

(EM 1583)

solved by that in the humidification chamber a grain receiving, porous conveying surface is arranged is, which is moved, and the moistening means are provided over this conveying surface. For quick discharge of the excess humidifying medium, the conveying surface becomes horizontal according to another feature of the invention or inclined. According to the further invention, a conveying surface with passage openings is used For the humidification medium provided floor with vibratory drive, which is best designed as a perforated or slotted sieve is “Instead of an oscillating floor, the However, the conveying surface can also be formed by the upper run of a continuously driven, porous conveyor belt.

So that the humidification performance or the malt throughput is adapted to changing operating conditions can be, it is provided according to the further invention that the drive for the floor or the conveyor belt can be regulated in relation to the speed of the grain being moved.

In order to achieve an intensive and uniform moistening of the malt grains, in a further development of the moistening device, the moistening means for the approximately uniform application of moistening medium to the respective grains located on the conveying surface are placed distributed over the conveying surface; so that the moistening medium is applied in fine distribution to the malt grain, which is essential for a rapid uptake of moisture, has been provided as a humectant best a plurality of spray nozzles. The supply line to the spray nozzles can. be associated with a heating device that heats the spray medium and improves its rapid absorption in the husks of the malt grains. Instead, the spray medium can be taken from a hot water storage tank, which is usually present in breweries anyway, and fed to the spray device.

409883/0592

- D -

MIAG -6 - 19.06.73 Pat / Ad / Gr

(EM 1583)

In order to be able to vary the degree of moistening of the malt on the one hand and the amount of moistening medium supplied on the other To be able to adjust the possibly changing malt supply, such an adjustment is for example Often necessary in view of the downstream machine, the spray nozzles are expediently adjusted assigned to regulate the amount of humidifying medium supplied to them. For good matching (Malt throughput), the device according to the invention is advantageously provided with means for adjusting the layer height of the grain on the conveying surface, with the help of which the performance of the humidification device can be matched to the performance that the downstream machine, for example if this Machine is exchanged.

According to a further feature of the humidifying device according to the invention, a is below the conveying surface Collection means for the excess humidification medium provided, with the help of which not absorbed by the malt Humidifying medium is collected for further use. For this purpose, the catching device is designed as a funnel, trough or channel, for example either with the housing of the downstream machine, for example with the collecting chamber of the grist mill, or connected to the conveying line leading the shot from this machine. The inventive Humidification device is advantageous with the downstream Machine combined and combined with this to form a structural unit, whereby it is achieved that the moistened malt arrives directly in the grinding machine and intermediate conveyors are saved and for the More time is available for the moistening and grinding process.

The drawing shows exemplary embodiments of the humidifier shown according to the invention, the

- 7 - 409883/0592

MIAG - 7 - * 19.06.73 Pat / Ad / Gr

(EM 1583)

are described below. Ea show

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the humidifying device in combination with a Grist mill in schematic representation and

2 shows a further embodiment of the humidifying device.

The humidifier according to FIG. 1 has a housing 1, the interior of which contains the humidifier 2 forms. A sump 3, which is permanently connected to the housing 1 and possibly consists of one piece with it absorbs the grain to be moistened in the form of barley malt. The humidification chamber 2 has an inlet in Form of a longitudinal slot-shaped opening 4, which at the lower end of the inlet box 3 is provided, as well an outlet embodied by the discharge shaft 5. Inside the housing 1 is on a base 6 with the help a support frame 8 is resiliently supported by springs 7 and accommodates an inclined bottom 9 designed as a wedge wire sieve, the columns 9a of which have a width which is smaller than the smallest dimension of the malt grains. The support frame 8 has a ßchwingantrieb 10, which can be regulated, for example, with respect to the oscillation amplitude The unbalance motor is formed and the conveying surface formed by the bottom 9 is set in vibration.

There are three evenly distributed over the bottom 9 SprühdÜBenreihen11,12,13 extending transversely to it arranged, the spray nozzles 14 attached to pipes 15 »16,17 are. The tubes 15 * 16.17 are connected to a common Feed line 13 connected, which it with an unillustrated memory for preheated water connects. A valve 19 built into the feed line 18 is used to adjust the amount supplied to the spray nozzles 14 Amount of water. To adjust the layer height on the floor 9 or to regulate the per unit of time The amount of malt flowing in is at the inlet box 3

409883/0592

MIAG - 8 - 19.06.73 Pat / Ad / Gr

(EM 1583)

a slide 20 is provided with which the opening 4-more or less can be completed. A funnel 21 is located on the subframe 6 below the base 9 as a means of collecting the excess water not absorbed by the husks of the malt grains.

The moistening device is made up of a grist mill 22 of known type with inlet connection 23, grist rollers 24 and collecting space 25 for the paint-water mixture as well as outlet connection 26 and water supply line 27 combined, which is immediately subordinate to it. A pipe 28 connects the collecting space 25 of the grist mill 22 with the funnel 21.

Operation of the humidifier according to Fig. 1:

The malt located in the inlet box 3, which is fed by a feeder (not shown), slips open its sloping floor downwards and through the adjustable opening 4- through to the floor 9 · The from the vibratory drive 10 constantly vibrated bottom 9 promotes the malt grains in the direction of the arrow 29 under the spray nozzles 14 of the spray nozzle rows 11, 12, 13 along. During this movement, the spray nozzles 14 carry a multiple of the malt throughput of heated water too, in a very fine distribution. The continuously vibrated on the vibrating floor 9 Grains of malt migrate up the floor9 and experience constant changes both in their Location as well as their position within the malt layer, its height, for example, by setting it accordingly of the slide 20 is about 20 mm. In the course of this movement and continuous change in position, the Peel the malt grains intensely and from all sides

_ 9 - 409883/0592

MIAG - 9 - 06/19/73 Pat / Ad / Gr

(EM 1583)

evenly moistened. Excess water not absorbed by the husks of the malt grains flows through the gaps 9a of the bottom 9 through into the funnel 21 and from here via the pipeline 28 into the collecting space 25 of the grist mill 22. As soon as the moistened malt grains have reached the discharge-side end of the base 9, they fall through the outlet shaft 5 into the Inlet connection 23 of the grist mill 22. In the grist mill the malt grains are gemajihlen in a known manner, wherein Due to the intensive and even moistening, the shells or husks are completely detached and fall together with the shot into the collecting space 25, in which shot and shells with water from the supply line 27 and mixed from the pipeline 28 and via the outlet nozzle 26 into the mash tun, not shown be derived.

The embodiment variant of the humidifying device according to the invention illustrated in FIG. 2 differs differs from the above essentially by a different shape of the conveying surface and the collecting means. Components that with those of the embodiment of FIG correspond, are provided in Fig. 2 with reference numbers increased by 100 and are no longer described in detail, namely the housing 101, the humidification chamber 102, the inlet box 103 with opening 1CW and Slide 120, the outlet shaft 105, the rows of spray nozzles 111,112,113 with nozzles 114, the pipes 115 * 116,117, the feed line 118 with valve 119 as well as the pipeline 128.

here serves as a conveying surface for the malt to be moistened horizontal upper run 130a of a porous conveyor belt 130 arranged in the housing 101 and made of, for example, plastic.

- 10 -

A09883 / 0592

MIAG - 10 - 19.06.73 Pat / Ad / Gr

(EM 1583)

The conveyor belt 130 is guided over belt drums 131, 132, of which the belt drum 131 is a guide drum and the belt drum 132 designed as an electric drum is the drive drum, which drives the conveyor belt 130 continuously in the direction of arrow 133. The belt drum 132 can be equipped with a continuously adjustable drive or a drive that can be switched in steps, so that the conveyor belt can be driven at different speeds. AIa collecting means for the excess moistening medium is arranged below the conveyor belt 130 a trough 134 which is connected by the pipeline 128, for example, to the collecting space of the grist mill, not shown, or to the pipeline connecting the grist mill and mash tun.

With the difference that in this embodiment the malt on the conveying surface experiences a continuous movement within the humidification space 102 instead of an oscillating movement, its mode of operation is in principle the same as that described in connection with the embodiment according to FIG.

be The progress achieved with the invention / is essentially in a completely uniform treatment of all malt grains in relation to the duration of the moisture, which is decisive for the biochemical processes, in effect before milling and in such an intensive moistening of the maize grains that the shells or husks in for the subsequent refining process, they are advantageously retained on the whole during grinding.

- 11 -

409883/0592

MIAG - 11 - 19.06.73 Pat / Äd / Gr

(EM 1583)

Further advantages are that no separation of the malt can occur, which is also common for today required large bulk quantities required large Quantities of malt can be moistened without difficulty with the moistening device according to the invention, furthermore, due to the continuous mode of operation, a relatively small overall height and thus a considerable one Space savings compared to the known humidification device and, furthermore, better hygiene, since the humidification chamber is easier to clean than the usual large white containers, and that the grinding process in contrast to known device can be interrupted at any time by blocking the supply of malt to the conveying surface.

409883/0592 - 12 -

Claims (22)

MIAG - 12 - 19.06.73 Pat / Ad / Gr (EM 1583) Claims Process for moistening cereal grain before grinding it, in particular for moistening barley malt before grinding, in which the grain is introduced into a humidifying room and wetted with the humidifying medium and remains in the humidifying room for a certain time to soften and after soaking it is diverted for further processing or is conveyed away, characterized in that the grain is placed in a continuous process on a moving, porous conveying surface, moved on the conveying surface and the moistening medium is applied to it during this movement. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the grain is moved oscillating on the conveying surface. 3 · The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the grain is continuously moved on the conveyor surface. 4. The method according to claim 1 and 2 or 3 _5, characterized in that the grain is moved horizontally or obliquely upwards in the humidification space. 5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the grain is fed onto the conveying surface with an almost constant layer height. 6. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the humidifying medium is heated. - 13 k 0 9883/0592 MIAG - 13 - 19-06.73 Pat / Ad / Gr (EM 1583) 7 · Process according to one or more of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the humidifying medium in a known manner by Spray is applied to the Kbrngut. 8. Device for moistening cereal grain before it is ground, in particular for moistening of barley malt before grinding, with a humidification chamber that has a material inlet and a Has good outlet and means for moistening the grain introduced into it, for exercising the Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that in the humidification chamber (2 or 102) a porous conveying surface (9 or 130a) is arranged, which is moved, and the moistening means (14 or 114) are provided above this conveying surface (9 or 1JOa). 9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the conveying surface (9 or 130a) is horizontal or is arranged inclined. 10. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the humidifying means (14 or 114) to approximately uniform application of the respectively located on the conveying surface (9 or 130a) Grain material with moistening medium are placed distributed over the conveying surface (9 or 130a). 11. Device according to claims 8 and 9 »characterized in that the conveying surface as with a passage so ff openings (9a) for the humidifying medium provided bottom (9) with oscillating drive (10) formed is. - 14 409883/0592 MIAG - 14 - 19.06.73 Pat / Ad / Gr (EM 1583) 12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the bottom (9) as a perforated or slotted screen is designed. 13 · Device according to claims 8 and 9 »thereby characterized in that the conveying surface of the upper run (130a) of a continuously driven, porous conveyor belt (130) is formed. 14. Device according to claim 11 or 13, characterized in that that the drive (10 or 132) for the floor (9) or the conveyor belt (130) can be regulated in relation to the speed of the 3 moving grains. 15. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that that a plurality of spray nozzles (14 or 114) are provided as humidifying means. 16. Device according to claim 15 »characterized in that that the spray nozzles (14 or 114) adjusting means (19 or 119) for regulating the amount of humidifying medium supplied to them assigned. 17. Device according to claim 8 and one or more of the following claims, characterized in that means (20 or 120) for adjusting the layer height of the grain are arranged on the conveying surface (9 or 130a). 18. Device according to claim 8 and one or more of the following claims, characterized in that a collecting means (21 or ΛJA-) is provided for the excess humidifying medium below the conveying surface (9 or 130a). 409883/0592 - 15 - MIAG - 15 - 19.06.75 Pat / Ad / Gr (EM 1583) 19. The device according to claim 18, characterized in that. The collecting means (21) with a downstream machine (22) is connected. 20. Device according to claim 8 and one or more of the following claims, characterized by the Combination with a grinding machine, in particular with a wet grist mill (22). 21. Device according to claims 19 and 20, characterized in that the collecting means (21) with connected to the collecting chamber (25) of the grist mill (22) is. 22. Device according to claim 20, characterized in that it forms a structural unit with the grinding machine (22) is united and their Gutauslaß (5) in the Guteinlaß (23) of the grinding machine (22) opens. 409883/0592 Blank page