DE3638250C1 - Process for stabilising beer with a clarifying agent and regeneration filter therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

In a process and an apparatus for stabilising prefiltered beer, a significant reduction in the expenditure in terms of construction and process engineering is achieved by a newly constructed regeneration filter (1) being used, which only contains two filter plates (6, 7) and through which flow passes from bottom to top with a tangential bottom beer feed (32). An upper filter plate (6) is connected upstream of the top beer outlet (23). A lower filter plate (7) serves for residual filtration of the beer volume present in the vessel. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a method for stabilizing beer, which is first cleaned of turbidities in a pre-filter becomes, after which the pre-clarified beer becomes a clarifier for reduction the content of polyphenols and protein substances is added, which is withdrawn from the beer after a short exposure time, by having the beer intended for ejection first Regeneration filter is passed.

The invention further relates to a regeneration filter for Carrying out this procedure, using a filter kettle the beer intended for bottling between a lower one and is passed through an upper line connection, and inside there are at least two horizontal filter plates are arranged.

The above procedural requirements are in the Journal "Brauerei-Rundschau 91 (1980) No. 1, pages 1 to 10 ".  

In the production of beer it is known to use regeneration filters to regenerate a beer clarifier, the Regeneration filter both the function of a fine filter for the clarifier takes over, as well as a regeneration station for the filtered out clarification, exhausted by the adsorption medium serves. It should be explained that as a clarifier for beer Polyvenylpolypyrrolidon is approved, which as a fine, easily flowable white powder is commercially available.

Because of its insolubility and its pure adsorption effect PVPP is harmless from a physiological point of view. At the Bierher position it is added to the pre-filtered beer to make the beer rid of polyphenol / protein complexes. Make these fabrics the beer bitter and accelerate the clouding of the beer longer storage times. Before filling the beer into barrels or Bottles, the clarifying agent must be removed again, which is why called regeneration filter is used.

In practice, for this purpose, the well-known, from above horizontal filter of diatomaceous earth type flowing downwards used, but without diatomaceous earth on the screen surfaces; instead, the clarifier builds up as a permeable clarifier cake on the sieve surfaces. The longer the filtration process lasts, the thicker the clarifier cake becomes on the sieve surfaces and the flow rate decreases accordingly. The accordingly are large-volume, with a correspondingly large sieve horizontal filters required.  

After completion of the stabilization phase when the desired beer output is reached, the filter kettle is emptied by means of CO ₂ via a built-in residual filtration device. The clarifying agent in the filter kettle is then regenerated by washing out the accumulated trubstoff with lye, rinsing out the trubstoff, neutralizing the clarifying agent with acid and sterilizing the entire filter kettle contents with steam. By rotating the filter sieves, the regenerated clarifying agent is spun off, removed from the filter kettle and fed to a dosing tank for the next stabilization process. For the continuous filling operation, two Dosierbe containers, which are designed as stirred tanks, are generally used, one of which delivers the finished PVPP suspension, while the other prepares a new batch.

According to the prior art explained above, the clarified beer in a regeneration filter stabilized and filtered; then the clarifying agent is regenerated; for recycling the regenerated clarifier is at least a dosing tank is still required in which the slurry of the regenerated clarifier with stirring and from which the PVPP suspension is removed by means of a metering pump and an inflow line for pre-clarified beer before it enters is metered into the regeneration filter.

The regeneration filters commonly used are from Horizontal filters with numerous flow through top down  filter screens arranged one below the other. When the regenerated clarifying agents, the filter sieves rotate added to throw off the adhering clarifier cake can; the thrown mass is then from the Filter kettle deployed. The known horizontal filters are expensive to buy. To keep the beer flowing through too not to hinder the increasing structure of the filter cake they have large dimensions.

In contrast, the invention is based, Re Simplify the cycling process of the beer clarifier and equal the related constructive and procedural Reduce effort.

This object is achieved in that at one Process of the type mentioned the beer regeneration Filter flows from bottom to top, the beer volume in the filter kettle is rotated so that the Clarifier arranged under one in the upper area of the filter tank upper filter plate upstream of the beer outlet remains essentially in limbo, sometimes even down discontinues, and that only when the output of the boiler content for residual filtration through a filter located above the bottom of the boiler lower filter plate and pushed down out of the filter bowl after which the exhausted deposited on the lower filter plate Clarifier is regenerated in the filter tank.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of this method for the continuous bottling plant is that Beer is passed alternately through two regeneration filters, where one is active as a filter while the other the regenerated, sterilized and as an aqueous slurry processed clarifying agents are stored and added to the beer from there before it gets into the active regeneration filter.  

This process is based on the idea of stopping the Clarifier in the filter kettle essentially through flow to effect African measures, which the known complex Replace filter constructions with numerous filter plates.

The regeneration filter used in the process according to the invention consists essentially of a, apart from the two filter plates, empty filter kettle, through which the beer is pushed through from bottom to top in the form of a strongly rotating liquid speed column. As a result of the liquid rotation generated by the tangential inlet, the clarifying agent portions in the flow-reduced center partially sink downward or are kept in suspension under the upper filter plate, so that clarified agent-free beer suitable for filling into barrels or containers flows out through the upper beer outlet. The clarifying agent portions are therefore increasingly in the center of the beer spiral screwing upwards in the filter kettle, so that no clarifying agent cake can build up on the upper filter plate, which acts from the bottom upwards. The flow rate therefore does not decrease with increasing beer output. After the continuous filling operation has ended, the filter kettle is emptied downwards by introducing CO ₂ compressed gas through the kettle lid, which leads to residual filtration of the kettle contents through the lower filter plate. The realization of the rotating beer column inside the filter kettle presupposes that the beer is fed into the filter kettle with an overpressure of, for example, 1.5 atmospheres.

After the remaining filtration in the filter kettle, the exhausted is in it Clarifying agents in the well-known manner regene  then removed or sterilized in the same filter kettle and slurried again to a 10% aqueous suspension, the filter tank serves as a dosing tank. During the The liquid is regenerated and sterilized with a Agitator mixed thoroughly.

The use of the regeneration filter as a dosing container requires a second regeneration filter and that both regeneration filters alternate for filtering and regeneration on the one hand or for storage and dosing otherwise be used. It goes without saying that the filter kettle is chosen in size so that the prepared 10% aqueous clarifier suspension for the desired beer filling quantity is sufficient.

In the context of the method according to the invention, a regeneration tion filter of the type mentioned, which is essential Lich is simpler compared to previously known Filter types. According to the proposal of the invention Simplification in that the lower line connection the beer inlet, the upper one forms the beer outlet that the beer inlet through a from the side tangential and close to the boiler wall into the interior of the filter boiler opening pipeline is formed that  an upper filter plate arranged near the boiler lid Beer outlet is upstream, and that a lower filter plate below the beer inlet and on its circumference opposite the kettle floor is arranged sealed. Both are filter plates with regard to their cross-sectional structure for a flow Suitable from the center of the filter tank upwards or downwards trained or effective. As a result, one becomes essentially used by built-in free filter kettles. He only owns another upper filter plate near the boiler cover, through which the clarified beer connected via the one in the center of the filter plate drains its beer outlet, and a lower filter plate in Near the bottom of the boiler, which is used for the emptying filtration after the end of the continuous filling operation is required. If necessary, the flow rate the regeneration filter by installing another upper one Filter plate can be increased.

A particularly useful embodiment is that the beer outlet through a vertical, through the center of the  Boiler lid into the pipeline entering the filter boiler is formed, which is on the downstream side of the upper filter plate is closed and that between the circumference of the upper filter plate and the boiler wall remains free of an annular gap. The upper filter plate at the free end of the beer outlet Pipe be attached.

Further refinements of the regeneration according to the invention filters can be found in subclaims 6 to 11.

The invention is explained below with reference to the drawing. It shows:

Fig. 1 shows a vertical cross section through the regeneration filter according to the invention

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the top of the filter plate Regene rierungsfilters FIG. 1

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the bottom of the filter plate Regene rierungsfilters FIG. 1

Fig. 4 shows a partial cross section according to AB of FIG. 2 through the upper filter plate

Fig. 5 is a partial cross section according to CD of Fig. 3 through the lower filter plate

Fig. 6 is a wiring diagram for a large-scale Stabili sation station with two alternatively operable re-generation filters, and

Fig. 7 is a circuit diagram of a regeneration station with only one regeneration filter and a separate dosing container.

Fig. 1 shows an axial section through an inventive regeneration of the filter (1), including a filter vessel (2) is understood with suitable line connections and fittings. The filter kettle consists of a cylindrical kettle wall ( 3 ), an upwardly curved kettle lid ( 4 ) and a conical kettle bottom ( 5 ) which is open in the middle. An upper filter plate ( 6 ) and a lower filter plate ( 7 ) are located inside the filter vessel ( 1 ), which is essentially free of internals. Both filter plates ( 6 , 7 ) are filter-effective from the middle of the boiler to the outside, ie upwards or downwards in the sense that the filter-effective side points towards the center of the container and both filter plates towards the boiler cover ( 4 ) or the boiler bottom ( 5 ) are supported by support plates ( 9 , 10 ) which have drainage channels ( 8 ) which run radially outward from the center of the support plates. The support plate ( 9 ) of the upper filter plate ( 6 ) is designed as a sheet metal base in which the drainage channels ( 8 ) are hammered. The lower filter plate ( 7 ) has a support plate ( 10 ) in the manner of a solid steel plate, into which the drainage channels ( 8 ) are milled. The drainage channels ( 8 ) of the lower filter plate ( 7 ) are connected close to their circumference by an annular collecting channel ( 11 ) which is connected to the mouth of a drain ( 12 ) for residual filtration, which is guided from below and through the support plate ( 10 ). The support plate ( 10 ) of the lower filter plate ( 7 ) is sealed by means of an O-ring seal ( 13 ) against the boiler bottom ( 5 ), which is designed as a conical outwardly extending ring part.

Both filter plates contain a ceramic layer ( 15 ) made of pressed aluminum oxide sand (AL ₂ O ₃ sand). The respective ceramic layer is bordered on both sides by two wire sieves, namely a fine-mesh sieve ( 16 ) lying directly on the ceramic layer and a coarse-mesh sieve ( 17 ) arranged above it (see FIGS. 4 and 5). On the outer circumference, the ceramic layers ( 15 ) are each surrounded by a steel ring ( 18 ), on the outside of which the respective support plates and wire screens are welded.

The filter vessel ( 2 ) is open within the conical ring part forming the vessel bottom ( 5 ), ie below the lower filter plate ( 7 ). The lower filter plate ( 7 ) is thus accessible from below and can be raised by a hydraulic piston ( 14 ) of a hydraulic cylinder ( 19 ) which engages in its center from below. The hydraulic cylinder ( 19 ) is fastened in a central opening of a crossbeam ( 20 ) which is connected to the tank bottom ( 5 ) by means of lateral webs ( 21 ).

When the lower filter plate ( 7 ) is raised, the interior of the regeneration filter ( 1 ) is accessible; In this way, the regenerated sludge suspension can be drained down through the opening in the tank bottom ( 5 ) from the filter kettle ( 2 ) into a tank ( 22 ) ( FIG. 7) which is open upwards like a trough and then fed to a dosing tank. In the same way, the effluent from the filter tank ( 2 ), which decreases in effectiveness after frequent use, can be discharged.

The upper filter plate ( 6 ) has a central bore, in which a liquid-conducting to the filter plate ( 6 ) connected pipe socket ( 34 ) is arranged, which is connected by means of a screw ( 33 ) to the free end of the beer outlet ( 23 ) forming the pipeline is. The support plate ( 9 ) of the upper filter plate ( 6 ) is stiffened by means of radial inclined webs ( 24 ) (cf. also FIG. 2). After loosening the flange connection ( 25 ) between the boiler cover ( 4 ) and the boiler wall ( 3 ), the boiler cover can be lifted off.

An air outlet line ( 26 ) and a compressed gas inlet line ( 27 ) also open through the boiler cover ( 4 ), CO ₂ being used as the compressed gas. Further line connections are provided in the area of the boiler wall ( 3 ). An inlet flange ( 28 ) for filling in fresh clarifying agent and also near the bottom of the boiler ( 5 ) an outlet flange ( 29 ) for connecting a metering line for the clarifying agent suspension are provided approximately in the middle of the filter kettle. In addition, an agitator flange ( 30 ) for the installation of an agitator ( 31 ) ( FIG. 6) is provided in the side of the boiler wall ( 3 ). Finally, and this is particularly important for the implementation of the method according to the invention, a beer inlet ( 32 ) is provided which opens tangentially from the side into the interior of the filter kettle ( 2 ), namely close to the inner surface of the kettle wall ( 3 ), So that the desired rotating volume of liquid forms in the interior of the filter kettle ( 2 ), the beer in the area of the filter kettle ( 2 ) passing through the beer inlet ( 32 ) arranged below into the filter kettle ( 2 ) and this through the inside of the upper filter plate ( 6 ) attached pipe socket ( 34 ) and leaves the beer outlet ( 23 ) again. The pipe socket ( 34 ) is closed at the lower end by a stopper ( 46 ). The beer gets into the pipe socket ( 34 ) through the upper filter plate ( 6 ) by passing through the ceramic layer ( 15 ) and / or through the drainage channels ( 8 ) of the assigned support plate ( 9 ) and through one of a fine and a coarse mesh Sieve formed, a sleeve ( 34 ) surrounding a perforated section ( 47 ) of the sleeve ( 48 ) flows.

Need not be dealt with separately to be to FIGS. 2 to 5, as the details and components already hang in cooperation have been discussed with FIG. 1.

Fig. 6 shows the circuit diagram of an industrial stabilization station for filling beer with two alternatively operable regeneration filters ( 1 , 100 ). The following description assumes that the right regeneration filter ( 1 ) is active as a filter, while the left regeneration filter ( 100 ) is switched as a dosing tank, i.e. in it the clarifier filtered out of the beer during the previous beer ejection cycle was regenerated, sterilized and slurried for reuse to a 10% aqueous suspension. The left regeneration filter ( 100 ), which thus serves as a dosing container, is referred to below as an "inactive" regeneration filter ( 100 ); the regeneration filter shown on the right (1) is hereinafter referred to as "active" Rege nerierungsfilter (1).

Via the line ( L 1 ), pre-filtered beer passes through the pump ( 40 ) and a quantity display ( 41 ) into the line ( L 2 ) connected to the beer inlet ( 32 ). In line ( L 2 ), clarifier suspension from the inactive regeneration filter ( 100 ) is metered in via line ( L 3 ). The metered quantity is displayed via a flow indicator ( 42 ). During dosing, the agitator ( 31 ) of the inactive regeneration filter ( 100 ) is in operation; the inactive regeneration filter ( 100 ) is emptied by prestressing by means of CO ₂ gas via the line ( L 4 ), which is connected to the connecting piece ( 27 ) of the boiler cover ( 4 ). This also has a vent connection ( 26 ) which is connected to a vent line ( L 5 ); this is shut off during dosing, but open during stabilization. A shut-off valve ( V 1 ) in the ventilation line ( L 5 ) is bridged by a safety device ( 43 ) which responds when a certain upper boiler pressure is reached.

During the stabilization of the beer in the active regeneration filter ( 1 ), the agitator ( 31 ) of this filter stands still. The beer flowing through the beer inlet ( 32 ) tangentially and inside the regeneration filter ( 1 ) from bottom to top in the form of a rotating beer column passes through the upper filter plate ( 6 ) into the beer outlet ( 23 ) in the kettle lid ( 4 ). At the beer outlet ( 23 ) a line ( L 6 ) is provided for the output of the stabilized beer. The side inlet flanges ( 28 ) of the two regeneration filters ( 1 , 100 ) are basically closed; They are only required for cleaning the filter tank and for filling in unused clarifying agent if a new clarifying agent solution is prepared in the respective regeneration filter. Fresh water is fed into the filter vessel ( 2 ) from below via the line ( L 7 or L 1 ). Of course, the agitator ( 31 ) is in operation during this process.

If a repeated pass of stabilized beer through the regeneration filter ( 1 ) is required, the round pipe ( L 8 ) is available.

After the beer has been ejected, the remaining filtration of the volume enclosed in the regeneration filter ( 1 ) takes place. For this purpose, the filter vessel is pressed empty by introducing CO ₂ -Druckgas by the connected to the boiler lid (4) Gaslei device (L 4). The kettle contents through the bottom, with the tank bottom (5) sealing the filter plate (7) is pressed through via a connected to the lower filter plate (7) outlet (12) in the discharge line (L 9), which line with the ejection (L 6 ) is connected. During the remaining filtration, the clarifying agent particles collect on the lower filter plate ( 7 ), where they form a filter cake. So that the residual filtration can proceed quickly, ie without excessive clogging of the lower filter plate ( 7 ) through the clarifying agent cake, the stirrer ( 31 ) is operated continuously or in interval operation during the residual filtration. As a result, the formation of the filter cake can be delayed until the end of the residual or emptying filtration.

For the alternative operation of the active regeneration filter ( 1 ) as an inactive regeneration filter with the effect of a metering container, a lateral outlet flange ( 29 ) for the clarifier suspension is also provided on the regeneration filter ( 1 ), to which a further metering line ( L 10 ) is connected, which is used when the inactive regeneration filter ( 100 ) takes over the role of the active regeneration filter.

During the subsequent regeneration of the clarifier mass forming the filter cake on the lower filter plate ( 7 ), line ( L 16 ) is used as a supply line for alkali or acid. The line ( L 2 ) serves for supplying water and the line ( L 9 ) for removing used alkali or used acid. The vent line ( L 5 ) is open during the regeneration process. The agitator ( 31 ) is in operation.

It goes without saying that the functions of the individual components mentioned and the explained circuitry of the various lines can be applied to each of the two regeneration filters ( 1 , 100 ), depending on which of these two filters is currently active or inactive. The switching of the shut-off valves in the individual lines results automatically; it need not be explained in more detail. It should also be mentioned that the system as a whole is subjected to a steam sterilization process after each beer output, the steam supply line to both filter kettles via line ( L 7 ), the steam discharge line ( L 6 ) and the condensate discharge line ( L 9 ) takes place.

A simplified version of a stabilization station is shown in the wiring diagram according to FIG. 7. In contrast to FIG. 6, only a single regeneration filter ( 1 ) is provided in which the desired beer output quantity is initially stabilized; after the rest of filtration, which takes place also as for FIG. 6 described, takes place in the manner already described for FIG. 6, the regenerating, sterilizing and re-slurrying which is then emptied from the Rege nerierungsfilter (1) of the clarifier. For this purpose, the lower filter plate ( 7 ) is raised by means of the hydraulic cylinder ( 19 ) so that the clarifying agent suspension can be collected in a tank ( 22 ) which is open at the top and from there via the line ( L 11 ) with a dash-dotted line into one special Dosierbe container ( 44 ) can be transferred. The dosing container ( 44 ) also has an agitator ( 45 ). Its bottom ( 49 ) is connected via a metering line ( L 12 ) to the inlet line ( L 13 ) for pre-filtered beer in the regeneration filter ( 1 ). A line ( L 14 ) is provided for the circulation of the stabilized beer.

If the clarifying agent has to be replaced by a fresh batch, this is done in the metering container ( 44 ) by supplying water via a line ( L 15 ) and adding fresh clarifying agent from above according to arrow ( P ).

To sterilize the system, steam is fed via line ( L 17 ) to the regeneration filter ( 1 ); The uncondensed steam flows out of the boiler through lines ( L 4 ), ( L 5 ) and ( L 6 ). The condensate leaves the boiler via line ( L 9 ). Steam is introduced into the metering container ( 44 ) via line ( L 15 ). After steam sterilization, the system can be cooled with water. Unless specifically explained, the stabilization system according to FIG. 7 works in the same way as that with two regeneration filters according to FIG. 6. In contrast, the stabilization system shown in FIG. 7 is characterized by a lower process engineering effort; it is particularly suitable for smaller breweries.

Claims (11)

1. A method for stabilizing beer, which is first cleaned of turbidities in a pre-filter, after which a clarifying agent for reducing the content of polyphenols and protein substances is added to the pre-clarified beer, which is removed from the beer again after a short exposure time, by doing so for the output certain beer is passed through a regeneration filter ( 1 ) beforehand, characterized in that the beer flows through the regeneration filter ( 1 ) from bottom to top, the beer volume in the filter kettle ( 2 ) being rotated vigorously, so that the clarifying agent under an the upper area of the filter kettle ( 2 ) arranged, the upper filter plate ( 6 ) upstream of the beer outlet remains essentially in suspension, sometimes also settles downwards, and that only when the output has ended, the kettle contents for residual filtration through an over the kettle bottom ( 5 ) arranged lower filter plate ( 7 ) and pressed down out of the filter vessel ( 2 ) kt, after which the exhausted clarifying agent deposited on the lower filter plate ( 7 ) is regenerated in the filter kettle ( 2 ). 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the beer is passed alternately through two regeneration filters ( 1 ), one of which is active as a filter, while in the other the regenerated, sterilized and treated as an aqueous slurry clarifier preserves and from there the beer is dosed before it reaches the active regeneration filter ( 1 ). 3. Regeneration filter for a method according to claim 1 or 2, with a cylindrical filter kettle ( 2 ) through which the beer intended for filling is passed between a lower and an upper line connection, and in the interior of which at least two horizontal filter plates ( 6 , 7 ) are arranged, characterized in that
that the lower line connection forms the beer inlet ( 32 ), the upper the beer outlet ( 23 ),
that the beer feed ( 32 ) is formed by a pipeline opening from the side tangentially and near the kettle wall ( 3 ) into the interior of the filter kettle ( 2 ),
that a near the boiler lid ( 4 ) arranged upper filter plate ( 6 ) is connected to the beer outlet ( 23 )
that a lower filter plate ( 7 ) below the beer inlet ( 32 ) and on its circumference relative to the boiler bottom ( 5 ) is arranged and seals
that both filter plates ( 6 , 7 ) are designed or effective in terms of their cross-sectional construction for a flow from the center of the filter vessel ( 2 ) upwards or downwards. 4. Regeneration filter according to claim 3, characterized in that the beer outlet ( 23 ) is formed by a vertical, through the center of the boiler lid ( 4 ) in the filter vessel ( 2 ) entering pipe, which is connected on the downstream side to the upper filter plate ( 6 ) and that between the circumference of the upper filter plate ( 6 ) and the boiler wall ( 3 ) an annular gap ( 39 ) remains free. 5. Regeneration filter according to claim 4, characterized in that the upper filter plate ( 6 ) is attached to the free end of the beer outlet ( 23 ) forming the pipeline. 6. Regeneration filter according to claim 3, characterized in that both filter plates ( 6 , 7 ) each comprise a ceramic layer ( 15 ) which is designed as a press plate, each of which towards the center of the boiler through wire screens ( 16 , 17 ) and on the back or Outflow side is bordered by a support plate ( 9 or 10 ) provided with drainage holes ( 8 ). 7. Regeneration filter according to claim 6, characterized in that the drainage channels ( 8 ) extend radially to the center of the support plate ( 9 or 10 ). 8. Regeneration filter according to claim 7, characterized in that the drainage channels ( 8 ) of the lower filter plate ( 7 ) are connected near their periphery by an annular collecting channel ( 11 ), which is subjected to a downward discharge ( 12 ) for the remaining filtration Beer volume is connected. 9. regeneration filter according to claim 3, characterized in that the lower filter plate ( 7 ) is supported from its sealing counter surface lifted up. 10. Regeneration filter according to claim 3, characterized in that the filter kettle ( 2 ) with a flange on a side connection ( 30 ) connected agitator ( 31 ) is provided. 11. Regeneration filter according to claim 3, characterized in that the filter kettle ( 2 ) has a side inlet flange ( 28 ) for filling fresh clarifying agent and a lateral outlet flange ( 29 ) for the clarifying agent suspension as the metering station.