FR2541303A2 - Improvements to the materials and processes used in oenology - Google Patents

Abstract

The subject of the present invention is a temperature controlling, monitoring and regulating device for wine-making or clarifying tanks comprising devices for removing liquid from the tank. It is characterised by the fact that a cask is arranged from the top of the tank, plunging into the liquid mass which has at least one of the following devices: devices for removing liquid under the upper level, sensors of the measuring, controlling and regulating device, devices for reinjecting liquid above and/or below the liquid level. It relates to improvements to the materials and processes used in oenology.

Description

 The present invention relates to improvements to the materials and methods used in oenology. It is known that during the vinification of a must, the temperature conditions are one of the predominant factors in obtaining a quality wine. In recent years, researchers' studies have shown that physical conditions are at least as important if not more than the chemical conditions of fermentation and winemaking.

 A minimum temperature must be reached for alcoholic fermentation to start. But, after some time, the release of heat is such that the temperature can get carried away with destruction of the yeasts premature cessation of the sugar-alcohol transformation and deterioration of the quality of the wine.

 Conversely, if the temperature is too low, the fermentation of the musts starts slowly and in poor conditions.

 Empirical solutions for cooling or heating (run-off on the tanks, water circulation exchanger, fractionation of tanks, etc.) are used in Dour cellars to deal with these problems, without being sure of achieving the desired optimal quality. .

 Full control of the temperature of the wine throughout fermentation must provide, by physical processes, a product requiring less and less correction by chemical treatments.

 In the main patent, it has been proposed (with reference to FIG. 1) the implementation of an apparatus using an elaborate process of temperature regulation combined with an apparatus generating heat and cold making it possible to obtain in tanks or the vinification takes place, in red or in white, an integral control of the temperature of the entire liquid during the vinification (temperature made homogeneous) according to the desired evolution curve over time.

Typical equipment includes
A cold generator. This generator can include a hermetic or semi-hermetic refrigeration unit (Gp), but also be equipped with a so-called open compressor, either driven by an electric motor, or thanks to a connection, nar an agricultural tractor (T) fitted a PTO (F). The refrigeration circuit works, either in direct expansion, or through a glycol water circuit.

 A heat generator. This generator can be constituted by mounting the refrigeration installation as a heat pump, or more generally by a boiler system with hot water circuit (Ch).

 An exchanger system (E) (wine-heat transfer fluid). It will advantageously be constituted by a liquid-liquid exchanger (with plates for example) receiving on one side the wine circuit (Ev) and on the other a double circuit, brine, hot water In this case the original exchanger will include at the circulation of the heat transfer fluid a double path: hot water (Ec) / cold water (Ef).

 Apparatus for pumping heat transfer fluids. It has a pump on the hot circuit (Pc), a pump on the cold circuit (Pf).

 A pumping system (Pv), made of stainless steel or bronze, placed on the wine circuit and connected to the treatment tank.

 A liquid intake (A) in the treatment tank. The wine circuit in connection with the heat exchanger comoorte, at the upper part of the tank (K), a strainer which can rise in the tank with the level of the liquid (and always below the "cap", it that is, the consistent part of the floating must found in the upper fraction of the red wine-making tank). The delivery takes place in the lower (or upper) part by perforated pipes (R1 R2) in the shape of a star: such a distribution of the regulated wine flow standardizes the distribution of the temperatures in the tank.

A temperature regulation system (Reg T) comprising - the display of the setpoint is manual,
either automatic (program), - display of the effective temperature of the wine being treated, preferential
digital, - the regulation controlled by the set temperature (linked to a flat probe
in the tank), - the power equipment of the regulation output, by proportion action
and by acting on modulating valves (V1 and V2) to obtain a
high regulation accuracy.

 A programming system (Prog) of the temperature over time, preferably with digital control. This device allows, thanks to the use of a microprocessor, the introduction of programming by the user, either by means of a keyboard (C1) (programming by crossovers), or in an even simpler way at by means of a pre-recorded magnetic cassette (Bm) comprising, as a function of the parameters analyzed beforehand, the entire control of the winemaking process and all the necessary security, or even by means of dead magnetic memories (PROM type), pre-recorded and interchangeable.

 The temperature measurement system (resistor or thermocouple probe, suitably protected, will be housed Dreferentially in the floating strainer (S1) or even placed in the wine circuit, for example near the outlet (S4).

 An injection device (I). In winemaking, "pumping over" consists in drawing the liquid from the bottom of the tank and returning it to the top after passing through an intermediate aeration tank. As in the device according to the invention, the liquid circulates permanently, it only remains to add the aeration effect to obtain the equivalent of reassembly.

 This ventilation action is easily carried out according to the invention, by an air injector placed in the delivery circuit, a valveS (V5) admits or not air into the circuit.

 The control of this valve can be either triggered by a pre-set pendulum (P) or by a detector of the need for heat or cold supply suitable for the operation of the regulation (action prolongs more or less long outside the range sensitive close to the modulated regulation during the pronortional action) or Dar a detector complementary to that of the temperature, for example by automatic refractometry (Capt), by detection of C02. The movement of this valve can still be triggered by programming.

 The distribution of air by injector at the bottom of the tank facilitates the diffusion of air in the volume of wine being treated and promotes its fermentation.

 In addition, the presence of the circulation pump can be used for "reassembly" in a simplified way by a two-way valve (V6) switching when necessary the discharge (with or without air) of the distribution manifolds R1 and R2 in the tank on the nozzle (R3) of the wine above the cap. This action can be performed in combination or not with the opening of the air injection valve (V5).

 The valve can be triggered - either by a pendulum, - or by an auxiliary detector, - or by programming.

 Another version of the equipment according to the invention is to regulate the temperature of a tamnon tank at a programmed temperature, and to operate the wine circulation pump Dar the control of regulation: this system which can be more economical is however less efficient.

Finally, the apparatus as described in the invention can be used.
read outside of winemaking periods as a clarification system
wines by the cold before bottling.

For this purpose, the apparatus includes a reservoir (STK) provided with suitable solenoid valves (V3 and V4) intended to receive the tartaric salts in contact with the wine during the duration of the treatment. The programming can in this case be used to impose the times of cooling and processing
(ENR) is a recorder controlling by the probes (S2 / S3) the good functioning of the clarification system and by the probes (51) or (S4) the good thermal conditions of the wine making.

 The device may include the possibility of controlling the enough screwing and regulation of several tanks at the same time.

 This installation can therefore be defined in five constituent assemblies shown diagrammatically in FIG. 9 in dashed lines: the tank and its CV accessories, the regulation and recording-RE9 the thermal / refrigeration TH assembly, the INJ air injector, storage of CH chemical additives.

The Ty bodies are flexible hoses with fittings of the firefighter hose type for connecting the CV assembly and the TH and INJ assemblies.

 According to the present addition, the invention aims to improve the techniques used and the results obtained in the implementation of the invention according to the main patent9 the adaptation to existing installations and to installations with several tanks.

 The main patent translating a particularly flexible type of installation and adapted to the most diverse cases, it was necessary, to avoid considerable investments to make these provisions more flexible and to take advantage of them to make them efficient.

Several preliminary remarks are indeed necessary.

 It is obvious that taking into account installations such as those of FIG. 1, numerous apparatuses can be commuoeed to several tanks. Furthermore, it has been found that in most of the existing tanks, due to the aerobic nature of the fermentation phenomena, the essential phase of the reactions takes place in the vicinity of the surface of the liquid mass: there are in particular gradients of temperatures of the order of 100 ° C. in the liquid layer approximately two meters below the surface and the "cap" when the latter has formed while below this upper layer, the temperature uniformity is very remarkable, the gradients being very small. We could therefore say that, at the limit, it would be useless to intervene below this very approximate depth of two meters, but this makes it possible to design the devices in accordance with the invention largely arranged upwards or introduced from the top of the tank.

 It is therefore surprisingly found that the introduction by the upper part of the tanks of all the elements involved in the basic invention not only considerably simplifies the adaptation to all existing tanks but considerably improves the yield as soon as it is essentially the reaction mass closest to the air which is supported according to the invention.

 We have moreover noted that thanks to the present invention and this in a very surprising way, by playing on the regulation programs it was possible, starting from the same harvest, to lead to extremely different types of wines although produced from the same vintage.

To do this, according to an essential characteristic of the invention, introduce through the upper opening of the tank a submerged barrel containing all or part of the intervention and capture devices according to the invention (sampling and supply of fluids , temperature control, etc.). In other words, all the elements contained in the tank
K of Figure 1 can be grouped in this plunging barrel.

 In addition, the plunging barrels of a series of tanks are designed so that they can be linked to central control and regulation equipment and a central source of thermal or refrigerating energy.

 It is therefore possible, from the same raw material, to obtain identical or very different wines, depending on the tanks and the programs, as the examples given below illustrate.

 Another characteristic of the invention is linked to the fact that the analysis of the thermal evolution of a tank during vinification shows the presence of a gradient or the existence of at least two distinct temperature zones9 leading thanks to to the particularities of the injection system described below, to carry out only the programmed regulation of a fraction of the tank only and consequently, to reduce by the same amount the amount of energy required (heating and refrigeration). This reduction can reach or exceed 50% of the total energy developed.

To better understand the technical characteristics and advantages of the present invention, we will describe examples of realizations
sation being understood that these are not limiting as to their
mode of implementation and applications that can be made.

For this, reference will be made to the following figures which schematically represent - Figure i, an overall diagram of an installation in accordance with the patent
main and already described above; - Figure 2, a vertical section on the upper part of a tank equipped
of a plunging barrel according to the invention; - Figure 3, a tank assembly equipped with a barrel and a control assembly
and regulation in accordance with the invention, - Figures D, variants of tanks fitted with drums and devices
annexes according to the invention; - Figures 5, A, B and C axial sections on variants of the injectors
in accordance with the invention; - Figure 6 a set of tanks mounted in a common installation con
form of the present invention; - Figure 7 A to D, temperature curves programmed according to the
time.

 In the various figures, the same numbers or letters designate equivalent elements.

 Referring to Figure 2, the barrel 1, for example of generally cylindrical shape plunges into the content 5 of the tank K through its upper opening. The barrel is preferably arranged substantially vertically and is capable of being adjusted in the more or less depressed position by any sliding support device and adequate height adjustment, shown very schematically at 11 in FIG. 2.

 The barrel contains the line A connected to the KR plaster for liquid sampling 5.

 It has on its outer wall injectors R4 and R6 playing the same role as those of Figure 1 and connected respectively to the supply lines 8 and 9 in phantom.

 Sensors such as S1 allow the measurement of temperatures and are connected by 10 to the recording and regulation measuring devices.

 The injectors R4 and R6 which will be described in more detail below can therefore eject the liquids as schematically indicated by the arrows 4 and 6 and this, depending on the insertion of the barrel 1 is either in the liquid mass under the cap at (4 ), or above (6) by spraying the cap as seen in (6) in the case of FIG. 2.

 We can see right away that the barrel has the advantage of being cylindrical or prismatic of being able to slide vertically without hitting the "cap" or breaking it, which is more complicated with arrangements such as those in FIG. 1. tanks, the cap descends and does not risk damaging the barrel i as soon as nothing protrudes from its lateral surface.

 It is also possible, as shown in FIGS. 4, to use injectors mounted in the walls of the tank or in the manholes and other access hatches (FIG. 4D) as will be seen in more detail below.

 It is therefore possible to connect the barrel 1 to the command, control, regulation and supply members arranged in a unit 8 (fig. 3) or multifunctional block. It can be fixed and linked to the tank K or possibly mobile.

In FIG. 3 the barrel 1 is connected by the bundle of conductors and pipes to this multifunctional block 8 which essentially comprises the multiple valve V9 and its motor M10 the discharge and suction connections 14 the switching system 15 known as winding of the air necessary for oxygenation to the various delivery circuits (R1 to
R7).

 The pipes connected at 13 and 14 can be of the Ty type of FIG. 1 and allow the TH- and INJ connections if these are not in the multifunctional block 8.

 In Figure 3, we also schematically represent injectors R5 and R7 that can optionally be provided on the walls of the tank which is not always possible, either because we do not want to modify the tank itself - even because it poses complicated problems as it is the case - with cement tanks for example or with old tanks.

 We find such injectors R5 and R7 associated with those R4 and R6 of the barrel 1 and with injectors R8 and strainers K R1 on manhole or other door or access hatch in the different figures 4.

We see that in addition to the use of KR strainer and injectors
R4 and R6 of the barrel use in combination with the injectors R5 and R7 of the tank and the injector R8 of the access door, we can create internal movements and temperature gradients if necessary.

So in A we suck up, we push down and in the center;
in B we suck up, we push back down and up;
in C we suck at the top, we push back above and below the hat;
in D we push up and on the low door we suck and we push.

 The injectors on the barrel or possibly on the walls of the tank when possible (stainless steel tank, for example) can be as shown in FIGS. 5.

 In FIG. 5A, 21 designates the wall of the barrel or possibly of the tank, the right side being on the side where the liquid is ejected (outside of the barrel, inside of the tank) which, as can be seen, has a smooth face. The boss 21 is fixed in a hole in the wall 22, for example by welding.

The bore 23 of the boss receives the body of the injector 24 of the same axis 25 which is blocked there by the ring 26; the seals 29 provide the seal even if the ring 26 is slightly loosened, which allows the injector to pivot by the desired angle by acting on the nut 30. The injector is pierced with an inclined channel in 31 the flow thus receiving a pnvilégjée orientation and not only perpendicular to the walls. The rotation by means of the nut 30 makes it possible to vary the orientation laterally and therefore also with respect to the horizontal. This gives flows which are suitably directed and which allows hydraulic a total or localized circulation of the liquid volume to create the temperature uniformity9 the privileged gradient zone or any other desirable effect. The supply tube 28 is fixed to the boss 24 by any conventional means 27.

 It is also possible to use injectors with several jets such as that shown in FIG. 5B or fitted with spraying or sprinkling devices (in particular above the cap to increase oxygenation).

 We can also as shown in Figure 5 C mount injectors and / or strainers on a manhole or other door or access hatch which is particularly suitable when the tank is cement or difficult to drill or when the tank is in a room where it is difficult to penetrate from above a barrel that is a bit long and therefore only dives to a low height.

 In this case, the hatch 31 closing the hole in the wall K is fixed by any clamping means such as 32. It is possible to mount on this hatch 31 injectors such as 34 strainers such as 35 and probes such as 36. In in the case of this figure, the inside of the tank is to the left.

In addition, the injectors such as those of FIGS. 5 A and B can be mounted in a more flexible manner and for example on spherical, ball-joint, bellows devices which allows all orientations without requiring bent holes (as in FIGS. 5A and 5B) and on
different settings, for example eccentric, screw, etc.)
The injector ports do not protrude into the tank
and when not in use, they can be sealed with standard caps
sic or screwed so as not to protrude.

In the case of certain more delicate materials, for example in
in the case of certain plastics it is preferable to mount the injectors at the time of construction, otherwise it is possible to use gluing, welding or any other means known to those skilled in the art adapted to the case of the plastic material concerned.

 It will also be noted that in certain cases it is possible not to use strainers for suction but to connect to a withdrawal valve and connect it to the multifunctional block.

 The use of the winemaker according to the invention is further widened by the association of the apparatus with an external cooler intended to absorb the spikes in temperature rise. The system - particularly suitable because it is economical in terms of investment and energy, consists of a direct expansion cooler, the evaporator of which is immersed in a large capacity water tank.

This reserve of ice water 200 to 300 hl represents 3 to 500,000 frigories approximately at 4 "C in the example cited for an atmosphere close to 20 C. This type
often being available on farms, avoids
a significant rise in temperature by circulating the chilled water
in a plate heat exchanger. Pump and exchanger constitute a tool
very common in cellars.

 The diagram fig. 6 gives the exploded view of such an installation, UT represents the buffer unit and / or 47 the vinification tank, with: the refrigerator appliance 42, the immersed evaporator 43, the water pump 44 or Pe the exchanger water / wine 45 or E and the wine pump 46 or Pv.

The "winemaker" as described above and shown schematically in the figure
1 can allow, thanks to programming, to treat several tanks simultaneously including at different temperature ranges if necessary.

In addition, the association "winemaker-cooler" allows to realize
such treatment in the best conditions.

The winemaking process involving the transformation of sugar
contained in the must in alcohol by alcoholic fermentation carried out thanks to
the action of yeasts leading to an extraction of colors and fragrances
during this transformation, the overall effect results in a
characteristic quality of the wine obtained.

The programming system of the invention makes it possible to accelerate and
modify the results sought by the judicious distribution over time of the main effect due to the temperature.

 Thus a rapid acceleration (type A below) (in red vinification) of the temperature at the start of the vinification combined with a suitable stirring in the treatment tank, leads to quickly form a wine of beautiful coloring and strongly perfumed (it is thus possible to decook quickly before the end of fermentation, hence a gain in investment in equipment for vinification tanks: case of fermentation in clear juice).

 Four different temperature settings over time according to the diagram (fig. 8) result in four types of wine from the same harvest.

example A - Stronger wine (color, perfume - case described above);
(in red)
example B - Little colored wine;
(in red)
Example C - Color extraction in alcoholic medium;
(in red)
example D - Point marked in X defined as corresponding to the transformation
(in white) of 90% of the sugar.

A suitable temperature increase then a donation level
high quality wine.

This point corresponding to a certain state of fermentation can
for example to be? defined by densitometric measurement or. refracto-
metric.

 The invention therefore relates, in addition to the wine-making program models, to the programming systems no longer applied to 1 tank but to 2, 3 or n tanks according to the cases described below.

 Because the evolutionary phenomena are slow and that consequently the programming does not have to impose rapid temperature variations, the system is easily adapted to the simultaneous regulation of several vinification tanks.

 For this purpose (fig. 7), the pump-energy transmitter member 41 includes a multi-channel orientation block 42 driven by the motor 43, each of the channels (a) (b) (c), ie 3 channels in the 'example, being connected to multiple blocks 44a, 44b, 44c secured respectively to the tanks 46, 47 and 48.

 If the temperature objectives considered at each instant must be the same for the 3 tanks, the successive switching of the probes from 46 to 47 and to 48 on the regulator-programmer system, will trigger the needs of each of them. stirring, reassembly, adding cold or heat.

 If the temperature objectives considered at each instant must be different for each of the tanks, the control equipment must be fitted with multi-programming.

The switching of the channels a9 b, c is controlled by a pendulum (49) predetermining a processing time on each of the channels.

 However, a more elaborate system for interpreting the difference observed between each setpoint with respect to the measured temperature values, obtained by scanning the sensors by the programming system, rapid scanning with respect to the thermal rhythm, but without switching the fluid circulation channels, allows the generator to be connected by the "multiple block" only on the channel to be treated, detected by the analysis during the scanning of the sensors.

We will take as examples three wine tanks
example 1 / Identical programming case where identical processing of
three tanks.

 An electronic scan of the sensors of the three tanks is carried out successively, in order to compare them with respect to the program.

 a / All the tanks have a temperature remaining in the range of permitted temperatures: the energy distribution is switched successively on each of the tanks, for example every hour or every half hour.

 This is almost the most common case.

 b / Only one of the tanks reaches the limit of the range.

 An alert light comes on.

 The switchgear blocks the distributor of the energy flow on the tank in question until the elimination of the incident is noted, then we return to the situation a /.

 c / If at least two of the tanks reach the limits of the range of tolerable deviation from the programmed temperature, the warning lights come on.

 (1) A priori, one of the tanks is treated (blocking of the distributor on the tank considered).

 If the temperature runaway is dangerous - if it rises too quickly - the untreated tanks are blocked by the effect of a circulation of water connected to the additional cooler.

 (2) If the total power of the vi ni fiator is suitable taking into account the speed observed in the variation of the temperature of the tank, a distribution is started by the energy flow acting successively on each of the tanks for a predetermined time, by example one hour on each tank, this treatment time being obtained by a pendulum.

example 2 / Case of several tanks presenting several programs allows
both obtaining wines of different characteristics.

 The device has multiprogramming, "n" programs act on "n" tanks.

 As above, the energy is switched by the distributor to the tank (s) which require action in relation to the definition of the program in time considered; but this switching is only effective if the measurement finds that the limit of the permitted temperature range has been reached.

 It is more interesting in the case of treatment of different tanks in multiprogramming, to combine the action of the cooler with the programmed machine the cooler allowing the waiting of a tank until the release of the program, this in order to avoid or limit the mixing of liquids.

 The program system according to the invention comprises a keyboard which allows - in addition to triggering or modification of the programming by an On-Off with personalized code - the introduction of simple functions; for example when starting treatments. The temperature of the wort is filled with which the tank is filled, the system making it possible to carry out in place of a zero offset in the programmed curve, a setting at the appropriate point on the starting segment of the curve.

 The programming system is designed to allow the introduction of additional information coming from a sensor which may be other than a temperature sensor, more particularly a hydrometer, nephelemeter or refractometer.

 The information transmitted acts on the programming to suspend the predetermined progress of the program, for example action by rapid cooling or heating of the tank, depending on the measurement.

 The program storage is made up according to the invention by memories such as PROM or magnetic cassettes.

It can be: -s6it of a single program per memory,
- or of several programs which can be called up separately by the keyboard.

 Those skilled in the art will be able, on the basis of the above, to imagine numerous variants without departing from the scope of the present invention which covers the apparatus, the process and the products which result therefrom.

Claims (12)

 1.- control device for controlling and regulating temperature for wine or clarification tanks according to claim 1 of the main patent comprising devices for prewashing (R, KR) the tank liquid (K)> thermal replacement (E) (with supply of calories (EC) or frigories (EF)) between said liquid and at least one heat transfer fluid, reinjection devices (R1 R2 R3 etc ...) of said liquid in the tank and means (RE)  control, regulation and command device, characterized in that a tank 1 is arranged from the top of the tank K, immersed in the liquid mass which has at least one of the following devices for collecting the liquid ( R, KR) under the upper level of sensors S1 of the measurement> control and regulation device 9 R liquid reinjection devices above and / or below the liquid level.  2.- Device according to claims 19 characterized in that the barrel 1 is cylindrical or prismatic.  3.- Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the barrel 1 is height adjustable.  4.- Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the injectors (R5, R7) are in the walls of the tank and do not protrude into the tank.  5.- Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the injectors (R4, Rs) are in the wall of the barrel.  6.- Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the injectors (Re) - are in an inspection door.  7.- Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the injectors (31) are orientable.  8.- Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the valves (V) for controlling the circulation of fluids (liquid withdrawn from the tank, liquid reinjected into the tank and heat transfer fluids of frigories and or calories ) are controlled by a central programming device (Prog) imposing openings and closings of said valves (V) to vary the temperatures of the tank over time according to a predetermined profile.  9.- Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the barrel and its constituents as well as the other elements of the device arranged elsewhere act in the aerobic action zone in the breast of the liquid mass and If need be above.  10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least a part (41, 42, 43, abc) of lensemZ ble exchangers and control, command, regulation and programming devices are common to several tanks (46, 47, 48).  11.- Vinification or clarification process characterized in that at least part of the liquid contained in the tank is taken up by the central and upper part of the tank that it is subjected to heat or refrigeration heat exchange to be reinfected in less partly in the central and upper part of the tank below or above the liquid level than the heat exchanges are imposed by a predetermined programming in time taking into account the measurements of the sensors placed in the tank so as to vary the temperatures and create predefined gradients in time and space.  12.- Products characterized in that they result from the implementation of the method according to claim 11 in the apparatus according to claims 1 to 10.