GB2227952A - Making beer wort - Google Patents

Description

- 1 APPARATUS FOR THE CWJINWOUS SEPi''RATIO' OF LIQUID AD SOLID PHASES,

AND LEACHING OF THE SOLID PHASE The invention relates to an apparatus for the continuous separation of liquid and solid phases and leaching of the solid phase. The apparatus comprises an extraction column arranged along the vertical symmetry axis and a filter device connected thereto, wherein the extraction colu!nn is provided with openings for introducing resp. leading out extracting components and components to be extracted, as well as extract into resp. from the extracting cylindrical space.

It is a well known fact that e.g. brewing consists of three main periods of production: production of malt, preparation of beer wort and fermentation-ripening.

According to prior arts, soluticns of brewing b using traditional technology requires considerable expenditure on manpower and investment cD--ts. As a --o-isequence, it has been tried incEEsantly to render -,aLt--rocesses continuous.

Out of these preparation of beer wort represents the most wearisome task, if continuity is desired. In the periodical "Brewing" 1963/No. 5 numerous relevant technologies are described, however, all of them have several disadvantagec,us features, in addition realisation in large-scale production is not pc-ssible. Within preparation of beer wcrt and brewer's grain and continuous leaching of 2 the brewer's grain represent the most signif:Lcant prelem.

One of the laboratory equip77.ents having bleen deve- loped by Davis Pollock for this purpose, known from techni cal literature proved suitable from the aspect of techno logy, however, it was not suitable for making a larger ex perimental equipment. The essence of the equipment was - formed namely by a rotating disc rotating in the bottom of the cylinder with a circumferential velocity of 450 m/min.

media were filtered through the 0,025 mm gap between the disc and the cylinder jacket. The planned equipment with a weekly output of 4100 hl and 'he rotary disc with the re quired diameter of 60 mm could not. be manufactured CBrewery" 1963/No.5).

A further equipment is also known, which is fully automatized, however, this was an experimental rotary equipment with a dia-nieter of 50 cm, functioning in a so called semicontinuous operation. The essential feature cf the equipment lay in a 'Lank having been divided in several par-;'..s by means of radial plates fixed to the axis passing throuch the centre of the tank, in which a partial process each of classical mashing and filtering took place. This solution could not be used for large-scale operation either, partly due to structural difficulties (sealing etc.), partly, as satisfactory filtration could not be achieved through the layer of brewer's grain allowed to slide on the bottom of the tank C'Brewery" 1963/5) Out of the s_clutions belonging to prior arts Davis Pollock Duminett modified the rotary equipment pre,icuE,1' mentioned, in t h a -1, instealu of dividino a large tank into a plurality of parts, several miniature tanks in acarousel arrangement were used. However, in course of putting into operation the experimental equipment it became evident that the miniature tanks do not function uniformly.

In addition to said experimental equipments, in particular on application on plant-size no data are available in technical literature.

Furtheron, an apparatus is also known, which separ ates beer wort and brewer's grainE by means of centri fuges. This solution did not prove either suitable for large-scale production, mainly because of the overdinen sioned and numerous centrifuges required.

An apparatus provided with a vibro-screen is also known for separating brewer's grain and pure beer wort.

From the HU-PS 154 691 an apparatus is known, with which from. the mash having been introduced in about halfway up a standing cylinder pure beer wcrt is flushed out with mash water led in at the bottom of the cylindrical space in a counterflow to the brewer's grain settling downwards by its own weight; thereafter the pure beer wort is led above the inflow level e.g.about 2/3 height of the cylinder, through a flat filter plate dividing the cylinder into a lower and upper part into the slime-separating centrifuce. The filter plate is cleaned by means clE a strong jet of the beer wort, while the leached brewer's grain tending downwards in the lower part of the cylinder t. 1 is removed at the bottom of the cylinldrical space b r-..eans of a worm conveyor.

According to experiments performed with the experimental apparatus with an output of 25 11/h proved suitable for the continuous separation of beer wort and brewer's grain resp. for leaching the latter one in counterflow, however, it did not prove suitable for large-scale operation, as the surface of the filter plate with the ratio D1H (D = diameter and H = height of the cylindrical vessel) meeting technical requirements was far frorr, sufficient for a large-scale apparatus.

So e.g. with an apparatus for pilot-plant operation with an output of 15 hl/h only 16 % of the filter surface required i.e. 2,4 m 2, with an apparatus with an output of 75 hl but 9 % of 2,4 m 2 could be achieved, with hioher outputs the ratio was even more unfavourable.

Cleaning of the -'L'-L"1'Le-- plate by means of a strong Jet of beer wort did not prove suitable either, as the jet of beer wort pressed to fine slime parts contained in the beer wort into the filter plate resulting in clogging in a short time and standstill of the plant. Accordingly, neither the processes known up to now, nor the apparatuses for realizing the processes met the requirements in the respect of technology or there were deficiencies in respect of the application in large-scale operation.

The aim of the inkention is to eliminate the aforementioned deficiencies, i.e. to improve the apparatus, as described in our prea-ibl% which can be characterized by a far higher eff iciency, than the solutions known up to now.

The task of the invention is in to separate brewer's grain and beer wort and to leach the brewer's grains in finitely, in counterflow in one single step of operation, also on large-scale.

The invention is based on the recognition, in so far as the task set can be solved if the extraction column for separating the beer wort and brewer's grains and leaching the latter, the filter device for the beer wort and the device for delivering brewer's grains are formed in a novel structural form and novel geometrilc and structural arrangement.

The task set was solved in accordance with the invention in that: the filter device has the shape cf a cylinder jacket, in which a cylindrical filter plate is to be -fsund which is proided wIth a device with rotating blades for cleaning the filter element and which is connected to a flow channel preventing sed-Lrientat.Jcn of sl--r,,e; - extraction column and the filter device are arranged along parallel symmetry axes; - the apparatus includes means for discharging the solid phase (brewer's grain), the screw conveyor of which with changing pitch can be axially displaced and the opening for the discharge of the solid phase has a controlled cross-section.

The complete apparatus according to the invention consists of three parts: the actual extraction cclumn for separating the beer wort and the brewer's grain, i.e.

for leaching the latter, the filter means having been mounted releasably to the upper part of said column, and the means for the discharge of brewer's grain, fixed also releasably to the lower part. The extraction column itself - serving for the separation of the beer wort and brewer's grain and leaching the latter is a cylindri cal vessel standing on feet, having a convex or flat bottom, on the jacket thereof, so about in half-heicht and on the lower part an inflow stud each is to be found, in the inner part an agitator with blades is arranged and the lowest blade thereof brushes again the bottom of the vessel; on the bottom of the vessel there is a rectangular cutout dis charging into the flanged element having been welded to the bottom; on the bottom of the cylindrical vessel there is a bearing for the throughgoing mixing shaft; the upper part of the cylinder is forr-ned with a flanged rim and on the jacket one or more inspection ports - parallel with the axis of the cylinder - are formed. The filter device for the beer wort, forming an independent unit, consists of the cylindrical inlet screen having been installed re leasably onto the inner part of the flanged rims of the cylinder jacket by means of screws or any other suitable means known in itselves. On the cylinder jacket an oblong inspeCtio port - arranged parallel with the axis of the cylinder and on the lower part an inlet stud connected tangentially to the jacket are to be found; at the upper part there is an outlet stud,...hich is connected to a branching T-piece and on one shank of said T-piece a controlvalve is arranged which is connected to the inlet stud on the lower part of the cylinder jacket via a pipeline and a centrifugal pump. In the inside of the filter cylinder there is a cleaning device provided with rotary blades, a rubber wiper or some brushing means; the blades of this device are mounted on spokes, while the spckes itselves are mounted onto the upper end of the shaft of the agitator of the cylindrical vessel (tank) for se-parating the beer wort and brewer's grain resp. the extraction column; between the spokes springactuated distance pieces (spring leaves) are inserted, the rubber wiper of the brush-like cleaning device is fixed exch@ngeably to the blades by means of screws or in any other way known in itself. The filter device is closed by means of spoked flange and flanged lid receiving also the axle bearings of the cleaning device with the blades, being connected to the upPer flange of the cylinder jacket by means ef sc7ews or in any other way know.n in itself, after ha,.;-ir-,g rermoved the lid the filter can be subjected to maintenance without difficulty. The complete beer wort filter is fixed releasably to the flanged rim of the tank for separating the beer wort and brewer's grain, resp. for leaching the latter one, by means of screws or in any other way known in itself.

The device for discharging the brewer's orain is a worm conveyor installed to the bottom of the separating - 8 tank resp. extraction column in a releasable manner. The worm according to the invention, the nu..,.,ber of revolutions of which can be infinitely controlled within the range of 30-60 r.p.m. can be displaced axially in the worm house and fixed therein, when approaching the end of the worm house the worm wings are arranged with increased frequency-; at the end of the worm shaft, outside the worm house there is a control element which can be axially displaced and fixed.

According to an other preferable version of the invention the tank for separating beer wort and brewer's grain, i.e. for leaching the latter one, i.e. extraction column can be formed also so, that it consists of a higher cylindrical part with a smaller diameter and a lower cylindrical part with larger diameter, said cylindrical parts are interconnected by welding with the insertion of a flange, the thickness of which exceeds the wall-thickness of the cylinder jackets, i..h.J1e the upper part of the clylinder with the larger diaimeter is provided with a flanged rim. So about in the halIF-height of the lower cylinder with the smaller diameter and in the lower part thereof an inlet stud each is arranged, while in the internal part an agitator with blades is to be found, the lowest blade of which is brushing against the bottom of the tank; on the bottom of said tank there is an oblong cutout discharging into an element which is welded to the bott On the bottom of the tank there is a bearino for the mixing shaft. On the jacket of the upper cylinder with a larger diameter and provided with an insPection port being parallel with the axis of the cylinder there is an inflow stud connected tangentially to the cylinder jacket, while on the top there is an outflow stud arranged, which is connected to a T-piece and on one shank of said T-piece a control valve is installed, said valve is connected to. the inflow stud arranged on the lower part of the cylinder jacket and connected tangentially to the jacket, via a pipeline and a centrifugal pump inserted inbetween.

According to an other preferably version of the beer wort filter device, this is formed as a filter cylinder having been fixed to the inside of two thicker flanges by means of screws or any other suitable means known in itselves, which can be arranged into the up-er part with H a larcer diameter of the tank for separating the beer wort and brewer's grain resp. leaching the latter one, i.e. the extraction coluF7,n with the insertion of a rubber sealing ring.

The filter cylinder and the enclosing cylinder Jacket J with the larger diameter tcce'Lhe- an annular charber, the flow channel. The flange rings are interconnected by means of sustaining stiffening rods.

In the inside of the filter cylinder a cleaning device provided with rotary blades, rubber wiper or with some kind of brush is arranged, the blades thereof are mounted on spokes, while the spokes are mounted onto the -he acitator of the separating vessel end of the shaft of t (tank); between the spokes spring-loaded distancepieces (spring-leaves) are inserted, the rubber wiper or the brush-like cleaning means are fixed exchangeably, onto the blades with screws or in any other known way. The filter device is covered with a spoked flange and a flanged lid receiving the bearing of the shaft of the cleaning means provided with blades which is fixed to the flange of the cylindrical part with the larger diameter of the tank (cylinder) for separating the beer wort and brewer's grain resp. for leaching the latter one, i.e. of the extraction column,by means of screws or in any other way known in itself; after having removed the lid, maintenance can be carried out easily. The de,....ice for discharging the brewer's grain corresponds to that of the former version.

The apparatus according to the invention and mode of operation will be described in details by means of concrete examples, by the aid of the accomDanying drawings, where-in: Figure 1 is the loncitudinal sectien of t,h,_. complete eq-C-prent including the tank for separating the beer wort and the brewer's grain and for leaching the latter one, as well as the schematical frontal view of the device for discharging the brewer's grain, Figure 1/a is the view of the equipment according to figure 1 with a further version of the filter device (longitudinal section), as well as the frontal view of the device for discharging the brewer's grain, Figure 2 is the 'Longitudinal section of the complete filter device withGut the flanged lid, Figure 3 is a further possible e-mbodiment c-LE the ccmplete filter device and the longitudinal setional view of the bottom-part of the separating and leaching tank, Figure 4 is the schematical longitudinal view of the device for discharging the brewer's grain.

As is apparent from figure 1, from the mesh havihg been introduced through the stud 2 arranged half way up the 'Lank 1 for separating the beer wort and the brewer's grain and leaching of the latter one, pure beer wort is flushed out with mashing water introduced through the stud 3 in counterflow to the brewer's grain flowing downwards by its own weight. Uniform flush is as sured by the agitator 4 with the blades. The beer wort fluehed out f-rcrp, the brewer's grain tra,,els upwards and arrives at the bee.- wcrt filter having been fixed to the flange 21 of the tank 1, fixed thereto by means of screws or in any other way in itself (f igure 2) t,.hJLch is essentially a filter cylinder 5 mounted to the inner part of the flanges 22 of the cylinder jacket 6 by means of screws or any other way, known in itself; the filter cy linder 5 and the cylinder jacket 6 form the annular cham ber of the flow channel 8.

The cleanino device 24 with the rotary blades cleans the filter cylinder, wl--lich is fixed to the shaft 17 of the agitator of the separating tank 1 resp. the extraction co- lumn by means of the spokes 16. Cleaning is performed the blades 18 installed at the ends of the spokes 16, or the rubber wipers 19 or brush- like means screwed releasably thereon or fixed in any other way known in itself. Between the spokes 16 of the cleaning device spring-loaded inserts (spring-leaves) are inserted to achieve gap-free osculation of the cleaning rubber wipers 19 or brush-like cleaning means without resistance to the filter cylinder 5. The spoked flange 22a receiving the axle bearing 179 of the filter device and of t-he agitator 4 is screwed to the upper flange 22 of the filter device or fixed thereto in any other way known in itself, the flanged lid 22a - closing the whole apparatus - is screwed thereto. In such a manner the complete filter device can be disassembled for maintenance.

Beer w.ort leaving the filter device is passing the annular chamber of the flov; -1h2nnel 8 and flows throuch the branch 11 of the T-piece 10 of the outj"lotq stud 9 arranged on the upper part cLf the cylincier jacket 6, in a 1 t_ j way known in itself (HU-Pc- 1514 69-1) to the protein-sline separating centrifuge. It seems to be expedient to mix the protein-slime thus obtained with 55 0 C water and to lead it into a second cleaning centrifLge, while the mash thus obtained in led either into the masher and/or as leaching water into the cylinder separating the beer wort and brewer's grain resp. leaching the latter one.

A part of the beer wort discharged fro,-,, the outflow stud 9 flows back through the br3nch 12 of the T-piece 1 10, the control valve 13, b\ means of the centrifugal pump 14 to the annular space of the flow channel 8 via the cutflow stud 15 which is arranged on the lo,er part of the cylinder jacket 6 and fixed (welded) tangentially thereto; the beer wort discharged therefrom is allowed to circulate, in such a manner that deposition of the fine protein-slime contained in the beer wort and clogging of the filter cylinder may be avoided.

The leached brewer's grain travelling downwards in the tank separating the beer x,.,.ort and brewer's grain, resp. in the extraction column is dragged by the lowest blade 4@ of the agitator 4 through the discharge extension 38 on the bottom of the cylinder into the flanged conveyor worm house 39 connected thereto (fies. 1, 3 and 4), thereafter brewer's grain is pressed out by the conveycr worm 40 from. the device for discharging the brewer's grain.

The conveyor worm is mounted in the bearing 34 of the bridle carriers 33 assembled with the flanced rims 32, at the flanged rim.s 1.0 at the cylindrical ends cf -'L,e flanged worm house 310, furtheron, it is sealed with the seal 35 lying in the bridle carriers 33 facing the driven shaft end, the worm can be displaced axially and fixed by means of the adjusting ring 41 and the threaded ring 26. At the discharge end of the worm shaft, there is the control element 29 which can be displaced axially outside the worm house and fixed wIth the adjusting ring 27, the threaded ring 28, as well as with the screw 37.

Speed of the conveyor worm 40 can be regulated in- finitelY in the range betwecn 30 and 60 r.p.rn, or at leasl:

in small stages, when approaching the end of the t,.,-,rm house worm-wings are arranged more frequently, acc-.rd-ing ly, brewer's grain becomes compacted and keeps back the mash flowing out otherwise from the tank 1 separating the beer wort and the brewer's grain i.e. from the extraction column.

The brewer's grain having been pressed out by the worm is leaving through the gap between the control ele ment 29 and the flanged disc of the carrier bridle 33. By setting the control element 29 nearer or farther from the flanged disc 32 outflow opening can be narrowed or widened, in such a manner -chat the moisture content of the discharged brewer's grain can be optionally controlled. The rubber ring 36 inserted into the flanged disc 32 and the control element 29 pressed thereto enable full closing of the worm house, which is most -7rportant at the beonn-ng of the technr,l--oical process, when in the cylinder separating the beer wort and brewer's grain i.e. in the ext-raction column and in the house 39 only.'--2ch.ino water is left.

Complete closure might be necessary even in course of operation, which will be enabled by the design of the control element 29, even if the worm extends from the worm house. The apparatus is supplied with a device 50 for discharging the solid phase. The possibility of axial displacement of the conveyor worm 40 in the wcrm house 39 as well as adequate selection of number of revolutions enable control of the quantity of brewer's grain to be discharged, in such a manner balance between the -,,iaE-h introduced thrcugh the stud 2 into the vessel separating the beer wort and brewer's grain resp. into the extraction column and the brewer's grain discharged into the open air can be continuously maintained, simultaneously height of' the layer of brewer's grain in the tank 1 can be adjusted and the level can be steadily kept, this requirement is to be met unconditionally in order to be able 'to achieve complete leaching.

With the embodiment illustrated in figure la from the mash having been introduced through the stud 2' ar ranged half way up the tank 1' for separating the beer wort and brewer's grain, resp. i.e. leaching cut 'he latter one, resp. of the extraction column, pure beer wort is flushed out by the rnash water 'Led through the stud 3 in counterflow to the bre%er's grain flowing dswnkar.,-Js b\. its own weiQht. Equal flush is assured by the asitatcr -',' xvith tile blades. Beer w--rt having been 'Llushed cut I,rc- n the brewer's crain travels upwards in the tank 1' anG arrives at the beer wort filter which is arranged in the part of larger diameter of the tank 1' resp. the extraction column with the insertion of the rubber sealing ring 25; this filter consists of essentially - as it is to be seen in figure 3 - the filter cylinder 5' having been assembled with the inner part of the two thicker flanges 22' by means of screws or in any other known way; the filter clinder 5' is surrounded by the part of the tank 1' with a la:cer diameter and in such a manner that thev form the annular space of the flow. channel P.

The two flanoes 22' are interconnected by the sus taining stiffening rods. The device 24' with the rotary blades (fig. 3) cleans the filter cylinder, which is in full compliance with the filter according to the first version, accordingly detailed description seems to be superfluous.

From the filter the beer wort flows through the annular space of the flow channel 8' and arrives through the branch ll' of the T-piece 10 connected to the stud 9' on the upper part with a larger diameter of the tank 1' in a way known in itself (see HU-PS 154 691) into the protein-slime separating centrifuge.

It seems to be expedient to mix the protein-slime thus obtained with 55 0 C water and to lead it into the seccnd cleaning cen'Lri'Luoe: the mash thus obtained may be introduced into the -washer and/cr as a leaching water into L'he t2nk 1' for separating the beer wor-IC, a.-,d brewer's grain resp. Ecr 'Leaching the latter one, i.e. into the extraction columin. A part of the beer wort discharged from the outflow stud 9' flows back through the 12' branch of the T-piece 10, the control valve 1Y, by the aid of the centrifugal pump 14' and through the inflow stud 15' installed tangentially to the cylinder jacket of the larger diameter of the tank 1', into the annular space of the flow channel 8', the beer wort discharged therefrom is allowed to circulate, in such a manner deposition of the fine protein- 1 2 7 -slime contained in the beer wcrt and clc3o,,ng ci the filter cylinder are avoided.

Removal (discharge) of the leached brei.,.er's grain travelling downwards in the 'Lank 1' resp. in the extraction column corresponds fully to the process as described in connection with the first version, accordingly repeated description is omitted.

The advantage of the embodiments having been realized with both version of our invention lies in - when compared to known solutions of the prior art (e.g. as specified in the HU-PS 154 891) - that with any ration of HI'D (wherein H stands for the height and D for the diameter of cylindrical tank 1' for separating the beer wort and the 'Grewer's orain i.e. for leaching the latter one, i.e. the extraction column) meeting technologic21 requirements filter sirface can be realized in any app2ratus working in Large-scale operation with any optinal output. The device with the rotary blades cleaning the -LP-LI-IL'er cylinder and the circulat,:c- in the an-jular space of the flow charnel 6, 8' enable ccr., plete cleaping of the filter cylinder and thus long operation without disturbances; a further advantage lies in that it can be easily removed for the usual periodical maintenance.

A further advantage lies in that by means of the control element according to the invention quantity and moisture content of the discharged brev;e-r's grain can be controlled perfectly and with the highest safety, as it becomes possible to keep moisture content of 'the brewer's 18 grain discharged on a constant level, let us say, at, 40-50 %, in such a manner stored and transported quantity will be less, than with the traditional solution, promot- ing a more economical sale.

0

Claims (1)

1. C 1 a i_m S

   1. 'Apparatus for the continuous separation of liquid and solid phases and leaching of the solid phase consist inn of an extraction column arranged along a vertical sym metry axis and a filter device connected to the ex traction column, wherein the extraction column is provided with openings for introducing resp. discharging extracting liquid components and those to be extracted into and from the extracting cylindrical space, c h @ r a c t e r i z e d i n that - the filter device (23) has ".-he shape of a cylinder jaCket containing a filter plate (5) p-,o,ided..,.ith a device (24) with rotary blades for cleaning the filter element, said plate being connected to a flow channel (8, E') preventing deposition of slimie, extractino column (1) and filter devJce '13) are arranced -:;lcno parallel symmetry axes, - it contains a device 50) -for t-e solid phase and the solid phase-conveing (40) of which w.ith changing pitch can be axially displaced and the outlet opening for the solid phase has a controlled cro5s-5ection.

   2. kn apparatus for continuously leaching a solid phase with a 'Liquid phase and separating the solid phase and the liquid phase, which apparatus comprises:

   - an extraction column having an axis and one or more openings for adrn.ss-,--n of the sclid and the liquid phases - a filter device located above the extraction col-j:-n and be12-g arranged along an axis that is parallel to the axis of he extraction column, the filter device including a cylindrical fi-lter plate - 20 separating the device into a chamber and a channel, the chamber being arranged to receive from the extraction column, ll-quid phase containing extracted components of the solid phase, the filter device also including blades for cleaning the filter plate, and - a device for discharging spent solid phase comprising a screw conveyor having a non-uniform pitch for moving the spent solid phase to an outlet opening and means for varying the size of the outlet opening.

   3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pitch of the screw conveyor is smaller in its part near the outlet opening than in its part remote from the outlet opening.

   4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the filter device comprises means for injecting liquid into the channel in such a manner as to prevent deposition of solid materIal in the channel or in the filter.

   5. A method of preparing beer wort from a mash containing water and melted grain which method comprises - feeding the malted grain to an extraction vessel contaln.ing mashing water, the grain being fed in at a point above the bottom of the vessel, thereby alllow--ng it to settle in the vessel, fee--'--ng mashIng water into the vessel at a po.'nt below the relt-ed graln feed, - removing spent grain from the bettom of 'he vessel through an outlet opening, - passing wort at the top of the vessel through a cyl-4ndrical filter screen into a flow channel discharging the wort from the channel, and clearing the filter by passing one or more blades over it.

   6. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein part of the liquid discharged from the flow channel is recirculated into the channel to prevent deposition of so!JILd material, e.g. s-'--lr.-.e.

   bed An apparatus substantúally as here.nbefore descr.

   in connection with, and illustrated in, Flg,,res 1, 2 and 4 1 - 21 or Figures la, 3 and 4 of the accompanying draw-Ings.

   8. A method substanti ally as hereinbefore described in connection with Figures 1, 2 and 4 or Fig.ures la, 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

   1. 1 Published 1990 at The Patent Office. State House. 6671 High Holborn. London WC1R4TP-F4arther copies maybe obtained from The Patent Office Sales Branch, St Mary Cray. Orpington, Kent BR5 3RD. Printed by Multiplex techniques ltd. St Mary Cray. Kent. Con. 1'87