WO2012003904A1

WO2012003904A1 - Method and device for conducting media in a brewing system

Info

Publication number: WO2012003904A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/002638
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Gruber; Jochen Loefflad
Original assignee: Krones Ag
Priority date: 2010-07-05
Filing date: 2011-05-27
Publication date: 2012-01-12
Also published as: CN104593183A; DE102010030955A1; EP2591084A1; CN103038330B; CN103038330A

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and device for conducting media in a brewing system. Because an aqueous medium for pushing out a product or for cleaning a product line can be conducted into a buffer tank, it is possible to temporarily store the aqueous medium and/or to use the aqueous medium to clean a production unit. Thus, the usage of fresh water and the arising amount of wastewater can be reduced, and an amount of heating energy to be used during wort boiling can be reduced.

Description

Method and device for media guidance in a brewing system

The invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 1 and a device according to the preamble of claim 10.

In brewery plants, especially in wort production in brewing plants, the individual batches, the so-called "sude", are conveyed via lines and pumps between the production vessels. The remaining product residues in the pipeline system, for example wort, are discharged with fresh water in the direction of the next vessel. This results in aqueous mixed media, which consist of water and product. During the transfer of the subsequent product batch, these aqueous mixed media are conveyed together with the product into the subsequent vessel. The aqueous mixing media cause either an undesirable dilution of the product and / or a significant consumption of resources in the form of water or energy.

For example, this leaves an aqueous mixed medium in the pipeline system in the connecting lines between a lauter tun and a wort kettle between the individual production batches. This is rinsed with the removal of the wort in the optional pre-discharge vessel or in the wort kettle, and the water used must be additionally evaporated in the subsequent wort boiling, so as to achieve a predetermined original wort content. The evaporation of additional water causes an undesirably high energy consumption.

Likewise, it is known to push out the connecting line between the wort kettle and the hot trub separation after passing, the so-called knocking, of the cooked wort with water. This water is conveyed when knocking out the following suds in the Heißtrubabscheider and thereby causes an undesirable dilution of the cooked wort. This dilution may also have to be compensated for by increased evaporation during wort boiling.

After removing the wort from the Heißtrubabscheider remains in this a compact mass back, mainly consisting of undissolved hop constituents and precipitated protein, the so-called hot trub which by discharging from the Hot trub by means of rinsing water must be removed. For this purpose, fresh water, especially hot water, is usually used, which is stored or disposed of together with the discharged hot trub. This results in a significant water consumption and disposal additional product losses.

An additional attack of aqueous mixed medium arises during the cleaning of the plants, for example when using the so-called Laugensudes for cleaning the pipelines. For this purpose, the cleaning solution is set, for example, in the mash tun and then pumped successively through the individual pipelines and production vessels. However, this procedure is very time-consuming, causes a high demand for energy, water and cleaning agents and also pollutes the brewery wastewater and the environment. In order to ensure a sufficient cleaning effect by the Laugensud sufficiently high flow rates, temperatures and exposure times of the cleaning agent to ensure the contamination. This has not always been ensured in the past, especially when cleaning the knockout line.

Alternatively, it was therefore attempted to integrate the cleaning of the product lines in the vessel cleaning. In this case, however, not all parts of the product lines can be included, so that the Laugensud is still needed, at least to a lesser extent. Attempts have also been made to combine the product lines into a common pipeline system. However, with this approach it has not been possible to satisfactorily clean the product inlets and outlets at the production units.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and a device with which the abovementioned disadvantages can be alleviated or eliminated.

The stated object is achieved by a method according to claim 1. Accordingly, the method comprises a step a), in which a product line is filled with an aqueous medium for pushing out a product or for rinsing and / or cleaning the product line. The product line is provided for guiding the product from a first production unit to perform a first production step to a second production unit to perform a second production step. The method further comprises a step b) for discharging the aqueous medium from the Product line. In a further step c), the aqueous medium is passed through into a buffer tank in order to temporarily store the aqueous medium and / or to reuse it in the second production unit. In particular, the aqueous medium for cleaning the second production unit can be introduced into this. The introduction of the aqueous medium into the buffer tank makes disposal unnecessary. The aqueous medium can optionally be supplied to a simultaneously proceeding production step or to a production step taking place at a later time. In addition, the aqueous medium can be used in addition to or as a replacement for fresh water in a brewhouse or in another area in the beer production, for example, for cleaning a production unit.

The aqueous medium is preferably temporarily stored in step c), in particular after it has been passed through the second production unit or has been discharged through a branch of the product line in step b). As a result, the aqueous medium can be recycled specifically in a later product cycle. This can be avoided in particular that product residues must be disposed of or that the product is diluted to an undesirable extent in the lines. The second production unit is, for example, a production unit for hot trub separation, and the diversion of the product line is a connection from the diverter line to the buffer tank.

In a particularly favorable embodiment, the method further comprises a step d), in which the intermediately stored aqueous medium is added to the product in a production step of the lautering or in a mashing process or the second production unit for their purification, in particular for Heißtrubentfernung. As a result, the aqueous medium can be recirculated particularly effectively into the product cycle and the use of fresh water reduced. The aqueous medium is supplied for hot trub removal, in particular, if the buffer tank is provided in addition to a trub tank. In this case, the aqueous medium is used for rinsing a hot trub separator, for example a whirlpool, and then conveyed into the trub tank. The aqueous medium is, for example, discharge water and / or a mixed medium of water and rinsed product residues.

Preferably, the second production unit is a Heißtrubabscheider and the aqueous medium is passed through it such that the aqueous medium can dissolve a hot trash and can carry out. As a result, the hot trash separator can be effectively washed out and the use of fresh water can be further minimized. The case of the hot trub taken up in an aqueous medium can be recycled in a particularly favorable manner in the product cycle, for example a mash or ablating process, in particular after intermediate storage.

In a particularly favorable embodiment, the first production step is a hot wort treatment, and the product line is drawn empty in step b). The product line is thus a transfer line between a production unit for wort heating or wort boiling and a production unit for Heißtrubabscheidung, the so-called knockout.

Thus, it can be avoided that the wort produced in the hot-wort treatment, that is, the wort produced in wort heating or wort boiling, is diluted in the rash line. It is therefore not necessary to compensate for dilution of the product in the knockout line by increased wort evaporation in the hot wort treatment. This is particularly advantageous in the production of highly concentrated products, the so-called "high gravity brewing". This not only saves energy but also increases product quality.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the first production step is an annealing process, and the aqueous medium is expelled from the product line in step b) with the aid of the product. As a result, even in cases where a product line can not be emptied, the aqueous medium can be effectively removed from the product line. In this way, for example, a dilution of the product when passing through a heat exchanger can be prevented. Alternatively, however, individual sections of the product line could be emptied. It can thus be prevented that diluted product must be evaporated correspondingly more intense in the subsequent hot wort treatment in order to set a predetermined original wort concentration. Thus, predominantly or exclusively undiluted product can be treated in the subsequent device for wort heating and / or wort boiling, for example a wort kettle, and thus energy can be saved by reducing evaporation of product water.

Preferably, the aqueous medium is fed in the form of fresh water or warm brewing water. As a result, a given product quality can be set in a particularly simple manner. In a particularly favorable embodiment of the method, the aqueous medium is fed in step a) in the form of a cleaning liquid from a ClP feed line. This makes it possible to perform a cleaning of the production plant in a particularly efficient manner. The cleaning liquid can be distributed in steps b) and c) targeted to different production vessels and production lines.

Preferably, a device for hot-break separation and a deflection line lying in front of the product flow are cleaned together. This makes it possible to clean the knockout line particularly efficiently and thoroughly. It is also possible to clean all the pipes belonging to the hot scrubber and the draft line separately or together with the buffer tank.

The object is further achieved with a device according to claim 10. Accordingly, the device according to the invention is designed so that the aqueous medium from the product line can be passed into a buffer tank to temporarily store the aqueous medium, and / or be passed into the second production unit may be to flush and / or clean it.

The device preferably comprises a connecting line branching off from the product line for discharging the aqueous medium from the product line in the direction of the buffer tank. As a result, the aqueous medium can be discharged from the product line without having to guide the aqueous medium through one of the subsequent production units. This can prevent the product from being further treated in a subsequent production unit in a dilution. There may also be several product lines between each two associated production units, each of which can be emptied via its own branching connection line. It is also possible to use individual connecting lines for emptying a product line section, whereas other connecting lines are for pushing out the aqueous medium with the product. As a result, the energy input for generating a predetermined original wort concentration can be reduced.

Preferably, the connection line may be further connected to a CIP flow line to feed the aqueous medium into the product line. This allows the connection line to be used both during production and during cleaning of the system. This allows a particularly economical cable routing. Preferably, the device according to the invention further comprises a pump for pumping the aqueous medium into the buffer tank, wherein the pump is in particular a pump for delivering slurry, a smooth water or a CIP return pump. As a result, the aqueous medium can be promoted effectively with minimal equipment. For example, the aqueous medium may include a cleaning agent or may be used to flush a product line cleaning agent.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the first production unit is a device for hot wort treatment and the second production unit is a device for Heißtrubabscheidung, with a ClP flow line can be connected to the device such that the buffer tank, the product line and the device for Heißtrubabscheidung together can be cleaned with CIP liquid. This makes it particularly easy and efficient to clean the area of the hot trub separator and the swirl line. The aqueous medium may thus be or contain a CIP liquid.

The hot wort treatment is to be understood to mean wort heat retention and / or wort boiling.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the first production unit is a device for clarifying and the second production unit is a device for hot wort treatment, wherein a sensor for distinguishing or separating the product from the aqueous medium is provided on the product line, in particular in a line section for connection to the device for hot wort treatment. Thereby, the aqueous medium between a lauter tun, an optional supply vessel and a wort kettle can be selectively ejected with product. It can thus be a dilution of the product and thereby avoiding increased energy requirements avoided.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing. Show it:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention, comprising a production plant area between a lauter tun and a wort kettle; and Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the device according to the invention, comprising a production plant area between a wort kettle and a Heißtrubabscheider.

For the sake of clarity, the embodiments are described below separately with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. It goes without saying, however, that the described embodiments can be combined to form a production plant in a brewhouse.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, the first embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention comprises a clarifier 2, a supply vessel 3, a heat exchanger 5, a wort kettle 7, and a buffer tank 9. Between the clarifier device 2 and the wort kettle 7, there are product lines 1 1a to 1, respectively 1 c provided. These are connected to the buffer tank 9 via respectively associated connecting lines 13a to 13c. Between the connecting lines 13a to 13c and the buffer tank 9, a common pump 15 is preferably arranged. For the sake of simplicity, flow control devices or shut-off devices 17 with optionally associated measuring and control devices for quantity and / or flow determination, which may be provided on selected or all the lines mentioned above, are also indicated.

Under the Abläutereinrichtung 2 is a system to understand in which a separation of the mash into solid and liquid components. This can be, for example, a lauter tun or a mash filter. The wort kettle 7 is understood to mean a system for hot wort treatment in which the product, in particular a wort, is kept hot and / or boiled in order to set a predetermined wort quality, such as a predetermined original wort content, by evaporation of product water. The buffer tank 9 may be, for example, a Trubgefäß, a smooth water tank, a ClP stack water tank or a fresh water tank. This can be a common tank that can hold several aqueous media 4 of different origin. Although neither shown in the figures nor explicitly described, but it can also be a plurality of tanks, each of which can accommodate only a particular aqueous medium 4 or more selected aqueous media 4.

In Figure 1, a return line 19 is further indicated, which connects an output of the buffer tank 9 with the Abläutervorrichtung 2. Although not shown, the Return line 19 may also be connected to another production unit, for example a mashing device.

The buffer tank 9 can be connected on the input side to the product lines 11a to 11c such that an aqueous medium 4 present in them can be pumped into the buffer tank 9 by means of the pump 15. In this case, it is both possible to empty individual line sections, for example the product line 11a, into the buffer tank 9 and to push out the aqueous medium 4 from a section of the product line 11, for example from the line 11b, with product flowing in the product flow direction P. and to pump into the buffer tank 9. The pump 15 may be omitted if, for example, there is a hydrostatic gradient to the buffer tank 9.

With the first embodiment 1 of the device according to the invention can be worked as follows, the operation of the Ableiterervorrichtung 2 and the wort kettle 7 are known from the prior art and are not explained in detail:

With the removal of the wort and the subsequent washing of the spent grains cake in the Abläutereinrichtung 2, the product lines 11 a to 1 1c filled with the aqueous medium 4. If wort is now to be conveyed from the clarifier device 2 in the direction of the optional supply vessel 3 and / or the wort kettle 7, the aqueous medium 4 present in the lines 11a to 11c will not be ejected into the feed vessel 3 and / or the wort kettle 7, Such a procedure is advantageous since the heat exchanger 5 may not be pulled empty depending on the design, so that an emptying of the line sections 11 b and 1 1 c may not be practicable. Depending on the design of the connecting lines 1 1 a to 1 1 c and the vessels 3 and 7, it is also possible to empty the lines 11a to 1 1 c by means of the pump 15 via the connecting lines 13a to 13c, before wort from the Abläutereinrichtung 2 in the direction of the supply vessel 3 and / or the wort kettle 7 through the lines 11 a to 1 1 c can flow.

For the method according to the invention, it is not decisive whether the product lines 11a to 11c are emptied before the product is passed, or whether the aqueous medium 4 is pushed out of the line sections 11a to 11c into the buffer tank 9. It is crucial that the aqueous medium 4 from the lines 11 a to 11 c must be conducted neither in the flow vessel 3 still in the wort kettle 7. Instead, the aqueous medium 4 in the buffer tank 9 cached and the be supplied later use a further product cycle. This can be done, for example, via the indicated return line 19 into the clarifier device 2. However, a reuse of the aqueous medium 4 would also be possible in connection with the second embodiment of the device according to the invention described below.

If the aqueous medium 4 is pushed out by the product, in particular the wort, a measuring device 21, which makes it possible to distinguish the product from the aqueous medium 4, can be provided, in particular on the product line 11c mounted in front of the wort kettle 7. The measurement principle on which the measuring device 21 is based can be, for example, a quantity measurement, an extract measurement, a conductance measurement, a viscosity measurement, a turbidity measurement or a pH measurement. A volumetric flow can also be determined and a time span required for a flow through the lines can be measured.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, the second embodiment 10 of the device according to the invention is a production unit connected to the first embodiment 1, comprising the wort kettle 7, a device 23 for hot break separation and the buffer tank 9 is connected to the knockout device 23 by a knockout line 11d. This can in turn be connected by means of a product line 11e for discharging the wort from the Heißtrubabscheider 23 with a wort cooler, not shown, and by means of the lines 1 1e, 13e, a Trubpumpe 29 and a Trubleitung 25a for discharging the separated hot trub with the buffer tank 9, the example thus corresponds to a Trubtank. Also indicated is a pump 27 for conveying the product, the aqueous medium 4 or the hot trub. The hot trub separator 23 is preferably a whirlpool, but may also be a sedimentation tank, a centrifuge or another filtration unit. The hot scrubber 23 may also include means for expelling undesirable flavorants. However, such a device could also be connected downstream of the hot trash separator 23.

As Figure 2 also shows, the output-side product line 11e of the Heißtrubabscheiders 23 can be connected to a ClP feed line 31, as well as the Trubleitung 25, as indicated by the dashed line section 31 a. Shown further is a transfer line 19, which serves both the transfer of the aqueous medium 4 for reuse and the CIP return.

The operation of the second embodiment 10 will be described below.

Before knocking out the wort from the wort kettle 7, an aqueous medium 4 present in the knock-out line 11d is conveyed via the connecting line 13d and the discharge line 25a into the buffer tank 9 or via the trub line 25b to the hot trash separator 23. Thus, the discharge line 11d is drawn empty before product is passed through this in the Heißtrubabscheider 23. This avoids that the wort can be diluted with the aqueous medium 4 when passing into the hot trash separator 23 in or after the knockout line 11 d.

After the wort has been knocked out of the wort kettle 7, it is rinsed with water or aqueous medium 4 via merely indicated spray heads 7a. With the aid of the pump 27, the product is displaced by means of the water mask formed in the wort kettle 7 via the knock-out 1 1 d in the Heißtrubabscheider 23. The remaining in the discharge line 11d aqueous medium 4 is conveyed before the next brew from the discharge line 11 d via the connecting line 13d and the Trubleitung 25a in the buffer tank 9 or through the Trubleitung 25b in the Heißtrubabscheider 23 for loosening the Trubs. Subsequently, the loosened hot trub is conveyed, for example, into the buffer tank 9. The rollover line 11 d is thus pulled empty to counteract a dilution of the wort at the next knockout. Optionally for this procedure, it is possible to displace the aqueous medium 4 with product via the knock-out line 11d, the additional connecting line 13f and the lifting line 25a to the buffer tank 9.

The hot trub thus does not need to be dissolved as usual with warm brewing water or fresh water in the hot trash separator 23, but may be dissolved by the aqueous medium 4. The aqueous medium 4 can thus absorb the dissolved hot trub and can then be pumped via the outlet-side product line 11e, the connecting line 13e, the trump pump 29 and the trub line 25a into the buffer tank 9 and stored there. Subsequently, a rinsing / cleaning of the Heißtrubabscheiders 23 via an indicated spray head 23 a to the buffer tank 9 out. Preferably, the aqueous medium 4 is pumped to dissolve the hot trub in the circuit, in particular including the product line 1 1e, the connecting line 13e, the Trubpumpe 29 and the Trubleitung 25b. Thereafter, the aqueous medium 4 could be cached with the recorded hot trub in the buffer tank 9.

In the cleaning operation, the ClP flow 31 can be connected via the product line 11 e, the connecting lines 13 e and 13 d to the deflection line 1 1 d. Thus, the deflection line 1 1d can be cleaned during the cleaning of the Heißtrubabscheiders 23. An additional Laugensud for the deflection line 1 1 d can thus be omitted. Although not shown in detail here, preferably the entire production unit comprising the hot trash separator 23, the buffer tank 9 and the swirl line 11d is cleaned, in particular with the inclusion of all pipelines belonging to the production unit.

The described wiring thus makes it possible to reduce the amount of fresh water to dissolve the hot trub and save wastewater. It is also possible to counteract a dilution of the wort. In production mode, resources in the form of water and energy can thus be saved.

In the cleaning operation, a cleaning liquid can be introduced into all product lines and vessels via the ClP feed line 31. It is thus possible to bring the product inlets and the product outlets of the container with cleaning liquid sufficiently in contact. A Laugensud for cleaning the product lines is therefore unnecessary.

Since the first and the second embodiment of the device according to the invention can be combined with each other in a technically meaningful manner, it is possible to recycle, for example, an aqueous medium 4 obtained or temporarily stored during operation of the second embodiment into the first embodiment, ie into an upstream production unit in the Ableiterervorrichtung 2. It is crucial that a dilution of the wort in product lines is avoided. This saves energy when cooking the wort, as less water must be evaporated in order to produce the wort with a given original wort content. Likewise, the aqueous medium 4 can be attributed to different sections of the mash or wort extraction, whereby product losses and wastewater pollution are reduced. It is also conceivable that the aqueous medium 4 other areas of beer production supply and / or use for cleaning or rinsing.

Under the aqueous medium 4 is to be understood in the production operation essentially a mixture of water and product components. At the beginning of a production, however, the aqueous medium 4 may consist only of fresh water or warm brewing water. Depending on the requirement in the production process, the aqueous medium 4 can be mixed with fresh water or product components. The aqueous medium 4 can thus fulfill a replacement function for fresh water or brewing water during production, for example when dissolving a hot trub. The aqueous medium 4 can absorb solid or only partially dissolved constituents, in particular when rinsing out a hot trub separator. In the cleaning operation, the aqueous medium 4 may include or be a CIP liquid. The aqueous medium 4 can serve both to provide the CIP liquid and to remove it, for example by rinsing.

Claims

claims

1. Method for media guidance in a brewing system, comprising the following steps:

a) filling a product line (11 a - 1 1 e), which is provided for guiding a product from a first production unit (2, 7) for performing a first production step to a second production unit (7, 23) for performing a second production step, with an aqueous medium (4) for pushing out the product or for rinsing and / or cleaning the product line;

b) discharging the aqueous medium from the product line,

marked by

a step c) for passing the aqueous medium into a buffer tank (9) to temporarily store the aqueous medium and / or to reuse it in the second production unit, in particular by introducing the aqueous medium to clean the second production unit.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the aqueous medium (4) in step c) is temporarily stored, in particular after it passed through the second production unit (23) or in step b) by a branch (13a - 13e) of the product line (11 a - 1 1 e).

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising a step d), in which the intermediately stored aqueous medium (4) admixed with the product in a production step of the lautering or in a mashing process or the second production unit (23) for their purification, in particular for the removal of a Hot trubs is supplied.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second production unit (23) is a Heißtrubabscheider and the aqueous medium (4) is passed through it such that the aqueous medium loosens and / or absorbs a hot trash.

5. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the first production step is a wort hot and / or a wort boiling and the product line (11d) in step b) is drawn empty.

6. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the first production step is a Abläutprozess and the aqueous medium (4) in step b) with the aid of the product from the product line (11 a - 11 c) is ejected.

7. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the aqueous medium (4) in step a) in the form of fresh water or warm brewing water is fed.

8. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the aqueous medium (4) in step a) in the form of a cleaning liquid from a CIP flow line (31) is fed.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein a device for Heißtrubabscheidung (23) and in the product flow (P) lying in front of the deflection line (11d) are cleaned together.

10. Device (1, 10) for media guidance in a brewing system, comprising:

a product line (11a-11e) for guiding a product from a first production unit (2, 7) to perform a first production step to a second production unit (7, 23) for performing a second production step, the apparatus being arranged such that the Product line can be filled with an aqueous medium (4) for pushing out the product or for rinsing and / or cleaning the product line,

characterized in that

the aqueous medium may be passed from the product line into a buffer tank (9) to temporarily store the aqueous medium and / or may be directed to the second production unit for rinsing and / or cleaning.

11. The device according to claim 10, characterized by one of the product line (11 a - 1 1 e) branching connecting line (13 a - 13 e) for discharging the aqueous medium (4) from the product line in the direction of the buffer tank (9).

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the connecting line (13 a - 13 e) can be further connected to a ClP flow line (31) to feed the aqueous medium (4) in the product line (11 a - 11 e).

13. The device according to at least one of claims 10 to 12, further comprising a pump (29) for conveying the aqueous medium (4) into the buffer tank (9), wherein the pump is in particular a pump for conveying Trub or smooth water or a CIP -Rücklaufpumpe.

14. The device according to at least one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the first production unit (7) is a device for wort heating and / or wort boiling and the second production unit (23) comprises a device for Heißtrubabscheidung, and wherein a ClP feed line (31). can be connected to the device so that the device for hot trub separation (23) and in the product flow (P) of this upstream rollover line (11d) together, in particular together with the buffer tank (9), can be cleaned with CIP liquid.

15. The device according to at least one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the first production unit (2) is a device for clarifying and the second production unit is a preliminary vessel (3) and / or a device (7) for wort heating and / or wort boiling, and wherein on the product line (1 1 a - 1 1 c) a measuring device (21) for distinguishing the product from the aqueous medium (4) is provided, in particular in a line section (11c) for connection to the device (7) for wort hot and / or wort boiling.