WO2014135578A2

WO2014135578A2 - A wine tartaric stabilization system

Info

Publication number: WO2014135578A2
Application number: PCT/EP2014/054241
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cesare BIANCO
Original assignee: Aeb Spa
Priority date: 2013-03-07
Filing date: 2014-03-05
Publication date: 2014-09-12
Also published as: WO2014135578A3; ITAN20130049A1

Abstract

A wine tartaric stabilization system. A wine tartaric stabilization system, completely made of stainless steel 316, which is based on the use of p H-Stab ionic exchange resins, as authorized by Regulation no. 1234/07 and no. 606/09. Upon the passage of wine, the resins withhold the potassium and calcium salts, reducing conductivity and making it stable. After the treatment, the resins are regenerated with Acid+, a sulphuric acid based activator.

Description

A wine tartaric stabilization system.

The present invention relates to a wine tartaric stabilization system.

Resin exchangers used to obtain the wine tartaric stabilization are currently available on the market. The majority of said resin exchangers is made of PVC or fiberglass and use hydrochloric acid to regenerate the resins, do not have separate circuits to protect the wine treatment from residues of regenerating agent and water, and do not include the emptying with nitrogen to protect the wine against oxidation.

EP1 1461 15 describes a system for tartaric stabilization of wine comprising a storage container, a nano-filtration unit with NF means, an anion exchanger unit and conduits connecting said modules. However, this system can't operate in continuous.

The purpose of the present invention is to remedy the drawbacks of the prior art by devising a wine tartaric stabilization system that is effective, efficacious and reliable.

This purpose is achieved according to the invention, with the characteristics claimed in the attached independent claim 1 .

Advantageous embodiments appear from the dependent claims.

The wine tartaric stabilization system of the invention comprises:

- at least two columns to contain the resin for wine tartaric stabilization; - a storage tank to contain the reagents, such as detergents or regenerated resin, and

. a pneumatic installation connected to a nitrogen source for emptying resin, water and wine from the columns and/or a compressed air source to control the pneumatic devices of the installation,

wherein each column comprises:

- a wine inlet connected to a wine inlet duct intended to be connected to an inlet with wine to be treated; - a wine outlet connected to a wine outlet duct intended to be connected to an outlet with treated wine;

- an upper opening connected by means of a first recirculation duct to said storage tank for water/reagent recirculation;

- a lower opening connected by means of a second recirculation duct to said storage tank for water/reagent recirculation; and

- a nitrogen inlet connected to said nitrogen source.

The advantages of the system of the invention are evident.

The provision of two separate lines for wine treatment and resin regeneration guarantees the safety of flows and rules out the risk of contamination between the wine and the acid used for regeneration or the water used for washing.

The provision of two columns and of separate installations for wine treatment and regeneration allows for using both columns for wine treatment or one column for wine treatment and the other column for resin regeneration, without interrupting the production flow.

The provision of the nitrogen source allows for emptying the columns, thus preventing the wine from coming in contact with air, with the risk of oxidation. A nitrogen source is a nitrogen supply connected to a line or one or more nitrogen cylinders.

Additional characteristics of the invention will appear evident from the detailed description below, with reference to the attached drawings, which have an illustrative, not limitative purpose only, wherein:

Figs. 1 and 2 are two perspective views from different angles of the wine tartaric stabilization system of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the system of

Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 4 is a side view of the system of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 5 is a top view of the system of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 5A is an enlarged view of the detail enclosed in circle T of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 6 is a hydraulic diagram showing the system of the invention. Referring to the figures, the wine tartaric stabilization system of the invention is disclosed, generally indicated with reference numeral (100).

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, the system (100) comprises:

- two columns (A, B) that contain resin for wine tartaric stabilization; - a storage tank (S) that contains reagents or regenerated resin, and

- a pneumatic installation connected to a nitrogen source (Z) for emptying of resin, water and wine from the columns and/or a compressed air source to control the pneumatic devices of the installation.

The standard model is provided with two columns (A, B) and contains a total of 500 Kg of resin, 250 Kg per column. However, the system can be modulated in order to obtain columns of different size, which can contain from 125 to 1 ,000 Kg of resin and increase the productive capacity of the system from 15 hectoliter/h to 120 hectoliter/h.

The nitrogen source (Z) can comprise at least one nitrogen cylinder, preferably two nitrogen cylinders or one nitrogen supply line.

Advantageously, a rectangular bearing frame supports the columns (A, B), the storage tank (S) and the nitrogen source (Z) in case of one or more cylinders. The frame is mounted on feet or optionally on swiveling wheels. The nitrogen source (Z) can be a nitrogen supply line, which is separated from the frame.

Also referring to Fig. 4, each column (A, B) comprises two large openings (O) used to introduce or empty resins and for inspection purposes. Advantageously, the large openings (O) are disposed in the upper and lower part of the column.

Referring to Fig. 6, each column (A, B) comprises:

- a wine inlet (1 A, 1 B)

- a wine outlet (2A, 2B)

- an upper opening (3A, 3B) for water/reagent

- a lower opening (4A, 4B) for water/reagent

- a nitrogen inlet (5A, 5B)

Said wine inlets and outlets (1 A, 1 B, 2A, 2B), said upper and lower openings (3A, 3B, 4A, 4B) and said nitrogen inlets (5A, 5B) of the columns are provided with corresponding valves (V1 A, V1 B, V2A, V2B, V3A, V3B, V4A, V4B, V5A, V5B).

Advantageously, the wine and nitrogen inlet ducts (1 A, 1 B, 5A, 5B) are disposed in the upper part of each column, whereas the wine outlet ducts (2A, 2B) are disposed in the lower part of each column.

The two wine inlets (1 A, 1 B) are connected to a wine inlet duct (10) intended to be connected to an inlet with wine to be treated. In the wine inlet duct (10) an electric wine pump (PE1 ) is provided to suck up wine from the inlet towards the columns (A, B). A liter counter (C1 ) and a pH meter (PH1 ) are also provided in the wine inlet duct (10).

The two wine outlet (2A, 2B) are connected to a wine outlet duct (1 1 ) intended to be connected to an outlet with treated wine. A second pH meter (PH2) is disposed in the wine outlet duct (1 1 ).

The two upper openings (3A, 3B) of the columns are connected to a first reagent recirculation duct (13) connected to the storage tank (S). In the first reagent recirculation duct (13) an electric wine pump (PE3) with special seals is provided for reagent recirculation from the storage tank (S) towards the columns (A, B) and for emptying of the storage tank (S).

A first flow meter (FL1 ) is disposed in the first reagent recirculation duct (13).

Two three-way valves (VTA; VTB) connect the first reagent recirculation duct (13) to the upper openings (3A, 3B) of the two columns. The first reagent recirculation duct (13) is also connected to a discharge duct (14) by means of the three-way valve (VTA). The discharge duct (14) is connected to the discharge system for emptying of the storage tank (S).

The two lower openings (4A, 4B) of the columns are connected to a second reagent recirculation duct (15) connected to the storage tank (S). Therefore, the reagent can flow from columns (A, B) to the storage tank (S) through the second reagent recirculation duct (15). A control valve (V) and a second flow meter (FL2) are provided in the second reagent recirculation duct A three-way valve (VT) connects the second reagent recirculation conduct (15) to a discharge duct (16) and a water inlet duct (17). An electrical wine pump (PE3) and a second liter counter (C2) are provided in the water inlet duct (17).

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the system (100) optionally comprises a water demineralization system (D) that comprises an inlet duct (D1 ) intended to be connected to a water inlet and an outlet duct (D2) of demineralized water intended to be connected to the water inlet duct (17) of the system (100).

The two nitrogen inlets (5A, 5B) are connected to a nitrogen inlet duct

(18) connected to the nitrogen source (Z). In such a case, the two valves (V5A, V5B) of the nitrogen inlets are non-return valves.

The storage tank (S) is made of stainless steel 316 and comprises a flow restrictor plate, a PVC lid and an outlet manual valve for total discharge of the storage tank.

Four level floats (G1 , G2, G3, G4) are inserted inside the storage tank (2) to respectively detect the minimum level, the maximum level, the alkaline level and the acid level.

Moreover, the storage tank (S) comprises three pneumatic pumps (P1 , P2, P3) to suck up detergent and regenerating products: for instance, the first pump (P1 ) is for Acid+ and Acid+Demi, the second pump (P2) is for Alca- and the third pump (P3) is for Peracid.

The operation of the system (100) of the invention is described hereinafter.

The operation of the system is based on the use of pH-Stab ionic exchange resins charged with a sulphuric acid solution, which are disposed in the columns (A, B). Upon wine passage, the resins withhold the potassium and calcium salts, reduce conductivity and pH and cause the tartaric stabilization of the wine. Both the passage of wine during the treatment cycle and the passage of the regenerating solution during the regeneration cycle must occur from up downwards at a certain speed, in such manner that the flow passes through the resins and has the time necessary for the ionic exchange to occur in the best possible conditions.

The system (100) is provided with separate lines for wine treatment and regeneration to guarantee the safety of flows and rule out the possibility of contamination between wine and acid or water. Each processing line, either the wine or the regeneration line, is provided with pump, ducts, flow meters, liter counters, pneumatic valves with proximity sensor, one inlet and one outlet for each column.

The cycle starts by rinsing the columns (A, B) from downwards up at a predefined speed. The two wine valves (V1 A, V2A, V1 B, V2B) are closed. The control valve (V) is closed. The water inlet is connected to the pump (PE3) that conveys the flow through the second liter counter (C2) to the lower openings (4A, 4B) of the columns dedicated to the regeneration circuit. The water energetically passes through the resin bed, lifting the resins and taking away the dirt that comes out from the upper openings (3A, 3B) of the columns dedicated to the regeneration line and goes to the discharge duct (14), which can be connected to the sewerage system directly or to a waste water collection tank. In such a case the two three-way valves (VTA, VTB) allow for the flow from the columns to the discharge duct (14).

When rinsing is completed, the columns (A, B) are emptied with nitrogen to eliminate any water residues. The three-way valves (VTA, VTB) are closed; the nitrogen enters through the inlets (5A, 5B) of the columns and comes out from the lower openings (4A, 4B) towards the discharge duct (16). In such a case, the three-way valve (VT) closes the water inlet and opens the discharge duct (16). The emptying is interrupted when the second flow meter (FL2) disposed in the proximity of the discharge no longer detects the presence of liquid inside the ducts.

After emptying, the preparation of the regenerating solution starts in the storage tank (S). The pneumatic pumps (P1 , P2, P3) suck up the detergent and regenerating products and the level floats (G1 , G2, G3, G4) guarantee the correct measuring of the detergent and regenerating products. During the preparation of the solution, the water pump (PE3) sucks up a certain quantity of water and conveys it to the storage tank (S). Then, the pump (P1 , P2 or P3) of the detergent/regenerating agent required by the processing phase (Acid+, Alca-, Peracid or Acid+Demi) is activated to suck up a certain quantity of product until it reaches its internal level float. Then, again, the water pump (PE3) introduces more water to provide homogenization and reach the desired amount and concentration of the solution. The preparation process of the regenerating agent is completely automated and safe for the operator, who never comes in direct contact with any alkaline or acid product. In fact, the storage tank is provided with a PVC lid in order to prevent dangerous leakage.

When the mix of regenerating agent is ready, the regeneration pump (PE3) is activated to suck up the regenerating/detergent solution from the storage tank (S) and conveys it to the column (A, B) that needs to be regenerated, from up downwards. The regenerating flow enters from the upper opening (3A, 3B) dedicated to the water and regenerating agent circuit, above the column, passes through the resins at a certain speed and comes out from the lower opening (4A, 4B) dedicated to the water or regenerating agent, finally returning to the storage tank (S).

The recirculation of the regenerating agent/detergent is made with closed circuit between the storage tank and the column for a certain period of time. Only during the first 5 minutes of recirculation, after passing through the resin inside the column, the regenerating solution is deviated towards the discharge duct (16) in order to eliminate any water residues that may remain inside the column after the initial rinsing.

When the recirculation of the regenerating agent is finished, the storage tank (S) is emptied, making the residues pass from the column and deviating the outgoing flow to the discharge duct (16) in order to use the emptying time as additional regeneration time. The emptying of the storage tank (S) is always controlled by the regeneration pump (PE3) and ends when the first flow meter (FL1 ) situated at the outlet of the storage tank (S) no longer detects the presence of liquid inside the duct. When the storage tank (S) is empty, the emptying with nitrogen is carried out: nitrogen flows from the nitrogen source (Z) to the columns (A, B), comes out from the lower opening (4A, 4B) of the column and comes out from the discharge duct (16) through the valves (V4A and V4B). The nitrogen flow is interrupted when the flow meter (FL2) no longer detects the presence of liquid in the ducts, thus indicating that the columns (A, B) are empty.

The last phase of the regeneration cycle is the final rinsing of the columns, which is made from down upwards, same as the initial rinsing, and ends leaving the columns (A, B) full of water.

The regeneration cycle that has been described above, which consists in initial rinsing, emptying of column with nitrogen, preparation of regenerating agent, recirculation of regenerating agent, emptying of storage tank, emptying of column with nitrogen and final rinsing, is a sequence of software controlled operations that are repeated in the same way, regardless of the type of regenerating agent or detergent used during the preparation of the regenerating solution. The products that can be used according to the resin requirements are: Acid+ for regeneration, Alca- for cleansing and Peracid for decolorization, bleaching and sterilization. Because of the bleaching cycle with peracetic acid, the same resins can be used for white wine and red wine treatments.

Once they have been regenerated with sulphuric acid, the resins are ready to treat the wine. Also the ducts of the wine circuit are completely made of stainless steel 316, and comprise pump (PE1 ), liter counter, flow meter, pneumatic valves and one inlet (1 A, 1 B) and one outlet (2A, 2B) for each column.

The emptying with nitrogen is carried out before introducing the wine in the columns (A, B) because at the end of the regeneration the column remains full of water to keep the resin hydrated if the system is not used immediately.

The valves (V3A, V3B, V4A, V4B) of the regenerating circuit are closed. Instead, the valves (V1 A, V1 B, V2A, V2B) of the wine circuit are open. The wine inlet is connected to the electrical wine pump (PE1 ) that conveys the wine flow at the optimal speed to the wine inlet (1 A, 1 B) of the column; the wine flow passes through the resins, comes out from the wine outlet (2A, 2B) and goes to the wine outlet through the wine outlet duct (1 1 ).

During the wine treatment the wine flow passes through two pH meter electrodes, a first electrode (PH1 ) disposed on the inlet duct (10) after the pump (PE1 ), and a second electrode (PH2) disposed on the outlet duct (1 1 ) at the outlet from the column, in such manner to monitor the behavior and efficacy of the ionic exchange in progress and interrupt it when the resins have finished their exchange power and need to be regenerated. At the end of the wine treatment, the system (100) empties the column with nitrogen in order to convey the wine that has remained in the column to the storage tank that contains the treated product. The emptying is interrupted when the flow meter (FL3) disposed at the outlet of the column no longer detects the presence of liquid inside the ducts. The emptying is carried out with nitrogen and not with air to protect the wine against oxidation.

The software of the system (100) is designed to guarantee the safe operation and personalization of the wine treatment, with the possibility of working "in repassing mode" in a tank and set the pH to be reached in the wine as stabilization parameter or "in decanting mode" from tank to tank and set the number of liters to be treated. The liter counter (C1 ) or the pH meter can be excluded on the wine line.

It is also possible to work "in discontinuous mode", with only one column (column (A) or column (B)), alternating the wine treatment to the regeneration or "in continuous mode" with both columns (A, B), treating the wine in one column (A) while the other column (B) is regenerated. Moreover, it is also possible to treat wine in both columns simultaneously, doubling the exchange capacity in this case.

Numerous variations and modifications can be made to the present embodiment of the invention, within the reach of an expert of the field, while still falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1 ) A wine tartaric stabilization system (100) comprising:

- at least two columns (A, B) to contain resin for wine tartaric stabilization;

- a storage tank (S) to contain reagents or regenerated resin, and . a pneumatic installation connected to a nitrogen source (Z) for emptying of resin, water and wine from columns (A, B) and/or a compressed air source to control the pneumatic devices of the installation, wherein each column (A, B) comprises:

- a wine inlet (1 A, 1 B) connected to a wine inlet duct (10) intended to be connected to an inlet with wine to be treated;

- a wine outlet (2A, 2B) connected to a wine outlet duct (1 1 ) intended to be connected to an outlet with treated wine;

- an upper opening (3A, 3B) connected by means of a first recirculation duct (13) to said storage tank (S) for water/reagent recirculation; and

- a lower opening (4A, 4B) connected by means of a second recirculation duct (15) to said storage tank (S) for water/reagent recirculation.

2) The system of claim 1 , wherein said pneumatic installation is connected to a nitrogen source (Z) and each column (A, B) comprises a nitrogen inlet (5A, 5B) connected to said nitrogen source (Z).

3) The system of claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

- a first pump (PE1 ) arranged in said wine inlet duct (10) to suck up wine from the inlet of wine to be treated towards said columns (A, B); and

- a second pump (PE3) arranged in said first recirculation duct (13) to suck up reagent from said tank (S) towards said columns (A, B).

4) The system of claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

- a first discharge duct (14) connected to said first recirculation duct

(13),

- a second discharge duct (16) connected to said second recirculation duct (15), and

- a water inlet duct (17) connected to said second recirculation duct and intended to be connected to a water supply.

5) The system of claim 4, further comprising a third pump (PE3) arranged in said water inlet duct (17) to suck up water from the water supply and convey it towards said columns (A, B) or said storage tank (15).

6) The system of claim 4 or 5, further comprising a demineralization system (D) connected to said water inlet duct (17) of the system and intended to be connected to the water supply.

7) The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said storage tank (S) comprises three suction pumps (P1 , P2, P3), of which the first pump (P1 ) is for Acid+ and Acid+Demi, the second pump (P2) is for Alka- , and the third pump (P3) is for Peracid.

8) The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said storage tank (S) comprises four level floats (G1 , G2, G3, G4) to respectively detect the minimum level, the maximum level, the alkaline level and the acid level inside said storage tank (S).

9) The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said wine inlets and outlets (1 A, 1 B, 2A, 2B), said upper and lower openings (3A, 3B, 4A, 4B) and said nitrogen inlets (5A, 5B) of the columns are provided with corresponding valves (V1 A, V1 B, V2A, V2B, V3A, V3B, V4A, V4B, V5A, V5B).

10) The system of any one of claims 4 to 9, further comprising:

- a first three-way valve (VTA) arranged between said upper opening (3A) of the first column (A), the first recirculation duct (13) and the first discharge duct (14),

- a second three-way valve (VTB) arranged between said upper opening (3B) of the second column (A), and two sections of the first recirculation duct (13),

- a third three-way valve (VT) arranged between said second recirculation duct (15), said second discharge duct (16) and said water inlet duct (17), and

- a control valve (V) arranged in said second recirculation duct (15) downstream said lower openings (4A, 4B) of the columns. 1 1 ) The system of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a liter-counter (C1 ) provided in said wine inlet duct (10), a first PH meter (PH1 ) provided in said wine inlet duct (10) and a second PH meter (PH2) provided in said wine outlet duct (1 1 ).