METHOD FOR ACCELERATED FERMENTATION AND DEVICE FOR MIXING A TANK CONTENT

• US 20130224358A1
• Filed: 05/27/2011
• Published: 08/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gea Brewery Systems GmbH Huppmann Tuchenhagen
• Original Assignee: Thomas Wunsche
• Inventors: Michel, Rudolf, Wnsche, Thomas, Kontny, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 9,334,471 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 426/519
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/15 Mixing of beer ingredients
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2215/0427 Numerical distance values, e.g. separation, position
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2215/045 Numerical flow-rate values
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2215/0477 Numerical time values
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/211 the injectors being surrounded by guiding tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/312 with Venturi elements; Details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/31243 Eductor or eductor-type venturi, i.e. the main flow being injected through the venturi with high speed in the form of a jet
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/50 Circulation mixers, e.g. wherein at least part of the mixture is discharged from and reintroduced into a receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/53 in which the mixture is discharged from and reintroduced into a receptacle through a recirculation tube, into which an additional component is introduced
• CPC Class Codes: C12C 11/00 Fermentation processes for beer preparation of wine C12G1/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12C 11/003 Fermentation of beerwort
• CPC Class Codes: C12C 11/02 Pitching yeast
• CPC Class Codes: C12C 13/00 Brewing devices, not covered by a single group of C12C1/00 - C12C12/04

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for an accelerated fermentation in a fermentation tank 2 with at least a tank cone 2a and a connection flange 4, in particular for beer production. The method comprises the steps: a) sucking in of fermentation fluid M₁ from the tank 2 via a first circulation pipe 40 by means of a circulation pump 30; b) inducing of the drive fluid M₁ that is now pumped by the circulation pump 30 via a second circulation pipe 50 in a mixing member 10 that is arranged within the tank cone 2a at a height L of 350 mm-1800 mm between the bottom edge of the connection flange 4 and the bottom edge of the mixing member 10; and c) generating of a jet directed upwards and exiting through an outlet opening 18 of the mixing member 10, so that the yeast cells stay for a longer time in suspension in the tank 2 by means of an in such a way improved convective current. The invention relates moreover to a corresponding device.

Claims

1. Method for an accelerated fermentation in a fermentation tank (2) with at least a tank cone (2a) and a connection flange (4), in particular for beer production, comprising the steps:

a) sucking in of fermentation fluid (M₁) from the tank (2) via a first circulation pipe (40) by means of a circulation pump (30);

b) inducing the drive fluid (M₁) that is now pumped by the circulation pump (30) via a second circulation pipe (50) into a mixing member (10) that is arranged within the tank cone (2a) at a height (L) of 350 mm-1800 mm between the bottom edge of the connection flange (4) and the bottom edge of the mixing member (10); and

c) generating of a jet that is directed upwards and exiting through an outlet opening (18) of the mixing member (10), so that the yeast cells stay in suspension for a longer time by means of a convective current in the tank (2).

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein:

the mixing member (10) is arranged within the tank cone (2a) at a height (L) of 375 mm-1650 mm, preferably of 400 mm-1500 mm, between the bottom edge of the connection flange (4) and the bottom edge of the mixing member (10).

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein:

the circulation time is 3 h-12 h, preferably 4 h-10 h per circulation.

4. Method according to claim 1, wherein:

the circulating pump produces a drive volume flow of the drive fluid (M₁), which is 6 m³/h-50 m³/h, preferably 8 m³/h-41 m³/h.

5. Method according to claim 1, wherein:

a completely welded module is used as mixing member (10) that is assembled from two—

preferably turned—

machined parts, wherein a hygienic embodiment of the injector is generated due to the welded construction type.

6. Method according to claim 1, wherein:

in step b), the drive fluid (M₁) that is now pumped by the circulation pump (30) via a second circulation pipe (50) is injected by means of a drive head (12) into the mixing member (10), wherein the drive fluid (M₁) is mixed with further fermentation fluid (M₂) that is sucked through one or more inlet openings (19) of the mixing member (10) directly into the mixing member (10) by an underpressure that is generated by the injection of the drive fluid (M₁), to a mixed jet (M₁₂) flowing upwards through the mixing member (10); and

that in step c), the mixed jet (M₁₂) is directed upwards through an outlet opening (18) of the mixing member (10) so that the yeast cells stay for a longer time in suspension in the tank (2) by a convective current that is improved in that manner.

7. Method according to claim 1, wherein:

the mixing member (10) is arranged in the tank (2) in such a manner that the jet and respectively the mixed jet (M12) in step c) leave essentially vertically.

8. Method according to claim 1, wherein:

the mixing member (10) is a jet pump.

9. Device (1) for mixing a content of a tank (2) with at least a tank cone (2a) and a connection flange (4), comprising:

a. a mixing member (10) that can be arranged in the tank cone (2a);

b. an inlet (20) that can be arranged at the connection flange (4);

c. a circulation pump (30);

d. a first circulation pipe (40) connecting the inlet (20) with the circulation pump (30); and

a second circulation pipe (50) connecting the circulation pump (30) with the mixing member (10),

e. wherein the mixing member (10) is arranged within the tank cone (2a) at a height (L) of 350 mm-1800 mm between the bottom edge of the connection flange (4) and the bottom edge of the mixing member (10).

10. Device according to claim 9, wherein:

the mixing member (10) is arranged within the tank cone (2a) at a height (L) of 375 mm-1650 mm, preferably of 400 mm-1500 mm, between the bottom edge of the connection flange (4) and the bottom edge of the mixing member (10).

11. Device according to claim 9, wherein the mixing member (10) comprises:

a. a drive head (12) that is connected to the second circulation pipe (50);

b. a mixing chamber (14) surrounding the drive head (12) with at least one inlet opening (19) in order to suck fluid from the tank (2) and to mix it with the drive fluid flowing through the drive head (12); and

c. a diffuser (16) that is arranged downstream the mixing chamber (14) comprising an outlet opening (18) for dispensing the mixed fluids into the tank (2).

12. Device according to claim 9, further comprising one or more valves (62, 63, 64, 65) that are connected to the first circulation pipe (40).

13. Device according to claim 9, wherein the mixing member (10) is a completely welded module, that is assembled form two (turned) machined parts, wherein a hygienic embodiment of the injector is generated by the welded construction type.

14. Device according to claim 9, wherein the mixing member (10) is a jet pump.

15. Device according to claim 9, wherein the inlet (20) is a hollow part, through which the second circulation pipe (50) extends inside the tank (2).