METHOD FOR RECOVERING BEER AND INSTALLATION FOR EXECUTING THE METHOD

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for recovering beer from cold-hopped beer (20). According to the invention, the cold-hopped beer (20) is supplied to a decanting centrifuge (50) and is clarified by the decanting centrifuge (50) such that a separated solid substance (70) preferably preponderantly has hop sediments, and a liquid phase (80) is clarified beer.

Claims

1. A method for recovering beer from cold-hopped beer (20), characterized in that the cold-hopped beer (20) is supplied to a decanting centrifuge (50), and the cold-hopped beer (20) is clarified by the decanting centrifuge (50) such that a separated solid substance (70) preferably preponderantly has hop sediments, and a liquid phase (80) is clarified beer.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the cold-hopped beer (20) is stored within a storage tank (10) having a tank cone (15), before it is supplied to the decanting centrifuge (50), wherein at least three phases (21, 22, 23) of the cold-hopped beer are present within the storage tank, namely a first phase (21) substantially present within the tank cone (15) and having a hop sediment share to be separated, a second phase (22) without any or with a low hop sediment share, and a third phase (23) floating upon the second phase (22).

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that at least the first phase (21) and/or the third phase (23) are/is clarified by means of the decanting centrifuge (50), wherein the hop sediment share of the first phase (21) and/or the third phase (23) is 10 to 80% by volume.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the second phase (22) is clarified by means of a separator.

5. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the inlet of the cold-hopped beer (20) to the decanting centrifuge (50), in particular the determination of the first phase (21) and/or the second phase (22) and/or the third phase (23) is performed depending on a turbidity value measured within an inlet portion (30) and/or within the liquid output (75).

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that a throughput through the decanting centrifuge (50) is performed depending on a turbidity value measured within the inlet portion (30).

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the decanting centrifuge (50), in particular the drum (55) of the decanting centrifuge (50), is gassed with carbon dioxide CO2 during the clarification process, wherein dosing of the CO2 preferably is performed depending on an oxygen value measured within the inlet portion (30) to the decanting centrifuge (50) and/or within the liquid output (75).

8. An installation (100) for executing a method for recovering beer according to claim 1, characterized by at least one storage tank (10) having a tank cone (15), at least one decanting centrifuge (50), and at least one measuring unit preferably comprising flow sensors (31, 32, 33, 34) and/or turbidity sensors (41, 42) and/or oxygen sensors (61, 62).

9. The installation (100) according to claim 8, characterized by at least one separator.

10. The installation according to claim 8, characterized by at least one carbon dioxide inlet (28).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0051] The FIGURE is a schematic representation in the form of a block diagram of an installation for executing a method for recovering beer in accordance with the present invention.

[0052] In a storage tank 10 of an installation 100 according to the invention, cold-hopped beer 20 is present. The storage tank 10 in turn has a tank cone 15.

[0053] Within the storage tank 10, three phases of the cold-hopped beer 20 are present. The first phase 21 of the cold-hopped beer 20 is in this case the phase of the cold-hopped beer having an extremely high hop sediment share. The hop sediments deposit in the tank cone 15 within the storage tank.

[0054] Furthermore, a second phase 22 of the cold-hopped beer 20 can be recognized. This is in particular a turbid beer phase having no or only a low hop sediment share.

[0055] Overlying the second phase 22, there is a third phase 23 of the cold-hopped beer 20. This is a phase having in turn an increased hop sediment share as compared to the second phase 22. The third phase may also be designated as a hop flotate that is in particular present in the tank top, i.e. in the upper portion of the storage tank 10.

[0056] The storage tank 10 has an outlet 18. Via this outlet 18, the cold-hopped beer 20 reaches the inlet portion 30 of the installation. Since the outlet 18 is situated at the lower portion of the storage tank 10, the first phase 21, the second phase 22 and the third phase 23 of the cold-hopped beer 20 are discharged one after the other.

[0057] The installation 100 furthermore has a decanting centrifuge 50. Preferably, the installation 100 has a decanting centrifuge 50 of such a kind that enables solid substance to be discharged continuously. Apart from the hop sediment share, yeast sediments are also present within the cold-hopped beer 20. In this case, the major part of the yeast sediments is present within the tank cone.

[0058] With the help of the decanting centrifuge 50, the cold-hopped beer 20 is clarified such that the separated solid substance 70 preponderantly has hop sediments.

[0059] Preferably, yeast shares are further contained in the separated solid substance 70. The liquid phase 80 or the centrate in turn is clarified beer.

[0060] It is possible for all of the three phases 21, 22, 23 to be clarified by means of the decanting centrifuge 50.

[0061] A further embodiment of the invention provides that the first phase 21, which is preponderantly present within the tank cone 15, initially is first discharged via the outlet 18 and is conveyed to the decanting centrifuge 50.

[0062] In the inlet portion 30, a plurality of sensors is formed. These are a flow sensor 31, a turbidity sensor 41 and an oxygen sensor 61.

[0063] The first phase 21 preferably is supplied to the decanting centrifuge 50 until the turbidity value measured by the sensor 41 within the inlet portion 30 falls below a certain value. Subsequently, the second phase 22 of the cold-hopped beer 20 could be conveyed to a separator (not illustrated).

[0064] The second phase 22 may also be designated as a turbid beer phase. The clarification is then performed through the separator, for example. It is possible for other clarification processes or methods to be applied. If it is determined on the basis of the value detected by the turbidity sensor 41 that the turbidity value rises again above a certain value, the then present third phase 23 may be started to be clarified within the decanting centrifuge.

[0065] The hop sediment share of the first phase 21 and/or the third phase 23 is 10 to 80% by volume, for example. This hop sediment share causes certain turbidity values. By means of determining or detecting the turbidity values, it may thus be concluded which one of the three mentioned phases is present within the inlet portion 30 at the respective process time.

[0066] In the liquid output 75 which may also be designated as an outlet, sensors are likewise formed. These sensors may be a turbidity sensor 42, a flow sensor 33 and an oxygen sensor 62. Via the liquid output 75, the liquid phase 80/the centrate enters the tank 81. This tank 81 may be a pressure tank or a buffer tank.

[0067] The separated solid substance 70, which is a mixture of hops and yeast, enters a further depository via the solid substance output 65. Within the solid substance output or within the solid substance output portion 65, a flow sensor 34 is arranged, for example.

[0068] The installation 100 according to the invention further has a carbon dioxide inlet 28. The decanting centrifuge, in particular the decanter drum 55, preferably is gassed with carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) during the clarification process. Dosing of the carbon dioxide preferably is performed depending on an oxygen value measured within the inlet portion 30 and/or within the liquid output 75. For this purpose, the oxygen sensors 61 and 62 are formed. Due to the gassing with carbon dioxide, the absorption of oxygen (O.sub.2) may be avoided in the decanter drum 55. Depending on the oxygen values measures by means of the sensors 61 and/or 62, monitoring of the oxygen content in the outlet or controlling of the oxygen absorption may be performed.

[0069] In the carbon dioxide inlet 28, a flow sensor 32 is further provided so that in this respect, as well, monitoring of the gassing with carbon dioxide may be performed.

[0070] The method according to the invention may provide that the regulation of the throughput amount through the decanting centrifuge 50 is performed depending on a turbidity value measured within the inlet portion 30.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0071] 10 storage tank

[0072] 15 tank cone

[0073] 18 outlet

[0074] 20 cold-hopped beer

[0075] 21 first phase

[0076] 22 second phase

[0077] 23 third phase

[0078] 28 carbon dioxide inlet

[0079] 30 inlet portion

[0080] 31 flow sensor inlet portion

[0081] 32 flow sensor carbon dioxide inlet

[0082] 33 flow sensor liquid output

[0083] 34 flow sensor solid substance output

[0084] 41 turbidity sensor inlet portion

[0085] 42 turbidity sensor liquid output

[0086] 50 decanting centrifuge

[0087] 55 drum

[0088] 61 oxygen sensor inlet portion

[0089] 62 oxygen sensor liquid output

[0090] 65 solid substance output

[0091] 70 separated solid substance

[0092] 75 liquid output/outlet

[0093] 80 liquid phase

[0094] 81 tank

[0095] 100 installation