SYSTEM FOR THE PROPAGATION OF YEAST AND ADAPTATION FOR SECONDARY FERMENTATION IN THE PRODUCTION OF SPARKLING WINES

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for the propagation of yeast and adaptation to ethanol in a sustained manner using a bioreactor (1) which is programmed automatically and in which the propagation and adaptation to ethanol, pH and temperature is carried out, for a secondary fermentation in the tirage of Cava, Champagne and sparkling wines in general. The bioreactor (1) includes a motor (6) with stirring blades, and a temperature-control system comprising a sleeve and an electrical resistor, said bioreactor (1) being associated with a mixing tank (2) which houses the liquor. In addition, a programmed pump (4) is provided between the bioreactor (1) and the mixing tank (2), as well as a programmable automaton with a control panel (5) for automating the process.

Claims

1. A system for yeast propagation and adaptation for second fermentation in the generation of sparkling wines, characterised as comprising a bioreactor (1) for yeast propagation and a mixing tank (2) containing a liquor, and including a programmed pump (4) for delivering said liquor from the tank (2) to the bioreactor (1) from the mixing tank (2), as well as a programmable automaton with a control panel (5) for process automation connected and driving said programmed pump (4).

2. The system set forth in claim 1, wherein the bioreactor (1) includes a motor with mixing blades (6), as well as air diffusors (13) having corresponding filters (13), and including a cooling chamber (20) coupled to internal resistances (11) for temperature control inside said bioreactor (1); further including a flow sensor to regulate the entry of filtered air as required by the yeasts to propagate.

3. The system set forth in claim 2, wherein the bioreactor (1), mixing tank (2) and programmed pump (4) are mounted on a common frame (3).

4. The system set forth in claim 3, wherein mixing tank (2) includes a stirring motor (18).

5. The system set forth in claim 4, wherein the bioreactor (1) and the mixing tank (2) include corresponding folding doors (7) and (17) as well as sample takings (14) and (19).

6. The system set forth in claim 5, wherein the bioreactor (1) includes a cleaning ball (9) and a measuring scale (10).

7. The system set forth in claim 5, wherein the mixing tank (2) includes a cleaning ball (16) and a measuring ruler (10).

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] To complement the description given below and with the aim of helping towards better comprehension of the characteristics of the invention, in accordance with a preferred example of the practical implementation of the same, included as an integral part of said description is a drawing which by way of illustration but not exhaustive, represents the following:

[0026] FIG. 1. A schematic upright view of a system of yeast propagation and adaptation for second fermentation in the generation of sparkling wines undertaken in accordance with the aim of the present invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Apparent in the drawing, it is possible to observe how the recommended device includes a bioreactor (1) in combination with a mixing tank (2), both mounted on a common frame (3) and between them a programmed pump (4), also including a control panel (5) which automates the process, and which includes a tactile screen as seen in the drawing.

[0028] The bioreactor (1) includes a motor with stirring blades (6), a folding upper door (7), gas outlet (8), a cleaning ball (9), as well as a measuring scale (10) and cooling chambers which in combination with an internal resistance (11) makes it possible to control the temperature inside said bioreactor (1).

[0029] Optionally, it includes an inlet (12) for pH meter.

[0030] It also includes an air inlet or diffusors (13) with discharge valves.

[0031] In the FIGURE you can see how the device includes sample taking (14) consistent with the bioreactor (1) and a probe (15).

[0032] The mixing tank (2) also includes a cleaning ball (16), a folding upper door (17), a stirring motor (18) and sample taking (19) and consistent with the diffusors (13) that determine the entry of air these are also linked to the corresponding air filters (13).

[0033] According to the layout, the process is as follows:

[0034] The bioreactor (1) is filled to approximately half of its volume, with the ideal medium for the propagation of yeasts.

[0035] The mixing tank (2) is filled with the liquor.

[0036] The yeast is activated outside the bioreactor (1) and once activated it is added to the bioreactor so as to start the process with a first controller programme for yeast propagation inside the bioreactor (1), establishing the conditions of r.p.m. of the stirring motor, flow sensor conditions for air inlet and conditions of temperature, so that once the propagation is obtained, the bioreactor enters a second programme combining the conditions previously described, activating the mixing tank (2) and the programmed pump (4) to add the quantities of liquor to the bioreactor (1) itself, a process that lasts 1 day.

[0037] Once programme 2 has finalised, it passes to the third programme where the conditions of revolutions, temperature and air flow change, with liquor continuing to enter steadily from the mixing tank (2) to the bioreactor (1), a programme that lasts 1 day.

[0038] The yeasts, now propagated and adapted to the ethanol, pH and temperature, having finalised the third programme, can be used for the tirage in the second fermentation, so that during the time the tirage lasts (approximately 5 days) the bioreactor (1) move into a fourth programme where once again the conditions of revolutions, air inlet and temperature change.