Abstract
Summary. The Technical Field is Filtration. The Problem is limited filtration consisting of gravity fed existing technology which is inefficient. The Solution is to create a process for small Distillers and Brewers to efficiently carbon filter spirits and brewed beverages to enhance taste, color, clarity and reduce alcohol levels, in finished products. Use enables instant variations in carbon capacity during processing and easy exchange of different carbon media between processes. The process provides affordability and flexibility to small operators based on their unique product, timed and controlled by the operator. This pressurized loop includes testing and tasting stations for measurement and quality control, flow controllers and measurement control, all within a loop system for a complete continuous process which does not exist today. With this Closed system, a mixing tank provides limited product. The Open system draws product directly from the operator's equipment.
Claims
1. The claimed invention is a pressurized filtration loop process refining color, clarity and taste of spirits and brewed beverages, while reducing alcohol levels, in a measured way using continuing cycles, whereby desired quality levels are achieved.
2. The claimed invention allows for efficient exchange of carbon media during the filtration process whereby desired results are achieved by use of different carbon media types.
3. The claimed invention allows for immediate in process increase or decrease of filtration capacity whereby desired filtration time can be achieved.
Description
d. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] The following drawings illustrate the components used in this process. Each component is identified in the drawing and is described in the corresponding numbered sheet below.
[0036] FIG. 1The pressurized carbon loop process with tank, Closed process [0037] 1. PumpAir actuated Diaphragm Explosion Proof [0038] 2. Sediment Filter5 micron Post Filter [0039] 3. TankStainless Steel Conical bottom Mixing [0040] 4. View Tube/Flow MeterGlass view, Gallon Per Minute [0041] 5. Tank Testing/Tasting Station valve [0042] 6. Initial Carbon Filtration container [0043] 7. Secondary Carbon Filtration container [0044] 8. Final Carbon Filtration container [0045] 9. Ball Valve open to regulate process flow [0046] 10. Ball Valve filter by pass, filter [0047] 11. Ball Valve by pass, filter [0048] 12. Ball Valve by pass, filter [0049] 13. Ball Valve filter, by pass filter [0050] 14. Ball Valve process shut down [0051] 15. Ball Valve drain and clean [0052] 16. Ball Valve Tank shut down [0053] 17. 1 Stainless Steel Tri Clover clamp [0054] 18. Tank Thermometer [0055] 19. Copper Pipe Type L [0056] 20. Copper 90 degree Type L connectors [0057] 21. Copper Tee Type L connectors [0058] 22. 6 Stainless Steel Tri Clover clamp
[0059] FIG. 2Open System Process. FIG. 1 minus Tank (3). Numbers in FIG. 2 are the same as FIG. 1. Inlet (17) inflow and exists outflow (17) to recycle.
[0060] FIG. 3Detail of Carbon Containers (6, 7, 8) internal filter elements [0061] 23. 61 Reducer [0062] 24. 1 Screened Gasket 100 Micron [0063] 25. 6 screened Silicone Gasket 1000 Micron [0064] 26. Tri Clover clamp FIP fitting
[0065] FIG. 4Mounting Frame makes process mobile on stand. [0066] 27. Uni-Strut Steel frame [0067] 28. L shaped Handles [0068] 29. Hinge bolt and folding Support Leg [0069] 30. Swivel Wheels [0070] 31. Welded Mounting brackets
e. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0071] Filtration Loop is composed of existing components used in water purification and filtration operations. The combination of these components and their pressurization, creates this system of filtration and mixtures to produce the end product of distilled spirits and brewed beverages with varying tastes and alcohol levels after filtration. Pressure in the system allows for this process to be put on a loop for continuous running until the desired end product is achieved. Flexibility in using different carbon media allows for different taste results. Continuous loop filtration, allows for enhanced flavor, with varying color and clarity and varying levels of alcohol strength and tastes based on the time of filtration.
[0072] FIG. 1, Closed system, shows distilled spirits and brewed beverages are removed from production equipment and deposited into Tank (3). From the Tank (3), with Copper Pipe (Item 19) throughout, using Copper 90 degree connectors (20) throughout the process, product is sucked from the Tank (3) by the small pump (1). Product is then pumped through Ball Valve (9), into the View tube Flow Meter (4) into the initial Carbon Filter Container (6). Product leaves (6) and is routed to Tank (3) when ball valves (11 and 12)) are open and ball valves (10 and 13)) are closed. For added capacity, Carbon containers (6) and (7) are filtering when ball valve (10) is open and ball valve (11) is closed. Carbon containers (6, 7 and 8) are filtering when ball valves (11 and 12) are closed and ball valves (10 and 13) are open. After filtering, product flows thru Ball Valve Shut Down (14) through Sediment Filter (2), to Tank (3) to complete the loop, where the batch of product continues filtration loops to reduce the alcohol content, and achieves clarity, color and taste to desired levels. Color of the product is monitored with the View tube (4). Product is monitored using samples from the Testing/Tasting valve (5) on the Tank (3). Carbon filtration continues through the carbon filtration containers with pressurized loops. The Flow meter (4) measures the volume of product being processed, during a loop, through the system. Flow rates for the process are controlled by feathering ball valve (9). Temperatures are measured with the Thermometer (18) on the Tank (3). Ball Valves (15) are closed during operation. Ball Valves (15) are open when draining system or cleaning Carbon Containers (6, 7, 8) and the Tank (3). Ball Valve (16) is open during the filtration process and closed for Tank cleaning and draining. Stainless Steel Tri Clover Clamps are used to join components to the copper pipe for easy replacement and cleaning. Copper Tee connector (21) attaches the pipe with Ball Value (15) for cleaning the system tank (3) and Carbon containers (6, 7, 8). FIG. 2, Open system, is the Closed system minus the Tank (3). The process is the same as the Closed system but the product is taken directly from the producer's system into and through the loop process and back again. FIG. 3 shows inside detail of containers (6, 7, 8) where reducer (23) connects to copper pipe clamp (17) and fitting (26) with product moving through screen gasket (24) sealed to the container with silicone gasket (25) all clamped with Tri Clover clamp (22). This set-up is at the top and the bottom of containers (6, 7, 8) sealing the carbon and filtered product. FIG. 4 shows the frame of the unit using Uni-Strut (27) welded together in a square frame with handles (28). The fold out support leg (29) is bolt hinged to frame and wheels (30) attached for mobility. Open and closed systems are attached to the frame with bolts to welded brackets (31).
f. CONCLUSION
[0073] This continuous loop process allows small Distiller's and Brewer's to efficiently filter their products, under pressure, many times, and reduce the alcohol levels, achieve clarity, color and taste results controlled by the time of filtration, with use of different carbon media and real time variable carbon capacity. Small gravity feed units existing today are not efficient, do not provide the flexibility of different carbon media or capacity and are limited by time in the number of cycles the carbon filtration can take place. In addition, the loop process allows a Distiller and Brewer to filter their product, then draw off a portion as done, to continue filtering the remaining product to produce different tasting spirits from the same batch. Alternative physical forms of the loop process can be produced, but the process of pressurized loop carbon filtration with multiple carbon media in varying capacities, are the unique aspects of this process. This process should not be limited to the physical item drawings only.
