DE20201680U1 - Vessel for the treatment of preliminary and intermediate products in beer production - Google Patents

Description

Vessel for treating the precursors and intermediate products in beer production

The invention relates to a vessel for treating the precursors and intermediate products in beer production, in particular wort kettle or

- Mash/wort kettle, whereby the relevant preliminary or intermediate product, in particular wort, is led upwards above the relevant liquid level for circulation and is then deflected radially outwards.

Based on the Purity Law passed in 1516, beer in Germany may only be made from barley or wheat malt, water, hops and yeast, although sugar and caramel are also permitted in northern Germany. Due to these limited raw materials, the brewing process is all the more important. First, the settled and crushed malt is mixed with water to form a mash. Heating, particularly boiling, breaks down undesirable substances and saccharifies the mixture. In a lautering device, the undissolved components (spent grain) are separated from the dissolved components (extract). Hops are then added to the clarified wort and boiled in a wort kettle to concentrate and sterilize the wort, dissolve the hop ingredients, coagulate the high-molecular protein substances and deactivate the malt enzymes. In addition, this boiling process gives base and undesirable components of the wort the opportunity to evaporate. This aspect is of great importance for the taste refinement of the wort and thus also of the beer and therefore requires very thorough treatment. On the other hand, when boiling the wort, a wort film forms on the liquid surface, which greatly hinders the evaporation of the undesirable ingredients. The boiling device is usually coupled or integrated with a circulation device, whereby the heated wort is led upwards over the wort level in a central riser pipe. To distribute the wort, it then flows from below to a flat distribution device, is diverted outwards and flows to

from the bottom of this distribution device. This distribution device has approximately the ....... .·...··..·· f- .: .;; . .. _{: :} : ·:

The effect of a lid prevents the evaporation gases from escaping, meaning that the remaining wort must be boiled for a relatively long time until the undesirable substances are reliably separated. This in turn requires a lot of energy on the one hand and reduces productivity on the other.

The disadvantages of the described prior art give rise to the problem initiating the invention of further developing a generic wort kettle or mash/wort kettle in such a way that the undesirable components of the wort can evaporate and escape as unhindered as possible during cooking.

This problem is solved by providing a distribution screen approximately in the shape of the outer surface of a rotating body with a vertical axis of rotation, the upper end of which has a smaller diameter than the lower end of which, and through the central (top) opening of which a pipe for the liquid rising upwards is guided, wherein in the region of the upper end of the pipe a screen is provided for diverting the liquid outwards, which is arranged in such a way that the liquid heated in a cooker flows back down the upper side of the distribution screen.

The undesirable wort components find a very large liquid surface on the top of the distribution screen, which gives them sufficient opportunity to evaporate. In addition, the circulating wort is preheated in a cooker, so that the liquid, thanks to its high temperature, already develops the highest possible evaporation pressure when it hits the distribution screen. The evaporation rate is therefore much higher than with previous arrangements. In addition, the evaporated components are already above the distribution screen and can therefore escape unhindered through a steam vent on the top of the vessel in question. The buoyancy of the evaporating gases resulting from their maximum temperature contributes to this desired convection within the vessel in question.

It has proven to be advantageous that the diameter of the distribution screen is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the vessel in question. In the ring area that remains at the edge between the vessel shell and the distribution screen, the wort can flow back into the liquid reservoir at the bottom of the vessel after the undesirable components have evaporated. This also provides an opportunity to equalize the (partial) pressure below the distribution screen.

In the simplest case, the shape of the distribution screen can follow the course of the shell of a truncated cone, because in this case a construction from one or more flat cuts is possible. On the other hand, the invention is not restricted to this. The distribution screen can also be designed in the shape of a dome ring or in the manner of a curved base (with a central hole), for example in the form of a torispherical base with a central spherical dome and a rim on the edge with a significantly smaller radius of curvature, as is the case with dished or basket-arched bases, or it can have an ellipsoidal cross-sectional shape, as is often found in bases manufactured in Anglo-Saxon countries.

If the distribution screen is designed as a truncated cone, its opening angle (at its virtual cone tip) is preferably between 170° and 100°. The flatter this angle, the slower the heated wort flows along the distribution screen outwards to its edge and thus has more time to free itself of undesirable components. A very large opening angle of more than 140° is therefore particularly preferred.

According to a further feature of the invention, the diameter of the opening in the distribution screen corresponds approximately to the outer diameter of a pipe passing through it. As a result, this area is largely sealed or can even be sealed completely, and in this case the entire heated wort can be fed to the distribution screen for the purpose of evaporating undesirable substances.

Preferably, the outer diameter of the deflection screen is larger than the inner diameter of the central opening in the distribution screen. This measure achieves optimal guidance of the heated wort flow, which is then directed away from the mouth of the central pipe in order to minimize the static pressure within the pipe, and which also bubbles freely over a gap between the outer casing of the pipe and the inner circumference of the central recess in the distribution screen and hits the top of the distribution screen directly.

&iacgr;&ogr; The invention can be further developed in such a way that the vertical distance between the deflection screen and the upper edge of the distribution screen is such that even the outer edge of the deflection screen is higher than the inner edge of the central opening in the distribution screen. This measure also helps to ensure that the heated wort flow only hits the wort distribution screen at a certain radial distance, thereby achieving a flow that is as unobstructed and eddy-free as possible.

The deflection screen can be fixed to the upper end of the central pipe and/or to the distribution screen.

The arrangement according to the invention also offers the possibility of the distribution screen being connected or connectable to the central pipe. If the central pipe is designed with sufficient mechanical stability, this can contribute to supporting the distribution screen.

Although the distribution screen could also be provided with feet and thus placed on the bottom of the vessel in question, the invention recommends anchoring it to the vessel housing instead. One such structurally simple method consists in the distribution screen being suspended from the top of the vessel in question by means of steel cables or the like.

If the distribution screen is composed of a plurality of segments, in particular truncated cone segments, it can be easily transported and

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Of course, it is also possible to complete the assembly in one production facility, particularly when installing in new systems. In this case, the distribution shield according to the invention can also be designed as a ring disk.

This inventive concept can be further developed in such a way that adjacent segments of the distribution screen are welded together along their preferably radial abutting edges. This connection technique can be easily created on site and allows the individual segments to be placed flush against one another.

Finally, it is in accordance with the teaching of the invention that the greatest width of a truncated cone segment is preferably smaller in the area of the periphery of the distribution screen than the maximum diameter of a manhole leading into the vessel in question. As a result, the distribution screen according to the invention can be retrofitted in existing wort kettles without dismantling them.

Further features, details, advantages and effects based on the invention emerge from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from the drawing. Here:

Fig. 1 a vertical section through a wort kettle with external boiler and

a wort distribution screen according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the wort distribution screen from Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a representation of a seasoning pan corresponding to Fig. 1 with

Internal boiler and inventive wort distribution screen.

In order to demonstrate the special feature of the invention, namely its easy retrofitting to existing brew kettles, the wort kettles 1, 2 according to Figs. 1 and 3 are commercially available vessels. However, the invention is not limited to the retrofitting of existing systems.

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Fig. 1 contains a schematic sectional view of a wort kettle 1 with an external boiler 3. Details of the system such as inlets and outlets for the wort 4 are omitted for reasons of clarity.

The shape of the housing 5 can also vary within wide limits; however, a rotationally symmetrical shape is preferred, but is not limited to this. In the embodiment shown, a cylindrical outer casing 6 is closed off on the one hand by a base 7 which is conically lowered towards the middle of the container and on the other hand by a roof 8 which rises conically towards the middle of the container.

In the roof 8 there is a central exhaust 9 and a manhole 10 for maintenance and/or repair work.

The wort 4 is fed to the external boiler 3 by a pump 11, which sucks in 13 the wort 4 for this purpose through an opening 12 at the edge of the base 7. The heated wort flows 14 from the external boiler 3 to a central riser pipe 15, which opens into the wort kettle 1 in the middle of the base 7 and extends there to above the wort level 16.

In this pipe 15, the heated wort rises 17 up to the pipe mouth 18. Above this there is a deflection screen 19. This is preferably rotationally symmetrical with a vertical axis of rotation. It can be designed as a flat disk or curved in a dome-shaped or conical manner such that its outer edge 20 is drawn down below its central region 21. The purpose of this deflection screen is to give the rising wort flow 17 a radial component 22.

From the deflection screen 19, the heated wort passes to the wort distribution screen 23. In the embodiment shown, this has the shape of the outer surface of a flat truncated cone with an opening angle of about 150°. The diameter of its central opening 24 corresponds approximately to the outer diameter of the riser pipe 15, which passes through this opening 24, or is slightly larger than

that, and the diameter of its edge 25 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the vessel shell 6.

As can be seen from Fig. 2, the wort distribution screen 23 for retrofitting existing wort kettles 1 can be composed of individual segments 26, in particular welded together, the maximum width 27 of which is smaller than the inner diameter of the manhole 10. However, such a design is not mandatory.

&iacgr;&ogr; The wort distribution screen 23 can be supported on the vertical riser pipe 5 in the area of its central opening 24. Instead or in addition, it can be suspended from the roof 8 of the wort kettle 1 in the area of its edge 25, for example via steel cables 28.

When the pump 11 and the cooker 3 are operating, the heated wort bubbles 22 from the deflection screen 19 onto the top 29 of the wort distribution screen 23 and flows down this to its edge 25 and from there falls back onto the wort level 16, thereby closing the circulation circuit. While flowing down along the wort distribution screen 23, undesirable wort components can easily evaporate, since no annoying wort veil can form here due to the turbulence in the flowing wort. In addition, the evaporation energy is comparatively low thanks to the wort heated in the cooker 3, so that the components in question quickly separate from the wort and leave the vessel unhindered through the upper outlet 9. The cooking time can therefore be significantly reduced.

The same applies to the wort kettle 2 with internal boiler 30. This wort kettle 2 can correspond to the design 1 from Fig. 1 in terms of its housing 5; it differs from the wort kettle 1 there mainly in that the wort 4 does not leave the vessel 2 at all when circulating. The wort 4 enters the inner boiler 30 arranged centrally within the vessel 2 at the bottom 31 32. The inner boiler 30 is designed as a heat exchanger, the primary circuit 33 of which is fed with steam 34, for example, which releases its : ::·· .·::.* : · : :: :: : : : '-

Heat condenses onto the wort and therefore leaves the heat exchanger as liquid condensate 35. As a result of the energy absorption, the heated wort rises in the internal boiler 30 upwards 36 to a riser pipe 37 and through this 38 to an upper opening 39. A pump can be used to support the wort flow 36, 37; in general it is superfluous.

At the mouth 39 of the riser pipe 37 there is again the deflection screen 19, from which the heated wort bubbles 22 onto the wort distribution screen 23. The deflection and wort distribution screens 19, 23 can be identical to the corresponding components of the embodiment according to Fig. 1.

As in the first embodiment, the undesirable wort components evaporate on the upper side 29 of the wort distribution screen 23 and from there reach the central outlet 9 via the shortest route.

Claims (13)

1. Vessel for treating the preliminary and intermediate products in beer production, in particular a wort kettle ( 1 , 2 ) or mash/wort kettle, wherein the preliminary or intermediate product in question, in particular the wort ( 4 ), is guided ( 17 , 38 ) upwards over the relevant liquid level ( 16 ) for circulation and then undergoes a deflection ( 22 ) radially outwards, characterized in that a distribution screen ( 23 ) is provided, approximately in the shape of the outer surface of a rotating body with a vertical axis of rotation, the upper end face of which has a smaller diameter than the lower end face of which, and through the central opening ( 24 ) of which a pipe ( 15 , 37 ) for the liquid ( 17 , 38 ) rising upwards is guided, wherein in the region of the upper pipe mouth ( 18 , 39 ) a screen ( 19 ) for deflection ( 22 ) the liquid to the outside, which is arranged in such a way that the liquid heated in a cooker ( 3 , 30 ) flows down again on the upper side ( 29 ) of the distribution screen ( 23 ). 2. Vessel according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer diameter of the distribution screen ( 23 ) is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the respective vessel ( 5 ). 3. Vessel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the distribution screen ( 23 ) has the shape of the outer surface of a truncated cone. 4. Vessel according to claim 3, characterized in that the opening angle of the distribution screen ( 23 ) (at its virtual cone tip) is between 170° and 100°. 5. Vessel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the diameter of the central opening ( 24 ) in the distribution screen ( 23 ) corresponds approximately to the outer diameter of a pipe ( 15 , 37 ) passed through. 6. Vessel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the diameter of the outer circumference ( 20 ) of the deflection screen ( 19 ) is larger than the inner diameter of the central opening ( 24 ) in the distribution screen ( 23 ). 7. Vessel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vertical distance of the deflection screen ( 19 ) to the upper edge ( 24 ) of the distribution screen ( 23 ) is dimensioned such that even the outer edge ( 20 ) of the deflection screen ( 19 ) is higher than the inner edge of the central opening ( 24 ) in the distribution screen ( 23 ). 8. Vessel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deflection screen ( 19 ) is fixed to the upper region of the central tube ( 15 , 37 ) or to the distribution screen ( 23 ). 9. Vessel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distribution screen ( 23 ) is connected or connectable to the central tube ( 15 , 37 ). 10. Vessel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distribution screen ( 23 ) is suspended from the upper side ( 8 ) of the vessel in question ( 5 ) by means of steel cables ( 28 ) or the like. 11. Vessel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distribution screen ( 23 ) is composed of a plurality of segments ( 26 ), in particular truncated cone segments. 12. Vessel according to claim 11, characterized in that adjacent segments ( 26 ) are welded together along their preferably radially extending abutting edges. 13. Vessel according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that the greatest width ( 27 ) of a segment ( 26 ), preferably in the region of the periphery ( 25 ) of the distribution screen ( 23 ), is smaller than the maximum diameter of a manhole ( 10 ) leading into the vessel ( 5 ) in question.