U.S. patent application number 09/858282 was filed with the patent office on 2002-04-25 for method and device for controlling the wort flow from a lauter tun.
Invention is credited to Pritscher, Reinhard, Stippler, Kurt, Wasmuht, Klaus.
Application Number | 20020048620 09/858282 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32683318 |
Filed Date | 2002-04-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020048620 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stippler, Kurt ; et
al. |
April 25, 2002 |
Method and device for controlling the wort flow from a lauter
tun
Abstract
The present invention relates to a method and a device for
controlling the wort flow from a lauter tun. To shorten the
lautering time, according to the present invention a second
increased outflow value which is to be reached within a given time
interval is pretermined in the course of the total sequence of a
brewing process (first wort, second worts) in at least one phase
(trending phase), based on a predetermined outflow value of the
wort outflow, the increase in flow rate/per time unit (increase
value) as is required for attaining the second outflow value is
determined on the basis of these values, and the determined
increase value is used as a set value for controlling an outflow
regulator.
Inventors: |
Stippler, Kurt; (Marzling,
DE) ; Wasmuht, Klaus; (Ellingen, DE) ;
Pritscher, Reinhard; (Ergolding-Landshut, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SEED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW GROUP PLLC
701 FIFTH AVE
SUITE 6300
SEATTLE
WA
98104-7092
US
|
Family ID: |
32683318 |
Appl. No.: |
09/858282 |
Filed: |
May 15, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09858282 |
May 15, 2001 |
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08914346 |
Aug 15, 1997 |
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08914346 |
Aug 15, 1997 |
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08578664 |
Jan 19, 1996 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
426/16 ; 426/231;
73/861 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C12C 7/14 20130101; C12C
7/17 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
426/16 ; 426/231;
73/861 |
International
Class: |
C12C 003/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 19, 1993 |
DE |
P 43 24 157.3 |
Jun 17, 1994 |
EP |
PCT/EP94/01,982 |
Claims
1. A method for controlling the wort outflow from a lauter tun, in
particular during brewing, wherein the wort outflow quantity is
measured and compared with at least one predeterminable outflow
value and an increase or decrease in the outflow quantity is
regulated in accordance with the difference between set value and
actual value, characterized in that in the course of a complete
lautering process (first wort, second worts) a second increased
outflow value which is to be reached within a specific time
interval is predetermined in at least one phase (trending phase),
based on the predetermined outflow value of the wort outflow, that
the increase in flow rate per time unit (increase value) as
required for achieving the second outflow value is determined on
the basis of these values, and that said determined increase value
is used as a set value for controlling an outflow regulator.
2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the
effective flow opening of a regulating value is varied for
regulating the outflow quantity.
3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the
opening angle of a lauter flap is varied for regulating the outflow
quantity.
4. The method according to any of the preceding claims,
characterized in that a raking machine provided in said lauter tun
is included in the control loop for controlling the outflow
quantity.
5. The method according to any of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the set value is varied in the course of the
trending phase.
6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the set
value is reduced if an increased flow rate of the wort is not
reached in the course of the trending phase.
7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the set
value is negative.
8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, after
the set value has been reduced, the original set value is again set
if the flow rate of the wort is constant over a predetermined
period.
9. A device for performing the method according to any one of the
preceding claims, comprising a lauter tun (1), a raking device (5)
arranged in said lauter tun, a discharge pipe (12, 14) for said
wort and a flow meter (15) arranged therein, as well as an outflow
regulator (16) and a control means (17), characterized in that said
control means (17) is connected to said outflow regulator (16) in
such a manner that control signals for controlling the outflow
quantity are given in response to outflow values measured with the
aid of said flow rate meter.
10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that said
outflow regulator (16) is a lauter flap.
11. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that said
outflow regulator is a regulating valve.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a method for controlling
the wort flow from a lauter tun and a device for performing such a
method.
[0002] A method for controlling wort outflow during brewing is, for
instance, known from the European patent application EP-A-0362 793.
In this method, the wort outflow quantity is measured and compared
with a predeterminable outflow value. This outflow value serves as
a set value, the actually measured wort outflow quantity serving as
an actual value. The raking machine which is arranged within the
lauter tun is lifted or lowered in response to the difference
between the actual value and the set value. When the flow rate of
the wort decreases, the raking device is moved into a lower
position to loosen the grain bed which has settled on the false
bottom of the lauter tun. The resistance of the grain bed is
reduced by the loosening operation, so that the wort flow rate can
be increased. The time needed for lautering the wort on the whole
can be reduced. There may also be set different outflow values in
different phases so as to be able to work with corresponding
suitable outflow values in the individual sections (first wort
recovery, second worts).
[0003] Although the lauter time can be reduced with this method,
the lauter process remains, in the present method, that process in
wort production that requires most of the time and should therefore
be further reduced with a view to a further increase in the brew
sequence, i.e., without impairment to the wort quality.
Furthermore, it is desirable to have possibilities of individual
adaptation for the most different types of beer, raw material
compositions, grist compositions, mash consistencies and loads on
the lauter tuns.
[0004] It is therefore the object of the present invention to
further shorten the time for lautering the wort in a method and in
a device of the above-mentioned type, with such a shortening being
possible under the most different conditions and with the most
different types of beer, raw material compositions, etc.
[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention in that
in the course of the total sequence of a brew process (first wort,
second worts) a second increased outflow value which is to be
reached within a specific time interval is predetermined in at
least one phase (trending phase), based on the predetermined
outflow value of the wort outflow, that the increase in flow
rate/per time unit (increase value) as required for reaching the
second outflow value is determined on the basis of these values,
and that this determined increase value is used as a set value for
controlling an outflow regulator.
[0006] Hence, at least one phase, which may be designated as
trending, is included in this invention in a complete lauter
process which ranges from the first wort recovery to the second
worts. In this phase, the wort outflow quantity is not regulated to
have a constant wort outflow value, but is regulated on the basis
of a rising, especially staircase-like outflow curve which can be
determined in that, by setting a specific increased outflow
quantity which is to be reached after a certain time, the resultant
rise is calculated for the increase in flow rate per time unit (set
value).
[0007] The outflow quantity can be varied by regulating the
effective flow opening of a regulating valve, but also by
regulation via the opening angle of a lauter flap.
[0008] In a very advantageous embodiment of the invention, the
raking machine provided within the lauter tun is included in or
combined with the control loop for controlling the outflow quantity
according to EP-A-0326 793.
[0009] This may advantageously be done in that, when a specific
stepwise increase in the opening angle of the lauter flap by a
specific angular amount (e.g. 8%) does not yield a corresponding
increase in the flow rate during the trending phase, the raking
machine is slightly lowered to effect an increase in the outflowing
wort amount.
[0010] This trending phase may be carried out until the second
increased outflow value has been reached or until the flap position
has reached a limit value which is also predeterminable (e.g. 80%
total opening angle), so that a further increase no longer yields a
significant increase in flow rate.
[0011] It is advantageous in the course of the trending phase when
the set value can be varied. In particular, the set value is
reduced if an increased flow rate of the wort cannot be reached,
whereby the grain bed is prevented from getting stuck or from
solidifying. This would lead to a deep cut which is not desired in
the trending phase. As soon as the flow rate of the wort has
stabilized over a certain period of time, the increase in the flow
rate per time unit is continued with the original set value.
[0012] In a lauter tun of the type as described at the outset, the
device for performing the method provides for an outflow regulator
which is connected to the control means for regulating the amount
of the outflowing wort.
[0013] This measure makes it possible to perform the method, since
the outflow regulator can then be included in the control loop and
can automatically be influenced by the control means in accordance
with the respectively desired values.
[0014] The invention shall now be explained in more detail with
reference to the embodiment illustrated in the drawing, in
which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a device having a structure
according to the invention; and
[0016] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic explanatory sketch for illustrating
the principle of the invention; and
[0017] FIG. 3 shows an actual sequence program measured during
testing for further explanation of the method of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates the desired flow rate
value and the actual flow rate value as a function of time.
[0019] The device comprises a lauter tun 1 which may be arranged on
a support device (not shown) for creating an installation place
below bottom 2 of lauter tun 1 for the installation of a drive
device 3 and a lifting and lowering device 4 for the raking device
5 which is arranged within lauter tun 1. The raking device 5
comprises a drive shaft 6 which is supported in a rotational and
axially displaceable manner. A plurality of horizontal arms 8 of
which each supports a number of raking knives 9 for a grain bed
which during the lautering process settles as residue on the false
bottom 10 of lauter tun 1 are circumferentially secured in equally
spaced-apart relationship in the upper end section 7 of drive shaft
6. With its lower end section 11; drive shaft 6 of the raking
device is in engagement with the drive means 3 and the lifting and
lowering device
[0020] The lauter wort which has been removed from lauter tun 1
passes via a discharge pipe 12 into collecting pot 13 and from said
pot into a central pipe 14 which has arranged downstream thereof a
flow rate meter 15 and an outflow regulator 16. The flow rate of
the lauter wort can be measured with the aid of the flow rate meter
15.
[0021] Flow rate meter 15 is connected to control means 17 which,
in turn, is connected to a regulating element 18 of outflow
regulator 16 and to drive device 3 of the lifting and lowering
device 4 of raking device 5.
[0022] The drive motors for the lifting and lowering device and for
the rotational movement of the raking device are designated by
M.
[0023] The method according to the invention can be carried out
with this device as follows:
[0024] At the beginning of the lautering process, the initial
height of the raking machine, the flow rate and the opening angle
of the lauter flap are defined. The flow rate value depends on the
composition of the grist, the type of beer, the raw material used,
etc. A suitable flow rate value is then defined in accordance with
empirical values, and the opening angle of the lauter flap is set
accordingly. These values are maintained up to a specific
adjustable total lauter amount or a specific adjustable lauter
time, and the raking machine is optionally used to maintain the
desired flow rate. This value, to which the flow rate is first set,
is designated in FIG. 2 by A1 and represents the first outflow
value. This value may, for instance, be 300 or 350 hl/h or a
corresponding proportional flow rate value.
[0025] Upon initiation of the trending phase according to the
invention, a second, considerably increased flow rate value or a
correspondingly increased proportional flow rate value A2 is
supplied to control means 17, and the control means is informed
about the time T within which this considerably increased outflow
value A2 is to be reached. The control means can then calculate
rise S. This increase in the flow rate per time unit as represented
by rise S is then given as a set value to the control means of the
outflow regulator during the trending phase.
[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates an actually measured diagram which
discloses a whole lautering process in time sequence and in
coordination of the individual parameters.
[0027] a Reference numeral 20 designates the course of turbidity,
reference numeral 30 the flow rate in %, reference numeral 40 the
lift of the raking machine in mm, reference numeral 50 the total
flow in hl, reference numeral 60 the prevailing overpressure in the
lauter tun, and finally, reference numeral 70 the opening angle of
regulating valve 16.
[0028] As can easily be seen in the left half of the illustrated
diagram, the control of the outflow quantity, especially with first
wort recovery, is essentialy performed according to two different
set values up to the time of about 1.2 hours. The one set flow-rate
value is represented by the line in which reference numeral 30 ends
in the flow rate curve (in percentage), whilst trending with the
increase value for the flow rate per time unit can be seen as set
value at the right next to the deep-cut curve (peak at 1.25 h in
FIG. 3). An increase in flow rate 30a is accompanied by the feeding
of CO.sub.2 into the lauter tun. With a decrease in the CO.sub.2
content, the opening angle of the regulating valve 16 is further
increased to be able to keep the set flow-rate value constant.
After a certain angular position has been reached, the set value is
no longer maintained by further opening the angle of the regulating
valve, but lowering of the raking machine is additionally started,
as can be seen by looking at the raking-machine lifting-height
curve 40. Nevertheless, if the flow rate decreases further, a first
deep cut is made, and the trending phase is then initiated. To this
end, the control means 17 is given a greatly increased set
flow-rate value which is to be reached within a specific period,
for instance, after a total of 30 minutes from the beginning of the
trending phase. To enable the actual value curve 30 of the flow
rate to follow the calculated increase, the opening angle of the
regulating valve 16 is increased stepwise, as shown by curve 70. As
can be seen from the right portion of the spectrum, this leads,
after some time, to a situation in which a distinct increase in the
opening angle (see the two peaks in curve 70 in the right edge
portion of the spectrum) no longer entails an increase in flow rate
as is desired (see right upper corner of the diagram in which the
flow curve is oriented downwards although the opening angle curve
has strong peaks. In such
[0029] a situation the raking machine (see curve 40) is slightly
lowered, thereby contributing to the increase in flow rate.
Finally, when either the opening angle of the outflow regulator has
reached a maximum value, for instance 80% of its total opening
angle, or when the upper outflow value has been reached, the
trending phase will be terminated.
[0030] If in the course of the trending phase the desired flow rate
increase is no longer attained, the set value, i.e. the flow rate
per time unit, can be reduced at the same time as the lowering of
the raking machine and the resultant loosening of the grain bed.
Such a situation is illustrated in FIG. 4. Lautering of the wort
is, for instance, assumed to begin at an outflow value of 200 hl.
Such a value represents the first outflow value A1 and is fixed,
for instance, for the duration of 5 minutes. The trending phase
will then start. An increased second outflow value A2 of for
instance 560 hl is predetermined. The second increased outflow
value is to be reached within one hour. When the control means is
given this time value, it will calculate a rise (S) in the flow
rate per time unit of 360 hl per hour, or 2 hl every 20 th second.
On the basis of the first flow rate value A1, this value is now
increased by 2 hl every 20 th second in a kind of staircase
function. The flow rate value 80 which is now desired after the
first 20 seconds is 202 hl. It is found out by comparing this
desired value with the actually measured real value 90 whether the
desired value has been reached within the period set therefor. If
this is the case, the instantaneous flow rate value of 202 hl is
again increased by 2 hl to 204 hl. After 20 seconds have passed, a
comparison is again made to find out whether the newly desired flow
rate value of 204 hl corresponds to the actual real value. This
procedure will be repeated until the second flow rate value A2 of
560 hl has been reached. In view of the given set value (S) and the
rise of 360 hl per hour or 2 hl every 20 th second, this should be
the case after one hour.
[0031] In addition to the respectively desired flow rate value 80,
control means 17 calculates a lower limit value 95 for the actual
flow rate 90, the lower limit value 95 being, for instance, 4 hl
below the respectively desired flow rate value 80. Should the
desired flow rate value 80 not be reached in the course of the
trending phase, and should the actual real value 90 for the flow
rate rather fall below the limit value 95 for the flow rate, the
set value (s) will be decreased by a predetermined amount. For
instance, the set value of formerly 2 hl every 20 th second may be
lowered to minus 4 hl every 20 th second. This means that, at a
desired flow rate value of, for instance, 380 hl after a running
time of 30 minutes of the trending phase, said value is reduced by
reducing the set value to 376 hl. On the basis of this newly
desired flow rate value 80, a new lower limit value of 372 hl which
is reduced by the same amount of 4 hl every 20 th second is now
calculated. If this new limit value of 372 hl is also not reached
within the next time interval of 20 seconds, the above sequence
will be repeated until a lower limit value for the flow rate is
reached. At the same time, when the first lower limit value is not
reached, the control means 17 lowers the raking machine, whereby
the grain bed is loosened and the flow rate is increased. If the
flow rate is not lowered any more, so that it is not possible to
fall below a further limit value, the instantaneously desired flow
rate value 80 will be maintained until the flow rate remains
constant over a predetermined period of time or increases again. As
soon as this is the case, the trending phase will be continued with
the original increase value or set value (s) of 2 hl every 20 th
second so as to increase the flow rate per time unit, i.e., a
desired flow rate value of 376 hl is again increased by 2 hl every
20 th second to 378 hl.
[0032] Since the set value is reduced, resulting in a lowering of
the flow rate, the grain bed cannot get stuck on account of a
suction effect, which would otherwise be the case with an
increasing opening of the regulating valve 16 for achieving an
increased flow rate. In such a case it would only be possible to
loosen the grain bed solidified in this manner by-way of a deep
cut, which is not desired.
[0033] As becomes apparent from the diagram according to FIG. 3, it
is possible with the method of the invention in the illustrated
embodiment to lauter a total lauter amount of about 650 hl within a
period of about 100 minutes, whereas 150 to 165 minutes are
required for this purpose for a similar amount in the method
described in EP-A-0362 793. The method of the invention thus
entails very considerable advantages with respect to the shortening
of the total lauter time. Moreover, an individual adaptation to the
most different conditions is possible due to the performance of the
trending phase and in view of the respectively given conditions by
setting different second outflow values (upper flow value), so that
it is possible to shorten the lauter time under the most different
preconditions.
* * * * *