Automated dry hopping system for large-scale beer production
Achieve seamless dry hopping with reduced oxygen pick-up, optimal aroma extraction, and minimal product loss—transforming your brewing process efficiency and enhancing flavor consistency in large-scale operations.
Enhances Dry Hopping and Fermentation Efficiency
The Iso-Mix External Drive (IMXD) from Alfa Laval revolutionizes beer production by automating dry hopping techniques for volumes ranging from 100 to over 5000 hl. Positioned as a specialist solution, the IMXD smoothly integrates into large-scale brewing operations, enhancing processes such as mixing, dispersion, separation, and fermentation with precision.
At its core, the IMXD employs an external motor to drive an internal shaft, ensuring no fluid-gearing contact, which allows it to handle solid concentrations effectively. Located low in fermenter tanks, it maintains hop suspension for consistent centrifuge feeding, optimizing aroma extraction and minimizing product loss.
Applications of the IMXD encompass the creation of various hop-infused and dry-hopped beers like IPAs and hop-infused lagers. Its robust design accommodates whole hop pellets and slurry forms, offering flexibility in hop introduction. This system is particularly valuable for continuous, automated operations in breweries, from craft to industrial scale.
The IMXD also supports fermentation and cooling by preventing yeast settling, thereby maintaining yeast health and reducing the production of stress-related by-products like SO2 and acetaldehyde. With the capability to potentially reduce fermentation process times and variability, it’s a pivotal component for brewers aiming for efficiency and product consistency.
Benefits
- Reduces process disruptions and costly shutdowns by preventing blockages in lines and heat exchangers.
- Minimizes product loss with efficient hop removal through centrifugation.
- Enhances aroma extraction efficiency, saving on hop usage with optimal dispersion.
- Maintains yeast health by reducing stress-related by-products, leading to better fermentation results.
- Integrates seamlessly into existing production lines, supporting diverse hop introduction methods.
- Applications
- Beverage processing,Fermentation,Brewing,Dry hopping techniques,Beer
- End products
- Craft beer,Double dry-hopped pale ale,Dry-hopped ipa,Dry-hopped stout,Saison with hop infusion,Centrifuge clarified ale,Hazy ipa,Hop-infused lager,New england ipa,Hop-infused wheat beer
- Steps before
- Fermentation,Dry Hopping Preparation,Hop Introduction
- Steps after
- Centrifugation,Cooling,Packaging
- Input ingredients
- hop particles,hop pellets,whole hop pellets,fermentable sugars,yeast,carbon dioxide,circulating fluid
- Output ingredients
- beer with hop aromas,aroma compounds,yeast in suspension,homogeneous hop suspension,optimal separation
- Market info
- Alfa Laval is renowned for its expertise in heat transfer, separation, and fluid handling technologies, providing innovative, energy-efficient engineered-to-order solutions for various industries including food, marine, and energy.
- Capacity
- 100 to over 5000 hl
- Automation
- Automated
- Cleaning method
- Efficient CIP
- Residence time
- From days to hours
- Particle handling
- Whole pellets,high tolerance
- Mixing configuration
- External motor with internal shaft
- Process optimization
- Fermentation and cooling
- Homogenization capability
- Yes
- Centrifuge compatibility
- Constant load maintenance
- Working mechanism
- External motor-driven mixer
- Integrated steps
- Mixing,Homogenization,Centrifugation
- CIP/SIP
- Efficient CIP capability
- Batch vs. continuous operation
- Batch
- Automation level
- Automated
- Oxygen incorporation control
- Minimized
- Abrasion resistance
- High
- Cleanability
- CIP (Clean-In-Place)
- Corrosive resistance (e.g.,acids)
- Stainless steel
- Biological compatibility
- Food-grade
- Density/particle size handling
- High solids concentration
- Compact footprint
- Simple and compact design
- Tank shape and size
- Suitable for medium to large fermenter tanks
- Discharge method
- Centrifugation
- Feed type
- Dry Hops
- Control panel type
- Automated
- Control panel type
- PLC / SCADA compatible
- Integration possibilities
- Compatible with existing hop introduction systems
- Installation location
- Low in the tank,within the cone section
- Mixing method
- External motor with internal shaft
- Hop introduction options
- Pre-slurried or gas-blown with CO₂
- Process compatibility
- Dry hopping,fermentation,maturation,crash-cooling