A micro-oxygen aging system and method for wine

Abstract

This invention discloses a micro-oxygen aging system and method for wine. The system includes an oxygen tank, an aging tank, and an aeration device. The oxygen tank is connected to the aging tank via an air inlet pipe. A precision flow meter and a regulating valve are installed on the air inlet pipe. The end of the air inlet pipe furthest from the oxygen tank passes airtightly through the aging tank and connects to the aeration device inside. The aeration device includes several micro-oxygen membrane components. The air inlet of each micro-oxygen membrane component is connected to the air inlet pipe. Each micro-oxygen membrane component includes a membrane tube and a protective sleeve. One end of the membrane tube is closed, and the protective sleeve is fitted over the outside of the membrane tube. Several pores are provided on the wall of the protective sleeve. The membrane tube is a composite membrane, with a ceramic support layer and an outer layer of a polymer material that preferentially permeates oxygen. This system requires only a small pressure to achieve effective oxygen permeation, and the delivered bubbles are fine, effectively reducing production costs and allowing for better control of the oxygen transmission rate, resulting in a more precise micro-oxygen aging effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of wine production, specifically relating to a micro-oxygen aging system and method for wine. Background Technology

[0002] Aging is a crucial part of wine production, profoundly influencing its flavor, aroma, and taste. Traditional wine aging methods primarily rely on oak barrels, a method with a long history but several drawbacks. Oak barrels are expensive, and precise control of oxygen transfer during aging can easily lead to over-oxidation or flavor imbalances. Furthermore, the use of oak barrels is limited by their physical size and storage conditions, constraints that are particularly difficult for small wineries to overcome.

[0003] In recent years, the development of micro-oxygen aging technology has brought new possibilities to wine aging. By precisely controlling the addition of oxygen, micro-oxygen aging technology can optimize the taste and aroma of wine without altering its original flavor. However, existing micro-oxygen aging technologies still have certain drawbacks. For example, the hydrophilic ceramic membranes used in traditional micro-oxygen aging systems, while capable of oxygen transfer, experience a significant increase in oxygen diffusion resistance once their surfaces are wetted. This necessitates higher pressure to effectively deliver oxygen to the wine, resulting in high energy consumption and larger oxygen bubbles that are less likely to dissolve in the wine. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention proposes a micro-oxygen aging system and method for wine. This system can simulate the micro-oxygen environment during oak barrel aging, optimizing the aging effect of wine by precisely controlling the amount and timing of oxygen addition, while reducing the cost and uncertainty of traditional oak barrel aging. The system employs a composite membrane structure, coating a layer of polymer material onto the surface of a traditional ceramic membrane to form a hydrophobic composite membrane. This hydrophobic membrane is not wetted by the wine, thus requiring only a small pressure to achieve effective oxygen permeation during oxygen delivery, effectively reducing production costs. Simultaneously, the active membrane layer, as a dense membrane, produces finer bubbles compared to ceramic membranes with sieved pores, allowing for better control of the oxygen transport rate, thereby achieving a more precise micro-oxygen aging effect.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] A micro-oxygen aging system for wine includes an oxygen tank, an aging tank, and an aeration device. The oxygen tank is connected to the aging tank via an air inlet pipe. A precision flow meter and a regulating valve are installed on the air inlet pipe. The end of the air inlet pipe furthest from the oxygen tank passes airtightly through the aging tank, and the aeration device is connected inside the aging tank.

[0007] The aeration device includes several micro-oxygen membrane modules, and the air inlet of each micro-oxygen membrane module is connected to the air inlet pipeline.

[0008] The micro-oxygen membrane assembly includes a membrane tube and a protective sleeve. One end of the membrane tube is closed, and the other end is connected to the air inlet pipe. The protective sleeve is fitted over the outside of the membrane tube, and the wall of the protective sleeve is provided with several air holes.

[0009] The membrane tube is a composite membrane, with a ceramic support layer and an active layer made of a polymer material that preferentially allows oxygen to permeate.

[0010] The ceramic membrane support layer provides structural stability, while the surface polymer material layer has good oxygen permeability, which can reduce the oxygen transport pressure caused by the hydrophilicity of the ceramic membrane.

[0011] The protective sleeve on the outside of the membrane tube protects the membrane tube and prevents it from rupturing due to liquid flow or other stress.

[0012] Oxygen cylinders serve as a storage and supply source for oxygen, ensuring a continuous supply of oxygen in the system.

[0013] Precision flow meters are used to measure the flow rate of oxygen, providing accurate data for control devices.

[0014] The regulating valve is used to control the flow rate of oxygen, and works in conjunction with a precision flow meter to achieve precise control.

[0015] The micro-oxygen membrane module is the core component, used to achieve effective oxygen permeation.

[0016] Preferably, the polymer material is one of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyethylene (PE), or perfluoroethylene propylene copolymer.

[0017] Preferably, the surface of the active layer also has a nano-TiO2, nano-ZnO, or silver-polyethylene glycol nanocomposite coating to reduce bacterial and microbial contamination.

[0018] Preferably, the micro-oxygen membrane assembly is vertically disposed inside the aging tank, and the micro-oxygen membrane assembly is uniformly distributed inside the aging tank.

[0019] Preferably, a gas filter is also provided on the air intake pipe. The gas filter is used to remove impurities from the oxygen, ensuring that the oxygen entering the wine is pure and uncontaminated.

[0020] Preferably, the aging tank is also equipped with a dissolved oxygen meter. The dissolved oxygen meter is used to monitor the dissolved oxygen content in the aging tank and provide feedback to the control device. The dissolved oxygen meter monitors the dissolved oxygen content in the tank in real time to ensure an appropriate oxygen level during the aging process, thereby optimizing the taste and aroma of the wine.

[0021] Preferably, the aging tank is made of stainless steel.

[0022] Preferably, the wine micro-oxygen aging system further includes an automatic control device connected to the regulating valve, the dissolved oxygen meter, and the precision flow meter. The automatic control device can precisely control the addition of oxygen according to a preset program.

[0023] Preferably, the automatic control device further includes a wireless communication interface to enable remote monitoring and adjustment.

[0024] The present invention also provides a method for micro-oxygen aging of wine, comprising the following steps:

[0025] Oak chips or oak strips are added to the aging tank. The regulating valve is adjusted to introduce oxygen from the oxygen tank into the aging tank through the air inlet pipe. Inside the aging tank, the oxygen seeps out through the micro-oxygen membrane component and then comes into contact with the wine in the aging tank, thus aging the wine. The gauge pressure of the oxygen after adjustment by the regulating valve is 0.01~0.1MPa, and the oxygen flow rate is 0.01~0.1 L / min.

[0026] The annual oxygenation level during the wine aging process is 5~20 mg / L per year.

[0027] This method is applicable to the aging of wine and can also be extended to the micro-oxygenation treatment of other liquids.

[0028] When an automatic control device is used, the automatic control device reads the flow rate data of the precision flow meter and the dissolved oxygen data of the dissolved oxygen meter, and controls the regulating valve so that oxygen enters the aging tank at the target flow rate.

[0029] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0030] (1) This invention achieves precise control of the amount and time of oxygen addition through the precise adjustment of the automatic control device, avoiding over- or under-addition. In addition, the automated control of the system reduces the complexity of manual operation and improves the efficiency and consistency of the aging process.

[0031] (2) The composite membrane structure design of the micro-oxygen membrane component of the present invention not only ensures the effective penetration of oxygen, but also distributes oxygen evenly in the wine, increases the dissolved oxygen content, and reduces bacterial and microbial contamination, thereby improving the stability and durability of the system.

[0032] (3) Compared with traditional oak barrel aging methods, the micro-oxygen aging system of the present invention can accelerate the aging speed of wine, shorten the aging cycle, and is more economical and environmentally friendly, reducing the use and waste of wood. In addition, the oak chips or oak strips used in the present invention can mimic the short-term (six months) aging effect of new American oak or French oak barrels, providing the aroma and flavor of oak barrel aging, while reducing the use and maintenance costs of oak barrels.

[0033] (4) Existing ceramic membrane micro-oxygenation methods suffer from high energy consumption and large bubble size due to the high resistance and pressure after wetting caused by the hydrophilic nature of the ceramic membrane. The composite membrane structure design of the micro-oxygen membrane module of this invention features a surface polymer material with good hydrophobic properties and low transport pressure, effectively reducing energy consumption and cost. Furthermore, compared to ceramic membranes with sieved pore sizes, the micro-oxygen membrane module of this invention not only provides finer bubbles, but these finer bubbles also rise more slowly in the liquid, increasing the contact time between oxygen and wine, thereby improving oxygen solubility. It also allows for better control of the oxygen transport rate, resulting in a more precise micro-oxygenation aging effect.

[0034] (5) The present invention can effectively improve the color density of wine, increase the content of polyphenols and pigments, soften tannins, enhance aroma, and at the same time avoid excessive oxidation or other adverse reactions.

[0035] (6) The device of the present invention has a simple structure, is easy to operate, has high reliability, and is suitable for wine production of different scales.

[0036] In summary, the wine micro-oxygen aging system and method of this invention, through innovative composite membrane structure and precise control technology, overcomes the shortcomings of traditional aging methods and existing micro-oxygen aging technologies, providing a more efficient, economical, and environmentally friendly new solution for the wine aging process. This technology uses specialized equipment to inject oxygen into the wine in the form of microbubbles, thereby simulating the micro-oxygen effect during oak barrel aging. This control not only reduces costs and space requirements but also optimizes the wine's taste, improves tannin smoothness, enhances color stability, and increases aroma complexity. The wine micro-oxygen aging system and method of this invention are not only applicable to wine aging but can also be extended to the micro-oxygen treatment of other liquids, such as beer and spirits. Its precise control and environmentally friendly characteristics are expected to be widely applied in the brewing industry, driving the innovation of traditional aging technologies. Attached Figure Description

[0037] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the wine micro-oxygen aging system described in this invention.

[0038] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the aging tank and the micro-oxygen membrane assembly.

[0039] Among them, 1 is an oxygen tank, 2 is an aging tank, 3 is an air inlet pipe, 4 is an automatic control device, 5 is an integrated regulating valve and precision flow meter, 6 is a micro oxygen membrane assembly, 7 is a protective sleeve, 8 is a membrane tube, and 9 is an air vent. Implementation

[0040] To better illustrate the embodiments of the present invention, a detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Example

[0041] like Figure 1-2 The illustrated wine micro-oxygen aging system includes an oxygen tank, an aging tank, and an aeration device. The oxygen tank is connected to the aging tank via an air inlet pipe. The air inlet pipe is equipped with a precision flow meter and a regulating valve. The end of the air inlet pipe away from the oxygen tank passes airtightly through the aging tank and is connected to the aeration device inside the aging tank. The aeration device includes several micro-oxygen membrane components. The air inlet of each micro-oxygen membrane component is connected to the air inlet pipe. Each micro-oxygen membrane component includes a membrane tube and a protective sleeve. One end of the membrane tube is closed, and the other end is connected to the air inlet pipe. The protective sleeve is fitted over the outside of the membrane tube. The protective sleeve has several pores on its wall. The membrane tube is a composite membrane. The supporting layer of the composite membrane is ceramic, and the active layer is a polymer material that preferentially permeates oxygen.

[0042] Each aging tank has a capacity of 120 liters.

[0043] The polymer material is polydimethylsiloxane.

[0044] The micro-oxygen membrane assembly consists of three composite membrane tubes, each 400 mm in length, with an outer diameter of 13 mm and an inner diameter of 11 mm. The micro-oxygen membrane assembly is vertically positioned within the aging tank and is evenly distributed throughout the tank.

[0045] A gas filter is also installed on the air intake pipe. The gas filter is used to remove impurities from the oxygen, ensuring that the oxygen entering the wine is pure and uncontaminated.

[0046] The aging tank is also equipped with a dissolved oxygen meter. The dissolved oxygen meter monitors the dissolved oxygen content within the aging tank, providing feedback to the control system. By monitoring the dissolved oxygen content in the tank in real time, the meter ensures an appropriate oxygen level during the aging process, thereby optimizing the taste and aroma of the wine.

[0047] The aging tank is made of stainless steel.

[0048] The wine micro-oxygen aging system also includes an automatic control device connected to the regulating valve, the dissolved oxygen meter, and the precision flow meter. The automatic control device can precisely control the addition of oxygen according to a preset program.

[0049] The automatic control device also includes a wireless communication interface to enable remote monitoring and adjustment.

[0050] Using the above-described device, oak chips or oak strips are added to the aging tank. An automatic control device is used to read the flow rate data of the precision flow meter and the dissolved oxygen data of the dissolved oxygen meter, and to control the regulating valve so that oxygen enters the aging tank at a gauge pressure of 0.01~0.1MPa and a flow rate of 0.01~0.1 L / min.

[0051] The annual oxygenation level during the wine aging process is 5~20 mg / L per year.

[0052] Wine ages in tanks, where it undergoes slow oxidation through a micro-oxygen membrane component, enhancing its flavor and stabilizing its color.

[0053] Continuous monitoring of dissolved oxygen levels ensures the quality and consistency of the wine.

[0054] The wine obtained by this invention, after two months of micro-oxygen aging, has a color similar to that of wine aged in oak barrels for six months.

[0055] Furthermore, compared to wines aged in oak barrels, the wines treated with this invention have increased content of polyphenols and pigments, significantly reduced content of free anthocyanins, reduced astringency, and improved palatability.

[0056] In contrast, using the same device, but replacing the membrane tube with a pure ceramic membrane tube, and performing the above operations, the oxygen flow rate is 0.01~0.1 L / min, and the oxygen delivery gauge pressure needs to reach above 0.3 MPa.

[0057] Simple ceramic membrane tubes, due to the hydrophilicity of the ceramic membrane, may encounter significant separation resistance during the micro-oxygen aging of wine, especially if any substances (such as organic matter or sediment in the wine) accumulate on the membrane surface. This blockage or covering phenomenon increases the resistance to the membrane, thus potentially requiring higher operating pressures to maintain oxygen transport. To achieve the same permeate flow rate, the oxygen delivery gauge pressure needs to reach above 0.3 MPa. This invention employs a composite membrane structure, coating a traditional ceramic membrane with a layer of polymer material to form a hydrophobic composite membrane. This hydrophobic membrane is not wetted by the wine liquid; therefore, only a small pressure is needed for effective oxygen permeation during transport, with the gauge pressure adjusted by the regulating valve to 0.01~0.1 MPa. This invention can significantly reduce energy consumption and costs, and improve production efficiency and economic benefits.

[0058] The previously used ceramic membrane tube, being a pore size-based membrane, suffers from bubble size inconsistency due to the influence of pore size, resulting in bubbles ranging from 15 to 500 micrometers. In contrast, the membrane used in this invention is a dense membrane, capable of producing much finer bubbles compared to pore size-based ceramic membranes. The bubble size can be adjusted according to coating thickness, flow rate, and pressure, ranging from 50 to 800 nanometers. These smaller bubbles rise more slowly in the wine, increasing the contact time between oxygen and the wine, thereby improving oxygen solubility and achieving more effective micro-oxygen aging.

Claims

1. A micro-oxygen aging system for wine, characterized in that, The system includes an oxygen tank, an aging tank, and an aeration device. The oxygen tank is connected to the aging tank via an air inlet pipe. The air inlet pipe is equipped with a precision flow meter and a regulating valve. The end of the air inlet pipe away from the oxygen tank passes airtightly through the aging tank, and the aeration device is connected inside the aging tank. The aeration device includes several micro-oxygen membrane modules, and the air inlet of each micro-oxygen membrane module is connected to the air inlet pipeline. The micro-oxygen membrane assembly includes a membrane tube and a protective sleeve. One end of the membrane tube is closed, and the other end is connected to the air inlet pipe. The protective sleeve is fitted over the outside of the membrane tube, and the wall of the protective sleeve is provided with several air holes. The membrane tube is a composite membrane. The support layer of the composite membrane is ceramic, and the active layer is a polymer material that preferentially permeates oxygen. The polymer material is one of polydimethylsiloxane, polyethylene, or perfluoroethylene propylene copolymer.

2. The wine micro-oxygen aging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The surface of the active layer also has a nano-TiO2, nano-ZnO, or silver-polyethylene glycol nanocomposite coating.

3. The wine micro-oxygen aging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The micro-oxygen membrane assembly is vertically arranged inside the aging tank, and the micro-oxygen membrane assembly is evenly distributed inside the aging tank.

4. The wine micro-oxygen aging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, A gas filter is also installed on the air intake pipe, and a dissolved oxygen meter is also installed inside the aging tank.

5. The wine micro-oxygen aging system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The wine micro-oxygen aging system also includes an automatic control device, which is connected to the regulating valve, the dissolved oxygen meter, and the precision flow meter.

6. The wine micro-oxygen aging system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The automatic control device also includes a wireless communication interface.

7. A method for micro-oxygen aging of wine using the micro-oxygen aging system of claim 1, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Oak chips or oak strips are added to the aging tank. The regulating valve is adjusted to introduce oxygen from the oxygen tank into the aging tank through the air inlet pipe. Inside the aging tank, the oxygen seeps out through the micro-oxygen membrane component and then comes into contact with the wine in the aging tank, thus aging the wine. The gauge pressure of the oxygen after adjustment by the regulating valve is 0.01~0.1MPa, and the flow rate is 0.01~0.1 L / min.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The annual oxygenation level during the wine aging process is 5~20 mg / L per year.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, A gas filter is also installed on the air intake pipe, and a dissolved oxygen meter is also installed in the aging tank. The wine micro-oxygen aging system also includes an automatic control device, which is connected to the regulating valve, the dissolved oxygen meter, and the precision flow meter. When the automatic control device is used, it reads the flow data of the precision flow meter and the dissolved oxygen data of the dissolved oxygen meter, and controls the regulating valve so that oxygen enters the aging tank at the target flow rate.

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