A filter press filtration system and method of enhancing wort freshness

Abstract

This invention discloses a filter press filtration system and a method for improving wort freshness. The system includes a mashing pump, a filter press, and a balance tank. The outlet of the filter press is connected to the first inlet of the balance tank via a pipe. It also includes a hot water tank, a recovery water tank, an inlet level indicator assembly, and an outlet level indicator assembly. The inlet and outlet level indicator assemblies are respectively installed on a first exhaust pipe and a second exhaust pipe, used to close their respective pipes when no gas is detected. The outlet level indicator assembly also keeps its respective pipe unobstructed when gas is detected. This method for improving wort freshness utilizes this system. The filter press filtration system of this invention is suitable for hot water aeration and has the dual function of improving wort freshness and reducing wort turbidity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of beer mashing, specifically relating to a filter press filtration system and a method for improving wort freshness. Background Technology

[0002] In beer saccharification, filter presses offer advantages over traditional filtration tanks, including higher filtration efficiency and extraction rates. However, filter presses rely on forced pressure filtration, using pumps to transport materials. This results in high fluid velocity and significant turbulence, easily trapping tiny air bubbles that dissolve in the wort. Furthermore, filter presses operate intermittently across multiple chambers, leaving small amounts of wort and air in the chambers and channels before and after each batch. During process changes and scouring, the wort repeatedly comes into contact with air, continuously leading to oxygen absorption. Therefore, the dissolved oxygen content in wort during filter press filtration is significantly higher than that during traditional filtration tank filtration. For example, thin-layer chamber filter presses used in beer production can result in dissolved oxygen levels of 300-350 PPB. This high dissolved oxygen significantly impacts wort freshness.

[0003] Furthermore, filter presses rely on filter cloth to form a thin filter cake that is quickly formed, resulting in a thin filter bed, short forming time, and poor filtration stability. During the filtration process, pump pressure fluctuations can easily cause localized loosening, cracking, and channeling of the filter cake, allowing fine turbid particles to penetrate the filter layer and enter the clarified juice. At the same time, the multi-chamber filtration of filter presses has individual differences, which can easily lead to incomplete filtration in certain areas. Ultimately, the overall turbidity of the wort from filter presses is higher than that of filter tanks in traditional processes.

[0004] It is evident that the higher dissolved oxygen and turbidity of wort obtained by filter presses are common problems in the industry. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To improve the freshness and reduce the turbidity of wort, this invention discloses a filter press filtration system, including a mashing pump, a filter press, and a balance tank. The outlet of the filter press is connected to the first inlet of the balance tank via a pipe. The system also includes a hot water tank, a recovery water tank, an inlet level indicator assembly, and an outlet level indicator assembly. The filter press inlet includes an upper inlet and a lower inlet. The hot water tank and the mashing pump are both connected to the upper and lower inlets via pipes. The inlet level indicator assembly and the outlet level indicator assembly are respectively installed on a first exhaust pipe and a second exhaust pipe, used to detect the presence of gas when no gas is detected. The pipeline is closed; the outlet level indicator assembly is also used to keep the pipeline unobstructed when gas is detected; one end of the first exhaust pipe is connected to the inlet of the filter press, and the other end is connected to the second inlet of the balance tank; one end of the second exhaust pipe is connected to the outlet of the filter press, and the other end is connected to the second inlet of the balance tank; the second inlet is located above the highest liquid level line of the balance tank; the horizontal positions of the inlet level indicator assembly and the outlet level indicator assembly are both higher than the upper inlet and the outlet of the filter press; the outlet of the balance tank and the inlet of the recovery water tank are connected by a pipeline.

[0006] In some embodiments, the inlet level lamp assembly includes an inlet level lamp and an inlet vent valve controlled by the inlet level lamp and positioned horizontally below the inlet level lamp; the outlet level lamp assembly includes an outlet level lamp and an outlet vent valve controlled by the outlet level lamp and positioned horizontally above the outlet level lamp; the horizontal position of the inlet level lamp is at least 15 cm above the upper inlet; the horizontal position of the outlet level lamp is at least 15 cm above the outlet of the filter press; The inlet liquid level lamp assembly is configured to control the inlet vent valve to close when the inlet liquid level lamp does not detect gas. The outlet liquid level lamp assembly is configured to: control the outlet vent valve to close when the outlet liquid level lamp does not detect gas; and control the outlet vent valve to open when the outlet liquid level lamp detects gas.

[0007] In some embodiments, the inlet level lamp assembly is further configured to: turn on / off when the inlet level lamp does not detect gas; The outlet liquid level lamp assembly is further configured such that: when the outlet liquid level lamp does not detect gas, the outlet liquid level lamp is turned on / off; when the outlet liquid level lamp detects gas, the on / off state of the outlet liquid level lamp is the opposite of the on / off state when no gas is detected. When the inlet level indicator does not detect gas, the closing action of the inlet vent valve is delayed, with the delay time ranging from 15 to 25 seconds. When the outlet level indicator does not detect gas, the closing action of the outlet vent valve is delayed, with the delay time ranging from 15 to 25 seconds.

[0008] In some implementations, a saccharimeter and a first valve are provided on the pipeline between the balancing tank and the recycling water tank, and are configured such that: if the saccharimeter detects that the OG (Original Gravity) of the wort flowing out of the balancing tank is greater than 10-12°P (Pareto degree), it triggers the first valve to close, blocking the flow of wort to the recycling water tank.

[0009] In some implementations, a dissolved oxygen detector, a turbidity detector, a first pump, a saccharimeter, and a first valve are sequentially installed on the pipeline between the balance tank and the recovery water tank.

[0010] In some embodiments, the filter press filtration system further includes a slurry conditioner; the slurry conditioner is connected to the recovery water tank, such that the material in the recovery water tank is sent to the slurry conditioner for slurry preparation for saccharification and / or gelatinization in the next batch of production.

[0011] In some implementations, the filter press filtration system further includes a control module for process control; the control module provides unidirectional control over the inlet level indicator assembly, meaning the inlet level indicator assembly is only used to close the pipe when no gas is detected; the control module provides bidirectional control over the outlet level indicator assembly, meaning the outlet level indicator assembly is used both to close the pipe when no gas is detected and to keep the pipe open when gas is detected; the second exhaust pipe has an inner diameter of 70~85mm.

[0012] On the other hand, the present invention also discloses a method for improving wort freshness, which uses a filter press system as described above to improve wort freshness, including the following steps: Step 1: Before the mash filtration, the hot water in the hot water tank is pumped into the filter press through the upper inlet and the lower inlet until no gas is detected by the inlet level indicator assembly and the outlet level indicator assembly. Step 2: The mash is pumped into the filter press by the mashing pump through the upper inlet and the lower inlet for filtration. It flows into the balance tank along with the hot water in the filter press. During this process, the outlet liquid level light assembly controls the opening and closing of its pipeline according to whether gas is detected, so that when there is gas, the material with gas enters from the second inlet of the balance tank, and when there is no gas, the material enters from the first inlet of the balance tank. Step 3: When the OG of the material flowing out of the balance tank is ≤10-12°P, it flows to the recovery water tank; when it is >10-12°P, it flows to the preheating device.

[0013] In some implementations, in step 1, the total flow rate of hot water pumped into the filter press through the upper inlet and the lower inlet is 600~800 HL / hr, and the pressure is 2.5~4.5 Bar; In step 2, the mash is pumped into the filter press through the upper inlet and the lower inlet, with a frequency conversion of 30%~40% and a total flow rate of 600~800HL / hr.

[0014] In some implementations, the inlet level light assembly and the outlet level light assembly each independently shut off their respective pipelines 15 to 25 seconds after a delay when no gas is detected.

[0015] In some embodiments, the filter press filtration system further includes a slurry conditioning machine; the slurry conditioning machine is connected to the recovery water tank; The method further includes step 4, pumping the material in the recycled water tank into the slurry mixing machine for slurry mixing before using it for saccharification and / or gelatinization in the next batch of production.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention: 1. By filling the filter press with hot water to remove oxygen, the dissolved oxygen in the first filtration is reduced from 300 PPM to 50~110 PPM, preventing oxidation from reducing freshness and thus improving the quality of the beer.

[0017] 2. By adding inlet level indicator components, outlet level indicator components, and related connecting pipes, and by upgrading the control logic system in the control module (one-way control for the inlet level indicator components and two-way control for the outlet level indicator components), the original filter press filling path is changed, ensuring that all air inside the filter chamber is discharged during the filter press's oxygen removal process.

[0018] 3. A hot water tank, a recycled water tank, a slurry mixing machine, and corresponding connecting pipes have been added. A control module has been added to respond to the data monitored by the saccharimeter and control the opening and closing of the first valve to ensure that the hot water forms a closed loop throughout the process. This reduces dissolved oxygen while achieving zero water consumption and zero loss of leachate.

[0019] 4. By using hot water to remove oxygen, the filter cloth of the filter press is fully soaked, activating its filtration performance and ensuring a stable flow rate for subsequent wort filtration. The turbidity decreases from 50 EBC to 10 EBC, improving overall filtration efficiency and further enhancing wort quality.

[0020] The filter press filtration system of the present invention is suitable for hot water oxygen removal and has the dual function of improving wort freshness and reducing wort turbidity. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments of the invention will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a filter press filtration system in the existing technology.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a filter press filtration system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure label: Filter press 1; lower inlet 11; filter press outlet 12; upper inlet 13; Balance tank 2; First inlet 21 of the balance tank; Second inlet 22 of the balance tank; 3. Mold pump; Outlet vent valve 41; Second exhaust pipe 42; First pump 43; Fifth valve 44; Second valve 45; Third valve 46; Fourth valve 47; Sixth valve 48; Second pump 49; Seventh valve 50; Inlet vent valve 51; Inlet level light 52; Outlet level light 53; Sugar meter 54; First valve 55; Third tee pipe 56; Ninth valve 57; Third pump 58; Tenth valve 59; Fourth pump 60; Eighth valve 61; First exhaust pipe 62; Four-way pipe 63; First tee pipe 64; Second tee pipe 65; Recycling water tank 7; 8. Pulp mixing machine; Hot water tank 9; Upper pipe A; lower pipe B. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] In this document, the singular forms “an,” “a,” and “the” include their plural forms, unless the context otherwise requires.

[0027] In this document, the term "connection" should be interpreted broadly, referring to both direct and indirect connections, as well as detachable and fixed connections, unless otherwise explicitly defined. For example, it can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection via intermediate components such as pipes, valves, pumps, tees, crosses, or joints. For piping structures, "connection" includes a connection that allows fluid to flow. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0028] Comparative Example 1 Figure 1 A prior art filter press filtration system is shown, comprising a mashing pump 3, a filter press 1, and a balance tank 2. The mashing pump 3 is connected to the lower inlet 11 of the filter press via a pipe, and a second valve 45 is installed on this pipe. The outlet 12 of the filter press has two branch pipes, the first of which is a second vent pipe 42, on which an outlet vent valve 41 is installed, and the first branch pipe connects to the upper interface of the balance tank 2, namely the second inlet 22 of the balance tank; the second branch pipe is sequentially equipped with a third valve 46 and a fourth valve 47, and the second branch pipe connects to the first inlet 21 of the balance tank. The nominal diameter of the second vent pipe 42 is DN50. The outlet of the balance tank 2 is connected to the downstream process equipment after saccharification and filtration—a preheating device. The material in the balance tank 2 is transported to the preheating device by a first pump 43, and the material transport inside the balance tank 2 is controlled by the opening and closing of a fifth valve 44.

[0029] Working process: The mash pump 3 pumps the mash into the filter press 1 through the lower inlet 11. The second valve 45 controls the opening and closing of the mash pumping channel. After being filtered by the filter press 1, the mash flows out from the filter press outlet 12, passes through the second exhaust pipe 42, and enters the balance tank 2 through the second inlet 22, carrying the air from the filter press 1. After venting is completed, the outlet vent valve 41 is closed, and the filtered wort enters the balance tank 2 through the first inlet 21. The first pump 43 sends the material in the balance tank 2 to the downstream process for preheating. The flow rate of the mash pump 3 into the filter press 1 is 1000-1200 HL / hr, with a frequency conversion of 50-60%.

[0030] The dissolved oxygen in the first-pass wort obtained by the existing filter press filtration system is 300-350 PPM, and the turbidity is about 50 EBC.

[0031] Example 1 Figure 2 The present invention illustrates a filter press filtration system, which is based on the prior art ( Figure 1This is a modification based on the previous one. The filter press filtration system described in this embodiment includes a mashing pump 3, a filter press 1, a balance tank 2, a hot water tank 9, a recovery water tank 7, an inlet level light assembly, an outlet level light assembly, and a slurry adjuster 8. The outlet 12 of the filter press is connected to the first inlet 21 of the balance tank via a pipe, and a third valve 46 and a fourth valve 47 are installed sequentially on the pipe. The inlet of the filter press includes an upper inlet 13 and a lower inlet 11. The hot water tank 9 and the mashing pump 3 are both connected to the upper inlet 13 and the lower inlet 11 via pipes (in this embodiment, a four-way pipe 63). The hot water tank 9 is connected to the first end of the four-way pipe 63 sequentially via a sixth valve 48 and a second pump 49; the mashing pump 3 is connected to the second end of the four-way pipe 63; the lower inlet 11 is connected to the third end of the four-way pipe 63 via a second valve 45; and the upper inlet 13 is connected to the fourth end of the four-way pipe 63 via a seventh valve 50.

[0032] The inlet level light assembly includes an inlet level light 52 and an inlet vent valve 51 controlled by the inlet level light 52 and positioned horizontally below it. The outlet level light assembly includes an outlet level light 53 and an outlet vent valve 41 controlled by the outlet level light 53 and positioned horizontally above it. The inlet and outlet level light assemblies are respectively installed on the first exhaust pipe 62 and the second exhaust pipe 42, and are used to close the corresponding pipe when no gas is detected. The outlet level light assembly is also used to keep the corresponding pipe unobstructed when gas is detected.

[0033] Specifically, the inlet level indicator assembly is configured such that when no gas is detected, the inlet level indicator 52 illuminates and controls the inlet vent valve 51 to close, with a closing delay of approximately 20 seconds. The outlet level indicator assembly is configured such that when no gas is detected, the outlet level indicator 53 illuminates and controls the outlet vent valve 41 to close, with a closing delay of approximately 20 seconds; when gas is detected, the outlet level indicator 53 extinguishes and controls the outlet vent valve 41 to open. This delayed closing ensures that the filter press 1 can promptly expel air from its interior during the filling process. The horizontal position of the inlet vent valve 51 is 23 cm higher than the horizontal position of the upper inlet 13; the horizontal position of the outlet level indicator 53 is 20 cm higher than the horizontal position of the filter press outlet 12. This configuration provides a buffer for the level indicator, preventing fluctuations in flow rate and other factors from causing the level indicator to mistakenly believe venting is complete and thus close the corresponding valve. The outlet 12 of the filter press is 3 cm higher than the upper inlet 13, and the upper inlet 13 is higher than the lower inlet 11. The pipe connected to the upper inlet 13 is upper pipe A, and the pipe connected to the lower inlet 11 is lower pipe B.

[0034] One end of the second exhaust pipe 42 is connected to the pipe between the outlet 12 of the filter press and the first inlet 21 of the balance tank via the third tee pipe 56, thereby connecting to the outlet 12 of the filter press, and the other end is connected to the second inlet 22 of the balance tank.

[0035] One end of the first exhaust pipe 62 is connected to the upper inlet 13 and lower inlet 11 of the filter press via the first tee pipe 64, and the other end is connected to the second exhaust pipe 42 via the second tee pipe 65, thus also connecting to the second inlet 22 of the balance tank. The outlet level light 53 and the outlet vent valve 41 are both located on the second exhaust pipe 42, between the second tee pipe 65 and the third tee pipe 56. The material flowing from the filter press outlet 12 passes through the outlet level light 53 first, and then through the outlet vent valve 41, on its way to the first inlet 21 of the balance tank. This ensures that during the filtration process, the gas newly discharged into the second exhaust pipe 42 is first detected by the outlet level light 53, which then extinguishes the light. The outlet vent valve 41 then reopens to discharge the gas. The inlet level light 52 and the inlet vent valve 51 are installed on the first vent pipe 62, located between the first tee pipe 64 and the second tee pipe 65. Material overflowing from the inlet of the filter press 1 passes through the inlet vent valve 51 and then the inlet level light 52 before reaching the first inlet 21 of the balance tank, ensuring that the filter press 1 is fully filled during hot water filling and achieving better venting. The nominal diameter of the second vent pipe 42 is changed from DN50 to DN80, effectively thickening the original vent pipe to achieve an inner diameter in the range of 70-85mm.

[0036] The second inlet 22 is located above the highest liquid level line of the balance tank 2. This facilitates gas-liquid separation of the gaseous material flowing in from this inlet, preventing gas from entering below the liquid surface of the balance tank 2, reducing dissolved oxygen in the liquid, and thus improving wort freshness. Gas that is always above the liquid surface of the balance tank 2 also exits more easily.

[0037] The outlet of the balance tank 2 and the inlet of the recovery water tank 7 are connected by a pipeline. A dissolved oxygen detector, a turbidity detector, a first pump 43, a saccharimeter 54, and a first valve 55 are sequentially installed on the pipeline between the balance tank 2 and the recovery water tank 7. The valve is configured such that: when the saccharimeter 54 detects that the OG of the wort flowing from the balance tank 2 is greater than 10-12°P, it triggers the first valve 55 to close, blocking the flow of wort to the recovery water tank 7, and opens the fifth valve 44 leading to the preheating operation. The recovery water tank 7 is located outdoors.

[0038] The mixing machine 8 is connected to the recovery water tank 7 via a pipeline equipped with a ninth valve 57, a third pump 58, and a tenth valve 59. The material from the recovery water tank 7 is sent to the mixing machine 8 for mixing and then used for saccharification and / or gelatinization in the next batch of production. A fourth pump 60 and an eighth valve 61 are installed on the pipeline from the mixing machine 8 to the saccharification or gelatinization pot.

[0039] Working process: Before filtration, the filter press is preheated, rinsed, and drained with hot water. Hot water flows from hot water tank 9 through sixth valve 48, and under the power of second pump 49, it is pumped through four-way pipe 63 into upper pipe A and lower pipe B, flowing into filter press 1. The pipe between mashing pump 3 and four-way pipe 63 is closed. Figure 2 (The corresponding valve is not shown in the diagram), therefore hot water will not flow into the mashing pump 3. Simultaneously, since the horizontal position of the inlet vent valve 51 is significantly higher than the upper inlet 13, hot water will only overflow from the filter press inlet and flow through the inlet level light 52 when the filter press 1 is full of hot water. When the inlet level light 52 detects no gas, it illuminates, and the inlet vent valve 51 closes. Hot water will also flow out from the filter press outlet 12 in addition to overflowing from the inlet. When the outlet level light 53 detects no gas, it illuminates, and the outlet vent valve 41 closes. This completes the hot water venting of the filter press 1 (while simultaneously preheating and rinsing the filter press 1). The second pump 49 (hot water pump) slowly pumps hot water into the filter press 1 at a flow rate of 600-800 HL / hr and a pressure of 2.5-4.5 Bar.

[0040] In the formal filtration process, the mash is pumped into filter press 1 by mash pump 3 through upper pipe A and lower pipe B for filtration. The feed rate control is adjusted, with the frequency converter adjusted from 50-60% to 30-40%, and the flow rate adjusted from 1000-1200 HL / hr to 600-800 HL / hr. During filtration, newly generated and / or residual gas from filter press 1 is carried out along with the filtrate. When the outlet level indicator 53 detects gas, it goes out, and the outlet vent valve 41 opens. The gas mixed with the material enters balance tank 2 through the second inlet 22 of the balance tank via the second exhaust pipe 42. The liquid material falls into the large pool of balance tank 2, while the gas remains above the liquid surface in the large pool and is periodically or irregularly discharged. As filtration time progresses, the OG (Original Grain Gain) of the wort flowing out of balance tank 2 gradually increases. When the saccharimeter 54 detects that the OG of the wort is greater than 11°P, the first valve 55 closes and the fifth valve 44 opens, and the wort is used for the next process—preheating. When the OG of the wort is ≤11°P, the first valve 55 opens and the fifth valve 44 closes, and the material flowing out of balance tank 2 goes to the recovery tank 7 for recycling. After being slurried by the pulping machine 8, it is used for saccharification or gelatinization for the production of the next batch of products.

[0041] After being processed by the filter press filtration system of this embodiment, the dissolved oxygen in the first wort is reduced to 110 PPM, the turbidity is reduced to about 10 EBC, and there is zero water consumption and zero loss of leachate.

[0042] Example 2 The filter press filtration system of this embodiment also includes a control module for process control. The control module provides unidirectional control of the inlet level indicator assembly, meaning that the inlet level indicator assembly is only used to close the pipeline when no gas is detected. The control module provides bidirectional control of the outlet level indicator assembly, meaning that the outlet level indicator assembly is used both to close the pipeline when no gas is detected and to keep the pipeline unobstructed when gas is detected. The control module is also used to control the first valve 55 to close and the fifth valve 44 to open when the saccharimeter 54 detects a change in wort OG >11°P; and to control the first valve 55 to open and the fifth valve 44 to close when the saccharimeter 54 detects a change in wort OG ≤11°P.

[0043] Work process: 1. Hot water filling and exhaust process for filter press Step description: 1.1 Open the filter press outlet valve (i.e., the third valve 46 and the fourth valve 47) and stop the outlet pump (i.e., the first pump 43).

[0044] 1.2 Turn on the path washing tank water pump (i.e., the second pump 49), and open the second valve 45 and the seventh valve 50.

[0045] 1.3 Open the inlet vent valve 51 and the outlet vent valve 41.

[0046] 1.4 Hot water is added to filter press 1 until the inlet level indicator 52 illuminates, the inlet vent valve 51 closes, the outlet level indicator 53 illuminates, and the outlet vent valve 41 closes. At this point, the amount of hot water added is typically 220-290 HL. The process then jumps to Filling (the corresponding program in the control module, used for filling and filtration of the mash). The frequency converter opening of the mashing pump 3 is adjusted from 50-60% to 30-40%, and the flow rate is reduced to 600-800 HL / hr for feeding – initiating the mashing operation. During mashing, residual gas and / or newly generated gas in filter press 1 flow out from outlet 12, causing the outlet level indicator 53 to extinguish, and the outlet vent valve 41 to reopen. When the outlet level indicator 53 detects no gas, it illuminates again, and the outlet vent valve 41 closes again.

[0047] 1.5 Open the rear valve (i.e., the first valve 55), and continuously open the valve at the top of the balance tank (i.e., the valve at the second inlet 22 of the balance tank) to vent air, and start the first pump 43.

[0048] 1.6 The path from filter press outlet 12 to recovery water tank 7 is cleared. Filter press 1 is filled with hot water into recovery water tank 7. Observe the changes in dissolved oxygen and sugar content of the material exiting balance tank 2. Once the sugar content > 11°P, close the first valve 55 and open the fifth valve 44. The wort proceeds to the next step—preheating. 1.7 Track the dissolved oxygen in the first-stage filtration wort. The dissolved oxygen decreases from 300 PPB to 50-100 PPB, and the turbidity decreases from 50 EBC to 10-15 EBC.

[0049] 2. Process of adding recycled water to slurry. 2.1 The slurry preparation program is started, which drives the recycled water to start the slurry preparation and addition program.

[0050] 2.2 Open the bottom valve of the recovery water tank 7 (i.e., the ninth valve 57) and start the outlet supply pump (i.e., the third pump 58).

[0051] 2.3 After the recycled water is mixed with the brewing cold water, the mixture is prepared at a temperature of 45-60℃. The hot water is recycled and reused to ensure zero water loss.

[0052] The rest is the same as in Example 1.

[0053] Example 3 The control module in this embodiment can perform comprehensive programmed control of the filter press filtration system, including the opening and closing of each valve, the valve opening degree, the operation of each pump, and the control of the flow rate. The rest is the same as in embodiment 2.

[0054] Example 4 This embodiment relates to a method for improving wort freshness, which uses the filter press filtration system described in Embodiment 2 to improve wort freshness, and includes the following steps: Step 1: Before the mash filtration, hot water from the hot water tank is pumped into the filter press through the upper inlet and the lower inlet until no gas is detected by the inlet level indicator and the outlet level indicator. The total flow rate of hot water into the filter press through the upper inlet and the lower inlet is 600~800 HL / hr, and the pressure is 2.5~4.5 Bar.

[0055] Step 2: The mash is pumped into the filter press by the mashing pump through the upper and lower inlets for filtration. It flows into the balance tank along with the hot water in the filter press. During this process, the outlet level indicator assembly controls the opening and closing of its corresponding pipe based on whether gas is detected. When gas is present, the material carrying gas enters through the second inlet of the balance tank; when gas is absent, the material enters through the first inlet. The mash is pumped into the filter press through the upper and lower inlets at a frequency conversion rate of 30%~40%, with a total flow rate of 600~800 HL / hr. The inlet and outlet level indicator assemblies independently close their respective pipes after a delay of 15~25 seconds when no gas is detected.

[0056] Step 3: When the OG of the material flowing out of the balance tank is ≤11°P, it flows to the recovery water tank; when it is >11°P, it flows to the preheating device.

[0057] Step 4: Pump the material in the recycled water tank into the slurry mixing machine for slurry mixing before using it for saccharification and / or gelatinization in the next batch of production.

[0058] The foregoing detailed several specific embodiments of the present invention, which represent only a very small part of the various embodiments of the present invention. The present invention cannot list all embodiments. It should be understood that those skilled in the art can make numerous modifications and variations based on the concept of the present invention without creative effort. Therefore, all technical solutions that can be obtained by those skilled in the art based on the concept of the present invention through logical analysis, reasoning, or limited experimentation on the basis of existing technology should be within the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A filter press filtration system, comprising a mashing pump, a filter press, and a balance tank, wherein the outlet of the filter press is connected to a first inlet of the balance tank via a pipeline, characterized in that, It also includes a hot water tank, a recycled water tank, an inlet level light assembly, and an outlet level light assembly; the filter press has an upper inlet and a lower inlet; the hot water tank and the mashing pump are both connected to the upper inlet and the lower inlet via pipes; the inlet level light assembly and the outlet level light assembly are respectively installed on the first exhaust pipe and the second exhaust pipe, used to close the corresponding pipe when no gas is detected; the outlet level light assembly is also used to keep the corresponding pipe unobstructed when gas is detected; one end of the first exhaust pipe is connected to the inlet of the filter press, and the other end is connected to the second inlet of the balance tank; one end of the second exhaust pipe is connected to the outlet of the filter press, and the other end is connected to the second inlet of the balance tank; the second inlet is located above the highest liquid level line of the balance tank; the horizontal positions of the inlet level light assembly and the outlet level light assembly are both higher than the upper inlet and the outlet of the filter press; the outlet of the balance tank and the inlet of the recycled water tank are connected via pipes.

2. The filter press filtration system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inlet level lamp assembly includes an inlet level lamp and an inlet vent valve controlled by the inlet level lamp and positioned horizontally below the inlet level lamp; the outlet level lamp assembly includes an outlet level lamp and an outlet vent valve controlled by the outlet level lamp and positioned horizontally above the outlet level lamp; the horizontal position of the inlet level lamp is at least 15 cm above the upper inlet; the horizontal position of the outlet level lamp is at least 15 cm above the outlet of the filter press; The inlet liquid level lamp assembly is configured to control the inlet vent valve to close when the inlet liquid level lamp does not detect gas. The outlet liquid level lamp assembly is configured to: control the outlet vent valve to close when the outlet liquid level lamp does not detect gas; and control the outlet vent valve to open when the outlet liquid level lamp detects gas.

3. The filter press filtration system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The inlet liquid level lamp assembly is further configured such that the inlet liquid level lamp is turned on / off when no gas is detected. The outlet liquid level lamp assembly is further configured such that: when the outlet liquid level lamp does not detect gas, the outlet liquid level lamp is turned on / off; when the outlet liquid level lamp detects gas, the on / off state of the outlet liquid level lamp is the opposite of the on / off state when no gas is detected. When the inlet level indicator does not detect gas, the closing action of the inlet vent valve is delayed, with the delay time ranging from 15 to 25 seconds. When the outlet level indicator does not detect gas, the closing action of the outlet vent valve is delayed, with the delay time ranging from 15 to 25 seconds.

4. The filter press filtration system according to claim 1, characterized in that, A saccharimeter and a first valve are installed on the pipeline between the balance tank and the recycling water tank, and are configured such that: when the saccharimeter detects that the OG of the wort flowing out of the balance tank is greater than 10-12°P, it triggers the first valve to close, blocking the wort from flowing to the recycling water tank.

5. The filter press filtration system according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a slurry mixing machine; the slurry mixing machine is connected to the recycled water tank, so that the material in the recycled water tank is sent to the slurry mixing machine for slurry mixing and / or gelatinization for the next batch of production.

6. The filter press filtration system according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, It also includes a control module for process control; the control module provides unidirectional control over the inlet level indicator assembly, meaning the inlet level indicator assembly is only used to close the pipe when no gas is detected; the control module provides bidirectional control over the outlet level indicator assembly, meaning the outlet level indicator assembly is used both to close the pipe when no gas is detected and to keep the pipe open when gas is detected; the second exhaust pipe has an inner diameter of 70~85mm; the filter press is a thin-layer chamber filter press.

7. A method for improving wort freshness, characterized in that, Improving wort freshness using the filter press filtration system of claim 1 includes the following steps: Step 1: Before the mash filtration, the hot water in the hot water tank is pumped into the filter press through the upper inlet and the lower inlet until no gas is detected by the inlet level indicator assembly and the outlet level indicator assembly. Step 2: The mash is pumped into the filter press by the mashing pump through the upper inlet and the lower inlet for filtration. It flows into the balance tank along with the hot water in the filter press. During this process, the outlet liquid level light assembly controls the opening and closing of its pipeline according to whether gas is detected, so that when there is gas, the material with gas enters from the second inlet of the balance tank, and when there is no gas, the material enters from the first inlet of the balance tank. Step 3: When the OG of the material flowing out of the balance tank is ≤10-12°P, it flows to the recovery water tank; when it is >10-12°P, it flows to the preheating device.

8. The method for improving wort freshness according to claim 7, characterized in that, In step 1, the total flow rate of hot water pumped into the filter press through the upper inlet and the lower inlet is 600~800HL / hr, and the pressure is 2.5~4.5Bar. In step 2, the mash is pumped into the filter press through the upper inlet and the lower inlet, with a frequency conversion of 30% to 40% and a total flow rate of 600 to 800 HL / hr.

9. The method for improving wort freshness according to claim 7, characterized in that, The inlet liquid level lamp assembly and the outlet liquid level lamp assembly each independently shut off their respective pipelines 15 to 25 seconds after a delay when no gas is detected.

10. The method for improving wort freshness according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that, The filter press filtration system also includes a slurry conditioning machine; the slurry conditioning machine is connected to the recycled water tank. The method further includes step 4, pumping the material in the recycled water tank into the slurry mixing machine for slurry mixing before using it for saccharification and / or gelatinization in the next batch of production.

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