Wort boiling system for heating batches of wort

Abstract

The invention relates to a wort boiling system (1) for heating batches of wort comprising at least one storage tank (2), a wort kettle (3) and a first heat exchange device comprising at least one liquid connection and one steam connection, wherein the wort kettle (3) is connected to the steam connection in such a way that vapors from the wort kettle (3) can be introduced into the steam connection and the storage tank (2) is connected to the liquid connection in such a way that wort to be heated can be introduced directly into the liquid connection.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a wort boiling system for heating batches of wort according to claim 1.

[0002] In the production of brewing products, heating the wort is one of the most energy-intensive processes. The energy required for heating can be supplied, for example, by direct heat input, by burning substances using electrical energy (e.g., heat pumps), or by heat exchange with hot media. This energy should be recovered as much as possible.

[0003] From EP 2 877 566 B1, it is known to use wort, which must be cooled immediately after heating or after further processing steps, to heat water, for example brewing water, in a heat exchanger in order to save energy. At least some of the heat energy can be recovered in this process. However, direct heating of subsequent wort with the recovered heat is not intended. The heat can be transferred from the heated brewing water to the wort to be heated via a further heat exchange. However, due to physical limitations, some heat is lost during this transfer process.

[0004] In continuous wort boiling processes, it is known to heat the incoming wort in countercurrent flow with the outgoing boiled wort, as disclosed, for example, in DE 3 012 591 A1. However, these processes cannot be transferred to the so-called batch processes, which are used in almost all breweries worldwide, without significant design modifications. In batch processes, the wort is heated in batches in a wort kettle.

[0005] From DE 3 338 576 A1, a batch process is known in which the brews are each divided into two equal parts, and the partial batches are heated successively in the wort kettle. The heat of vaporization from the preceding partial batch is used to preheat the subsequent partial batch. The preceding partial batch is drained from the wort kettle, and the subsequent partial batch is introduced. Its heat of vaporization is used to heat the first partial batch of the following batch. A disadvantage of this process is that two heating processes are performed in series, with the first part having to be kept warm while the second part is being heated. Furthermore, the equipment required for the process must have many components, such as the storage tank, duplicated. Therefore, a simple adaptation of existing breweries to this equipment is not possible.Alternatively, it is disclosed to retain the division of the wort and process it further in half its size. This has the disadvantage that the division of the wort is always limited to exactly half, so that heat transfer, especially from potentially available alternative sources, cannot be optimally utilized.

[0006] From DE 36 08 416 A1 a batch process is known in which a batch of lauter wort is first heated and the steam energy of the wort kettle is used to preheat a subsequent batch.

[0007] From DE 10 2023 105 424 A1 a process with continuous flow of brewing liquid is known in which heat from steam is supplied to the brewing liquid by means of a dephlegmator, wherein the steam is generated in a wort kettle into which the brewing liquid subsequently flows.

[0008] There is therefore a great need for an energy-efficient or energy-saving device for batch heating of wort that can be easily adapted to existing breweries. Furthermore, the device should be cost-effective to implement, operate reliably, and be readily retrofittable. Particular attention is paid to the integration and synergy with other process steps necessary for the production of high-quality brewery products. The invention therefore aims to provide an energy-efficient or energy-saving device for batch heating of wort in order to overcome the aforementioned difficulties.

[0009] This task is solved in a surprisingly simple but effective way by a device, a seasoning boiling system, according to the teaching of main claim 1.

[0010] According to the invention, a wort boiling system for heating batches of wort is proposed, comprising at least one storage tank for the batch of wort to be heated, a wort kettle for heating the batch of wort while generating vapors, and a first heat exchanger comprising at least one liquid connection and one steam connection. The wort boiling system according to the invention is characterized in that the wort kettle is connected to the steam connection in such a way that vapors from the wort kettle can be introduced into the steam connection, and that the storage tank is connected to the liquid connection in such a way that wort to be heated can be introduced, in particular directly, into the liquid connection.

[0011] The basic idea of ​​the wort boiling system according to the invention is that the vapor inevitably produced during the heating of wort is used to preheat a portion of a batch of wort that has not yet been introduced into the wort kettle, thereby recovering at least a large part of the heat energy lost through the formation of vapor. This significantly increases the energy efficiency of the wort boiling system.

[0012] The storage tank serves to hold a batch of wort, which will subsequently be heated in the brew kettle. Heating wort is a necessary step, especially in beer production, to remove unwanted flavor components, improve the taste, and increase its shelf life. Once the first batch to be heated has been completely introduced into the brew kettle, a subsequent batch of wort can be added to the storage tank. The first heat exchanger serves to transfer heat from one medium to another. In this case, the heat is specifically transferred from steam to a liquid. The steam from which heat is to be extracted is the vapor produced during the wort heating process.Therefore, the wort kettle is connected to the steam inlet of the first heat exchanger in such a way that the vapor from the wort kettle is introduced into the steam inlet and thus into the first heat exchanger, where it is ready for heat transfer. Preferably, the first heat exchanger also includes an outlet for the cooled vapor, which has condensed into vapor condensate. The medium to which the heat is to be transferred is a second, unheated portion of the wort batch. To allow this portion to be introduced into the first heat exchanger, the storage tank is connected to the liquid inlet of the first heat exchanger in such a way that the wort can flow from the storage tank into the first heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger includes an outlet from which the heated wort can be discharged.Preferably, the outlet is directly connected to the wort kettle and / or an energy input system defined elsewhere, such as an external or internal boiler, so that the wort heated by the first heat exchanger can be introduced into the wort kettle and / or the energy input system, such as the external or internal boiler. The wort boiling system preferably comprises a valve that is adjustable to a first position in which the storage tank is connected to the wort kettle, a second position in which the storage tank is connected to the first heat exchanger, and a closed position in which no wort can flow through the valve, and is arranged downstream of the storage tank. Alternatively, two or more valves can be arranged in series to achieve the same function.The wort kettle serves to heat and / or maintain the batch of wort and / or a portion thereof at a temperature close to boiling point. For this purpose, the wort boiling system comprises at least one energy input system, preferably two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or more energy input systems of identical or different designs. The energy input system is supplied directly or indirectly with energy and / or heat from a heating process, a waste heat process (in particular, waste heat generated in the brewery), and / or from renewable and / or regenerable energy sources, using methods, means, and / or processes known to a person skilled in the art.The method used to heat the energy input system is essentially arbitrary; however, heat generation is preferably achieved by burning energy carriers such as wood, oil, and / or gas, by heat transfer, by using a renewable energy source, a heat pump, electric heating (especially an immersion heater), and / or steam. Preferably, the energy input system is a heater (especially an electric heater), an internal boiler, an external boiler, an evaporator, a compressor (especially a vapor compressor), a heat pump, a heat exchanger, a battery, an inverter, a solar thermal system, a photovoltaic system, a wind turbine, a hydroelectric power plant, a geothermal system, a biogas plant, a fuel cell, and / or a combination thereof.Preferably, the waste heat process is selected from a further device for brewing a brewing liquid, a heat pump, a heat exchanger, an air conditioning system, a refrigeration system, a compressed air system, and a carbon dioxide recovery system. Preferably, the renewable energy source is selected from solar radiation, geothermal energy, wind power, hydropower, biogas, hydrogen, methanol, butane, natural gas, and / or a mixture thereof. More preferably, several of the aforementioned devices are coupled together; for example, a heat pump is coupled with at least one heat exchanger, preferably a condenser or evaporator.

[0013] The term "batch" refers to a predefined quantity of wort, whereby the total quantity of wort is divided into several such predefined quantities, which successively undergo the individual process steps. A batch is also referred to as a brew. The term "first batch" serves for differentiation and does not refer to any position in a series of batches. In particular, the term is in no way intended to limit the invention to being applicable exclusively to the first batch of a cycle and / or the first batch of a day.

[0014] The term "second batch" serves to differentiate and does not refer to any position in a sequence of batches, but merely to its property as subsequent in relation to the first batch.

[0015] The term "heat exchanger" refers to a device that enables the transfer of thermal energy from a first medium to a second medium, whereby internal energy, preferably in the form of a temperature decrease, is extracted from the first medium and internal energy, preferably in the form of a temperature increase, is supplied to the second medium. Examples of heat exchangers are given elsewhere.

[0016] The terms "warm", "heat up" and "heat" are understood as synonyms and refer to the supply of heat energy to an object, so that the temperature of the object rises at least partially.

[0017] The term "thermal energy" refers to the disordered movement of the microscopic components of the object, which can be transferred from one object to another.

[0018] The term "brew" refers to water evaporated from the wort, containing other substances, especially flavorings such as dimethyl sulfide (DMS).

[0019] The term "vapor condensate" refers to a condensate that is formed when vapors condense.

[0020] The term "direct" refers to the immediate introduction into the second heat exchanger. The term "indirect" refers to the indirect introduction into the second heat exchanger, meaning that the batch first passes through one or more other devices, in particular a rectification column and / or a whirlpool.

[0021] The wort boiling system according to the invention can, in particular, be used to carry out a suitable process described elsewhere. Therefore, the advantages associated with this process can also be achieved by the boiling system according to the invention.

[0022] It is conceivable that the first heat exchanger comprises a rectification column for removing at least one substance from the wort to be heated. In addition to removing at least one substance from the wort, direct heat exchange can occur between the vapor introduced into the rectification column and the wort by bringing them into direct contact. As described elsewhere, this is a particularly low-loss method of heat transfer. A portion of the vapor can be condensed and returned to the wort kettle along with the second portion of the wort batch. This allows unwanted substances to be volatilized.

[0023] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the first heat exchanger includes a condenser, in which the vapor can be condensed. The energy absorbed during evaporation, which is necessary for the change of state, is recovered through condensation. It is particularly advantageous if the condenser of the wort boiling system has a condensate connection, which is connected to the wort kettle in such a way that the vapor condensed into condensate can be introduced into the wort kettle. This allows the vapor condensate to be returned to the wort kettle via a condensate outlet.To preheat the relaxed vapor condensate, it is particularly advantageous if the wort boiling system includes a double-walled vapor stack, with an inner chamber of the vapor stack connected to the wort kettle in such a way that the vapor can be introduced into the inner chamber, and with an outer chamber of the vapor stack connected to the condenser in such a way that the vapor condensate can be introduced into the outer chamber. This allows at least some of the energy from the vapor to be transferred back to the condensed wort, so that it too can be preheated before being introduced into the wort kettle.

[0024] In one embodiment of the invention, it is also conceivable that the wort boiling system comprises a second heat exchanger in which heat can be transferred from the heated wort of a previous batch to the wort to be heated in a subsequent batch. A counterflow heat exchanger is particularly preferred for the second heat exchanger. This allows the heated wort to be cooled beforehand and the wort being heated, at least the first part of it, to be preheated. This further increases the energy efficiency of the wort boiling system.

[0025] The preceding batch preferably corresponds to the first batch described elsewhere. The subsequent batch preferably corresponds to the second batch described elsewhere.

[0026] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the wort boiling system includes a flow heater, which is arranged parallel to the first heat exchanger and connected to the storage tank and the wort kettle. The flow heater can, in particular, heat the first part of the wort batch. The flow heater can be arranged as an alternative or additional element to the second heat exchanger, which is described elsewhere, and especially downstream of it. The flow heater can bring the temperature of the first part of the batch to a predetermined target temperature. This allows for better control of the process duration.

[0027] It is assumed that the definitions and / or the interpretation of the aforementioned terms apply to all aspects described below, unless otherwise specified. In particular, features of the wort boiling system apparatus disclosed below in connection with a suitable method for heating wort are conceivable embodiments of the wort boiling system described above. Furthermore, conceivable process steps disclosed in connection with the wort boiling system described above are conceivable embodiments of the method described below for heating a batch of wort.

[0028] The following describes suitable methods for heating a batch of wort that can be carried out on the wort boiling system according to the invention, as described elsewhere, and that achieve the same advantages. A suitable method comprises the following steps: a. Introducing a first part of a first batch of wort into a wort kettle, heating the first part and evaporating a portion of the first part to vapors; b. Introducing a second part of the first batch of wort and vaping into a first heat exchanger and transferring heat energy from the vaping to the second part; and c. Introducing the second part into the seasoning pan and heating the first and second parts.

[0029] The basic idea behind this suitable method is to use the energy from brewing the first part of a batch to preheat the second part, so that it enters the wort kettle at a higher temperature. This means that less heat energy needs to be supplied to the wort kettle to heat the entire batch, consisting of at least the first and second parts. Nevertheless, after the process, the entire batch is brought to and maintained at an optimal temperature. Furthermore, the need for two storage tanks is eliminated. Another advantage is that the batch can be divided as needed, allowing other energy sources available from other brewery processes—which are not necessarily generated at the same rate as the wort heating—to be used to preheat either the first or second part of the batch.It is conceivable to divide the batch into more than two parts and to repeat steps b and c with the third and each subsequent part of the batch, respectively, whereby the vapor generated during the heating of the preceding parts of the batch is introduced into the first heat exchanger and its thermal energy is transferred to the third and each subsequent part of the batch. In particular, the batch can be divided into at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 equal and / or unequal parts. For the sake of simplicity, the following explanation of the process is based on dividing the batch into two parts. Furthermore, it is conceivable to repeat the process with several batches, in particular 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 batches, one after the other. It is particularly preferred that the number of batches equals the number of brews processed within a brewing cycle.The system is cleaned after each brewing cycle. Furthermore, the number of batches is preferably equal to the number of brews of one or more beer types produced consecutively with the system.

[0030] In step a., a first portion of a first batch of wort is introduced into a wort kettle. Before introduction, the first portion of the first batch, together with the second portion of the first batch, is preferably stored in a reservoir. The introduction can be carried out via a pipeline and assisted by a pump. It is also conceivable that the first portion of the first batch is preheated by process heat generated elsewhere in the brewery complex, using a second heat exchanger or in a manner described elsewhere. Preferably, the heating is carried out by at least one energy storage system. In the wort kettle, the first portion of the first batch is heated. Within the scope of the invention, it has been discovered that the preheating and / or heating of the wort is carried out by means of at least one energy input system, preferably by means of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more identically or differently configured energy input systems.The energy input system is supplied directly or indirectly with energy and / or heat from a heating process, a waste heat process (in particular, waste heat generated in a brewery), and / or from renewable and / or regenerable energy sources, using methods, means, and / or processes known to a person skilled in the art. The method of heating is essentially arbitrary; however, heat generation by burning energy carriers such as wood, oil, and / or gas, by heat transfer, by using a renewable energy source, a heat pump, electric heating (in particular, an immersion heater), and / or steam is preferred.The energy input system is preferably a heater, in particular an electric heater, an indoor cooker, an outdoor cooker, an evaporator, a compressor, in particular a vapor compressor, a compressor, a heat pump, a heat exchanger, a battery, an inverter, a solar thermal system, a photovoltaic system, a wind turbine, a hydroelectric power plant, a geothermal system, a biogas plant, a fuel cell, and / or a combination thereof. The waste heat process is preferably selected from a further device for brewing a brewing liquid, a heat pump, a heat exchanger, an air conditioning system, a refrigeration system, a compressed air system, and a carbon dioxide recovery system. The renewable energy source is preferably selected from solar radiation, geothermal energy, wind power, hydropower, biogas, hydrogen, methanol, butane, natural gas, and / or a mixture thereof.Preferably, several of the aforementioned devices are coupled together; for example, a heat pump is coupled with at least one heat exchanger, preferably a condenser or evaporator. When introducing the wort into a wort kettle with an external boiler, it is conceivable to introduce the first portion directly into the external boiler. The first portion is heated to such an extent that at least a portion of it evaporates into vapor. This vapor is a necessary byproduct of heating the wort, as heating it to temperatures near its boiling point is required for process reasons. The heating serves to sterilize the wort, precipitate proteins, inactivate enzymes, isomerize hop bittering compounds, drive off aroma-intensive substances, evaporate unwanted flavor compounds, adjust the original gravity, and / or adjust the desired original gravity concentration.The proportion of the first part of the first batch relative to the total first batch is essentially arbitrary and preferably adjustable to the amount of process heat generated elsewhere in the brewery complex. The process is particularly efficient when the proportion of the total batch is between 30% and 70%. Particularly preferably, the proportion of the first part of the total first batch is at least 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 55%, 60%, or 65% and / or at most 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, or 35%.

[0031] The resulting vapor is introduced into a first heat exchanger in step b. It is conceivable that steps a. and b. occur at least partially simultaneously. This means that the vapor is generated during heating and introduced directly into the first heat exchanger. Simultaneously, it is conceivable that the second part of the first batch is introduced into the first heat exchanger while the first part of the batch is heated and evaporated. The introduction of vapor and / or the second part can be accomplished via a pipeline. The design of the first heat exchanger facilitates the transfer of heat energy from the vapor to the wort in the second part of the first batch, thus preheating it. The introduction of the second part of the first batch and / or the vapor into the first heat exchanger is preferably assisted by a pump.The proportion of the second part of the first batch, relative to the total of the first batch, corresponds to the total of the first batch less the proportion of the first part, and is therefore preferably between 30% and 70%. Particularly preferably, the proportion of the second part in the total of the first batch is at least 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 55%, 60%, or 65% and / or at most 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, or 35%. The total of the first batch is 100%. If the first batch is divided into more than two parts, it is conceivable that the first part and the second part have a correspondingly smaller proportion of the total. It is also conceivable that the parts of the batch have different proportions, with the first part and / or the second part having a larger or smaller proportion of the total batch than the other parts.Furthermore, it is particularly preferred if a valve, adjustable to a first position in which the storage tank is connected to the wort kettle, a second position in which the storage tank is connected to the first heat exchanger, and a closed position in which no wort can flow through the valve, is arranged downstream of the storage tank and is controlled according to the process steps. Alternatively, two or more valves can be arranged in series to achieve the same function.

[0032] Once a sufficient and / or technically acceptable amount of heat energy has been transferred to the second part of the first batch, and / or during the heating of the second part of the first batch, the preheated second part of the first batch is also introduced into the wort kettle and brought to and maintained at the required temperature, in particular the required temperature close to the boiling point. The wort can then be processed in the usual manner. It is obvious that the first part is reduced by the evaporated portion, unless the vapor is recirculated.

[0033] The process suitable for the wort boiling system according to the invention enables at least a large portion of the recovery of the heat of vaporization from the evaporation of the wort and is therefore particularly energy-efficient. The process is adaptable so that waste heat and / or heat generated from other process components can also be optimally utilized. Furthermore, a final separation of the wort and thus the storage of at least two batches is not necessary. This allows the process to be transferred to existing breweries without significant design effort.

[0034] Advantageous further developments of the appropriate procedure, which can be implemented individually or in combination, are presented below.

[0035] It is conceivable that the heat transfer in step b. occurs at least partially by directly bringing the second part of the first batch of wort and the vapor into contact. In this way, the vapor can absorb unwanted flavor compounds from the second part and improve the taste of the brewed product. This direct contact is preferably achieved by carrying out the heat transfer in a rectification column. In particular, undesirable volatile substances, such as dimethyl sulfide (DMS), are removed from the wort in this way. Preferably, the vapor is directed from the kettle into the rectification column for this purpose. In the rectification column, a portion of the rising vapor from the first part of the wort batch condenses and heats the second part of the first batch of wort, which flows downwards in the column.While the second part of the first batch of wort continues to flow downwards through the rectification column, it undergoes rectification in the lower section. In addition to this primary function, the rectification column also acts as a heater. The second part of the first batch is thus heated and returned to the wort kettle. This results in both a high removal efficiency of unwanted volatile substances and the heating of the second part of the first batch of wort. The dual function of the rectification column significantly reduces the overall equipment complexity of the plant. This leads to a simplified production facility and reduces maintenance and cleaning requirements. Simultaneously, it minimizes heat transfer losses compared to a heat exchanger.Furthermore, breweries that already include a rectification column can be easily and inexpensively retrofitted to enable the process according to the invention. Particularly preferably, the heat transfer in step b. is carried out entirely by directly bringing the second part and the vapor into contact.

[0036] Additionally or alternatively, it is conceivable that the heat transfer in step b. takes place, at least partially, in a condenser by condensing the vapor into vapor condensate. Condensers are particularly efficient at transferring thermal energy from one medium to another. In particular, a large portion of the energy released during the phase transition can be transferred to the second part of the first batch of wort. Energy recovery via the condenser is therefore particularly efficient. A further advantage of using a condenser for the vapor is that such a component is already installed in most breweries. However, it is primarily used there for heating water, especially brewing water. This means that this process is particularly easy to retrofit in existing breweries by installing new pipes and / or rerouting existing ones.A pan vapor capacitor is particularly preferred.

[0037] In a further development process, it is conceivable that the vapor condensed into condensate is at least partially returned to the kettle in step c. This reduces the loss of wort in the process.

[0038] In a preferred further development, it is conceivable that the vapors are guided through an inner chamber of a double-walled vapor stack and the vapor condensate through an outer chamber of the same double-walled vapor stack. This allows for additional heat transfer from the vapors to the vapor condensate, thereby further increasing the energy efficiency of the process.

[0039] Furthermore, it is conceivable that after step c., the first batch of wort is introduced directly or indirectly from the wort kettle into a second heat exchanger, and a subsequent first portion of a second batch of wort is introduced into the second heat exchanger, with the heat being transferred from the first batch of wort to the subsequent first portion of the second batch of wort. In other words, the first portion of the second batch is preheated by the previously heated first batch of wort via the second heat exchanger before it enters the wort kettle. Since the wort must be cooled after passing through the wort kettle, it is energetically advantageous to utilize the heat from the previously heated first batch. The second heat exchanger therefore further increases the overall efficiency of the brewery. A counterflow heat exchanger is particularly preferred for the second heat exchanger.The first batch of wort drawn from the wort kettle consists of the first part of the first batch of wort and the second part of the first batch of wort. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the second batch subsequently also undergoes the process according to the invention.

[0040] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is conceivable that the first part of the first batch of wort in step a. is passed through a flow heater and heated before being introduced into the wort kettle. This is particularly advantageous if prior heat transfer by a second heat exchanger, as described elsewhere, was insufficient or impossible, since this is the first batch of the brewing cycle. This brings the wort to a predetermined target temperature, thereby standardizing the residence time in the wort kettle, as the first part of the first batch has a predetermined minimum temperature upon entry. This allows for better synchronization of the cycle duration within the overall process and increases the overall efficiency of the brewery.

[0041] Further details, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments in conjunction with the dependent claims. The respective features can be implemented individually or in combination with one another. The invention is not limited to the embodiments. The embodiments are shown schematically in the figures. Identical reference numerals in the individual figures denote identical or functionally equivalent elements, or elements that correspond to one another with respect to their function.

[0042] Specifically, we show: Fig. 1: a first embodiment of a wort boiling system according to the invention; Fig. 2: a second embodiment of a wort boiling system according to the invention; and Fig. 3: an embodiment of a suitable method.

[0043] Fig. Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a wort boiling system 1 according to the invention. The wort boiling system 1 comprises a storage tank 2, which can hold at least one batch of wort. The storage tank 2 is connected to a wort kettle 3 via a pipeline. The wort in the wort kettle 3 can be heated by an external boiler 4. The wort boiling system 1 further comprises a first heat exchanger in the form of a rectification column 5. The rectification column 5 is also connected to the storage tank 2, so that wort can be fed from the storage tank 2 into the wort kettle 3 or into the rectification column 5. This feeding can be assisted and / or enabled by a pump (not shown). The rectification column 5 is arranged above the wort kettle 3 such that vapors can be fed from the wort kettle 3 into the rectification column 5.Wort can also be fed from wort kettle 3 into rectification column 5, for example, if the first part of the batch also needs to be purified. Furthermore, the wort can be fed from wort kettle 3 into a whirlpool (not shown).

[0044] Fig. Figure 2 shows a second alternative embodiment of a wort boiling system 1. The wort boiling system 1 corresponds to the one in Fig. The wort boiling system shown in Figure 1 also comprises a storage tank 2, a wort kettle 3, and an external boiler 4. The first heat exchanger is, unlike the one shown in Figure 1, a wort boiling system 3, a wort kettle 3, and an external boiler 4. Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the condenser 6 is connected to the wort kettle 3 via a vapor stack 7. Vapor is directed through the vapor stack 7 to the condenser 6 and condensed there. The condensed wort is directed back into the vapor stack 7, through which it returns to the wort kettle 3. Once both portions of a first batch of wort have been heated, they are directed together from the wort kettle 3 into a whirlpool 8, where they are stirred. From the whirlpool 8, the still-hot first batch of wort is directed into a second heat exchanger 9, through which, simultaneously, a first portion of a second batch of wort is directed in counterflow for preheating. The second heat exchanger 9 also cools the first batch of wort.If the preheating was insufficient, the first part of the second batch is brought to the specified preheating temperature by an additional flow heater 10 and then introduced into the wort kettle 3, where the first part of the second batch is heated in the usual way. If the first batch of wort has not yet cooled sufficiently, the wort boiling system 1 includes a wort chiller 11, which is also designed as a counterflow heat exchanger but is operated with a cool medium, for example, cold brewing water. It is also conceivable that the first part of the first batch was brought to the specified preheating temperature in the same way or solely by the flow heater 10.

[0045] Fig.Figure 3 shows a first embodiment of a suitable process. In a first step a.1 100, a first part of a first batch of wort is introduced into a wort kettle. The introduction can take place in an external boiler of the wort kettle or directly in the wort kettle. In a second step a.2 200, the first part of the first batch is heated in the wort kettle or via the external boiler of the wort kettle. During this process, a portion of the wort evaporates. In a subsequent and / or at least concurrent step b. 300, a second part of the first batch of wort and vapors is introduced into a first heat exchanger, whereby at least a portion of the thermal energy of the vapors is transferred to the second part of the batch. That is, the vapors lose thermal energy, while the second part of the batch absorbs thermal energy. This preheats the second part of the first batch. In a subsequent step c.At step 400, the second part of the first batch is introduced into the wort kettle, and both the first and second parts of the batch are heated in the wort kettle. Once the heating has been sufficiently long, in a subsequent step 500, both the first and second parts of the batch are removed from the wort kettle and fed to a second heat exchanger. Before entering the second heat exchanger, the batch may be treated in a whirlpool. The first part of a second batch is also passed through this second heat exchanger, so that the first part of the second batch is preheated by the first and second parts of the first batch, while the first and second parts of the first batch are cooled. It is also conceivable that, in a step 600 prior to steps 100 and 200, the first part of the first batch and / or the second batch is preheated by a flow heater. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 2 877 566 B1

[0003] DE 3 012 591 A1

[0004] DE 3 338 576 A1

[0005] DE 36 08 416 A1

[0006] DE 10 2023 105 424 A1

[0007]

Claims

[1] Wort boiling system (1) for heating batches of wort comprising at least one storage tank (2) for the batch of wort to be heated, a wort kettle (3) for heating the batch of wort with the formation of vapors and a first heat exchanger comprising at least one liquid connection and one steam connection, wherein the wort kettle (3) is connected to the steam connection in such a way that vapors from the wort kettle (3) can be introduced into the steam connection, and the storage tank (2) is connected to the liquid connection in such a way that wort to be heated can be introduced directly into the liquid connection, characterized by , that the first heat exchanger comprises a rectification column (5) for removing at least one volatile substance from the wort to be heated. [2] Seasoning boiling system (1) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the first heat exchange device comprises a condenser (6) wherein the vapor is condensable in the condenser (6). [3] Seasoning boiling system (1) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the condenser (6) includes a condensate connection, wherein the condensate connection is connected to the wort kettle (3) in such a way that the condensed wort can be introduced into the wort kettle (3). [4] Seasoning boiling system (1) according to claim 3, characterized by , that the wort boiling system (1) comprises a double-walled vapor stack (7), wherein an inner space of the vapor stack (7) is connected to the wort kettle (3) in such a way that the vapor can be introduced into the inner space, and wherein an outer space of the vapor stack (7) is connected to the condenser (6) in such a way that the condensate can be introduced into the outer space. [5] Seasoning cooking system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by, that the wort boiling system (1) comprises a second heat exchange device (9) in which heat can be transferred from the heated wort to the wort to be heated. [6] Seasoning cooking system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the wort boiling system (1) comprises a flow heater (10), wherein the flow heater (10) is arranged parallel to the first heat exchanger and is connected to the storage tank (2) and the wort kettle (3).

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