Process and apparatus for energy recovery and / or energy saving in brewing and / or in distilling of a brewing liquid

Abstract

The invention relates to a process for energy recovery and / or energy saving in the brewing and / or in the distilling of a brewing liquid (1a), comprising the following steps: a) providing a wort kettle (1) with a brewing liquid (1a); and b) providing at least one heating system (2, 3) and an energy storage means (5) for heating and / or boiling the brewing liquid (1a); and c) providing an energy input system (4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11); and d) detecting a first value of the storage medium (5a) and / or a first process parameter of the brewing liquid (1a); and e) comparing the first value detected in step d) and / or the first process parameter detected with a corresponding process parameter, a reference value, a subsequent further first value and / or a subsequent further first process parameter; and f) ascertaining, on the basis of the comparison in step e), the temperature (TS) in the storage medium (5a) which is necessary for the brewing and / or the distilling of the brewing liquid (1a) and / or the necessary amount of energy for the energy input system (4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11); and g) ending the brewing and / or the distilling of the brewing liquid (1a), where the temperature (TS) of the storage medium (5a) is max. 50% above the necessary temperature (TS) in the storage medium (5a) that was ascertained in step f) and / or where the amount of energy in the energy input system (4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) is max. 50% above the necessary amount of energy that was ascertained in step f). The invention further relates to an apparatus (100) for energy recovery and / or energy saving in the brewing and / or in the distilling of a brewing liquid (1a).

Description

[0001] 'Method and device for energy recovery and / or energy saving during brewing and / or distillation of a brewing liquid'

[0002] The invention relates to a method and a device for energy recovery and / or energy saving during brewing and / or distilling of a brewing liquid according to the preamble of the independent claims.

[0003] Brewing or distilling a brewing liquid, such as beer, a beer intermediate, a higher-proof beverage, and / or a fermentation product, is an energy-intensive process, with steam being the preferred method for heating and boiling processes. Fossil fuels are primarily burned to generate steam, emitting climate-damaging carbon dioxide. Various brewing methods are known in the art, such as internal boilers or external boilers in wort kettles. This type of wort boiling has been known for a long time, for example, from published patent application DE 29 3 1 854 A1.

[0004] There is therefore a great need for a method and device for energy recovery and / or energy savings during the brewing and / or distilling of a brewing liquor in a brewery and / or distillery, by means of which the available energy sources can be optimized in a simple, reliable, and precise manner so that the use of steam and / or other energy sources can be drastically reduced. Furthermore, the method and device should be cost-effective, operate reliably, be individually adaptable to the brewing liquor to be brewed or distilled, and be retrofittable accordingly.The invention therefore has for its object to provide a method and a device for energy recovery and / or energy saving during brewing and / or distilling of a brewing liquid in a brewery and / or in a distillery in order to overcome the above-mentioned difficulties and, above all, to reduce the cleaning, maintenance and / or repair-related work to a minimum in order to thereby reduce the downtime of the device and the resulting costs to a minimum.

[0005] This object is achieved in a surprisingly simple but effective manner by a method for energy recovery and / or energy saving during brewing and / or distilling of a brewing liquid and a corresponding device according to the teaching of the independent main claims.

[0006] According to the invention, a method for energy recovery and / or energy saving during brewing and / or distilling a brewing liquid is proposed, which comprises the following steps: a) providing a wort kettle with a brewing liquid; and b) providing at least one heating system and an energy storage device for heating and / or boiling the brewing liquid, wherein the energy storage device has a storage medium with a temperature of at least 100°C, and c) providing an energy input system, wherein the energy input system is connected to the energy storage device in such a way that energy and / or heat are transferred such that the temperature of the storage medium is substantially constant;and d) detecting a first value of the storage medium and / or a first process parameter of the brewing liquid, wherein the first value and the first process parameter are selected from the temperature, the quantity, the weight, the volume, the viscosity, the density, the duration, the time, and the chemical composition; and e) comparing the first value detected in step d) and / or the detected first process parameter with a corresponding process parameter, a reference value, a temporally subsequent further first value, and / or a temporally subsequent further first process parameter; and f) determining, based on the comparison in step e), the temperature in the storage medium required for brewing and / or distilling the brewing liquid and / or the required amount of energy for the energy input system;and g) terminating the brewing and / or distilling of the brewing liquid, wherein the temperature of the storage medium is max. 50%, preferably max. 30%, above the necessary temperature in the storage medium determined in step f) and / or wherein the amount of energy of the energy input system is max. 50%, preferably max. 30%, above the necessary amount of energy determined in step f);

[0007] The method according to the invention is based on the fundamental idea that in order to recover energy and / or save energy during brewing and / or distilling a brewing liquor in a brewery and / or distillery, it is sufficient to use the waste heat available in the brewery and / or distillery and / or the energy input from renewable energies in such a way that the energy storage device is always filled with heat at the right time, in order to reduce the operating hours of the heating system and / or to relieve its load, even if less energy is available than expected due to external influences. Furthermore, by means of the method according to the invention, in particular by comparing the values ​​recorded for the storage medium and / or the brewing liquor, it is possible to determine the heat contained in the energy storage device with sufficient accuracy to calculate the heat required at the end of the brewing, distilling or brewing process orto reduce the energy contained in the energy storage and no longer required during the brewing, distilling or brewing week to a minimum.

[0008] In the first step, a wort kettle with a brewing liquid is provided. Next, at least one, preferably 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more, identically or differently designed heating systems, as explained elsewhere, and an energy storage device are provided, which are used to heat and / or boil the brewing liquid. In this case, it is conceivable that the heating system, the energy storage device and / or the energy input system are flowed through at least in regions and / or sections by the brewing liquid in order to optimize the energy and / or heat transfer. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the heating system, the energy storage device and / or the energy input system are coupled to one another and complement one another. This means that it can happen that one of these, iethe heating system, the energy storage system and / or the energy input system is temporarily and / or briefly not used or only used to a reduced extent for heating and / or cooking and its power is absorbed and / or compensated by another of these, which has no influence on the overall duration of the process and is therefore irrelevant.

[0009] The state-of-the-art technology from the lautering system

[0010] Wort, such as beer wort, is typically produced at a temperature of approximately 78°C and must be brought to boiling temperature accordingly. Wort, such as beer wort, is essentially boiled to inactivate enzymes, isomerize hop bittering compounds, adjust the original gravity, evaporate undesirable aromatics, and / or sterilize the wort. Likewise, it is conceivable to simply heat the brewing liquid contained in the wort kettle, particularly for the production of higher-proof alcoholic beverages. A person skilled in the art will be familiar with the difference, including the associated temperature differences, between heating and boiling.In this regard, it is necessary that the energy storage device uses any storage medium known from the prior art, preferably water, with a temperature of at least 100°C, preferably of at least 101°C, 102°C, 103°C, 104°C, 105°C, 106°C, 107°C, 108°C, 109°C, 110°C, 111°C, 112°C, 113°C.

[0011] 1 14°C, 1 15°C, 1 16°C, 1 17°C, 1 18°C, 1 19°C, 120°C, 121°C, 122°C,

[0012] 123°C, 124°C, 125°C, 126°C, 127°C, 128°C, 129°C, 130°C or more.

[0013] Within the scope of the invention, it has been recognized that at least one, preferably 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more, identically or differently designed energy input systems, as explained elsewhere, are important, wherein the energy input system is connected to the energy storage device in an energy and / or heat-transferring manner using measures known to a person skilled in the art such that the temperature of the storage medium is essentially constant. It is further conceivable for the energy input system to be connected to the at least one heating system. In this way, it is possible for the energy input system to make the waste heat available in the brewery and / or distillery and / or the energy input from renewable energies, as described in detail elsewhere, available equally or in a weighted manner to the at least one heating system and the energy storage device.The terms "essentially," "essentially constant," and "essentially similar" mean that there is only a minor, particularly insignificant, change, modification, and / or deviation from the relevant conditions. For example, it is conceivable that the change, modification, and / or deviation from the temperature required to perform the process is so minor that the process can still be performed despite the change, modification, and / or deviation. This means that this has no or an insignificant effect on the process.

[0014] In the next step, it is necessary to record at least one first value of the storage medium and / or at least one first process parameter of the brewing liquid at a first point in time, wherein the first value and the first process parameter are selected from the temperature, the amount, the weight, the volume, the viscosity, the density, the duration, the time and the chemical composition. Preferably, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 or more identical or different values ​​and / or process parameters of the same property or of a corresponding number of properties are recorded.Within the scope of the invention, it has been recognized that for energy recovery and / or energy savings during brewing and / or distilling a brewing liquid in a brewery and / or distillery, it is sufficient to detect the change in at least one value, preferably two values, namely the at least one first value of the storage medium of the energy storage device and the at least one first process parameter of the brewing liquid, during the process. It is irrelevant which of the listed values ​​or process parameters is involved.

[0015] The terms “(first) value of the storage medium of the energy storage device” and “(first) process parameter of the brewing liquid” refer to a property that is essential for the storage medium or the brewing liquid, by means of which a direct or indirect conclusion can be drawn about it, the process, and / or the progress of the process. For example, the temperature of the storage medium is essential to ensure that the brewing liquid is heated and / or boiled as required, and to adjust the temperature of the brewing liquid to guarantee and ensure that the corresponding legal and / or quality requirements for a brewing liquid are met, as described elsewhere. It is important that the value or process parameter is sufficiently precisely investigated, known, and / or defined, in particular its change over the duration of the process and over time, preferably the progress of the process.The change can be represented, for example, but by no means exclusively, in a function as a trend with a process course and / or progress over time, for example in a linear function, in a logarithmic function, in an exponential function, in a logistic function, in a polygonal function and / or in a mixture thereof.

[0016] Within the scope of the invention, it has been recognized as essential that in the next step the first value and / or the first process parameter is compared with a corresponding process parameter, reference value, a temporally subsequent further first value and / or a temporally subsequent further first process parameter of the same properties known to a person skilled in the art, wherein the temperature in the storage medium required for brewing and / or distilling the brewing liquid and / or the required amount of energy for the energy input system is determined from the comparison.Preferably, the change in the first value of the storage medium of the energy storage device and / or the first process parameter of the brewing liquid is recorded, even more preferably the change in 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 or more identical or different values ​​and / or process parameters of the same property or of several corresponding properties. For example, it is conceivable that several identical or different values ​​and / or process parameters are recorded. The recording of a further first or different second or further value and / or process parameter offers the advantage that a better approximation to the functional relationship of the change in the same and thus an improvement in the determination in step f) can be achieved.In this way, for example, but by no means exclusively, a better statement can be made about the temperature in the storage medium required for brewing and / or distilling the brewing liquor and / or the amount of energy required for the energy input system, so that when brewing or distilling is completed in step g), the temperature in the storage medium and / or the amount of energy in the energy input system is as close as possible to the required temperature and / or the required amount of energy. It is conceivable that the amount of energy required for the energy input system, as described in detail elsewhere, is made available to the at least one heating system and the energy storage system equally or in a weighted manner. This optimizes and significantly increases energy recovery and / or energy savings. The accuracy of the determination in step f) increases with the number of recorded values ​​or process parameters.A change can preferably be an improvement, a deterioration, and / or a progression, particularly a temporal progression. It is conceivable that these values, for example by repeating individual or multiple steps, are incorporated into steps b) and / or c), as described elsewhere.

[0017] It is also conceivable that the first value and / or the first process parameter are recorded in combination with at least one further value for a factor which is related to the composition of the amount and / or volume of the brewing liquid, the temperature, the pressure, the location, the material, the size and / or the conditions of use of the means used to carry out the process, even more preferably with values ​​for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 or more factors. This is due to the fact that the first value and / or the first process parameter is dependent on and / or can be influenced by various factors, the additional recording of which contributes to an improvement in the process for energy recovery and / or energy savings during brewing and / or distilling a brewing liquid in a brewery and / or distillery.For example, in this context, the humidity, the ambient pressure, the ambient temperature, the materials used and / or the brewing liquid are conceivable, which can affect the first value and / or the first process parameter.

[0018] The term “process parameter” is known to a person skilled in the art and refers to a predefined, theoretical, fixed, mathematically and / or manually determined and / or empirically and / or manually assigned value for the temperature, quantity, weight, volume, viscosity, density, duration, time and chemical composition that is stored, predefined, theoretical, fixed, mathematically and / or manually determined and / or empirically and / or manually assigned for one brew, for several or all brews to be carried out or for one brewing process, for several or all brewing processes to be carried out or for one distillation process, for several or all distillation processes to be carried out. It is conceivable that the process parameter or value is a historical value, a recipe value, an ideal value, an empirical value and / or a mixture thereof. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the process parameter or valuethe value is unchangeable or changeable during the execution of the method, for example by adaptation to the temporal change of the first value and / or the first method parameter described elsewhere.

[0019] The term “reference value” refers to a framework that is stored, fixed, determined, predefined, theoretical, mathematically and / or manually determined, empirically and / or manually assigned, historically conditioned and / or legally prescribed and that must be observed for the process, the brew(s), the distillation process(es) and / or the brewing process(es). The reference value, i.e. the framework to be observed, can in particular, but by no means exclusively, be a laboratory value, a database entry, a historical value, a recipe value, an ideal value, an empirical value and / or a mixture, and can be recorded before and / or at the start of the process. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the reference value defines a threshold value, which is preferably defined as the upper limit of the normal value of the first value and / or the first process parameter under various conditions.The upper limit of normal can be determined using various techniques well known to a person skilled in the art.

[0020] In this way, based on the previous comparison, the temperature in the storage medium required for brewing or distilling the brewing liquid and / or the required amount of energy for the energy input system is determined.

[0021] In the last step, the brewing and / or distillation of the brewing liquid is finished, whereby the temperature of the storage medium is at most

[0022] 50%, preferably maximum 49%, 48%, 47%, 46%, 45%, 44%, 43%, 42%,

[0023] 41%, 40%, 39%, 38%, 37%, 36%, 35%, 34%, 33%, 32%, 31%, 30%, 29%

[0024] 28%, 27%, 26%, 25%, 24%, 23%, 22%, 21%, 20%, 19%, 18%, 17%, 16%,

[0025] 15%, 14%, 13%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or 1% above the determined necessary temperature in the storage medium and / or wherein the energy quantity of the energy input system is a maximum of 50%, preferably a maximum of 49%, 48%, 47%, 46%, 45%, 44%,

[0026] 43%, 42%, 41%, 40%, 39%, 38%, 37%, 36%, 35%, 34%, 33%, 32%, 31%,

[0027] 30%, 29%, 28%, 27%, 26%, 25%, 24%, 23%, 22%, 21%, 20%, 19%, 18%,

[0028] 17%, 16%, 15%, 14%, 13%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%

[0029] 3%, 2% or 1 zo, is above the determined necessary amount of energy. The term “method for energy recovery and / or energy saving during brewing and / or distilling a brewing liquor” refers to an energy-efficient, energy-saving method for brewing and / or distilling a brewing liquor in a brewery and / or distillery, in particular one that uses existing waste heat and / or energy from renewable and / or regenerable energy sources. In addition, it is possible to track the conditions and / or influences under which the method was carried out. The method according to the invention can contain additional steps which lie after or between the explicitly listed essential steps a) to g). In addition, it is conceivable that individual steps are repeated as often as desired. The method is preferably automatable.

[0030] It is understandable to a person skilled in the art that a determination, ascertaining and / or recording cannot generally be 100 percent correct. The terms therefore refer to a statistically significant probability regarding the accuracy of the determination, ascertaining and / or recording of the values ​​or parameters, such as method parameters and / or process parameters. Whether this is statistically significant can be determined by a person skilled in the art, without inventive activity, using methods known in the art. Examples include statistical evaluation tools such as the determination of the confidence interval, the p-value, the Student's st test, the Mann-Whitney determination, etc. The corresponding intervals are at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% correct. The p-values ​​are preferably 0, 1, 0.05, 0.01, 0.005 or 0.0001.Preferably, the determination, the ascertainment and / or the detection within the scope of the present invention is at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90% or at least 95% or at least 99% correct.

[0031] The term "comparison" refers to the comparison of the values ​​or process parameters with one another, in particular the first value and / or the first process parameter with a corresponding process parameter, a reference value, a temporally subsequent further first value and / or a temporally subsequent further first process parameter. It is understood that a comparison, as used here, refers to a comparison of corresponding parameters and / or values. For example, it is conceivable that an absolute first value is comparable with an absolute further value, whereby a relative first value is comparable with a relative further value.

[0032] Within the scope of the invention, the comparison can be carried out manually and / or with computer support. For a computer-supported comparison, all means known to a person skilled in the art are conceivable, such as a computer and / or a computer program. A computer program can additionally evaluate the result of the comparison, for example, automatically provide an assessment of the recorded values ​​or process parameters. By means of the comparison carried out in step e), it is possible to determine the temperature in the storage medium required for brewing and / or distilling the brewing liquor and / or the required amount of energy for the energy input system. It is further conceivable, for example, that steps e) and / or f) are supported by an evaluation, analysis and / or evaluation unit.Preferably, the time of recording the first value and / or the first process parameter is taken into account in the comparison, so that based on the comparison, a prediction can be made as to how the value and / or process parameter will change over time during the execution of the process, brewing, distilling, and / or during the processes, which may be a single process or multiple processes. This offers the advantage that a temporal change in these values ​​and / or process parameters can be derived, determined, mathematically and / or manually calculated, and / or empirically and / or manually determined, so that the temporal change in these values ​​and / or process parameters can be saved and / or used as process parameters or influences a process parameter.

[0033] Within the scope of the invention, it is understandable that the result of the comparison, i.e. the determination of the temperature in the storage medium required for brewing or distilling the brewing liquor and / or the amount of energy required for the energy input system, depends directly or indirectly on the first value and / or the first process parameter. Thus, it is conceivable that a small and insignificant, a large and significant and / or no change in the first value and / or the first process parameter in comparison with a corresponding process parameter, reference value, a temporally subsequent further first value and / or a temporally subsequent further first process parameter is indicative of the implementation and / or progress of the process, brewing, distilling and / or brewing process, which can be a single brewing process or multiple brewing processes.A change in the first value and / or the first process parameter can preferably be an improvement, a deterioration, and / or a progression, particularly a progression over time. In this context, it is conceivable that the result of the comparison can be output as a temporal specification, for example in years, months, days, hours, and / or minutes, as an absolute value and / or a relative value.

[0034] In this context, it is also conceivable that the result of the comparison is an extension of the time specification for each individual brewing, distilling, or brewing process or for multiple brewing, distilling, or brewing processes. In this way, for example, conclusions can be drawn about the change in the first value and / or the first process parameter of the respective process depending on the prevailing conditions. This offers the advantage that the condition influencing the first value and / or the first parameter can be determined and / or monitored.

[0035] Within the scope of the invention, it must be considered that all recorded and / or determined values, as well as the result of the determination and / or determination, depend significantly on the materials and / or means used for the determination and / or recording, the operating conditions of the means used to carry out the method, and / or the location of use. This is known to a person skilled in the art.

[0036] By means of the method according to the invention, it is thus possible to easily and reliably determine the amount of energy required for heating and / or boiling the brewing liquor. In this way, energy is avoided that is no longer needed at the end of the brewing week or distillation, for example, in order to create an opportunity for the decarbonization of breweries and / or distilleries and to make a significant contribution to environmental protection. Furthermore, due to the simplicity, it is possible to drastically reduce the downtime of the device required for cleaning, maintenance and / or repair in order to avoid unnecessary downtime and / or costs. Furthermore, it is possible to replace and / or repair only the elements affected by cleaning, maintenance and / or repair, thus achieving considerable cost savings.

[0037] Advantageous further developments of the invention, which can be implemented individually or in combination, are presented in the subclaims.

[0038] In a further development of the invention, it is conceivable that the method additionally comprises: h) representing steps d), e), f) and / or g).

[0039] By means of this embodiment, it is possible to numerically and / or graphically represent the first values ​​and / or first process parameters acquired, compared, and / or determined in steps d), e), f), and / or g), as well as the process parameters and the reference values, individually or in comparison with one another, in order to simplify the understanding of the acquisition, determination, and / or comparison. Suitable means for displaying an output of a value are known to a person skilled in the art. Step h) can be supported by an output unit.

[0040] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is conceivable that the first value, the further first value, the first process parameter, the further first process parameter, the process parameter, and / or the reference value are recorded under substantially similar conditions. This significantly increases the accuracy of the comparison in step e) and / or the determination in step f), in particular by partially or completely excluding various factors on which the values ​​and / or process parameters depend and / or can be influenced, as described elsewhere.

[0041] In yet another embodiment of the invention, it is conceivable that the first value, the further first value, the first process parameter, the further first process parameter, the process parameter and / or the reference value are recorded under different conditions. Recording under different conditions, i.e. under differing conditions, makes it possible to determine the dependence and / or influence of the values ​​and / or process parameters on various factors, such as temperature, pressure, humidity, quantity, volume and / or chemical composition of the brewing liquid, size, material and / or design of the means used to carry out the process. This, in turn, influences the efficiency of the process, for example by avoiding or eliminating these factors in whole or in part.In a further development, it is conceivable that step e) and step f) are repeated once, preferably twice, three times, four times, five times, six times, seven times, eight times, nine times, ten times, eleven times, twelve times, thirteen times, fourteen times, fifteen times, or more frequently under the same or different conditions. Furthermore, it is conceivable that step b) and / or step c) are carried out essentially taking into account the required temperature and / or the required energy quantity for the energy input system determined in step f).This offers the advantage that the method makes it possible, during the process itself and / or during off-peak times, to heat the storage medium of the energy storage device to the extent that the energy source of the energy input system described elsewhere is readily available. Preferably, by means of a control and / or regulating unit, the energy storage device can thus always be filled with heat at the right time, even if less energy is available than expected due to external influences. Preferably, the method according to the invention makes it possible to "charge" the energy storage device only enough to supply the remaining heating and / or boiling of the brewing liquid with energy as required.Furthermore, it is conceivable that the waste heat generated when the boiling temperature is reached in the wort kettle, such as the steam from the steam plumes forming, could be fed into the heating system and / or the energy input system. This is intended to prevent energy from being stored that is no longer needed, for example, at the end of the brewing week or distillation. This creates an opportunity for the decarbonization of breweries and distilleries and makes a significant contribution to environmental protection.

[0042] Furthermore, it is conceivable that steps b), c), d), e), and / or f) are carried out in a controlled and / or regulated manner, for example, by means of a control and / or regulating unit, in order to simplify and / or automate the process while achieving the best possible utilization of the available energy. Suitable means are known to a person skilled in the art.

[0043] In one embodiment of the further development, it is conceivable that a control loop is created for the heating system, the energy input system and / or the energy storage device, for example by means of the control and regulation unit, in order to ensure the best possible use of the waste heat available in the brewery and / or distillery, the energy and / or heat available from renewable and / or regenerable energy sources. This offers the advantage that the energy storage device is always filled with heat at the right time, even if less energy is available than expected due to external influences. Furthermore, by means of the method according to the invention, in particular due to the improved comparison of the values ​​recorded for the storage medium and the brewing liquid provided by the control loop, it is possible to determine the heat contained in the energy storage device with sufficient accuracy in order to determine the heat required at the end of the brewing, distilling or brewing process orto reduce to a minimum the excess energy contained in the energy storage unit during the brewing, distilling or brewing week and no longer required.

[0044] The term "control loop" is familiar to a person skilled in the art and refers to a dynamic interaction between the heating system, the energy input system, the energy storage system, the available energy, for example as waste heat and / or from renewable and / or renewable energy sources, and the required temperature of the storage medium to optimize the utilization of the available energy quantity in comparison to the required energy quantity. The control loop is a closed system in which the actual values ​​of the variables are continuously measured and compared with the target values ​​of the corresponding variables. The negative feedback is essential in order to continuously counteract any deviation from the required temperature and / or energy quantity. This is a

[0045] Expert known

[0046] It is further conceivable that the energy input system is supplied directly or indirectly with energy and / or heat from a heating process, from a waste heat process, in particular a waste heat process occurring in the brewery or distillery, and / or from renewable and / or regenerable energy sources using measures, means, and / or methods known to a person skilled in the art. The energy input system is preferably a heater, in particular an electric heater, an internal boiler, an external boiler, such as the at least one heating system described elsewhere, an evaporator, a compressor, in particular a vapor compressor, a compressor, a heat pump, a heat exchanger, a battery, an accumulator, 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 or distilling 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. Further preferably, several of the aforementioned means are coupled together; for example, a heat pump is coupled to at least one heat exchanger, preferably a condenser or evaporator. In this way, the process is further improved with optimal utilization of the available energy and / or heat.

[0047] It is also conceivable that the brewing liquid is beer, beer wort, a beer intermediate, a higher-proof alcoholic beverage, in particular a brandy such as whiskey, grain, a spirit and / or liqueur, or a spirit, an intermediate product arising and / or produced in the distillery and / or a fermentation product

[0048] It is assumed that the definitions and / or the embodiments of the above terms apply to all aspects described below in this description, unless otherwise stated.

[0049] According to the invention, a device for energy recovery and / or energy saving during brewing and / or distilling of a brewing liquid is further proposed, preferably for carrying out the method described in detail elsewhere, with a wort kettle containing a brewing liquid, at least one heating system, an energy storage device, at least one energy input system, at least one means for detecting a first value of the storage medium and / or for detecting a first process parameter of the brewing liquid, wherein the first value and the first process parameter are selected from the temperature, the amount, the weight, the volume, the viscosity, the density, the duration, the time and the chemical composition, with an evaluation unit for comparing the detected first value and / or the detected first process parameter with a corresponding process parameter, reference value,a temporally subsequent further first value and / or a temporally subsequent further first process parameter, and with an evaluation unit for determining, based on the comparison of the evaluation unit, the temperature in the storage medium required for brewing or distilling the brewing liquid and / or the required energy quantity for the energy input system. The device is characterized in that, at the end of brewing or distilling the brewing liquid, the temperature of the storage medium is max. 50%, preferably max. 30%, above the required temperature in the storage medium determined in the analysis unit, and / or the energy quantity of the energy input system is max. 50%, preferably max. 30%, above the required energy quantity determined in the analysis unit.

[0050] The term "means for detecting" refers to any means known to a person skilled in the art from the prior art, which is suitable for detecting the first value of the storage medium and / or the first process parameter of the brewing liquid, preferably at identical, subsequent, or different points in time during the implementation of the process. Preferably, the point in time and / or the conditions and / or factors present at that point in time are detected simultaneously, as mentioned elsewhere. Within the scope of the invention, at least one, preferably 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more means of identical or different configurations are conceivable.

[0051] The term "evaluation unit" refers to a unit suitable for comparing the recorded value and / or process parameter with a corresponding process parameter, a reference value, a temporally subsequent further first value, and / or a temporally subsequent further first process parameter. Suitable evaluation units are known to a person skilled in the art, such as a computer and / or a computer program. A computer program can also evaluate the result of the comparison.

[0052] The term "evaluation unit" refers to a unit suitable for evaluating or determining the required temperature in the storage medium and / or the required energy quantity for the energy input system. For example, the evaluation unit is a computer and / or a computer program.

[0053] Advantageous further developments of the invention, which can be implemented individually or in combination, are presented in the subclaims. In one further development of the invention, it is conceivable for the device to comprise an output unit for displaying, a pump, and a control and / or regulating unit.

[0054] The term "output unit" refers to a unit suitable for displaying the recorded, compared, and / or determined first values ​​and / or first process parameters, as well as the process parameters and the reference values, individually or in comparison with one another. The display is preferably numerical and / or graphical in order to simplify the understanding of the recording, determination, and / or comparison. A person skilled in the art will be familiar with a suitable output unit for displaying the data, such as a directly or indirectly connected display and / or input device, in particular a computer, monitor, television, mobile device, and smart mobile device.

[0055] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is conceivable that the heating system is an internal cooker, an external cooker, and / or a heater, in particular an electric heater. Such means are known to a person skilled in the art and are suitable due to their efficiency.

[0056] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the energy input system, as described in detail elsewhere, is a heater, in particular an electric heater, an internal boiler, an external boiler, an evaporator, a compressor, in particular a vapor compressor, a compressor, a heat pump, a heat exchanger, a battery, an accumulator, 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.

[0057] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the heating system, the energy storage system and / or the energy input system can be flowed through by the brewing liquid at least in certain areas and / or sections in order to ensure a particularly good energy and / or heat transfer into the brewing liquid.

[0058] It is also conceivable that the energy storage system is a buffer storage system, a pressure vessel and / or a stratified storage system.

[0059] In a further development, it is conceivable that the at least one means for recording is a counter, an operating time counter, an indicator, a thermometer, a camera, a scale, a hygrometer, an ultrasound device, a viscometer, a sensor, in particular a nanosensor and / or microsensor, and / or a sensor system. Examples of such means are known to a person skilled in the art. For example, an “indicator” is characterized in that it changes color when a predefined limit value, for example a pH value or a temperature, is exceeded or undershot. The term “sensor” refers to a technical component known to a person skilled in the art which can record certain physical, mechanical and / or chemical properties. The term “sensor system” refers to the use of sensors for measuring and / or monitoring changes in environmental, biological and / or technical systems.

[0060] For example, it is conceivable that the quantity and / or volume can be detected indirectly by a fill level indicator or fill level estimate using a camera, a high-resolution camera system, a CCD sensor, a photodiode and / or a photocell. The temperature, in particular the temperature difference, can be detected using a thermoelectric sensor, i.e. a thermocouple with or without an amplifier, a thermometer and / or an indicator. The weight, quantity and / or volume of the brewing liquid can be detected using a pressure sensor, a spring balance, a lifting balance and / or a manometer, and its viscosity can be detected indirectly. The viscosity can also be determined using a viscometer. The density can be detected using X-rays, ultrasound and / or irradiation with weak gamma radiation, e.g. the isotope method.In addition, the chemical composition can be determined, for example by taking samples, or derived from the previously mentioned values.

[0061] It is also conceivable that the brewing liquid is beer, beer wort, a beer intermediate product, a higher-proof alcoholic beverage, in particular a brandy such as whiskey, grain, a spirit and / or liqueur, or a spirit, an intermediate product arising and / or produced in the distillery and / or a fermentation product.

[0062] Further details, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments in conjunction with the subclaims. The respective features can be implemented individually or in combination with one another. The invention is not limited to the embodiments. The embodiments are illustrated schematically in the figures. The same reference numerals in the individual figures designate identical or functionally identical elements, or elements corresponding to one another in terms of their function.

[0063] In detail:

[0064] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an apparatus 100 according to the invention for carrying out the method according to the invention.

[0065] The device 100 according to the invention for carrying out the method according to the invention is shown in Fig. 1. To heat the brewing liquid 1a in the wort kettle 1, energy is provided in the form of hot water 5a with a temperature > 120°C (Ts) in an energy storage device 5 shown as a buffer storage device. The temperature of the storage medium 5a or the water 5a in the energy storage device 5 is maintained at a uniform level or reheated accordingly by an electric heater or by a heat pump 7. This is done, for example, via a heat exchanger 6 or by heating devices installed directly in the tank. The heat pump 7 is supplied with energy by any waste heat process 10 of the brewery, e.g. the refrigeration system 11, the compressed air system and / or carbon dioxide recovery system. In Fig. 1, the cycle of a refrigeration system 11 of the brewery is shown as a heat source for the heat pump 7.It can be seen that the condenser 9 of the refrigeration system 11 and the evaporator 9 of the heat pump 7 are the same device. A pump 8 is also visible.

[0066] It can also be seen that the storage medium 5a or water at a temperature Tsi is pumped via a closed circuit to the consumer, i.e. to the wort kettle 1. The heating of the beer wort 1a to cooking and / or boiling temperature takes place via a heating system 2, e.g. an internal boiler in the wort kettle 1 or an external boiler. It is irrelevant whether the wort 1a flows through the two heating systems 2, 3 in series, as in Fig. 1, or whether both have their own circuit with the wort kettle 1. As already described, one or both heating systems 2, 3 could be an internal boiler, which would then be arranged accordingly in the wort kettle 1.

[0067] The storage medium 5a releases its energy to the wort 1a in a controlled manner and is thus cooled to a lower temperature level Ts2. In the return flow, the storage medium 5a is fed back to the energy storage unit 5, thus closing the cycle. Due to the high temperatures Ts, the energy storage unit 5 is designed as a pressure vessel and is ideally a stratified storage unit.

[0068] At the same time as the wort is boiling and heating, but also during off-peak times, the energy storage unit 5 is reheated via the electric heater or the heat pump 7. The aim is to heat up the energy storage unit 5 only as quickly as the energy source can easily provide for it and, by means of the control and / or regulation unit, to always make the energy storage unit 5 filled with heat at the right time, even if external influences mean that less energy is available than expected. This output can also vary depending on the energy source, for example if the heat source of the heat pump 7 delivers less output than under normal conditions. Ideally, the energy storage unit 5 is only charged to the extent necessary to supply the remaining boiling processes. This is to avoid storing energy that is no longer needed, for example, at the end of the brewing, distilling or brewing week.This creates an opportunity for the decarbonization of breweries and makes a significant contribution to environmental protection.

[0069] When the boiling temperature is reached in the wort kettle 1, the resulting vapor puffs are fed to a mechanical vapor recompression system 4. The pressure increase raises the steam to a higher temperature level. In a further circuit, this steam is then fed into the heating system 3 and continues the boiling process. The hot water / storage medium system 5a, 5 is not functioning at this moment. Once the aforementioned goals have been reached, this heating system 5 is also deactivated, and the wort is fed to the subsequent process. Boiling is thus complete. The condensate 10 from the heating system 3 of the vapor recompression system 4 is still very hot. This energy can also be used in any way to heat the energy storage system 5.

[0070] According to the invention, the system is controlled by a control and / or regulating unit determining the energy required for heating the wort of a brew, a brewing or distilling process and / or the brews, brewery products or spirits still to be produced from historical values, recipe values ​​and / or empirical values ​​and generating control loops for the heating system of the energy storage device 5 from this. It is thus conceivable for this to compare the temperature Ts recorded in the storage medium 5a and the temperature Tw recorded in the brewing liquid 1a with corresponding process parameters, whereby based on the comparison, the temperature Ts in the storage medium 5a required to complete the process or the required amount of energy of the energy input system 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 is determined. This prevents overloading of the energy storage device 5.As further input parameters, the control and / or regulating unit also uses expected energy quantities and / or empirical values ​​for energy quantities from the heat source of the heating system 2, 3, such as an electric heater or heat pump 7. In the case of an electric heater, this could, for example, be the expected generation output for electrical energy at the generation device. If the electrical energy is provided from photovoltaics, for example, the expected solar radiation could be taken into account here. In the case of wind turbines, the expected wind strength could be taken into account. The aim of the control system is to always make the energy storage device 5 filled with heat at the right time, even if external influences mean that less energy is available than expected.If the expected electrical power for the heating is very low, the control and / or regulation unit can start heating accordingly earlier.

[0071] Analogously, the control and / or regulating unit determines the heating output of the heat pump 7 for recharging the energy storage unit 5, also from expected energy flows at the heat source of the heat pump 7. If, for example, the heat source is a refrigeration system 11 (also a heat pump) and this only supplies very small amounts of heat, the heat pump 7 must run for longer in order to heat the energy storage unit 5. Depending on the energy source for the electrical energy or other heat sources for operating the brewery, it might be sensible to carry out the energy-intensive brewing process, for example, only during the day when the electrical energy is generated from solar energy, and / or during times with profitable wind speeds.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A method for energy recovery and / or energy saving during brewing and / or distilling a brewing liquid (1a), comprising the following steps: a) providing a wort kettle (1) with a brewing liquid (1a); and b) providing at least one heating system (2, 3) and one energy store (5) for heating and / or boiling the brewing liquid (1a), wherein the energy store (5) has a storage medium (5a) with a temperature (Ts) of at least 100°C, and c) providing an energy input system (4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11), wherein the energy input system (4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) is connected to the energy store (5) in such a way that the temperature (Ts) of the storage medium (5a) is substantially constant;and d) detecting a first value of the storage medium (5a) and / or a first process parameter of the brewing liquid (1a), wherein the first value and the first process parameter are selected from the temperature (Ts, Tw), the amount, the weight, the volume, the viscosity, the density, the duration, the time and the chemical composition; and e) comparing the first value detected in step d) and / or the detected first process parameter with a corresponding process parameter, a reference value, a temporally subsequent further first value and / or a temporally subsequent further first process parameter; and f) determining, based on the comparison in step e), the temperature (Ts) in the storage medium (5a) necessary for brewing and / or distilling the brewing liquid (1a) and / or the necessary amount of energy for the energy input system (4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11); and; g) terminating the brewing and / or distilling of the brewing liquid (1a), wherein the temperature (Ts) of the storage medium (5a) is max. 50%, preferably max. 30%, above the necessary temperature (Ts) in the storage medium (5a) determined in step f) and / or wherein the energy quantity of the energy input system (4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) is max. 50%, preferably max. 30%, above the necessary energy quantity determined in step f).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method additionally comprises: h) representing steps d), e), f) and / or g).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first value, the further first value, the first process parameter, the further first process parameter, the process parameter and / or the reference value are detected under substantially similar conditions.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first value, the further first value, the first process parameter, the further first process parameter, the process parameter and / or the reference value are recorded under different conditions.

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein step e) and step f) are repeated and / or wherein step b) and / or step c) is carried out essentially taking into account the necessary temperature (Ts) determined in step f) and / or the necessary amount of energy for the energy input system (4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11).

6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein step b), c), d), e) and / or f) is controlled and / or regulated.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein a control circuit for the heating system (2, 3), the energy input system (4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 1 1 ) and / or the energy storage (5) is created.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the energy input system (4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) is supplied directly or indirectly with energy and / or heat from a heating process, from a waste heat process (4, 7, 9, 10, 11) and / or from renewable and / or regenerable energy sources.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the process parameters are selected from a stored, predefined, theoretical, set, computationally and / or manually determined and / or empirically and / or manually assigned value of the temperature, the quantity, the weight, the volume, the viscosity, the density, the duration, the time and the chemical composition.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the brewing liquid (1a) is beer, beer wort, a beer intermediate, a higher-proof alcoholic beverage, in particular a brandy or a spirit, an intermediate and / or a fermentation product. 1 1. Device (100) for energy recovery and / or energy saving during brewing and / or distilling of a brewing liquid (1a), preferably for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 10, with a wort kettle (1) having a brewing liquid (1a), at least one heating system (2, 3), an energy storage device (5), at least one energy input system (4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11), at least one means for detecting a first value of the storage medium (5a) and / or for detecting a first process parameter of the brewing liquid (1a), wherein the first value and the first process parameter are selected from the Temperature (Ts, Tw), the quantity, the weight, the volume, the viscosity, the density, the duration, the time and the chemical composition, with an evaluation unit for comparing the recorded first value and / or the recorded first process parameter with a corresponding process parameter, a reference value, a temporally subsequent further first value and / or a temporally subsequent further first process parameter and with an evaluation unit for determining, based on the comparison of the evaluation unit, the temperature (Ts) in the storage medium (5a) necessary for brewing and / or distilling the brewing liquid (la) and / or the necessary amount of energy for the energy input system (4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11), characterized in that at the end of the brewing and / or distilling of the brewing liquid (la), the temperature (Ts) of the storage medium (5a) is max. 50%, preferably max.30%, above the necessary temperature (Ts) in the storage medium (5a) determined in the analysis unit and / or the energy quantity of the energy input system (4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) is max. 50%, preferably max. 30%, above the necessary energy quantity determined in the analysis unit.

12. Device (100) according to claim 11, characterized in that the device (100) comprises an output unit for display, a pump (8), a control and / or regulating unit.

13. Device (100) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the heating system (2, 3) is an internal cooker, an external cooker and / or a heater, in particular an electric heater.

14. Device (100) according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the energy input system (4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) is a heater, in particular an electric heater, an internal boiler, an external boiler, an evaporator (9), a compressor (4), a compressor, a heat pump (7, 11), a heat exchanger (6), a battery, an accumulator, an inverter, a pump (8), a solar thermal system, a photovoltaic system, a wind power plant, a hydroelectric power plant, a geothermal system, a biogas plant, a fuel cell and / or a combination thereof.

15. Device (100) according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the heating system (2, 3), the energy storage (5) and / or the energy input system (4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) can be flowed through by the brewing liquid (1a) at least in regions and / or sections.

16. Device (100) according to one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the energy storage device (5) is a buffer storage device, a pressure vessel and / or a stratified storage device.

17. Device (100) according to one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that the at least one means for detecting is a counter, an operating time counter, an indicator, a thermometer, a camera, a scale, a hygrometer, an ultrasonic device, a viscometer, a sensor and / or a sensor system.

18. Device (100) according to one of claims 11 to 17, characterized in that that the brewing liquid (la) is beer, beer wort, a beer intermediate product, a higher-proof alcoholic beverage, in particular a brandy or spirit, an intermediate product and / or a fermentation product.

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