Device, process for de-alcoholization and its uses

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for dealcoholizing potable alcohol, a device for implementing it, and its uses. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Device, process for dealcoholization and its uses Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for dealcoholizing potable alcohol, a device for implementing it and its uses.

[0002] State of the art

[0003] In recent years, the share of consumers for alcoholic or high alcohol content drinks has continued to decrease in favor of non-alcoholic drinks or drinks with a lower alcohol content.

[0004] Also, there is a growing demand from consumers and incidentally from professionals in the sector for such drinks. However, the development of low-alcohol or alcohol-free drinks is a delicate exercise which often affects the quality of the drink and in particular the aromas constituting it.

[0005] On the other hand, the climatic upheavals that we are experiencing today tend to naturally increase the alcohol content of potable alcohols, including wines. Indeed, the increasingly sunny climate with periods of drought favors an increase in the sugar level, particularly in grapes and consequently an increase in the alcohol content contained in the wine.

[0006] This can be remedied by bringing forward the harvest date or by optimizing alcoholic fermentation. Thus, numerous processes for dealcoholizing potable alcohols have been developed in recent years in order to reduce or eliminate the alcohol content.

[0007] The dealcoholization processes known from the prior art are essentially based either on the selection, upstream, of grape varieties with low sugar production, or downstream on the finished product, such as wine.

[0008] Dealcoholization processes are thus known on the finished product, such as vacuum distillation, which aims to extract the aromas and then the alcohol, then to reintroduce the extracted aromas. We can also cite reverse osmosis dealcoholization processes which make it possible to eliminate the mixture of water and alcohol and finally processes called Spinning Cone Column (Rotating Cone Column in French) widely used in Australia and the USA which aims to dearomatize and then dealcoholize by stripping, the steam obtained under vacuum, before reintroducing the aromas into the finished wine.

[0009] Thus, the majority of processes known to date are based on the treatment of the finished product, such as finished wine. However, such processes are heavy, complex and expensive to implement and include an inevitable loss of some of the aromas contained in the wine or even a destructuring of the wine.

[0010] There is therefore a need for a new dealcoholization process which makes it possible to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art, in particular to reduce or eliminate the alcohol content without loss of aroma and while avoiding the need to install new, costly and complex devices for the winemaker. Summary of the invention

[0011] To meet this need, the invention proposes a new process for dealcoholizing potable alcohol which takes place during the alcoholic fermentation process, for example during the winemaking process, and not on a finished product as described in the prior art.

[0012] The inventors have surprisingly discovered during the cooling of vapors including CO2, said vapors being derived from wine fermentation, such as alcoholic fermentation, a significant condensation of aromas, but also of alcohols. The inventors have thus demonstrated a significant evaporation of alcohols accompanying the CO2 during alcoholic fermentation.

[0013] The inventors have thus implemented a new dealcoholization process which aims to maintain, or even increase, the circulation of CO2 during the fermentation process. This aims to increase the evaporation of at least part of the alcohol contained in the potable alcohol during fermentation and subsequently eliminate this alcohol present in the vapors emitted, thus making it possible to reduce the alcohol content of the finished product.

[0014] Such a method is particularly useful in the context of the invention and overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art because it makes it possible to use the CO2 naturally emitted during alcoholic fermentation by means of the fermentation tank in order to eliminate the water, alcohol and aromas which accompany the CO2.

[0015] Thus, the invention relates to a process for dealcoholizing a potable alcohol in an alcoholic fermentation tank comprising the following steps: a. Recovering the vapors emitted comprising CO2, water, alcohol and flavorings, during the alcoholic fermentation by means of the outlet of said tank, b. Compressing the vapors recovered during step a. by means of a compressor, c. Condense the vapors compressed in step b. using a condenser, d. Separating the gas and liquid contained in the mixture obtained in step c. by means of a gas / liquid separator and removing a condensate by means of the liquid outlet, and e. Recovering and reinjecting at least part of the CO2 extracted during step d. by means of a gas injector comprising a flow control means.

[0016] According to a variant, the method according to the invention is implemented by means of a group of tanks in which, in each of them, an alcoholic fermentation takes place and consequently an emission of CO2. The tanks are then connected to each other by means of a connector upstream of the compressor.

[0017] According to another variant, the CO2 comes from a storage tank. The CO2 contained in said storage tank may come from alcoholic or non-alcoholic fermentation and may also be connected upstream of the compressor, for example between the fermentation tank and the compressor, or downstream of the compressor, for example between the separator and the gas injector. Thus, the method according to the invention may be implemented continuously or discontinuously.

[0018] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a device for dealcoholizing potable alcohol for implementing the method according to the present invention comprising: - an alcoholic fermentation tank comprising an outlet forming an upper end of said tank and an inlet forming a lower end of said tank, said outlet comprising a valve, and - a compressor adapted to be mounted on the outlet, said compressor comprising an outlet, and - a condenser adapted to be mounted on said compressor outlet, said condenser comprising an outlet, and - a gas / liquid separator adapted to be mounted on the outlet of the condenser, said separator comprising a gas outlet and a liquid outlet, and - a gas injector configured to be mounted between the outlet of the gas / liquid separator and the inlet of the tank.

[0019] Finally, according to a last aspect, the invention relates to the use of CO2 resulting from the alcoholic fermentation of potable alcohols to reduce the alcohol content of said potable alcohols.

[0020] Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the detailed description of the invention and from the figures which are solely illustrative and in no way limitative of the scope of the invention. Brief description of the Figures

[0021] [Fig.l] schematically represents a device comprising a fermentation tank according to one embodiment of the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0022] Definition

[0023] By "potable alcohol" within the meaning of the invention, we mean an alcohol emanating from the distillation of sweetened or saccharified plant matter, used in particular in the production of alcoholic beverages, for example spirits or wine. Preferably, potable alcohol is chosen from liqueur, Armagnac, cognac and wine. More preferably, potable alcohol is wine, including white, rosé or red wines.

[0024] For the purposes of the invention, the term “atmospheric pressure” means a pressure equal to 1.013 25 bar (plus or minus 0.1 bar), i.e. a pressure between 0.913 25 and 1.113 25 bar.

[0025] For the purposes of the invention, the term "condensate" means the mixture obtained at the end of step d., i.e. the liquid mixture separated from the CO2 obtained after the separation step, said condensate comprises water, alcohol and aromas.

[0026] For the purposes of the invention, the term “vapours” means a gaseous mixture comprising at least CO2, water, alcohol and aromas.

[0027] Method and device according to the invention

[0028] The present invention therefore relates to a process for dealcoholizing potable alcohol in an alcoholic fermentation tank 2 comprising the following steps: a. Recover at least part of the vapors comprising CO2, water, alcohol and aromas, emitted during alcoholic fermentation by means of outlet 21 of said tank, b. Compress the vapors recovered during step a. using a compressor 3, c. Condense the vapors compressed during step b. using a condenser 4, d. Separating the gas and liquid contained in the mixture obtained in step c. by means of a gas / liquid separator 5 and removing the condensate by means of the liquid outlet 522, and e. Recovering and reinjecting at least part of the CO2 extracted during step d. by means of a gas injector 6 comprising a flow control means.

[0029] During alcoholic fermentation using an alcoholic fermentation tank or possibly a group of fermentation tanks, the sugars present in the must will be transformed into alcohol and carbon dioxide (CO2) by the microorganisms, in particular yeasts, also present in the must. The CO2 is then eliminated from the process by means of an outlet forming an upper end of said fermentation tank. All of the CO2 emitted or part of the CO2 is thus eliminated into the atmosphere or possibly stored in a CO2 storage tank. Said storage tank may be under atmospheric pressure or under a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure. Said storage tank which can be located upstream or downstream of the compressor.

[0030] In the context of the present invention, the inventors have discovered that the CO2 vapors certainly comprise CO2 but also water, alcohol and flavorings. Thus, the vapors emitted during alcoholic fermentation are recovered by means of the outlet 21 of said fermentation tank 2. Said vapors comprise in particular CO2, but also water, alcohols and flavorings. Preferably, the outlet 21 comprises a valve 211 configured to recover all of the vapors or a portion of the vapors and eliminate the residual portion of the vapors, if the vapors are emitted, for example in too large quantities.

[0031] Thus, according to a preferred object of the invention, during step a. of the method, at least a portion of the vapors comprising CO2, water, alcohol and aromas emitted during the alcoholic fermentation are recovered by means of the outlet 21 and a 2nd portion is eliminated by means of a valve 211, said valve 211 is configured so that the pressure of the tank 2 is equal to atmospheric pressure.

[0032] According to a variant, said valve 211 is configured so that the pressure of the tank 2 is higher than atmospheric pressure, preferably the pressure is between 1 and 7 bar.

[0033] Advantageously, the method according to the invention is implemented by means of a so-called dynamic system, that is to say that the vapors comprising CO2, water, alcohol and flavorings, resulting from fermentation by means of a fermentation tank 2 or a group of tanks, for example at least 2 fermentation tanks, are immediately treated and recycled by means of a compressor 3, a condenser 4, a gas / liquid separator 5 and an injector 6. Said method is then implemented continuously.

[0034] When the process is implemented discontinuously, it may comprise a step of storing CO2 by means of a CO2 storage tank, located for example between the separator 5 and the gas injector 6. The stored CO2 may then be reinjected when necessary, for example at the end of fermentation when the quantity of CO2 naturally emitted is too low to obtain a satisfactory quantity of CO2 reinjected into the fermentation tank 2.

[0035] After recovery of at least a portion, preferably of the vapors emitted during the fermentation process, these are compressed during step b. by means of a compressor 3. The compressor 3 preferably comprises an inlet 31 configured to be connected to the outlet 21 of the fermentation tank 2 and an outlet 32 ​​configured to be connected to the inlet 41 of the condenser 4.

[0036] Compression step b. thus aims to compress the vapors coming from the fermentation tank 2.

[0037] Preferably, the CO2 is compressed during step b. to a value between between 1.1 and 4 bar, more preferably between 1.3 and 2.5 bar.

[0038] According to a preferred object, the compressor 3 is chosen from a dry compressor, a liquid ring compressor and a hydro-ejector. More preferably, the compressor 3 is a hydro-ejector or a liquid ring compressor.

[0039] According to another preferred object, the compressor 3 comprises at the outlet a pressure control means, which makes it possible to adjust the compression ratio and prevent air from being sucked in.

[0040] After the compression step, the vapors are condensed to obtain cooled CO2 and a liquid mixture comprising water, alcohol and flavorings. The condensation step c. is implemented by means of a condenser 4. The condenser 4 preferably comprises an inlet 41 configured to be connected to the outlet 32 ​​of the compressor 3 and an outlet 42 configured to be connected to the inlet 51 of the gas / liquid separator 5.

[0041] Preferably, the condenser 4 is chosen from a cooler or a heat exchanger. More preferably, the condenser 4 is a plate or tubular exchanger.

[0042] Preferably, during step c., the vapors compressed during step b. are condensed at a temperature between 4 and 15°C, more preferably at a temperature between 4 and 12°C. A temperature below 12°C thus makes it possible to condense the water vapors, alcohol vapors and flavors and to cool the CO2.

[0043] At the end of step c., CO2 is then obtained in gaseous form and a mixture in liquid form comprising water, alcohols and aromas. Said liquid mixture and the CO2 obtained during step c. can then be separated during step d.

[0044] Step d. thus implements a separation of the liquid mixture and the CO2 by means of a gas / liquid separator 5. Said gas / liquid separator 5 comprises at least one outlet, preferably said outlet is constituted by a gas outlet 521 and a liquid outlet 522. Said outlet 521 is preferably configured to be connected to the inlet 61 of the gas injector 6 in order to reinject the CO2 extracted from the vapors.

[0045] Preferably, the gas / liquid separator 5 is chosen from a cylindrical, cyclonic and mist eliminator gas / liquid separator. More preferably, the gas / liquid separator 5 is a mist eliminator.

[0046] At the end of step d., a condensate is then obtained, i.e. a mixture comprising water, alcohol and aromas separated from the gas, i.e. CO2. Said mixture of water, alcohol and aroma can then be eliminated or possibly stored by means of a condensate storage tank, preferably the latter is eliminated or stored by means of the liquid outlet 522,

[0047] The CO2 can be stored in a CO2 storage tank or reinjected into the fermentation tank 2 by means of a gas injector 6 comprising a flow control means. Preferably, said gas injector 6 is configured to be mounted between the outlet 521 of the gas / liquid separator and the inlet 22 of the fermentation tank 2 or after the outlet 521 inside the tank 2.

[0048] Preferably, the injector 6 is configured so that the CO2 is reinjected at the lower end at the inlet of the fermentation tank 2.

[0049] Preferably, the injector 6 is chosen from a plate fine bubble diffuser, a tube fine bubble diffuser and a disc, mushroom or frit fine bubble diffuser. More preferably, the injector 6 is a plate fine bubble diffuser or a tube fine bubble diffuser or a mushroom fine bubble diffuser.

[0050] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the CO2 is reinjected during step e. at a reinjection rate of between 2 and 40 times the production of CO2 naturally produced during fermentation.

[0051] Thus, the quantity of CO2 recycled or reintroduced by means of a gas injector 6 corresponds to at least 2 times the quantity of CO2 naturally emitted during fermentation in the fermentation tank 2, preferably between 2 and 40 times, more preferably the reinjection rate is between 10 and 30, even more preferably the reinjection rate is between 15 and 25.

[0052] In a particularly preferred manner, the reinjection rate is equal to 20. For example, a reinjection rate equal to 20 makes it possible to obtain a reduction of 2° of alcohol.

[0053] The reinjection rate, i.e. the flow rate of CO2 reinjected into the tank by means of a gas injector 6, said injector 6 is configured either manually or automatically.

[0054] Advantageously, step e. is carried out continuously or discontinuously. Continuously, the CO2 is reinjected by means of an injector 6 and any excess CO2 is eliminated. When step e. is carried out discontinuously, the CO2 is stored by means of a CO2 storage tank.

[0055] Said CO2 storage tank is configured so that the CO2 is maintained at a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure. Preferably, said CO2 storage tank is configured so that the CO2 is maintained at a pressure equal to the pressure at the outlet of the compressor 3.

[0056] According to a variant, step e. is carried out during alcoholic fermentation or after alcoholic fermentation during maceration or during malolactic fermentation. Preferably, step e. is carried out during alcoholic fermentation.

[0057] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the potable alcohol is wine.

[0058] Thus, according to another aspect, the invention also relates to a device for dealcoholizing potable alcohol 1 comprising: - an alcoholic fermentation tank 2 comprising an outlet 21 forming an upper end of said tank and an inlet 22 forming a lower end of said tank, said outlet 21 comprising a valve 211, and - a compressor 3 adapted to be mounted on the outlet 21, said compressor comprising an outlet 32, and - a condenser 4 adapted to be mounted on said outlet 32 ​​of the compressor 3, said condenser 4 comprising an outlet 42, and - a gas / liquid separator 5 adapted to be mounted on the outlet of the condenser 42, said separator 5 comprising a gas outlet 521 and a liquid outlet 522, and - a gas injector 6 configured to be mounted between the outlet 521 of the gas / liquid separator and the inlet 22 of the tank.

[0059] Preferably, the invention relates to a device for dealcoholizing potable alcohol 1 for implementing the method according to the invention comprising: - an alcoholic fermentation tank 2 comprising an outlet 21 forming an upper end of said tank and an inlet 22 forming a lower end of said tank, said outlet 21 comprising a valve 211, and - a compressor 3 adapted to be mounted on the outlet 21, said compressor comprising an outlet 32, and - a condenser 4 adapted to be mounted on said outlet 32 ​​of the compressor 3, said condenser 4 comprising an outlet 42, and - a gas / liquid separator 5 adapted to be mounted on the outlet of the condenser 42, said separator 5 comprising a gas outlet 521 and a liquid outlet 522, and - a gas injector 6 configured to be mounted between the outlet 521 of the gas / liquid separator and the inlet 22 of the tank.

[0060] Use

[0061] According to a final aspect, the invention relates to the use of CO2 from the alcoholic fermentation of potable alcohols to reduce the alcohol content of said potable alcohols.

[0062] Preferably, the alcohol content is reduced by 1 to 2°.

Claims

Claims

1. A method for dealcoholizing potable alcohol in an alcoholic fermentation tank (2) comprising the following steps: a. Recovering vapors comprising CO2, water, alcohol and flavorings, emitted during alcoholic fermentation by means of the outlet of said tank, b. Compressing the vapors recovered during step a. by means of a compressor, c. Condensing the vapors compressed during step b. by means of a condenser, d. Separating the gas and liquid contained in the mixture obtained during step c. by means of a gas / liquid separator and removing the condensate by means of the liquid outlet, and e. Recovering and reinjecting at least part of the CO2 extracted during step d. by means of a gas injector comprising a flow control means.

2. Method according to the preceding claim, in which the potable alcohol is wine.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the CO2 is reinjected during step e. at a reinjection rate of between 2 and 40 times the production of CO2 naturally produced during fermentation.

4. Method according to the preceding claim, in which the reinjection rate is between 10 and 30.

5. Method according to the preceding claim, in which the reinjection rate is between 15 and 25.

6. Method according to the preceding claim, in which the reinjection rate is equal to 20.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which a part of the CO2 emitted during the alcoholic fermentation is recovered by means of the outlet (21) and a 2nd part is eliminated by means of a valve (211), said valve (211) is configured so that the pressure of the tank (2) is equal to atmospheric pressure.

8. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the portion of the CO2 is removed into the atmosphere, or stored in a tank of storage.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the compressor is chosen from a dry compressor, a liquid ring compressor and a hydro-ejector.

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the CO2 is compressed between 1.1 and 4 bar.

11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the CO2 is compressed between 1.3 and 2.5 bar.

12. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the condenser is selected from a cooler or a heat exchanger.

13. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the compressed CO2 is condensed in step c. at a temperature between 4 and 15°C.

14. Method according to the preceding claim, in which the temperature is between 4 and 12°C.

15. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the gas / liquid separator is chosen from cylindrical, cyclonic or mist separator.

16. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the liquid obtained at the end of step d. is a mixture of water, alcohol and flavoring.

17. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the injector is chosen from a plate fine bubble diffuser, a tube fine bubble diffuser and a disc, mushroom or frit fine bubble diffuser.

18. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which step e. is carried out continuously or discontinuously.

19. Process according to one of the preceding claims, in which step e. is carried out during alcoholic fermentation or after alcoholic fermentation during maceration or during malolactic fermentation.

20. Device for dealcoholizing potable alcohol (1) for implementing the method according to one of claims 1 to 19 comprising: - an alcoholic fermentation tank (2) comprising an outlet (21) forming an upper end of said tank and an inlet (22) forming a lower end of said tank, said outlet (21) comprising a valve (211), and a compressor (3) adapted to be mounted on the outlet (21), said compressor comprising an outlet, and a condenser (4) adapted to be mounted on said compressor outlet (3), said condenser comprising an outlet, and a gas / liquid separator (5) adapted to be mounted on the condenser outlet, said separator (5) comprising a gas outlet (521) and a liquid outlet (522), and a gas injector (6) configured to be mounted between the outlet (521) of the gas / liquid separator and the inlet (22) of the tank.

Images