Distillate production plant and method for producing distillate

Abstract

To make it possible to produce a distillate efficiently.SOLUTION: A distillate production plant 1 includes a distillation kettle 20 configured to heat the fermentation liquid and release steam, a downstream process section 25 into which the steam discharged from the distillation kettle 20 flows and which condenses and cools the incoming steam, a reflux section 30 provided between the distillation kettle 20 and the downstream process section 25, and a path switching section 22 that switches between a first path in which the steam discharged from the distillation kettle 20 flows into the downstream process section 25 via the reflux section 30 and a second path in which the steam discharged from the distillation kettle 20 flows into the downstream process section 25 without passing through the reflux section 30. The reflux section 30 includes a reflux tray 34 configured to heighten the alcohol concentration in the steam flowing in from below and discharge it from above. With the distillate production plant 1, distillates can be efficiently produced.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a distillation plant and a method for producing a distillation product, and more particularly to a distillation plant and a method for producing a distillation product containing an alcohol such as ethanol using a still. [Background technology]

[0002] Distillates containing alcohol such as ethanol include distilled spirits, fuel alcohol, industrial alcohol, etc. In the production process of such distillates, the raw material fermentation liquid is heated using a still, and the vapor is cooled and condensed, repeatedly to purify the distillate.

[0003] In addition, Patent Document 1 below discloses a structure in a shochu biomass fuel plant having a multi-layer distillation section, in which the distillate discharged from the cooler is passed through an oil-water separator that separates the ethanol from the water, and the resulting ethanol is sent to the multi-layer distillation section and re-distilled, and a distillation reflux line is provided. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-62802 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The production process of alcohol-containing distillates consumes a large amount of energy to extract and purify the alcohol. Improving the energy efficiency of this process and enabling efficient production of distillates is important for reducing environmental impact and production costs.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a distillate production plant and a distillate production method that can efficiently produce alcohol-containing distillates for beverages, industrial use, or fuel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The distillation production plant of the first invention comprises a still configured to heat a fermented liquid and discharge steam, a downstream process section into which the steam discharged from the still flows and which condenses and cools the inflowing steam, a reflux section provided between the still and the downstream process section, and a route switching section which switches between a first route which causes the steam discharged from the still to flow into the downstream process section via the reflux section and a second route which causes the steam discharged from the still to flow into the downstream process section without passing through the reflux section, and the reflux section has a reflux shelf configured to increase the alcohol concentration of the steam flowing in from below and discharge it from above.

[0008] With this configuration, the necessary amount of vapor can be passed through the reflux section, allowing efficient production of distillate.

[0009] Furthermore, the distillation production plant of the second invention is a distillation production plant that differs from the first invention in that it is provided with a reflux path for refluxing the liquid accumulated on the reflux tray to the still.

[0010] With this configuration, the liquid produced on the reflux tray can be refluxed to the still, allowing for more efficient production of distillate.

[0011] Furthermore, the distillation production plant of the third invention is a distillation production plant in which, compared to the first or second invention, the reflux section has two or more reflux shelves arranged in series along the direction in which the steam passes.

[0012] This configuration makes it possible to increase the alcohol concentration of the vapor flowing into the downstream process section.

[0013] In addition, the distillate production plant of the fourth invention is a distillate production plant in which, compared to any of the first to third inventions, the reflux section is equipped with a botanical pot into which steam that has passed through the route switching section flows, and is configured to flow steam containing steam discharged from the botanical pot into the downstream process section.

[0014] This configuration allows for efficient production of distillates using a botanical pot.

[0015] In addition, the distillation production plant of the fifth invention is a distillation production plant in which, compared to the fourth invention, the botanical pot is arranged in parallel with the reflux shelf in the path through which steam passes in the reflux section.

[0016] With this configuration, the vapor passing through the botanical pot and the vapor passing through the reflux tray can be separated, allowing the distillate to be produced efficiently. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the distillate production plant and distillate production method of the present invention, distillates can be produced efficiently. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a distillate production plant (distilled spirits production plant) according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of a distillate production plant and a distillate production method using the same will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a distillate refers to a product obtained by using a liquid containing alcohol, such as ethanol produced by a fermentation process, as a raw material, and by concentrating or purifying the alcohol component through a distillation process using evaporation by heating and condensation by cooling. This product may include, but is not limited to, distilled spirits, fuel alcohol, and industrial alcohol. Distilled spirits may be referred to as drinking alcohol with a relatively high alcohol content, and may include, for example, gin, whiskey, vodka, rum, etc. Fuel alcohol may also be referred to as so-called bioethanol. Industrial alcohol may include products containing alcohol, such as ethanol, that are used as raw materials or solvents in chemical synthesis.

[0020] (Embodiment)

[0021] The outline of this embodiment is as follows. In this embodiment, the distillate is assumed to be a distilled spirit. The distilled spirit production plant includes a still, a downstream process section that condenses and cools vapor flowing in from the still, and a reflux section provided between the still and the downstream process section. The distilled spirit production plant also includes a path switching section that switches whether vapor discharged from the still flows into the downstream process section via the reflux section or flows into the downstream process section without passing through the reflux section. The reflux section has, for example, multiple reflux shelves and is configured to discharge vapor having a predetermined alcohol concentration. Liquid accumulated on the reflux shelves is refluxed back to the still. A botanical pot may be provided in the reflux section in parallel with the reflux shelves. A distilled spirit production plant configured as described above will be described below.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a distilled spirits production plant (an example of a distillate production plant) 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] As shown in the figure, distilled spirits production plant 1 comprises a still 20, a first path switching section 22, a downstream process section 25, and a reflux section 30. In addition, although distilled spirits production plant 1 has a heat source section 5, it may be interpreted that heat source section 5 is not included in distilled spirits production plant 1.

[0024] In the figure, the valve 12, temperature sensor 13, pressure sensor 14, flow meter 15, and pump 18 are each indicated by a reference symbol. These components may be any components commonly used in the field of distilled spirits production.

[0025] In the distilled spirits production plant 1, a reflux section 30 is provided between the still 20 and the downstream process section 25. The path switching section 30 is provided on a path that connects the still 20 to the downstream process section 25 and the reflux section 30. The reflux section 30 is also connected to the downstream process section 25.

[0026] In this embodiment, still 20 is, for example, a pot-shaped still, but is not limited to this. Fermented liquid such as mash, which is the raw material for distilled alcohol, is charged into still 20. Still 20 is configured to heat the fermented liquid using the heat source from heat source unit 5 and emit vapor containing alcohol.

[0027] In this embodiment, still 20 is configured to discharge vapor from above downstream via a flow guide pipe 21 attached to the top.

[0028] The heat source unit 5 may be, for example, a boiler that can supply steam generated by burning fuel, but is not limited to this.

[0029] The flow pipe 21 of the still 20 is connected to a first path switching unit 22. The first path switching unit 22 is, for example, a valve capable of switching between two paths from the inflow side to the outflow side.

[0030] In this embodiment, the first path switching unit 22 can switch between a first path 22b connecting the flow conduit 21 and the reflux section 30 and a second path 22c directly connecting the flow conduit 21 and the downstream process section 25. The reflux section 30 is connected to the downstream process section 25 so that vapor that has passed through the reflux section 30 can flow into the downstream process section 25, along with vapor that can flow into the downstream process section 25 via the second path 22c. The reflux section 30 can be said to be located between the still 20 and the downstream process section 25. The reflux section 30 can be said to constitute the first path 22b. The first path switching unit 22 can also be said to be located between the still 20 and the reflux section 30.

[0031] With this configuration, it can be said that first path switching unit 22 is capable of switching between first path 22b, which allows steam discharged from still 20 to flow into downstream process unit 25 via reflux unit 30, and second path 22c, which allows steam discharged from still 20 to flow into downstream process unit 25 without passing through reflux unit 30. Note that first path switching unit 22 may be configured to be able to adjust the ratio between the amount of steam passing through first path 22b and the amount of steam passing through second path 22c.

[0032] The reflux section 30 has a second path switching section 32, a distiller 33, and a botanical pot 36.

[0033] The second path switching unit 32 is disposed in the first path 22b. The second path switching unit 32 is, for example, a valve capable of switching between two paths from the inflow side to the outflow side. The inflow side of the second path switching unit 32 is connected to the first path switching unit 22, and the outflow side is connected to the distiller 33 and the botanical pot 36. The second path switching unit 32 can switch whether the steam that has passed through the first path switching unit 22 flows into the distiller 33 or the botanical pot 36. The second path switching unit 32 may be configured to be able to adjust the ratio between the amount of steam flowing into the distiller 33 and the amount of steam flowing into the botanical pot 36.

[0034] The distiller 33 is configured to increase the alcohol concentration of vapor flowing in from the bottom and then discharge it from the top. The distiller 33 is configured to be able to increase the alcohol concentration of the vapor, for example, by using multiple reflux shelves 34. The reflux shelves 34 may also be called distillation shelves. The liquid condensed on each reflux shelf 34 is configured to reflux to the lower shelf. In this embodiment, the distiller 33 is a multi-stage distiller having two or more reflux shelves 34 arranged in series along the direction in which the vapor passes, i.e., the vertical direction, but the number of reflux shelves 34 is not limited to this.

[0035] The botanical pot 36 is a pot that contains botanicals such as herbs, spices, and fruit peels, and is configured to transfer the flavor components of the botanicals to the steam that flows in and then discharge the steam. It can be said that the steam that has passed through the first path switching unit 22 flows into the botanical pot 36.

[0036] In this embodiment, the botanical pot 36 is provided in parallel with the reflux shelf 34 in the first path 22b through which the steam passes in the reflux section 30. This makes it easy to adjust the flavor components to be imparted to the distilled spirit to be produced. However, this is not limiting, and the steam may be configured so that it passes through the botanical pot 36 and then passes through the reflux section 30, or the steam that has passed through the reflux section 30 and then passes through the botanical pot 36.

[0037] The steam that has passed through the distiller 33 and the steam that has passed through the botanical pot 36 can flow into the downstream process section 25.

[0038] In this embodiment, reflux section 30 is equipped with reflux path 30a that refluxes the liquid accumulated on reflux shelf 34 back to still 20. In reflux shelf 34, the liquid accumulates on the lowest reflux shelf 34 (which may be said to be the bottom of still 33). The liquid produced in reflux section 30 is refluxed to still 20 through reflux path 30a and is distilled again.

[0039] As will be described later, a portion of the distillate condensed in the downstream process section 25 is returned to the reflux section 30. This distillate also returns to the reflux line 30a via the reflux shelf 34 and is distilled again.

[0040] The reflux path 30a may be a path configured to reflux the liquid accumulated in the botanical pot 36 back to the still 20. The liquid produced in the botanical pot 36 is refluxed to the still 20 through the reflux path 30a and is distilled again.

[0041] The downstream process section 25 includes, for example, a condenser 26, a distillate distillation section 27, a cooler 28, and a distillate storage tank 29. The downstream process section 25 condenses the inflowing vapor, cools it, and stores it.

[0042] The condenser 26 is configured to receive the vapor that has passed through the first path 22b or the second path 22c. The condenser 26 is a device that converts the vapor back into a liquid (condenses it) during the distillation process. The condenser 26 has mainly tubular or plate-shaped cooling surfaces, and a cooling medium (such as water or air) passes through these cooling surfaces to cool the vapor. The vapor is introduced into the condenser 26, where it is cooled and converted back into a liquid. This liquid is sent to the distillate diversion section 27.

[0043] The distillate separation section 27 has a pipe connected to the condenser 26. The distillate separation section 27 separates the distillate containing the distilled alcohol from the other components and directs the distillate to different flow paths depending on the target components. In this embodiment, the distillate containing a large amount of alcohol is sent to a condenser 28, and the separated distillate is refluxed to the reflux section 30. The refluxed distillate is returned to the still 20 from a reflux path 30a via, for example, a distiller 33.

[0044] The cooler 28 is configured to cool the alcohol-containing distillate by a heat exchanger using cooling water. The structure of the heat exchanger is not important. The cooled distillate is sent to a distillate storage tank 29 by a pump 18.

[0045] It should be noted that, for example, a water-sealed vacuum pump can be used as the pump 18. The pump 18 is configured to be able to draw the condensed distillate from the cooler 28 through an intake pipe to a distillate storage tank 29. A flow meter 15, such as a Coriolis mass flow meter, is disposed in this flow path, making it possible to grasp the amount of distillate introduced into the distillate storage tank 29.

[0046] The distillate storage tank 29 is configured to store the distillate cooled by the cooler 28 under appropriate conditions. The stored distillate can be taken out as distilled spirits at an appropriate time.

[0047] As described above, in the distilled spirits production plant 1, the reflux tray 34 can be used to easily cause steam having a required alcohol concentration to flow into the condenser 26, thereby enabling efficient production of distilled spirits. When producing distilled spirits with a relatively high alcohol concentration, the number of times distillation and purification are repeated can be reduced, thereby reducing the energy consumption required to produce distilled spirits.

[0048] In this embodiment, a reflux path 30a is provided for refluxing the liquid from the reflux shelf 34 to the still 20, so that a distilled liquor with a high alcohol concentration can be produced more efficiently. Also, in this embodiment, the liquid separated by the distillate fractionating section 27 from the condenser 26 can be refluxed to the still 20, so that a distilled liquor with a high alcohol concentration can be produced more efficiently.

[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a reflux path 30a is provided for refluxing the liquid from the botanical pot 36 to the still 20, so that flavored distilled spirits can be produced more efficiently.

[0050] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the concentration of alcohol contained in the vapor to be condensed may be easily adjusted by adjusting the ratio between the amount of vapor passing through the first path 22b and the amount of vapor passing through the second path 22c using the first path switching unit 22. In this case, the ratio between the flow rate of the vapor passing through the first path 22b and the flow rate of the vapor passing through the second path 22c may be adjusted, or the ratio between the time during which the vapor flows into the downstream process unit 25 via the first path 22b and the time during which the vapor flows into the downstream process unit 25 via the second path 22c may be adjusted.

[0051] The method for producing distilled spirits using the first path switching unit 22 in this manner can be expressed as follows: That is, the method for producing distilled spirits is carried out using a distilled spirits production plant 1 including a still 20, a downstream process unit 25 into which steam discharged from the still 20 flows and which condenses and cools the inflowing steam, and a reflux unit 30 provided between the still 20 and the downstream process unit 25 and having a reflux shelf 34 configured to increase the alcohol concentration of the inflowing steam and discharge it from an upper portion, the method including a heating step of heating a fermented liquid in the still 20 to discharge steam, and a switching step of using the first path switching unit 22 to switch between a first path 22b, which causes the steam discharged from the still 20 to flow into the downstream process unit 25 via the reflux unit 30, and a second path 22c, which causes the steam discharged from the still 20 to flow into the downstream process unit 25 without passing through the reflux unit 30.

[0052] In this embodiment, the degree to which botanical flavor is imparted to the condensed steam may be easily adjusted by adjusting the ratio between the amount of steam passing through the distiller 33 and the amount of steam passing through the botanical pot 36 using the second path switching unit 32. In this case, the ratio between the flow rate of steam passing through the distiller 33 and the flow rate of steam passing through the botanical pot 36 may be adjusted, or the ratio between the time during which steam flows into the downstream process unit 25 via the distiller 33 and the time during which steam flows into the downstream process unit 25 via the botanical pot 36 may be adjusted.

[0053] (others)

[0054] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible, and these modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. For example, a distillate production plant having a configuration similar to that of the distillate production plant according to the above-described embodiments may be used not only for the production of distilled spirits, but also for the production of fuel alcohol or industrial alcohol. In this case, the distillate production plant may be operated with the path via the botanical pot blocked. Furthermore, when producing fuel or industrial alcohol, a botanical pot may not be provided.

[0055] For example, the present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments, and some of the components and functions of the above-described embodiments may be omitted. Also, modifications may be made, such as adding other components, in order to use known methods for producing distillates. [Industrial Applicability]

[0056] As described above, the distillation production plant according to the present invention has the effect of being able to efficiently produce distilled products such as distilled spirits, and is useful as a distillation production plant, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1. Distilled spirits production plant (an example of a distillate production plant) 12 valves 13 Temperature Sensor 14 Pressure Sensor 15 Flow meter 18 Pump 20 Distillation pot 21 Direction tube 22 First route switching unit 22b First Route 22c Secondary Pathway 25 Downstream Processing Section 26 Condenser 27 Distillate separation section 28 Cooler 29 Distillate storage tank 30 Reflux section 30a Reflux route 32 Second route switching section 33 Distiller 34 Reflux shelf 36 Botanical Pot

Claims

1. a still configured to heat the fermented liquid and expel steam; a downstream process section into which the vapor discharged from the still flows and which condenses and cools the vapor; a reflux section provided between the still and the downstream process section; a path switching unit that switches between a first path through which the steam discharged from the still flows into the downstream process unit via the reflux unit and a second path through which the steam discharged from the still flows into the downstream process unit without passing through the reflux unit, The distillate production plant, wherein the reflux section has a reflux shelf configured to increase the alcohol concentration of vapor flowing in from below and discharge it from the top.

2. The distillation plant according to claim 1 , wherein the reflux section includes a reflux path for refluxing the liquid accumulated on the reflux shelf to the still.

3. 2. The distillate production plant according to claim 1, wherein the reflux section has two or more reflux shelves arranged in series along the direction in which the vapor passes.

4. the reflux unit includes a botanical pot into which the steam that has passed through the path switching unit flows, 2. The distillate production plant of claim 1, configured to allow vapors including vapors discharged from the botanical pot to enter the downstream process section.

5. The distillate production plant according to claim 4, wherein the botanical pot is provided in parallel with the reflux shelf in a path through which the vapor passes in the reflux section.

6. A distillation pot and a downstream process section into which the vapor discharged from the still flows and which condenses and cools the vapor; A method for producing a distillate using a distillate production plant including a reflux section provided between the still and the downstream process section, the reflux section having a reflux tray configured to increase the alcohol concentration of the incoming vapor and discharge the vapor from an upper portion, A heating step of heating the fermented liquid in the still and discharging steam; A method for producing a distillate, comprising a switching step of switching between a first path that causes steam discharged from the still to flow into the downstream process section via the reflux section and a second path that causes steam discharged from the still to flow into the downstream process section without passing through the reflux section.

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