Method for producing beer-taste beverage and filtration system

Abstract

To provide a production method of a beer taste beverage, capable of improving turbidity stability of the beer taste beverage, and to provide a filtration system.SOLUTION: A production method of a beer taste beverage as a method for producing a beer taste beverage B by filtering the beer taste beverage B includes steps of: making a mixed liquid of the beer taste beverage B and a stabilization agent R flow into the inside of a tank 20; bringing the beer taste beverage B into contact with the stabilization agent R inside the tank 20; and introducing the beer taste beverage B and the stabilization agent R into a cross-flow filter device so as to filter the beer taste beverage B.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing a beer-taste beverage and a filtration system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various methods for manufacturing a beer-taste beverage and filtration systems for filtering a beer-taste beverage have been known. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-17177 describes a beer stabilization treatment method as a kind of method for manufacturing a beer-taste beverage. In the beer stabilization treatment method, in order to improve the turbidity stability of beer, silica gel is used to remove proteins contained in beer.

[0003] When silica gel comes into contact with beer, proteins contained in the beer are adsorbed onto the silica gel. Then, a mixture containing beer and silica gel is introduced into a filter, and the silica gel is removed from the beer. When the proteins contained in the beer are removed, the polyphenols contained in the beer no longer bind to the proteins, so the generation of turbidity-causing substances is suppressed and the turbidity stability of the beer is improved. The above publication describes separating silica gel by cross-flow membrane filtration after bringing the silica gel for beer stabilization treatment into contact with beer.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] As described above, when silica gel comes into contact with beer, the turbidity stability of the beer is improved. However, when the contact time between a stabilizing agent such as silica gel and a beer-taste beverage is short, the generation of turbidity-causing substances may not be sufficiently suppressed, and there is room for improvement in terms of the turbidity stability of the beer-taste beverage. That is, there is room for improvement in terms of the turbidity stability of the beer-taste beverage.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for producing a beer-taste beverage and a filtration system that can improve the turbidity stability of the beer-taste beverage.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The method for producing a beer-taste beverage according to the present disclosure is a method for producing a beer-taste beverage that filters a beer-taste beverage, and includes a step of flowing a mixed liquid of a beer-taste beverage and a stabilizing agent into the inside of a tank, a step of bringing the beer-taste beverage and the stabilizing agent into contact with each other inside the tank, and a step of introducing the beer-taste beverage and the stabilizing agent into a cross-flow filtration device to filter the beer-taste beverage.

[0008] In this method for producing a beer-taste beverage, a mixed liquid of a beer-taste beverage and a stabilizing agent flows into the inside of the tank, and the beer-taste beverage and the stabilizing agent are brought into contact with each other inside the tank. In this way, by using the tank to bring the stabilizing agent into contact with the beer-taste beverage inside the tank, it becomes possible to bring the stabilizing agent into contact with the beer-taste beverage over a sufficient period of time. Therefore, the contact time between the stabilizing agent and the beer-taste beverage can be sufficiently ensured, so that the turbidity stability of the beer-taste beverage can be enhanced. As a result, the turbidity stability of the beer-taste beverage can be enhanced.

[0009] In the step of flowing in the mixture of the beer - flavored beverage and the stabilizing agent, the mixture of the beer - flavored beverage and the stabilizing agent may flow in from the side surface of the tank. In this case, since the mixture of the beer - flavored beverage and the stabilizing agent flows into the inside of the tank from the side surface of the tank, it is possible to ensure a longer contact time between the beer - flavored beverage and the stabilizing agent inside the tank. Therefore, the turbidity stability of the beer - flavored beverage can be further enhanced.

[0010] In the step of flowing in the mixture of the beer - flavored beverage and the stabilizing agent, the mixture of the beer - flavored beverage and the stabilizing agent may flow in from the central part in the vertical direction of the side surface or a position higher than the central part. In this case, by flowing in the mixture of the beer - flavored beverage and the stabilizing agent from a height position above the central part in the vertical direction on the side surface of the tank, the residence time of the stabilizing agent inside the tank can be made longer. Therefore, it is possible to ensure a longer contact time between the stabilizing agent and the beer - flavored beverage and further enhance the turbidity stability of the beer - flavored beverage.

[0011] In the step of flowing in the mixture of the beer - flavored beverage and the stabilizing agent, when a tangent line is drawn with the inflow part of the mixture of the beer - flavored beverage and the stabilizing agent in the plan view of the tank as the tangent point, the mixture of the beer - flavored beverage and the stabilizing agent may flow in such that the angle θ formed between the flowing - in direction of the mixture of the beer - flavored beverage and the stabilizing agent and the tangent line is an acute angle. In this case, since the mixture of the beer - flavored beverage and the stabilizing agent flows along the circumferential direction of the tank on the inner surface of the tank, it is possible to suppress the stabilizing agent from moving downward in a short time. Therefore, since the residence time of the stabilizing agent inside the tank can be made longer, it is possible to ensure a longer contact time between the beer - flavored beverage and the stabilizing agent and further enhance the turbidity stability of the beer - flavored beverage.

[0012] In the step of flowing in the mixture of the beer - flavored beverage and the stabilizing agent, the mixture of the beer - flavored beverage and the stabilizing agent may flow into the tank at a flow - in speed of 0.30 m / s or more and 2.00 m / s or less. By flowing the mixture of the beer - flavored beverage and the stabilizing agent (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the said mixture) into the tank at 0.30 m / s or more, the inflow of the said mixture into the tank can be efficiently carried out. Further, by flowing the said mixture into the tank at 2.00 m / s or less, the said mixture can flow into the tank slowly, so that it is possible to make it difficult for the stabilizing agent to be discharged in a short time and to suppress the usage amount of the stabilizing agent.

[0013] The filtration system according to the present disclosure is a filtration system for filtering a beer - flavored beverage, comprising: a tank into which a mixture of a beer - flavored beverage and a stabilizing agent flows and in which the beer - flavored beverage and the stabilizing agent are brought into contact with each other inside; and a cross - flow filtration device into which the beer - flavored beverage and the stabilizing agent are introduced.

[0014] This filtration system includes a tank, and a mixture of a beer - flavored beverage and a stabilizing agent flows into the tank. Then, inside the tank, the introduced stabilizing agent and the beer - flavored beverage come into contact with each other. Therefore, by using the tank to bring the stabilizing agent into contact with the beer - flavored beverage inside the tank, it becomes possible to bring the stabilizing agent into contact with the beer - flavored beverage over a sufficient period of time. Thus, the contact time between the stabilizing agent and the beer - flavored beverage can be sufficiently ensured, so that the turbidity stability of the beer - flavored beverage can be enhanced.

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] According to the present disclosure, the turbidity stability of the beer - flavored beverage can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

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Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing a beer-taste beverage and a filtration system according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Regarding the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are omitted as appropriate. Also, the drawings may be drawn with some parts simplified or exaggerated for ease of understanding, and dimensional ratios and the like are not limited to those described in the drawings.

[0018] In the present disclosure, the "beer-taste beverage" includes a beverage having the taste of beer and a beverage that gives the drinker the feeling of having drunk beer. A beer-taste beverage with an alcohol content of 1% or more is also referred to as a beer-taste alcoholic beverage. Beer-taste beverages include beer using malt as a raw material, sparkling wine, non-alcoholic beer, liqueurs (for example, beverages classified as "liqueur (sparkling) (1)" under the Liquor Tax Law), and other malt-fermented beverages, and beer-taste beverages that do not use wheat or malt as a raw material (for example, beverages classified as "other fermented liquor (sparkling) (1)" under the Liquor Tax Law).

[0019] "Filtration" means passing a liquid through a filtration device to capture the particles (solids) contained in the liquid (physical filtration). "Filtration" may also mean filtering yeast from the stock solution of a beer-taste beverage to remove the yeast. The "stock solution" refers to the liquid before or during filtration. For example, by performing "filtration", yeast is removed from the beer-taste beverage, improving the transparency of the beer-taste beverage.

[0020] A "tank" is a container for storing a fluid containing a liquid, and indicates a columnar, cylindrical or box-shaped storage container. In an embodiment, a mixture of a beer-taste beverage and a stabilizing agent flows into the tank, and the contact time between the stabilizing agent and the beer-taste beverage is ensured inside the tank. The "stabilizing agent" is an auxiliary agent for filtration, and indicates, for example, a powder put into the stock solution.

[0021] The "stabilization treatment agent" is a treatment agent used to improve the turbidity stability. The "stabilization treatment material" is, for example, silicon dioxide (silica or silicic anhydride) or silica gel, but is not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, when the stabilization treatment agent comes into contact with the beer-taste beverage, the protein contained in the yeast of the beer-taste beverage adsorbs to the stabilization treatment agent, and the mixture of the beer-taste beverage and the stabilization treatment agent is introduced into a filtration device and removed from the beer-taste beverage. When the protein contained in the beer-taste beverage is removed, the polyphenols contained in the beer-taste beverage no longer bind to the protein, so the generation of turbidity-causing substances is suppressed and the mixing stability of the beer-taste beverage is improved.

[0022] FIG. 1 schematically shows a filtration system 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the filtration system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a crossflow filtration device 10 and a tank 20 into which a mixed liquid of a beer-taste beverage and a stabilization treatment agent flows and which secures the contact time between the stabilization treatment agent and the beer-taste beverage. For example, the filtration system 1 is used in the brewing process of a beer-taste beverage.

[0023] The tank 20 is a tank for securing the contact time for the beer-taste beverage B and the stabilization treatment agent R to contact each other. By having the beer-taste beverage B and the stabilization treatment agent R contact each other in the tank 20 for a certain period of time or more, the turbidity stability of the beer-taste beverage B can be improved. "Turbidity stability" indicates, for example, turbidity durability. "Turbidity stability" indicates, as an example, the durability against turbidity of the beer-taste beverage B.

[0024] In the filtration system 1, for example, the beer-taste beverage B and the stabilization treatment agent R contact each other inside the tank 20 for a certain period of time or more, and the beer-taste beverage B and the stabilization treatment agent R that have contacted each other for a certain period of time or more are introduced into the crossflow filtration device 10. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the filtration state of the crossflow filtration device 10.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cross-flow filtration device 10 includes a circulation channel 11 through which the beer-taste beverage B circulates, and a filtration unit 12 provided with a sheet-like filter medium 13. The stock solution of the beer-taste beverage B circulating in the circulation channel 11 flows into the filtration unit 12 in parallel with the filter medium 13.

[0026] Part of the beer-taste beverage B flowing into the filter medium 13 in parallel is filtered in the direction C intersecting the filter medium 13 with the particles B2 to be removed removed (cross-flow). The remaining portion of the beer-taste beverage B flowing into the filter medium 13 in parallel circulates in the circulation channel 11 and flows into the filtration unit 12 again.

[0027] The particles B2 are, for example, the yeast of the beer-taste beverage. Thus, in the cross-flow filtration device 10, since the beer-taste beverage B flows in parallel with the filter medium 13, it is possible to suppress the phenomenon that suspended substances and the like accumulate on the membrane surface of the filter medium 13 by forming a flow parallel to the membrane surface of the filter medium 13.

[0028] The tank 20 is provided, for example, on the upstream side of the cross-flow filtration device 10 in the path through which the beer-taste beverage B flows. FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing the tank 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the tank 20 includes an inflow portion 21 through which a mixed solution of the beer-taste beverage B and the stabilizing agent R flows into the inside of the tank 20, a container-shaped main body portion 22 in which the stabilizing agent R and the beer-taste beverage B are in contact for a certain period of time or more, and a discharge portion 23 through which the stabilizing agent R and the beer-taste beverage B are discharged from the tank 20.

[0029] For example, the stabilizing agent R is an auxiliary agent that suppresses the generation of turbidity-causing substances in the beer-taste beverage B and improves the mixing stability of the beer-taste beverage B. The stabilizing agent R suppresses, for example, the binding of polyphenols and proteins contained in the beer-taste beverage B. In this case, the protein contained in the yeast of the beer-taste beverage B is adsorbed on the stabilizing agent R. The stabilizing agent R is composed of SiO2 as an example. The stabilizing agent R is also referred to as a turbidity durability improver.

[0030] The inflow rate of the mixed liquid of the beer - flavored beverage B and the stabilizing agent R from the inflow section 21 into the interior of the tank 20 is, for example, 0.30 m / s or more and 2.00 m / s or less. Also, the inflow rate of the mixed liquid of the beer - flavored beverage B and the stabilizing agent R into the interior of the tank 20 may be 0.71 m / s or more and 1.39 m / s or less, or 0.37 m / s or more and 1.67 m / s or less. The lower limit of the inflow rate of the said mixed liquid into the interior of the tank 20 may be 0.75 m / s, 0.80 m / s, 0.85 m / s, 0.90 m / s, 0.95 m / s, or 1.00 m / s. The upper limit of the inflow rate of the said mixed liquid into the interior of the tank 20 may be 1.35 m / s, 1.30 m / s, 1.25 m / s, 1.20 m / s, 1.15 m / s, or 1.10 m / s. Furthermore, the inflow rate of the said mixed liquid into the interior of the tank 20 may be other than the above - mentioned values and can be changed as appropriate.

[0031] Also, the inflow rate of the mixed liquid of the beer - flavored beverage B and the stabilizing agent R from the inflow section 21 into the interior of the tank 20 is, for example, 10.0 kL / h or more and 45.0 kL / h or less. The lower limit of the inflow rate of the said mixed liquid into the interior of the tank 20 may be 15.0 kL / h or more, 20.0 kL / h, or 25.0 kL / h. The upper limit of the inflow rate of the said mixed liquid into the interior of the tank 20 may be 40.0 kL / h, 35.0 kL / h, or 30.0 kL / h. Furthermore, the inflow rate of the said mixed liquid into the interior of the tank 20 may be other than the above - mentioned values and can be changed as appropriate.

[0032] The inflow section 21 is, as an example, in the shape of a cylinder extending in the horizontal direction. The internal space of the inflow section 21 communicates with the internal space of the main body section 22. The main body section 22 may be pre - filled with the beer - flavored beverage B. The main body section 22, for example, has a cylindrical shape with a circular bottom surface 22b. However, the bottom surface of the main body section 22 may be elliptical, oval, or polygonal, etc., and the shape of the main body section 22 is not particularly limited.

[0033] The discharge part 23 has, for example, a cylindrical shape extending downward from the bottom surface 22b of the main body part 22. The beer-taste beverage B and the stabilizing agent R that have been in contact with the main body part 22 for a certain period of time or more are discharged from the tank 20, for example, by passing downward through the discharge part 23. As described above, the example of the shape of the tank 20 has been explained, but the shape of the tank 20 is not limited to the above example and can be changed as appropriate.

[0034] The tank 20 (main body part 22) has, for example, a side surface 22c, and the inflow part 21 is connected to the side surface 22c. As an example, the inflow part 21 is provided at the central part M in the vertical direction D1 of the side surface 22c, or at a position higher than the central part M. In the example of FIG. 3, the inflow part 21 is provided at a position higher than the central part M.

[0035] The inflow part 21 is provided, for example, at a position in contact with the liquid surface B1 of the beer-taste beverage B accommodated in the main body part 22. In this way, by providing the inflow part 21 through which the mixed liquid of the beer-taste beverage B and the stabilizing agent R flows into the upper side of the side surface 22c, it is possible to suppress the stabilizing agent R from being immediately discharged from the discharge part 23, and it becomes possible to retain the stabilizing agent R inside the tank 20 for a long time.

[0036] As an example, the inflow part 21 may be provided on the top surface 22d of the tank 20 (main body part 22). However, from the viewpoint of suppressing splashing of the beer-taste beverage B, it is preferable that the inflow part 21 is provided on the side surface 22c. From the inflow part 21, for example, the mixed liquid of the beer-taste beverage B and the stabilizing agent R flows along the liquid surface B1. In this case, it is possible to prevent the stabilizing agent R from being discharged from the discharge part 23 in a short time, and it is possible to retain the stabilizing agent R inside the tank 20 for a long time.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of the tank 20. As shown in FIG. 4, when a virtual tangent line L is drawn with the contact point P as the inflow part 21 of the mixed liquid of the beer-taste beverage B and the stabilizing agent R in the plan view of the tank 20, the mixed liquid flows into the inside of the tank 20 such that the angle θ formed by the inflow direction D2 of the mixed liquid and the tangent line L is an acute angle.

[0038] The angle θ is, for example, greater than 0° and less than 90°. On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the angle θ may be 90°. Also, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the angle θ may be 5° or more, 10° or more, 20° or more, 30° or more, or 45° or more. Further, the angle θ may be 80° or less, 70° or less, 60° or less, or 45° or less. In order to keep the stabilizing agent R staying inside the tank 20 for a long time, it is preferable that the angle θ is small, for example, preferably 45° or less. However, the value of the angle θ is not limited to the above examples and can be changed as appropriate.

[0039] FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing a tank 30 according to a modified example. The above-described tank 20 had an inflow portion 21 extending in a horizontal cylindrical shape, but the tank 30 includes an inflow portion 31 extending obliquely upward toward the side surface 22c of the main body portion 22. The angle X of the inflow portion 31 with respect to the horizontal direction is, for example, greater than 0° and less than 90°. Note that the angle X may be 5° or more, 10° or more, 20° or more, 30° or more, or 45° or more. Further, the angle X may be 80° or less, 70° or less, 60° or less, or 45° or less.

[0040] As described above, when the tank 30 includes the inflow portion 31 extending obliquely upward (opposite to the discharge portion 23) toward the side surface 22c of the tank 30, the stabilizing agent R flowing into the tank 30 is less likely to be discharged from the discharge portion 23 in a short time. As a result, the contact time between the stabilizing agent R and the beer-taste beverage B can be ensured to be long.

[0041] Also, in the case of the tank 30 as well, as illustrated in FIG. 4, when a tangent line L is drawn with the inflow portion 31 of the mixed liquid of the beer-taste beverage B and the stabilizing agent R in the plan view of the tank 30 as the contact point P, the mixed liquid may flow into the tank 30 such that the angle θ formed by the inflow direction D2 of the mixed liquid and the tangent line L is an acute angle. The value of the angle θ can be the same as in the case of the above-described tank 20.

[0042] Next, an example of the manufacturing method of the beer - flavored beverage B according to this embodiment will be described. As schematically shown in FIG. 1, in the manufacturing method of the beer - flavored beverage B, the beer - flavored beverage B is filtered by the cross - flow filtration device 10 to produce the beer - flavored beverage B. For example, a mixed liquid of the beer - flavored beverage B and the stabilizing agent R flows into a tank 20 provided upstream of the cross - flow filtration device 10 in the flow path of the beer - flavored beverage B through an inflow portion 21 (step of flowing in the mixed liquid of the beer - flavored beverage and the stabilizing agent).

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, for example, the mixed liquid of the beer - flavored beverage B and the stabilizing agent R flows into the inside of the tank 20 from a portion above the central portion M of the side surface 22c of the tank 20 at an acute - angled θ. And inside the tank 20, the stabilizing agent R is brought into contact with the beer - flavored beverage B for a certain period of time or more (step of bringing the beer - flavored beverage and the stabilizing agent into contact with each other). The "certain period of time" is, for example, 10 minutes or more and 60 minutes or less, and as an example, it is 30 minutes.

[0044] After the stabilizing agent R is brought into contact with the beer - flavored beverage B for a certain period of time or more, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the beer - flavored beverage B is introduced into the cross - flow filtration device 10 together with the stabilizing agent R. And the beer - flavored beverage B is filtered in the cross - flow filtration device 10 (step of filtering the beer - flavored beverage).

[0045] As a specific example, in the cross - flow filtration device 10, the beer - flavored beverage B and the stabilizing agent R circulate through the circulation flow path 11, and the beer - flavored beverage B and the stabilizing agent R pass through the filtration portion 12, and particles B2 including yeast and the like are removed from the beer - flavored beverage B. The production of the beer - flavored beverage B from which the particles B2 have been removed in this way is completed after passing through subsequent processes after flowing out from the cross - flow filtration device 10.

[0046] Next, the manufacturing method of the beer - flavored beverage according to this embodiment and the effects obtained from the filtration system 1 will be described. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the manufacturing method of the beer - flavored beverage and the filtration system 1 according to this embodiment, a mixed solution of the beer - flavored beverage B and the stabilizing agent R flows into the interior of the tank 20, and the beer - flavored beverage B and the stabilizing agent R are brought into contact with each other inside the tank 20.

[0047] In this way, by using the tank 20 to bring the stabilizing agent R into contact with the beer - flavored beverage B inside the tank 20, it becomes possible to bring the stabilizing agent R into contact with the beer - flavored beverage B over a sufficient period of time. Therefore, since the contact time between the stabilizing agent R and the beer - flavored beverage B can be ensured sufficiently, the turbidity stability of the beer - flavored beverage B can be enhanced. As a result, the turbidity stability of the beer - flavored beverage B can be enhanced.

[0048] As described above, in the step of flowing in the mixed solution of the beer - flavored beverage and the stabilizing agent, the mixed solution of the beer - flavored beverage B and the stabilizing agent R may flow in from the side surface 22c of the tank 20. In this case, since the mixed solution flows into the interior of the tank 20 from the side surface 22c of the tank 20, the contact time between the beer - flavored beverage B and the stabilizing agent R inside the tank 20 can be ensured to be long. Therefore, the turbidity stability of the beer - flavored beverage B can be enhanced even more.

[0049] In the step of flowing in the mixed solution of the beer - flavored beverage and the stabilizing agent, the mixed solution of the beer - flavored beverage B and the stabilizing agent R may flow in from the central portion M in the vertical direction D1 of the side surface 22c or a position higher than the central portion M. In this case, by flowing in the mixed solution from a height position above the central portion M in the vertical direction D1 of the side surface 22c of the tank 20, the residence time of the stabilizing agent R inside the tank 20 can be made longer. Therefore, the contact time between the stabilizing agent R and the beer - flavored beverage B can be ensured to be long, and the turbidity stability of the beer - flavored beverage B can be enhanced even more.

[0050] In the step of flowing in the mixed liquid of the beer - flavored beverage and the stabilizing agent, when a tangent line L is drawn with the inflow portion 21 of the mixed liquid of the beer - flavored beverage B and the stabilizing agent R in the plan view of the tank 20 as the contact point P, the mixed liquid of the beer - flavored beverage B and the stabilizing agent R may flow in such that the angle θ formed by the flowing - in direction D2 of the mixed liquid of the beer - flavored beverage B and the stabilizing agent R and the tangent line L is an acute angle. In this case, since the mixed liquid flows in along the circumferential direction of the tank 20 on the inner surface of the tank 20, the downward movement of the stabilizing agent R in a short time can be suppressed. Therefore, the residence time of the stabilizing agent R inside the tank 20 can be lengthened, so that the contact time of the beer - flavored beverage B and the stabilizing agent R can be ensured to be long, and the turbidity stability of the beer - flavored beverage B can be further enhanced.

[0051] As described above, the manufacturing method of the beer - flavored beverage and the embodiments of the filtration system according to the present disclosure have been described. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above - described embodiments. The present disclosure can be variously modified without changing the gist described in the claims. That is, the content and order of the steps of the manufacturing method of the beer - flavored beverage, and the configuration, shape, size, number, material, and arrangement mode of each part of the filtration system can be appropriately changed without changing the above - mentioned gist.

[0052] (Example) Next, examples of the manufacturing method of the beer - flavored beverage and the filtration system will be described. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to each of the following examples. For each of the following examples, a simulation was performed in which a mixed liquid of a beer - flavored beverage and a stabilizing agent was flowed into a tank. In this simulation, by CFD (Computed Fluid Dynamics) analysis, a liquid was contained in each tank corresponding to the tank 20 (or the tank 30), and the solid behavior in the liquid in which insoluble particles as the stabilizing agent R were flowed into the inside of the tank was confirmed.

[0053] Each tank has a cylindrical shape, and the diameter (inner diameter) and the vertical height of each tank are 2400 mm. Also, the discharge part of the tank (corresponding to discharge part 23) has a cylindrical shape, and the diameter (inner diameter) of the discharge part is 50 mm. The particle size of the insoluble particles is 10 μm to 20 μm, and the specific gravity of the insoluble particles is 0.1 g / cm 3 ~0.3 g / cm 3 was used. The inflow velocity of the insoluble particles into the tank was 1.39 m / s. First, the specifications of Examples 1 to 5 are shown below.

[0054] (Example 1) As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a tank 20 was prepared in which an inflow part 21 of a mixed liquid of a beer - flavored beverage B and a stabilizing agent R was provided above the central part M in the vertical direction D1 of the side surface 22c, and the mixed liquid was made to flow into the tank 20 along the tangent line L (so that the angle θ approaches 0) from the inflow part 21. (Example 2) As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a tank 30 was prepared in which an inflow part 31 of a mixed liquid of a beer - flavored beverage and a stabilizing agent R was provided at the central part M in the vertical direction D1 of the side surface 22c, and the mixed liquid was made to flow into the tank 30 perpendicular to the tangent line L (angle θ is 90°) from the inflow part 31, and the angle X of the inflow part 31 with respect to the horizontal direction was 45°. (Example 3) As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a tank 20 was prepared in which an inflow part 21 of a mixed liquid of a beer - flavored beverage B and a stabilizing agent R was provided above the central part M in the vertical direction D1 of the side surface 22c, and the mixed liquid was made to flow into the tank 20 perpendicular to the tangent line L from the inflow part 21. (Example 4) A tank 20 in which an inflow part 21 of a mixed liquid of a beer - flavored beverage B and a stabilizing agent R was provided at the central part M in the vertical direction D1 of the side surface 22c was prepared, and the mixed liquid was made to flow into the tank 20 perpendicular to the tangent line L from the inflow part 21. (Example 5) A tank 20 without an inflow part 21 was prepared, and a mixed liquid of a beer - flavored beverage B and a stabilizing agent R was made to flow upward into the tank 20 from the discharge part 23.

[0055] For each of Examples 1 to 5 described above, the results of the aforementioned simulation are shown in FIGS. 7 to 11. FIGS. 7 to 11 are graphs showing the relationship between the ratio of the stabilizing agent R discharged from the discharge section 23 of the tank and the elapsed time from the start of the inflow of the mixed liquid of the beer-taste beverage B and the stabilizing agent R, and show the values obtained by counting every 50 s from 0 s to 2000 s. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 11, in Example 5 in which the mixed liquid is made to flow in from the discharge section 23, it was found that a large amount (about 70%) of the stabilizing agent R is discharged within 400 s from the start of the inflow, as compared with Examples 1 to 4.

[0056] In Example 4 in which the mixed liquid of the beer-taste beverage B and the stabilizing agent R is made to flow in from the central portion M in the direction orthogonal to the tangent line L, about 45% of the stabilizing agent R was discharged within 400 s from the start of the inflow. However, it was found that 20% or more of the stabilizing agent R remains inside the tank 20 even after 2000 s or more have elapsed immediately after the start of the inflow.

[0057] In Example 3 in which the mixed liquid of the beer-taste beverage B and the stabilizing agent R is made to flow in from above the central portion M in the direction orthogonal to the tangent line L, 45% or more of the stabilizing agent R was discharged within 400 s from the start of the inflow. However, it was found that there is little stabilizing agent R that stays for an extremely long time.

[0058] In Example 2 in which the mixed liquid of the beer-taste beverage B and the stabilizing agent R is made to flow in from the central portion M obliquely upward at an angle X of 45°, less than 30% of the stabilizing agent R was discharged within 400 s from the start of the inflow. However, it was found that there is also a large amount of the stabilizing agent R whose residence time is somewhat long (400 s or more).

[0059] In Example 1 where a mixed solution of the beer - flavored beverage B and the stabilizing agent R is introduced along the tangent line L from above the central portion M, the ratio of the particles discharged within 400 s from the start of the introduction can be suppressed to about 25%, and it was found that the residence time of the stabilizing agent R inside the tank 20 can be made even longer compared to Examples 2 to 5. Also, in Example 1, it was found that the distribution of the stabilizing agent R inside the tank 20 can be made more uniform than in Examples 2 to 5.

[0060] Furthermore, Examples 3 and 6 described above will be explained. In Example 6, a simulation was conducted in which the inflow rate of the mixed solution of the beer - flavored beverage B and the stabilizing agent R into the tank 20 was changed to 0.71 m / s from Example 3. FIG. 12 is a graph showing the results of the simulation of Example 6. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 12, in Example 6 where the inflow rate is 0.71 m / s, the short - time discharge of the stabilizing agent R from the discharge portion 23 can be suppressed, and it was found that the discharge ratio of the stabilizing agent R within 400 s from the start of the inflow can be suppressed to about 20%. However, in Example 3 where the inflow rate is 1.39 m / s, it was found that the liquid treatment amount per unit time can be increased compared to Example 6.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0061] 1... Filtration system, 10... Cross - flow filtration device, 11... Circulation flow path, 12... Filtration section, 13... Filter medium, 20, 30... Tanks, 21, 31... Inlet sections, 22... Main body section, 22b... Bottom surface, 22c... Side surface, 22d... Top surface, 23... Discharge section, B... Beer - flavored beverage, B1... Liquid level, B2... Particles, C... Direction, D1... Vertical direction, D2... Direction, L... Tangent line, M... Central portion, P... Contact point, R... Stabilizing agent, X, θ... Angles.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a beer - flavored beverage by filtering a beer - flavored beverage, comprising: a step of flowing a mixed liquid of a beer - flavored beverage and a stabilizing agent into a tank; a step of bringing the beer - flavored beverage and the stabilizing agent into contact with each other inside the tank; a step of introducing the beer - flavored beverage and the stabilizing agent into a cross - flow filtration device to filter the beer - flavored beverage; and the tank includes an inflow portion through which the mixed liquid of the beer - flavored beverage and the stabilizing agent flows into the tank, a container - shaped main body portion where the stabilizing agent and the beer - flavored beverage are in contact with each other for a certain period of time or more, and a discharge portion through which the stabilizing agent and the beer - flavored beverage are discharged from the tank; the main body portion has a cylindrical shape with a circular bottom having a diameter larger than that of the discharge portion; In the step of flowing the mixed liquid of the beer - flavored beverage and the stabilizing agent, when a tangent line is drawn with the inflow portion of the mixed liquid of the beer - flavored beverage and the stabilizing agent in the plan view of the tank as a tangent point, the mixed liquid of the beer - flavored beverage and the stabilizing agent flows in such a manner that the angle θ formed between the flowing direction of the mixed liquid of the beer - flavored beverage and the stabilizing agent and the tangent line is an acute angle; A method for manufacturing a beer - flavored beverage.

2. In the step of flowing the mixed liquid of the beer - flavored beverage and the stabilizing agent, the mixed liquid of the beer - flavored beverage and the stabilizing agent flows into the tank from the side surface of the tank. The method for manufacturing a beer - flavored beverage according to Claim 1.

3. In the step of flowing the mixed liquid of the beer - flavored beverage and the stabilizing agent, the mixed liquid of the beer - flavored beverage and the stabilizing agent flows in from the central portion in the vertical direction of the side surface or a position higher than the central portion. The method for manufacturing a beer - flavored beverage according to Claim 2.

4. In the step of flowing in the mixed liquid of the beer-taste beverage and the stabilizing agent, the mixed liquid of the beer-taste beverage and the stabilizing agent is caused to flow into the interior of the tank at a flowing-in speed of 0.30 m / s or more and 2.00 m / s or less. The method for producing a beer-taste beverage according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A filtration system for filtering a beer-taste beverage, comprising: a tank into which a mixed liquid of a beer-taste beverage and a stabilizing agent flows, and inside which the beer-taste beverage and the stabilizing agent are brought into contact with each other; a crossflow filtration device into which the beer-taste beverage and the stabilizing agent are introduced; and comprising The tank includes an inflow portion through which the mixed liquid of the beer-taste beverage and the stabilizing agent flows into the interior of the tank, a container-shaped main body portion in which the stabilizing agent and the beer-taste beverage are in contact with each other for a certain period of time or more, and a discharge portion through which the stabilizing agent and the beer-taste beverage are discharged from the tank. The main body portion has a cylindrical shape with a circular bottom having a diameter larger than that of the discharge portion. In the step of flowing in the mixed liquid of the beer-taste beverage and the stabilizing agent, when a tangent line is drawn with the inflow portion of the mixed liquid of the beer-taste beverage and the stabilizing agent in a plan view of the tank as a contact point, the mixed liquid of the beer-taste beverage and the stabilizing agent is caused to flow in such that the angle θ formed between the flowing-in direction of the mixed liquid of the beer-taste beverage and the stabilizing agent and the tangent line is an acute angle. Filtration system.

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