Apparatus and method for the treatment of spent grains or pomace from a brewery or distillery, and corresponding uses

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for treating spent grains or pomace from a brewery or distillery, a method for treating spent grains or pomace from a brewery or distillery, and a corresponding use.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Device and method for treating spent grain from a brewery or distillery and corresponding uses

[0003] Technical area

[0004] The present invention relates to a device for treating spent grain from a brewery or distillery according to claim 1, a brewery or distillery according to claim 7, a method for treating spent grain from a brewery or distillery according to claim 9, and the use according to claim 14.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] Breweries and distilleries produce spent grain as a waste product during the lautering process, which must be disposed of. Its traditional use as animal feed in agriculture is becoming increasingly rare due to rising transport costs and increasing regulatory requirements. Therefore, there is a high demand for ways to utilize the spent grain generated in breweries or distilleries that represent sensible alternatives to current agricultural use. In this context, the incineration of spent grain for thermal utilization is known from the state of the art. The problem with this is that spent grain typically has a water content of 70 to 90%, which limits its combustibility and necessitates energy-intensive drying prior to incineration. This has led to an increase in energy consumption, particularly of fossil fuels.For this reason, the thermal utilization of spent grains from breweries and distilleries has not yet become established.

[0007] Object of the present invention

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device by means of which the usability of spent grain from a brewery or distillery is improved, in particular for thermal heat recovery, while simultaneously providing cooling capacity for cooling a preliminary or final product of a manufacturing process. Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide a corresponding method and corresponding uses.

[0009] Definitions related to the invention

[0010] In the context of the present invention, "spent grain" is understood to mean the definition of "spent grain" familiar to those skilled in the brewing or distilling sector, i.e., the solid components resulting from mash separation, in particular the grain or malt hulls or the residue of hammer mill grist. The spent grain, as it arises in the brewery or distillery, i.e., before the treatment according to the invention, typically has a water content of over 70%, usually 70 to 90%, in particular 70 to 75%. In the context of the present invention, the "spent grain" may contain, in addition to the solid components of the mash separation (solid malt, grain, and / or raw grain components), other components, such as hot trub / cooking trub, cooling trub, old yeast, and / or hop residues. A mixture that contains one or more of these components in addition to the solid mash residues also falls under the inventive definition of "spent grain."For the purposes of the present invention, the term "spent grain" includes spent grain from a brewery or distillery that has been produced using a lautering device, such as a lauter tun, a mash filter, a strainmaster, or a more modern lautering technology based on surface filtration (rotating disc filter), also known commercially under the name "Nessie by Ziemann," or another separation method. Furthermore, according to the invention, the spent grain may also contain stillage, pomace, and / or other residues from a destination or fermentation process.

[0011] For the purposes of the present invention, "wort" is understood to mean the definition of this term familiar to those skilled in the brewing or distilling industry, which, according to the invention, expressly includes hot wort, cold wort, and aerated wort. For the purposes of the present invention, "beer" is understood to mean the definition of this term familiar to those skilled in the brewing or distilling industry, which, according to the invention, expressly includes fermenting wort, a green beer, an unfiltered beer, a filtered beer, an alcohol-free beer, a bottled beer, a pasteurized beer, a beer concentrate, and a beer-based mixed beverage.

[0012] In the context of the present invention, “beverage” is understood to mean the definition of this term familiar to those skilled in the food sector, which according to the invention expressly also includes a beer as defined above, a wine, a sparkling wine, a spirit, a hard seltzer and a soft drink or another non-alcoholic beverage.

[0013] For the purposes of the present invention, "heat pump" is understood to mean the definition of "heat pump" familiar to those skilled in the art of heating and refrigeration technology, i.e., a machine that, through the application of technical energy, absorbs heat from a lower-temperature heat source and transfers this, together with the drive energy, as useful heat at a higher temperature to a medium to be heated. The heat transfer medium used here is a refrigerant and undergoes the cyclic process of evaporation, compression, condensation, and expansion. The heat released during the liquefaction of the heat transfer medium is primarily used to heat the medium to a higher temperature level.According to the invention, the operating point of the heat pump is on the high-temperature side (temperature of the refrigerant after compression and before condensation) at a temperature between 50 and 130 °C, and on the low-temperature side (temperature of the refrigerant after expansion and before evaporation) at a temperature between 15 and 70 °C.

[0014] For the purposes of the present invention, "refrigeration machine" is understood as the definition of "refrigeration machine" familiar to those skilled in the art of heat and refrigeration technology, i.e., a machine that, by applying mechanical and / or electrical energy, absorbs heat from a heat source to be cooled and transfers this heat, together with the absorbed drive energy, as waste heat at a higher temperature to a medium. The heat transfer medium used here is a refrigerant and undergoes the cyclic process of evaporation, compression, condensation, and expansion. During evaporation, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the heat source to be cooled.According to the invention, the operating point of the refrigeration machine is on the high-temperature side (temperature of the refrigerant after compression and before condensation) at a temperature between 15 and 45 °C, and on the low-temperature side (temperature of the refrigerant after expansion and before evaporation) at a temperature between -10 and 14 °C. According to the invention, the term "refrigeration machine" excludes an absorption refrigeration system.

[0015] For the purposes of the present invention, "heat transfer medium" is understood as the definition familiar to those skilled in thermodynamics, namely a fluid that can absorb, store, and release heat elsewhere. In the simplest case, the heat transfer medium within the scope of the invention is water; however, it can also be another suitable liquid, such as glycol or a saline solution, or a suitable gas, such as air. However, the heat transfer medium can also be a refrigerant or coolant, for example, if the heat transfer medium is used to operate a heat pump or an absorption chiller.

[0016] In the context of the present invention, a "heat source" is understood to mean a preliminary or final product of a production process (for example, a food or a preliminary product thereof, particularly preferably a beverage or a preliminary product thereof, in particular a beer or a preliminary product thereof), a device used in a production process (for example, a compressor, a motor, a pump), or a medium used in or resulting from a production process (for example, a fluid such as ammonia, glycol, a purge gas (e.g., CO2 or N2), water, an engine cooling fluid, an exhaust gas, a biogas, a yeast suspension, or a CIP liquid). A particularly preferred "heat source" is a beverage or a preliminary product thereof, in particular mash, wort, or beer, for example, a beer in a fermentation or storage tank. The "water content" of the spent grain is determined according to the MEBAK method K-203.02.020 [2020-10]. Available at: MEBAK online.Method K-203.02.020. Water content of spent grains. Rev. 2020-10. Central European Brewing Analysis Commission (MEBAK®) eV, Freising. Accessed: July 21, 2023. https: / / www.mebak.org / methode / k-203-02-020 / wassergehalt-der-treber / 627.

[0017] Summary of the invention

[0018] The above-mentioned object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0019] Thus, according to the invention, a device for treating spent grain from a brewery or distillery, preferably for carrying out the method according to the invention, is proposed, wherein the device comprises: a dryer D for drying the spent grain T; a heat pump WP; a first heat transfer medium circuit K1; and a second heat transfer medium circuit K2; wherein the dryer D is preferably one of the following: rotary bundle dryer, drum dryer, tube bundle dryer, flash tube dryer and belt dryer, with the rotary bundle dryer being particularly preferred; wherein heat from at least one heat source WQ can be transferred to the dryer D by means of the heat pump WP; wherein a first heat transfer medium WT1 can be circulated or guided in the first heat transfer medium circuit K1, wherein the first heat transfer medium circuit K1 is designed such that the first heat transfer medium WT1 can absorb heat from the heat pump WP and transfer it to the dryer D.and wherein in the second heat carrier circuit K2 a second heat carrier WT2 can be circulated or is guided, wherein the second heat carrier circuit K2 is designed such that the second heat carrier WT2 can absorb heat from the heat source WQ or one of the heat sources WQ and transfer it to the heat pump WP.;

[0020] The device according to the invention has a single dryer D or a plurality of dryers D. Furthermore, the device according to the invention has a single heat pump WP or a plurality of heat pumps WP. Thus, the number of dryers and heat pumps in the device according to the invention is not particularly limited and can be adapted to the respective application, as long as it has at least one dryer and at least one heat pump. The same also applies to the heat source WQ. Thus, the device according to the invention is not limited to the presence of a single heat source WQ. Thus, the device according to the invention has a single heat source WQ or a plurality of heat sources WQ. According to the invention, a particularly preferred “heat source” is a beverage or a precursor thereof, in particular mash, wort or beer.

[0021] The device according to the invention provides, for the first time, the linking of a heat pump with a dryer for drying the spent grain, with the heat pump simultaneously providing cooling capacity for cooling a heat source. This allows the heat generated during operation, in particular waste heat, which typically occurs at comparatively low temperatures ("inferior heat sources" with temperatures < 80 °C, in particular < 60 °C), to be raised to a higher temperature level with the aid of the heat pump and transferred to or onto the dryer, thus enabling efficient pre-drying of the spent grain in terms of primary energy consumption to increase its usability.The inventors have discovered that up to 100% of the heat delivered to the dryer for drying the spent grain can be recruited from the heat generated during operation, in particular waste heat, which in turn also means a correspondingly high cooling capacity from the heat source. Specifically, the present invention enables the user, depending on the operation or production process, to provide a high proportion of the required cooling capacity using the heat pump provided according to the invention. In the case of a brewery, for example, up to 70% of the required cooling capacity can be provided with the device according to the invention or by using the method according to the invention from the operation's heat source(s), i.e. in particular waste heat.

[0022] If the device according to the invention is used in a food processing plant or in food production, the heat source is preferably a food or a precursor thereof. If the device according to the invention is used in a beverage processing plant or in beverage production, the heat source is preferably a beverage or a precursor thereof. If the device according to the invention is used in a brewery or in beer production, the heat source is preferably a beer, a wort, a mash, or another precursor thereof.

[0023] The provision of the first heat transfer medium circuit and the second heat transfer medium circuit enables the heat to be transferred from the heat source(s) to the dryer via the heat pump, thereby achieving a heat input to the dryer and also a cold input to the heat source(s) without a heat source or its heat transfer medium or the dryer having to be brought into direct contact with the heat pump. Cooling of the heat source(s) is achieved by circulating the second heat transfer medium and returning the second heat transfer medium, cooled in the heat pump, to the heat source(s) where it can absorb heat again.

[0024] Circulating the first heat transfer medium has the advantage that residual heat remaining in the first heat transfer medium is not lost to the outside, but remains within the system and is reused. The same applies to the circulation of the second heat transfer medium. Circulating the heat transfer medium allows the amount and consumption of heat transfer medium required to operate the device according to the invention to be kept to a minimum.

[0025] According to the invention, the first heat transfer medium can absorb heat from the heat pump and transfer it directly to the dryer or directly to the spent grain. Accordingly, the device according to the invention can be designed such that heat from the first heat transfer medium can be transferred directly to the dryer or directly to the spent grain, in particular by means of a first heat exchanger, as described below.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, i.e. the device according to the invention or the method according to the invention, the spent grain to be treated and the heat or heat source used for drying it come from one and the same production process or from one and the same operation.

[0027] Adequate pre-drying is a necessary prerequisite for efficient thermal utilization of spent grain. According to the invention, it is no longer necessary for the heat for pre-drying the spent grain to be provided, for example, from fossil energy sources or "high-quality" heat sources, i.e., heat sources with comparatively high temperatures, namely > 80 °C, especially > 100 °C. Furthermore, pre-drying improves the storage capacity of the spent grain if it is to be utilized or further processed with a time delay.

[0028] On the other hand, the operation of the heat pump extracts heat from the heat source(s), causing it to cool and thus contributing to the cooling capacity. Thus, the heat pump of the device according to the invention also functions as a cooling source for a preliminary or final product of a manufacturing process. This reduces the energy required for cooling tasks in a business that uses the device according to the invention, such as a brewery. This saves additional energy, especially electrical energy, required for generating cold using a refrigeration machine. Furthermore, the device according to the invention can replace a refrigeration machine that is conventionally used in a manufacturing process to generate cooling capacity.At the very least, the use of the device according to the invention results in the possibility of providing a refrigeration machine with a lower cooling capacity as a supplement to the device according to the invention. Thus, according to the inventors' calculations, in the example of a brewery, in addition to the device according to the invention, only one refrigeration machine with a total cooling capacity of at most 6 kWh per hl of the produced beverage, preferably at most 5 kWh per hl, in particular at most 4 kWh per hl, is required. In contrast, when operating a refrigeration machine as the sole cooling source, i.e., without the use of the device according to the invention, a total cooling capacity of 8 to 12 kWh per hl of the produced beverage, preferably 10 to 12 kWh per hl, is required.

[0029] When selecting the dryer, the rotary bundle dryer is particularly preferred due to the reduced abrasive effect of the spent grain particles.

[0030] Finally, the water separated from the spent grain using the device according to the invention, optionally after treatment, can be reused in a brewery or other facility, for example, as brewing or process water. This reduces water consumption, and thus, in addition to providing heating (or drying) and cooling capacity, the invention further contributes to resource conservation. For example, by reducing the water content of the spent grain from 80% by mass to 20% by mass, 0.4 to 0.6 liters of water per kg of wet spent grain can be recovered.

[0031] Advantageous embodiments of the device according to the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0032] Thus, the device V can have a gas flow GS which consists of a gas G, wherein the gas flow GS can be guided or is guided in such a way that the gas G can be brought into contact with the spent grain T at a contact point KS.

[0033] By providing a gas stream whose gas is brought into direct contact with the spent grain at a specific point (contact point), it is possible to assist the drying of the spent grain by absorbing moisture into the gas. The contact point can be inside or outside the dryer. According to the invention, the simplest gas used is air, which is inexpensive and widely available. Any other gas can also be used that is suitable for assisting the drying of the spent grain when it comes into contact with it. For example, the gas can flow through a bed of spent grain or flow along the surface of the carrier, absorbing moisture from the spent grain. Other suitable gases include nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, noble gases, or any mixtures thereof with one another or with air, with nitrogen being preferred.At the contact point, the gas can flow to the spent grains in cocurrent, countercurrent, or crosscurrent, preferably countercurrent. According to the invention, the contact point is not limited to a single location in a spatial sense, but can also be a stretch or section of a specific length.

[0034] In an advantageous embodiment, the device according to the invention further comprises a cyclone, which serves to separate dry spent grain particles entrained with the gas G. This allows the particle loading of the gas G to be reduced and the yield of usable, dry spent grain to be increased.

[0035] The device V may further comprise a condenser K for transferring heat from the gas G to a cooling medium and for discharging condensate; wherein the gas flow GS is or can be guided in such a way that the gas G can be brought into contact with the condenser K and the gas G can release heat to the cooling medium; and wherein the condenser K is arranged downstream of the contact point KS with respect to the gas flow GS.

[0036] If the gas has absorbed moisture from the spent grain through contact with the spent grain, this moisture can be separated from the gas downstream, for example by condensation or another suitable measure. For this purpose, the moisture-laden gas can be fed to a separation device, also known as a condenser, which has a heat transfer function and allows heat to be transferred from the gas to a cooling medium. This recovers the heat contained in the gas. The recovered heat can be reused, which improves the heat balance of the device according to the invention. On the other hand, the condensate (water) can be separated from the gas and reused for a variety of purposes. This embodiment of the device according to the invention can therefore also serve as a new source of water, which is particularly advantageous in regions with water shortages or high water procurement costs.The water obtained in this way can, depending on the degree of contamination and the intended use, be treated if necessary and fed back into a production process or used in another way, thereby reducing the primary water consumption of the user of the device according to the invention. With the previous disposal of the moist spent grain, the water contained therein was lost and no longer available to the user. Furthermore, the water increased the mass and volume required for disposal, thus also increasing the energy consumption and transport costs for disposal.

[0037] The device V can further comprise a heat exchanger WG for heating the gas G; wherein heat can be transferred from the heat source WQ or one of the heat sources WQ to the gas G by means of the heat pump WP and the heat exchanger WG for heating the gas G; wherein the gas flow GS can be guided or is guided in such a way that the gas G can be brought into contact with the heat exchanger WG for heating the gas G and the gas G can absorb heat from the heat source WQ or one of the heat sources WQ via the heat pump WP and the heat exchanger WG for heating the gas G; and wherein the heat exchanger WG for heating the gas G is arranged upstream of the contact point KS with respect to the gas flow GS.

[0038] In the embodiment described above, it is particularly advantageous if the first heat transfer medium WT1 can transfer heat from the heat pump WP to or onto the gas G by means of the heat exchanger WG for heating the gas G.

[0039] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the device according to the invention is designed such that the gas used to dry or assist in the drying of the spent grain is heated before it comes into contact with the spent grain at the contact point. Preferably, the heat required for this purpose is also provided by the heat pump and thus ultimately by the heat source(s). Thus, analogous to the above description, an environmentally friendly source is used to provide the heat with the aid of the heat pump in order to improve the drying effect of the spent grain by heating the gas. On the other hand, the additional heat transfer to the gas further increases the cold input into the heat source(s), thereby quantitatively further enhancing the positive effects of the invention described above.

[0040] In terms of device technology, this design can be easily implemented, for example, by having the first heat transfer medium absorb heat from the heat pump and transfer it not only to the dryer, but also to the gas via the heat exchanger for heating the gas. This eliminates the need for an additional heat transfer medium and a separate, dedicated heat transfer medium circuit. Alternatively, however, a separate heat transfer medium and a separate heat transfer medium circuit can be provided for heating the gas. Two separate circuits offer the advantage of better control of the two heat transfers to the dryer and to the gas.

[0041] To ensure that the heated gas is already present at the contact point where the spent grain comes into direct contact with the gas, the heat exchanger for heating the gas must be positioned upstream of the contact point in relation to the gas flow. In other words, the gas should be heated before it comes into contact with the spent grain to be dried in order to increase its moisture absorption capacity and thus its drying effect.

[0042] Furthermore, the device V can be designed such that the gas G can be or is circulated, or the gas flow GS is a circuit.

[0043] By circulating the gas or gas stream, the gas is not lost and does not need to be replaced. On the other hand, the residual heat and moisture contained in the gas after contact with the spent grain and, if applicable, treatment in the condenser are not lost, but are retained in the system through the use of the recirculation system, leading to further energy savings.

[0044] In a further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, it can further comprise: a burner B for burning the spent grain T; and at least one heat consumer WV; wherein the burner B is preferably designed as a grate burner or combination burner; wherein heat released during the combustion of the spent grain T in the burner B can be transferred to the heat consumer WV or to one of the heat consumers WV.

[0045] The provision of the burner allows the thermal release of the heat content of the pre-dried spent grain and its transfer to one or more heat consumers. Due to the relatively high heat content of the spent grain, a significant amount of primary energy can be saved and the heat sink(s) can be supplied accordingly. Furthermore, the combustion of the spent grain eliminates the need for disposal of the spent grain itself. Only the remaining ash, which is easy to handle and store and much smaller in quantity and volume than the original spent grain, needs to be disposed of. Due to the mineral content of the ash, it is advantageously used as fertilizer in agriculture. The dried spent grain can also be put to other useful uses. For example, it can be used as animal feed or further processed to produce biomass pellets for heating purposes.

[0046] Within the scope of the present invention, the heat consumer can be, for example, a device in a brewhouse, such as a mash tun, a lauter wort heater, or a brew kettle, or any other heat sink in a brewery or distillery, in a beverage plant, or in any other plant. According to the invention, it can also be provided that the heat released during the combustion of the spent grain can also be supplied to the dryer and / or the gas, so that the heat released during combustion can also be partially used to dry the spent grain in the dryer and / or to dry the spent grain by the gas.

[0047] Furthermore, the device V can also have a third heat transfer medium circuit K3 in which a third heat transfer medium WT3 can be or is guided in a circuit, wherein the third heat transfer medium circuit K3 is designed such that the third heat transfer medium WT3 can absorb heat from the burner B and transfer it to the heat consumer WV or one of the heat consumers WV.

[0048] Heat transfer from the burner to a heat consumer can be achieved simply and effectively using a third heat transfer medium, which is preferably circulated. The use of a third heat transfer medium makes heat transfer from the burner to the heat consumer independent of the heat transfer between the heat source(s) and the dryer, allowing it to be adjusted to suit the intended purpose. By returning the cooled, third heat transfer medium to the burner, the residual heat contained in the heat transfer medium is not lost. Furthermore, heat transfer medium minimizes the required amount of heat transfer medium.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment of the device V according to the invention, the heat consumer WV or one of the heat consumers WV is an absorption refrigeration system A. The device V further comprises a fourth heat carrier circuit K4 in which a fourth heat carrier WT4 can be or is guided in a circuit, wherein the fourth heat carrier circuit K4 is designed such that the fourth heat carrier WT4 can absorb heat from the heat source WQ or one of the heat sources WQ and can transfer it to the absorption refrigeration system A.

[0050] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises an absorption refrigeration system as a heat consumer or as one of the heat consumers if multiple heat consumers are present or provided. The absorption refrigeration system can efficiently utilize the excess heat released by the combustion of the pre-dried spent grain, be operated with this heat, and make a further significant contribution to the cooling capacity of the device according to the invention. Specifically, the heat from one or more heat sources is transferred to the absorption refrigeration system by means of a fourth heat transfer medium, which is conducted in a fourth heat transfer medium circuit, thereby cooling the heat source(s). This additionally saves energy, especially electrical energy, which is required to generate cold using a refrigeration system.

[0051] In the case where the device according to the invention comprises an absorption refrigeration system, the inventors have found that, for example, in the case of a brewery equipped with the device according to the invention, approximately 50 to 70% of the heat released during the combustion of the pre-dried spent grain is supplied to the absorption refrigeration system and approximately 30 to 50% of the heat generated is supplied to the remaining heat consumers of the operation. This distribution has proven advantageous because, on the one hand, sufficient heat can be made available to typical heat consumers such as the brewhouse, and, on the other hand, the excess heat from the combustion of the spent grain is sensibly and efficiently utilized via the absorption refrigeration system.

[0052] In addition, the device V can further comprise at least one first heat transfer medium storage device, preferably at least one first hot water storage device, and / or a second heat transfer medium storage device, preferably at least one second hot water storage device; wherein the first heat transfer medium storage device and / or the second heat transfer medium storage device is / are preferably a stratified storage device or stratified loading storage device; and wherein the first heat transfer medium storage device is integrated into the first heat transfer circuit K1 in such a way that the first heat transfer medium WT1 can be stored therein and removed therefrom, preferably can be stored and removed depending on its temperature; and / or wherein the second heat transfer medium storage device is integrated into the third heat transfer circuit K3 in such a way that the third heat transfer medium WT3 can be stored therein and removed therefrom, preferably can be stored and removed depending on its temperature.

[0053] The provision of a heat transfer medium storage tank, preferably a hot water tank, in the first and / or third heat transfer medium circuit provides fluid and heat buffering for the heat transfer medium used in the respective heat transfer medium circuit. This applies in particular if the heat transfer medium storage tank is designed as a stratified storage tank or stratified loading storage tank, which allows temperature-controlled loading and unloading of the heat transfer medium used in the respective heat transfer medium circuit.

[0054] However, the device according to the invention is not limited to the provision of a single heat transfer medium storage device in the first and / or third heat transfer circuit. Thus, the device according to the invention can have more than one heat transfer medium storage device in a heat transfer circuit. For example, the device according to the invention can have one or more heat transfer medium storage devices in each of the heat transfer circuits or in a selection of the heat transfer circuits. For example, a hot water storage device can be provided in each of the first heat transfer circuits and / or in the third heat transfer circuit. In addition or alternatively, a coolant storage device can be provided as a heat transfer medium storage device, for example, in each of the second heat transfer circuits and / or in the fourth heat transfer circuit.

[0055] Furthermore, the device V can comprise: a first heat exchanger XI, by means of which heat can be transferred from the first heat carrier WT1 to the dryer D; and a second heat exchanger X2, by means of which heat can be transferred from the refrigerant KMWP of the heat pump WP to the first heat carrier WT1.

[0056] In addition, the device V can comprise: a third heat exchanger X3, by means of which heat can be transferred from the second heat carrier WT2 to the coolant KMWP of the heat pump WP; and a fourth heat exchanger X4, by means of which heat can be transferred from the heat source WQ or one of the heat sources WQ to the second heat carrier WT2.

[0057] In addition, the device V may comprise: a fifth heat exchanger X5, by means of which heat released during combustion of the spent grain T in the burner B can be transferred to the third heat carrier WT3; and a sixth heat exchanger X6, by means of which heat from the third heat carrier WT3 can be transferred to the heat consumer WV or one of the heat consumers WV.

[0058] In addition, the device V can comprise: a seventh heat exchanger X7, by means of which heat can be transferred from the fourth heat carrier WT4 to the refrigerant KMA of the absorption refrigeration system A; and an eighth heat exchanger X8, by means of which heat can be transferred from the heat source WQ or one of the heat sources WQ to the fourth heat carrier WT4.

[0059] The interfaces between the individual heat transfer circuits and the elements of the device according to the invention that are in contact with them, such as the dryer and the heat pump, are preferably designed as heat exchangers. These can be, for example, plate heat exchangers, tubular heat exchangers, or other heat transfer designs familiar to those skilled in the art and suitable for the intended purpose. The use of heat exchangers allows for efficient heat transfer between the various heat transfer media without them coming into direct contact and mixing.

[0060] According to the invention, the heat exchangers can be present as separate devices in the device, but they can alternatively also be integrated into the devices associated with them. For example, the first heat exchanger, which is associated with the dryer, can be integrated into the dryer in such a way that the first heat exchanger is present as a component or part of the dryer, for example in the form of a partition wall or a tube, each of which is suitable for heat transfer to other components of the dryer or directly to the spent grain.

[0061] In a preferred embodiment, the device according to the invention can be designed such that the first heat transfer medium WT1 in the first heat transfer medium circuit K1 has a temperature of 60 to 150 °C, preferably 90 to 150 °C, in particular 90 to 110 °C, immediately after the heat absorption from the heat pump WP or immediately downstream of the heat pump WP. Here, "immediately downstream of the heat pump WP" means in the heat transfer medium flow immediately downstream of the contact point of the first heat transfer medium WT1 or the first heat transfer medium circuit K1 with the heat pump WP, i.e. immediately downstream of the second heat exchanger X2.

[0062] The first heat transfer medium WT1 in the first heat transfer medium circuit K1 can have a temperature of 20 to 60 °C, preferably 38 to 50 °C, immediately after the heat is transferred to the dryer D or immediately downstream of the dryer D. Here, "immediately downstream of the dryer D" means in the heat transfer medium flow immediately downstream of the contact point of the first heat transfer medium WT1 or the first heat transfer medium circuit K1 with the dryer D, i.e. immediately downstream of the first heat exchanger XI.

[0063] Additionally or independently thereof, the device according to the invention can be designed such that the second heat carrier WT2 in the second heat carrier circuit K2 has a temperature of 4 to 20 °C, preferably 6 to 10 °C, immediately after absorbing heat from the heat source WQ or at least one of the heat sources WQ or immediately downstream of the heat source WQ or at least one of the heat sources WQ. Here, “immediately downstream of the heat source WQ or one of the heat sources WQ” means in the heat carrier flow immediately downstream of the contact point of the second heat carrier WT2 or the second heat carrier circuit K2 with the heat source WQ or at least one of the heat sources WQ, i.e. immediately downstream of the fourth heat exchanger X4.

[0064] The second heat transfer medium WT2 in the second heat transfer circuit K2 can have a temperature of -6 to 0 °C, preferably -4 to -2 °C, immediately after the heat is transferred to the heat pump HP or immediately downstream of the heat pump HP. Here, "immediately downstream of the heat pump HP" means in the heat transfer flow immediately downstream of the contact point between the second heat transfer medium WT2 or the second heat transfer circuit K2 and the heat pump HP, i.e., immediately downstream of the third heat exchanger X3.

[0065] In a further preferred embodiment, the device according to the invention can be designed such that the first heat transfer medium WT1 in the first heat transfer medium circuit K1 has a temperature of 60 to 150 °C, preferably 90 to 150 °C, in particular 90 to 110 °C, immediately after the heat absorption from the heat pump WP or immediately downstream of the heat pump WP. Here, "immediately downstream of the heat pump WP" means in the heat transfer medium flow immediately downstream of the contact point of the first heat transfer medium WT1 or the first heat transfer medium circuit K1 with the heat pump WP, i.e. immediately downstream of the second heat exchanger X2.

[0066] The first heat transfer medium WT1 in the first heat transfer circuit Kl can have a temperature of 20 to 60 °C, preferably 38 to 50 °C, immediately after the heat transfer to the heat transfer medium WG for heating the gas G or immediately downstream of the heat transfer medium WG for heating the gas G. Here, "immediately downstream of the heat transfer medium WG" in the heat transfer flow means immediately downstream of the contact point between the first heat transfer medium WT1 or the first heat transfer circuit Kl and the heat transfer medium WG, i.e., immediately downstream of the heat transfer medium WG.

[0067] Additionally or independently thereof, the device according to the invention can be designed such that the second heat transfer medium WT2 in the second heat transfer circuit K2 has a temperature of 4 to 20 °C, preferably 6 to 10 °C, immediately after the heat absorption from the heat source WQ or at least one of the heat sources WQ or immediately downstream of the heat source WQ or at least one of the heat sources WQ. Here, "immediately downstream of the heat source WQ or one of the heat sources WQ" means in the heat transfer flow immediately downstream of the contact point of the second heat transfer medium WT2 or the second heat transfer circuit K2 with the heat source WQ or at least one of the heat sources WQ, i.e. immediately downstream of the fourth heat exchanger X4.

[0068] The second heat transfer medium WT2 in the second heat transfer circuit K2 can have a temperature of -6 to 0 °C, preferably -4 to -2 °C, immediately after the heat is transferred to the heat pump HP or immediately downstream of the heat pump HP. Here, "immediately downstream of the heat pump HP" means in the heat transfer flow immediately downstream of the contact point between the second heat transfer medium WT2 or the second heat transfer circuit K2 and the heat pump HP, i.e., immediately downstream of the third heat exchanger X3.

[0069] In the device according to the invention, the first heat transfer medium K1 is preferably coupled to the second heat transfer medium K2 via the heat pump WP, in particular only via the heat pump WP. In this case, it is particularly preferred if the first heat transfer medium WT1 is not the heat source WQ or one of the heat sources WQ. Additionally or independently thereof, it is particularly preferred if the device V according to the invention is not suitable or designed for heat transfer from the first heat transfer medium WT1 to the second heat transfer medium WT2. This means that the device V is designed such that heat transfer from the first heat transfer medium WT1 to the second heat transfer medium WT2 is not possible, not even indirectly.

[0070] Furthermore, the device can comprise a mill M for grinding the spent grain T. The mill M is preferably a cyclone mill. The cyclone mill is suitable for producing very fine particle sizes of the spent grain, which allows for more precise combustion control (easier and faster start-up and termination of combustion) compared, for example, to grate firing.

[0071] The device according to the invention can further provide a mill for grinding the spent grain. Suitable designs for this purpose include, for example, hammer mills, ball mills, and, in particular, eddy current mills.

[0072] Milling the spent grain, especially if it has been pre-dried, increases its surface area and facilitates or accelerates combustion. Improved combustion also improves heat yield.

[0073] The object of the invention is further achieved by a brewery or distillery having a device V according to the invention as described above. The heat source WQ can preferably be a beverage, preferably a wort, a beer, or a spirit.

[0074] The brewery or distillery according to the invention can further be characterized in that it does not have a refrigeration machine; or that it has one or more refrigeration machines that do not exceed a total cooling capacity of 6 kWh / hl of beverage.

[0075] The present invention further provides for equipping energy-intensive operations, such as a brewery or distillery, with the device according to the invention. The brewery or distillery equipped with the device according to the invention either requires a refrigeration machine with significantly lower capacity compared to a situation in which the refrigeration machine is the sole source of cold; or the brewery or distillery equipped with the device according to the invention even requires no refrigeration machine at all and uses the device according to the invention as the sole source of cold.

[0076] Since the device according to the invention makes a significant contribution to the required cooling capacity of the respective operation, or can even completely provide the required cooling capacity, the costs for the acquisition and in particular the operation of an additional refrigeration machine can be saved or at least significantly reduced.

[0077] From a process engineering point of view, the above-defined object is achieved by the method according to the invention as claimed in claim 9. The technical effects and advantages already mentioned above in connection with the device according to the invention apply analogously to the method according to the invention.

[0078] Thus, a method for treating spent grain from a brewery or distillery is claimed, wherein the method comprises at least the following step and is preferably carried out using the device according to the invention as described above:

[0079] (a) drying the spent grain T to a water content of at most 52% by mass, preferably 5 to 40% by mass, in particular 12 to 22% by mass; wherein heat is used to dry the spent grain T, which heat is transferred from at least one heat source WQ to the spent grain T by means of a heat pump WP.

[0080] By pre-drying the spent grain to a water content of no more than 52% by mass, the resulting pre-dried grain is a stable, storable intermediate product that can either be used immediately or stored for a long period of several months. Furthermore, with a water content of no more than 52% by mass, direct incineration without further pre-drying is possible. The invention is also not limited to requiring further processing of the dried spent grain on-site. Rather, it is possible to recycle the dried spent grain elsewhere, such as by incineration.

[0081] It has proven advantageous to process the freshly harvested spent grain quickly and to dry it promptly using the method according to the invention. This prevents the spent grain from cooling to ambient temperature, thus saving energy by using the heat content of the hot spent grain. At the same time, potential microbial contamination, which can occur during prolonged storage of moist spent grain, is avoided. Thus, the method according to the invention is preferably carried out within 120 minutes, in particular within 60 minutes, after completion of spent grain extraction.

[0082] According to the invention, no pressing of the spent grain is provided before drying. Rather, the spent grain as it arises during pressing can be treated with the device according to the invention or within the framework of the method according to the invention. Therefore, the method according to the invention can provide that the spent grain is not pressed and / or otherwise treated mechanically, chemically or thermally before drying. In contrast, gravity-induced dripping of spent grain water within the meaning of the present invention does not constitute a mechanical treatment, but can support the drying process without any energy or plant-related expenditure. The water separated in this way can also be reused, if necessary after treatment. Consequently, the device according to the invention can be provided without any device for mechanically dewatering the spent grain, such as a press.

[0083] Advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0084] In the method according to the invention, it is particularly preferred if no heat transfer from the first heat transfer medium WT1 to the second heat transfer medium WT2 takes place or if this is avoided. This allows a particularly high efficiency of the heat pump to be achieved.

[0085] Furthermore, in the process according to the invention, the drying of the spent grain T can be carried out or assisted by bringing the spent grain T into contact with a gas G which is conducted in a gas stream GS; wherein the gas G is heated by means of heat which originates from the heat source WQ or one of the heat sources WQ and is transferred by means of the heat pump WP; and wherein the gas G is preferably circulated or can be circulated, or the gas stream GS is preferably a cycle.

[0086] Furthermore, in the process according to the invention, the water extracted from the spent grain T during drying can be used in a production process of a product, preferably a beverage; wherein the water is preferably extracted from the gas G by condensation.

[0087] In addition, the method according to the invention may further comprise the steps:

[0088] (c) after drying the spent grain T, burning the spent grain T; and

[0089] (d) Transferring heat released during combustion of the spent grain T to at least one heat consumer WV.

[0090] In addition, the method according to the invention may further comprise the step:

[0091] (b) before burning the spent grain T and preferably after drying the spent grain T, comminuting the spent grain T; wherein the comminution of the spent grain T is preferably carried out by means of a mill M, in particular a cyclone mill.

[0092] Furthermore, in the process according to the invention, step (d) can be designed as follows:

[0093] (d) transferring heat released during combustion of the spent grain T to the heat consumer WV or one of the heat consumers WV, which is an absorption refrigeration system A; and wherein the method further comprises the steps:

[0094] (e) using the heat transferred to the absorption chiller A in step (d) to operate the absorption chiller A; and (f) transferring heat from the heat source WQ or one of the heat sources WQ to the absorption chiller A, thereby cooling the heat source WQ or one of the heat sources WQ.

[0095] In a preferred embodiment, the method according to the invention can be designed such that a first heat transfer medium WT1 is guided in a first heat transfer medium circuit K1 and absorbs heat from the heat pump WP and in the process assumes a temperature of 60 to 150 °C, preferably 90 to 150 °C, in particular 90 to 110 °C, and transfers heat to the dryer D and in the process assumes a temperature of 20 to 60 °C, preferably 38 to 50 °C, wherein the transferred heat is used to dry the spent grain T; and a second heat transfer medium WT2 is guided in a second heat transfer medium circuit K2 and absorbs heat from the heat source WQ or one of the heat sources WQ and in the process assumes a temperature of 4 to 20 °C, preferably 6 to 10 °C, and transfers heat to the heat pump WP and in the process assumes a temperature of -6 to 0 °C, preferably -4 to -2 °C.

[0096] In a preferred embodiment, the method according to the invention can be designed such that a first heat transfer medium WT1 is guided in a first heat transfer medium circuit Kl and absorbs heat from the heat pump WP and thereby assumes a temperature of 60 to 150 °C, preferably 90 to 150 °C, in particular 90 to 110 °C, and transfers heat to the heat exchanger WG for heating the gas G and thereby assumes a temperature of 20 to 60 °C, preferably 38 to 50 °C, wherein the transferred heat is used to heat the gas G; and a second heat carrier WT2 is guided in a second heat carrier circuit K2 and absorbs heat from the heat source WQ or one of the heat sources WQ and thereby assumes a temperature of 4 to 20 °C, preferably 6 to 10 °C, and transfers heat to the heat pump WP and thereby assumes a temperature of -6 to 0 °C, preferably -4 to -2 °C.The heat transfer temperatures provided for in the method according to the invention achieve the following advantages through the use of the heat pump according to the invention:

[0097] The high temperature of the first heat transfer medium in the first heat transfer medium circuit allows for efficient and effective drying of the spent grain by the dryer and, if provided, assisted by the gas in the gas stream. The low return temperature resulting from the cooling of the first heat transfer medium, in turn, allows it to absorb a large amount of heat in the heat pump.

[0098] The strong cooling of the second heat carrier in the second heat carrier circuit allows, on the one hand, a strong cooling of the heat source(s) connected to it and, on the other hand, the absorption of a large amount of heat, which is transported to the heat pump and transferred there to the refrigerant of the heat pump.

[0099] In a preferred embodiment, the method according to the invention can be designed such that a third heat transfer medium WT3 is fed into a third heat transfer medium circuit K3 and absorbs heat from the burner B and in the process assumes a temperature of 100 to 200 °C, preferably 115 to 125 °C, and transfers heat to the heat consumer WV or one of the heat consumers WV and in the process assumes a temperature of 70 to 109 °C, preferably 96 to 99 °C; and preferably a fourth heat transfer medium WT4 is fed into a fourth heat transfer medium circuit K4 and absorbs heat from the heat source WQ or one of the heat sources WQ and in the process assumes a temperature of 4 to 20 °C, preferably 6 to 10 °C, and transfers heat to the absorption refrigeration system A and in the process assumes a temperature of -6 to 0 °C, preferably -4 to -2 °C.

[0100] The high temperature of the third heat transfer medium in the third heat transfer medium circuit allows efficient and effective heating of the heat consumers in the operation (e.g., a brewery) that uses the method or device according to the invention. For example, with heat transfer medium temperatures between 100 and 125°C, all heating tasks required in a brewery or distillery can be easily accomplished. Reheating the heat transfer medium, for example, using fossil fuels, can be eliminated using the method according to the invention. By returning the cooled, third heat transfer medium to the burner, the residual heat still contained in the heat transfer medium is not lost but forms the starting level for the next heating of the heat transfer medium in the burner.

[0101] The fourth heat transfer medium in the fourth heat transfer circuit preferably has a temperature within the same temperature range as the second heat transfer medium in the second heat transfer circuit. Therefore, the fourth heat transfer medium in the fourth heat transfer circuit has the same effects and advantages as discussed above in connection with the second heat transfer circuit.

[0102] In this context, it should be mentioned that the method and the device according to the invention can also provide that the second and fourth heat transfer circuits, which are shown above as separate circuits, can alternatively also operate as a single heat transfer circuit that transports heat from the heat source or sources to the heat pump and the absorption refrigeration system. This simplifies the technical design of the device according to the invention and, if necessary, reduces the number of heat exchangers. The common heat transfer circuit can be operated with a coolant, such as glycol. The common heat transfer circuit can have a single coolant reservoir or multiple coolant reservoirs integrated into the circuit.

[0103] According to the invention, it can be provided that the gas G of the gas stream GS has, for example, a temperature of 60 to 70 °C, preferably 65 °C, when it comes into contact with the spent grain T at the contact point KS.

[0104] The method according to the invention can further be characterized in that the first heat transfer medium WT1 is stored in a first heat transfer medium storage tank, preferably in a first hot water storage tank, and is removed therefrom, preferably depending on its temperature; wherein the first heat transfer medium storage tank is preferably a stratified storage tank or stratified loading storage tank; wherein the first heat transfer medium storage tank is preferably integrated into the first heat transfer medium circuit K1; and wherein the first heat transfer medium WT1 is preferably stored in the flow to and / or in the return from the heat consumer WV or to or from one of the heat consumers WV in the first heat transfer medium storage tank.

[0105] Furthermore, in the method according to the invention, the third heat transfer medium WT3 can be stored in and removed from a second heat transfer medium storage tank, preferably in a second hot water storage tank, preferably depending on its temperature; wherein the second heat transfer medium storage tank is preferably a stratified storage tank or stratified loading storage tank; wherein the second heat transfer medium storage tank is preferably integrated into the third heat transfer medium circuit K3; and wherein the third heat transfer medium WT3 is preferably stored in the flow to and / or in the return from the heat consumer WV or to or from one of the heat consumers WV in the second heat transfer medium storage tank.

[0106] The object of the invention is further achieved by the use according to claim 14.

[0107] Thus, the use of heat, which originates from at least one heat source WQ and is provided by means of a heat pump WP, is claimed for drying a spent grain T from a brewery or distillery, preferably before its combustion.

[0108] The heat source WQ can be a preliminary or final product of a manufacturing process, preferably a food or a preliminary product thereof, in particular a beverage or a preliminary product thereof. The technical features, effects, and advantages of the features of the device and method according to the invention apply analogously to the use according to the invention.

[0109] Thus, the use according to the invention makes it possible for the first time to dry spent grain from a brewery or distillery using a heat pump without the use of fossil heat transfer media, while simultaneously contributing to the cooling of one or more heat sources. According to the invention, the only energy required for this purpose is the electrical or mechanical energy required to operate the heat pump.

[0110] In a preferred embodiment of the use according to the invention, the use can comprise drying the spent grain T by transferring the heat to the spent grain T and / or by transferring the heat to a gas G and bringing the spent grain T into contact with the gas G.

[0111] The use of heat, on the one hand, enables environmentally friendly drying of the spent grain using waste heat from one or more heat sources provided by a heat pump. The use according to the invention can additionally include drying the spent grain by transferring the heat to the spent grain and / or by transferring the heat to a gas and bringing the spent grain into contact with the gas.

[0112] Furthermore, the use according to the invention may also comprise the use of heat released during combustion of the spent grain T for operating an absorption refrigeration system A and / or for generating cold by means of an absorption refrigeration system A. Further disclosure of the invention

[0113] The present invention also includes the objects defined in the following numbers 1 to 30: Device V for treating a spent grain T from a brewery or distillery, preferably for carrying out the method according to one of the following numbers 17 to 26, wherein the device V comprises: a dryer D for drying the spent grain T; a first heat transfer circuit K1; and a second heat transfer circuit K2; a heat pump WP; wherein the dryer D is preferably one of the following: rotary bundle dryer, drum dryer, tube bundle dryer,

[0114] Flash tube dryers and belt dryers, the rotary bundle dryer being particularly preferred; wherein heat from at least one heat source WQ can be transferred to the dryer D by means of the heat pump WP; wherein a first heat carrier WT1 can be circulated or guided in the first heat carrier circuit K1, the first heat carrier circuit K1 being designed such that the first heat carrier WT1 can absorb heat from the heat pump WP and transfer it to the dryer D; and wherein a second heat carrier WT2 can be circulated or guided in the second heat carrier circuit K2, the second heat carrier circuit K2 being designed such that the second heat carrier WT2 can absorb heat from the heat source WQ or one of the heat sources WQ and transfer it to the heat pump WP.Device V according to number 1 above, wherein the device V further comprises: a gas stream GS which consists of a gas G, wherein the gas stream GS can be guided or is guided in such a way that the gas G can be brought into contact with the spent grain T at a contact point KS; wherein the contact point KS is preferably arranged in the dryer D or upstream of the dryer D. Device V according to number 2 above, wherein the device V further comprises: a condenser K for transferring heat from the gas G to a cooling medium KM and for removing condensate; wherein the gas stream GS can be guided or is guided in such a way that the gas G can be brought into contact with the condenser K and the gas G can release heat to the cooling medium KM; and wherein the condenser K is arranged downstream of the contact point KS with respect to the gas stream GS.Device V according to number 2 or 3 above, wherein the device V further comprises: a heat exchanger WG for heating the gas G; wherein heat can be transferred from the heat source WQ or one of the heat sources WQ to the gas G by means of the heat pump WP and the heat exchanger WG for heating the gas G; wherein the gas flow GS can be guided or is guided in such a way that the gas G can be brought into contact with the heat exchanger WG for heating the gas G and the gas G can absorb heat from the heat source WQ or one of the heat sources WQ via the heat pump WP and the heat exchanger WG for heating the gas G; and wherein the heat exchanger WG for heating the gas G is arranged upstream of the contact point KS with respect to the gas flow GS. Device V according to number 4 above, wherein the first heat carrier WT1 can transfer heat by means of the heat exchanger WG for heating the gas G from the heat pump WP to the gas G.Device V according to one of the above numbers 2 to 5, wherein the gas G can be or is circulated, or the gas stream GS is a circuit. Device V according to one of the above numbers 1 to 6, wherein the device V further comprises: a burner B for burning the spent grain T; and at least one heat consumer WV; wherein the burner B is preferably designed as a grate burner or combination burner; wherein heat released during the combustion of the spent grain T in the burner B can be transferred to the heat consumer WV or one of the heat consumers WV. Device V according to the above number 7, wherein the device V further comprises: a third heat carrier circuit K3, in which a third heat carrier WT3 can be or is circulated, wherein the third heat carrier circuit K3 is designed such that the third heat carrier WT3 can absorb heat from the burner B and transfer it to the heat consumer WV or one of the heat consumers WV.Device V according to number 8 above, wherein the heat consumer WV or one of the heat consumers WV is an absorption refrigeration system A; and wherein the device V further comprises a fourth heat transfer medium circuit K4, in which a fourth heat transfer medium WT4 can be or is circulated, wherein the fourth heat transfer medium circuit K4 is designed such that the fourth heat transfer medium WT4 can absorb heat from the heat source WQ or one of the heat sources WQ and transfer it to the absorption refrigeration system A. Device V according to number 8 or 9 above, wherein the device V further comprises at least one first heat transfer medium storage device, preferably at least one first hot water storage device, and / or a second heat transfer medium storage device, preferably at least one second hot water storage device; and wherein the first heat transfer medium storage device and / or the second heat transfer medium storage device is or is preferably a stratified storage device or stratified loading storage device.are; and wherein the first heat transfer medium storage device is integrated into the first heat transfer medium circuit K1 in such a way that the first heat transfer medium WT1 can be stored therein and removed therefrom, preferably depending on its temperature; and / or wherein the second heat transfer medium storage device is integrated into the third heat transfer medium circuit K3 in such a way that the third heat transfer medium WT3 can be stored therein and removed therefrom, preferably depending on its temperature.Device V according to one of the preceding numbers 1 to 10, wherein the device V further comprises: a first heat exchanger XI, by means of which heat can be transferred from the first heat carrier WT1 to the dryer D; a second heat exchanger X2, by means of which heat can be transferred from the coolant KMWP of the heat pump WP to the first heat carrier WT1; a third heat exchanger X3, by means of which heat can be transferred from the second heat carrier WT2 to the coolant KMWP of the heat pump WP; a fourth heat exchanger X4, by means of which heat can be transferred from the heat source WQ or one of the heat sources WQ to the second heat carrier WT2.Device V according to one of the above numbers 8 to 11, wherein the device V further comprises: a fifth heat exchanger X5, by means of which heat released during combustion of the spent grain T in the burner B can be transferred to the third heat carrier WT3; and a sixth heat exchanger X6, by means of which heat can be transferred from the third heat carrier WT3 to the heat consumer WV or one of the heat consumers WV. 13. Device V according to one of the above numbers 9 to 12, wherein the device V further comprises: a seventh heat exchanger X7, by means of which heat can be transferred from the fourth heat carrier WT4 to the refrigerant KMA of the absorption refrigeration system A; and an eighth heat exchanger X8, by means of which heat can be transferred from the heat source WQ or one of the heat sources WQ to the fourth heat carrier WT4.

[0115] 14. Device V according to any one of the preceding numbers 1 to 13, wherein the device V further comprises: a mill M for grinding the spent grain T; wherein the mill M is preferably a cyclone mill.

[0116] 15. Brewery or distillery, comprising a device V according to one of the preceding numbers 1 to 14; wherein the heat source WQ is preferably a beverage, preferably a wort, a beer or a spirit; and

[0117] 16. Brewery or distillery as defined in point 15 above, where the brewery or distillery does not have a refrigeration machine; or where the brewery or distillery has one or more refrigeration machines with a total cooling capacity not exceeding 6 kWh / hl of beverage.

[0118] 17. A process for treating spent grains T from a brewery or distillery, the process comprising at least the following step and preferably being carried out using the device V according to one of the preceding numbers 1 to 14:

[0119] (a) drying the spent grain T to a water content of at most 52% by mass, preferably 5 to 52% by mass, preferably 8 to 40% by mass, preferably 12 to 40% by mass, in particular 12 to 22% by mass; wherein heat is used to dry the spent grain T, which heat is transferred to the spent grain T by means of a heat pump WP from at least one heat source WQ.

[0120] 18. Process according to number 17 above, wherein the drying of the spent grain T is carried out or assisted by bringing the spent grain T into contact with a gas G which is conducted in a gas stream GS; wherein the gas G is heated by means of heat which originates from the heat source WQ or one of the heat sources WQ and is transferred by means of the heat pump WP; and wherein the gas G is preferably circulated or can be circulated, or the gas stream GS is preferably a cycle.

[0121] 19. A process according to point 17 or 18 above, wherein the water extracted from the spent grain T during drying is used in a process for producing a product, preferably a beverage; wherein the water is preferably extracted from the gas G by condensation.

[0122] 20. The method according to any one of the preceding points 17 to 19, the method further comprising the steps of:

[0123] (c) after drying the spent grain T, burning the spent grain T; and

[0124] (d) Transferring heat released during combustion of the spent grain T to at least one heat consumer WV.

[0125] 21. The method according to point 20 above, the method further comprising the step of:

[0126] (b) before burning the spent grain T and preferably after drying the spent grain T, comminuting the spent grain T; wherein the comminution of the spent grain T is preferably carried out by means of a mill M, in particular a cyclone mill. The method according to number 20 or 21 above, wherein step (d) is designed as follows:

[0127] (d) transferring heat released during combustion of the spent grain T to the heat consumer WV or one of the heat consumers WV, which is an absorption refrigeration system A; and wherein the method further comprises the steps:

[0128] (e) using the heat transferred to the absorption chiller A in step (d) to operate the absorption chiller A; and

[0129] (f) Transferring heat from the heat source WQ or one of the heat sources WQ to the absorption chiller A, thereby cooling the heat source WQ or one of the heat sources WQ.Method according to one of the above numbers 17 to 22, wherein a first heat transfer medium WT1 is guided in a first heat transfer medium circuit K1 and absorbs heat from the heat pump WP and in the process assumes a temperature of 60 to 150 °C, preferably 90 to 150 °C, in particular 90 to 110 °C, and transfers heat to the dryer D and in the process assumes a temperature of 20 to 60 °C, preferably 38 to 50 °C, wherein the transferred heat is used to dry the spent grain T; and / or a second heat transfer medium WT2 is guided in a second heat transfer medium circuit K2 and absorbs heat from the heat source WQ or one of the heat sources WQ and in the process assumes a temperature of 4 to 20 °C, preferably 6 to 10 °C, and transfers heat to the heat pump WP and in the process assumes a temperature of -6 to 0 °C, preferably -4 to -2 °C.Method according to one of the preceding numbers 18 to 23, wherein a first heat transfer medium WT1 is guided in a first heat transfer medium circuit Kl and absorbs heat from the heat pump WP and thereby assumes a temperature of 60 to 150 °C, preferably 90 to 150 °C, in particular 90 to 110 °C, and transfers heat to the heat exchanger WG for heating the gas G and thereby assumes a temperature of 20 to 60 °C, preferably 38 to 50 °C, wherein the transferred heat is used to heat the gas G; and / or a second heat carrier WT2 is guided in a second heat carrier circuit K2 and absorbs heat from the heat source WQ or one of the heat sources WQ and thereby assumes a temperature of 4 to 20 °C, preferably 6 to 10 °C, and transfers heat to the heat pump WP and thereby assumes a temperature of -6 to 0 °C, preferably -4 to -2 °C.Method according to one of the preceding numbers 20 to 24, wherein a third heat carrier WT3 is fed into a third heat carrier circuit K3 and absorbs heat from the burner B and in the process assumes a temperature of 100 to 200 °C, preferably 115 to 125 °C, and transfers heat to the heat consumer WV or one of the heat consumers WV and in the process assumes a temperature of 70 to 109 °C, preferably 96 to 99 °C; and preferably a fourth heat carrier WT4 is fed into a fourth heat carrier circuit K4 and absorbs heat from the heat source WQ or one of the heat sources WQ and in the process assumes a temperature of 4 to 20 °C, preferably 6 to 10 °C, and transfers heat to the absorption refrigeration system A and in the process assumes a temperature of -6 to 0 °C, preferably -4 to -2 °C.Method according to number 24 or 25 above, wherein the first heat transfer medium WT1 is stored in a first heat transfer medium storage tank, preferably in a first hot water storage tank, and is removed therefrom, preferably depending on its temperature; wherein the first heat transfer medium storage tank is preferably a stratified storage tank or stratified loading storage tank; wherein the first heat transfer medium storage tank is preferably integrated into the first heat transfer medium circuit K1; and wherein the first heat transfer medium WT1 is preferably stored in the flow to and / or in the return from the heat consumer WV or to or from one of the heat consumers WV in the first heat transfer medium storage tank. 27.Method according to number 25 or 26 above, wherein the third heat carrier WT3 is stored in a second heat carrier storage tank, preferably in a second hot water storage tank, and is removed therefrom, preferably depending on its temperature; wherein the second heat carrier storage tank is preferably a stratified storage tank or stratified loading storage tank; wherein the second heat carrier storage tank is preferably integrated into the third heat carrier circuit K3; and wherein the third heat carrier WT3 is preferably stored in the flow to and / or in the return from the heat consumer WV or to or from one of the heat consumers WV in the second heat carrier storage tank.

[0130] 28. Use of heat which originates from at least one heat source WQ and is provided by means of a heat pump WP, for drying a spent grain T from a brewery or distillery, preferably before its combustion.

[0131] 29. Use according to point 28 above, wherein the use comprises drying the spent grain T by transferring the heat to the spent grain T and / or by transferring the heat to a gas G and bringing the spent grain T into contact with the gas G.

[0132] 30. Use according to number 28 or 29 above, further comprising the use of heat released during combustion of the spent grain T for operating an absorption refrigeration plant A and / or for generating cold by means of an absorption refrigeration plant A.

[0133] Particularly preferred and expressly disclosed with regard to the device according to the invention are the following combinations of features (all possible combinations listed below are to be considered as disclosed): the dryer D, the heat source WQ and the heat pump WP (above number 1); the dryer D, the heat source WQ, the heat pump WP and the gas stream GS (combination of the above numbers (2, 3, 4, 5 or 6) + 1); the dryer D, the heat source WQ, the heat pump WP, the burner B and the heat consumer WV (combination of the above numbers (7 or 8) + 1); the heat consumer WV or one of the heat consumers WV can be the absorption refrigeration system A (combination of the above numbers 9 + 1); the dryer D, the heat source WQ, the heat pump WP, the burner B, the heat consumer WV and the gas stream GS (combination of the above numbers (7 or 8) + (2, 3, 4, 5 or 6) + 1);the heat consumer WV or one of the heat consumers WV can be the absorption chiller A (combination of the above numbers 9 + (2, 3, 4, 5 or 6) + 1);

[0134] In addition, all devices of the combinations listed above can also be designed with one or more heat transfer storage devices according to number 10 above (all combinations above combined with number 10).

[0135] In addition, all devices of the combinations listed above can also be designed with one or more heat exchangers according to the above number(s) 11, 12 and / or 13 (all above combinations combined with number(s) 11, 12 and / or 13).

[0136] In addition, all devices of the above combinations can be equipped with a mill (all above combinations combined with number 14).

[0137] Particularly preferred and expressly disclosed with regard to the process according to the invention are the following combinations of features (all possible combinations listed below are to be deemed to be disclosed): drying the spent grain T according to step (a) (number 17 above);

[0138] Drying the spent grain T according to step (a), burning the spent grain T according to step (c) and transferring heat to a heat consumer WV according to step (d) (combination of the above points 20 + 17); the heat consumer WV or one of the heat consumers WV can be the absorption refrigeration plant A (combination of the above points 22 + 20 + 17);

[0139] Drying the spent grain T according to step (a), comminuting the spent grain T according to step (b), burning the spent grain T according to step (c) and transferring heat to a heat consumer WV according to step (d) (combination of the above numbers 21 + 20 + 17); the heat consumer WV or one of the heat consumers WV can be the absorption refrigeration system A (combination of the above numbers 22 + 21 + 20 + 17);

[0140] In addition, in all processes of the combinations listed above, the drying of the spent grain according to step (a) can be carried out or assisted by bringing the spent grain T into contact with the gas G, which is conducted in a gas stream GS, according to the above number 18 (all above combinations combined with number 18).

[0141] Additionally, in all processes of the combinations listed above, the water extracted from the spent grain T during drying can be used in a manufacturing process for a product, preferably a beverage, according to the above number 19 (all above combinations combined with number 19). It is particularly preferred if the manufacturing process of the product, preferably an industrial or artisanal manufacturing process, is one and the same manufacturing process as that from which the spent grain originates and / or the heat or heat source used for its drying originates from one and the same manufacturing process.In addition, in all processes of the combinations listed above, a first heat transfer medium WT1 can be guided in a first heat transfer medium circuit K1 and a second heat transfer medium WT2 can be guided in a second heat transfer medium circuit K2 according to the above number 23 or 24 (all above combinations combined with number 23 or 24).

[0142] In addition, in all processes of the combinations listed above, a third heat carrier WT3 can be fed into a third heat carrier circuit K3 and preferably a fourth heat carrier WT4 can be fed into a fourth heat carrier circuit K4 according to the above number 25 (all above combinations combined with number 25).

[0143] In addition, in all methods of the combinations listed above, the first heat carrier WT1 can be stored in a first heat carrier storage unit according to the above number 26 and / or the third heat carrier WT3 can be stored in a second heat carrier storage unit according to the above number 27 and removed therefrom (all above combinations combined with numbers 26 and / or 27).

[0144] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0145] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the device or method according to the invention;

[0146] Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of the device or method according to the invention;

[0147] Fig. 3 shows a third embodiment of the device or method according to the invention;

[0148] Fig. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the device or method according to the invention; Fig. 5 shows a fifth embodiment of the device or method according to the invention;

[0149] Fig. 6 shows a sixth embodiment of the device or method according to the invention;

[0150] Fig. 7 shows a seventh embodiment of the device or method according to the invention;

[0151] Fig. 8 shows an eighth embodiment of the device according to the invention or of the method according to the invention; and

[0152] Fig. 9 shows a ninth embodiment of the device or method according to the invention.

[0153] In Fig. 1, the device V according to the invention comprises a dryer D and a heat pump WP. These are connected via a first heat transfer medium circuit K1, in which a first heat transfer medium WT1 (e.g. water) is circulated between a first heat exchanger XI and a second heat exchanger X2. Furthermore, the heat pump WP is connected to one or more heat sources WQ via a second heat transfer medium circuit K2, in which a second heat transfer medium WT2 (e.g. glycol) is circulated between a third heat exchanger X3 and a fourth heat exchanger X4. The second heat transfer medium WT2 (e.g. -4 °C) in the fourth heat exchanger X4 absorbs heat from the heat source WQ, as a result of which the second heat transfer medium WT2 is heated, for example to 10 °C. The second heat transfer medium WT2 heated in this way is transported to the third heat exchanger X3, where it transfers heat to the coolant KMWP of the heat pump WP.As a result, the second heat transfer medium WT2 is cooled, for example to -4 °C, and after being returned to the fourth heat exchanger X4, is ready to absorb heat again from the heat source WQ, thus closing the second heat transfer medium circuit K2. In this way, the second heat transfer medium circuit K2 is suitable for extracting heat from the heat source(s) WQ using the second heat transfer medium WT2 and supplying it to the heat pump WP. The heat pump WP brings the coolant KMWP to a higher temperature level in a known manner. The heated coolant KMWP of the heat pump WP, which is circulated according to the well-known Camot process, transfers heat at a high temperature level in the second heat exchanger X2 to the first heat transfer medium WT1, cools down in the process and is then fed back to the third heat exchanger X3 for further heat absorption.The first heat transfer medium WT1, heated in the second heat transfer medium X2 to, for example, 90 °C, is fed to the first heat transfer medium XI, which represents the interface to the dryer D or is integrated into the dryer D. In the first heat transfer medium XI, the first heat transfer medium WT1 transfers heat to the dryer D, is cooled in the process, for example to 48 °C, and the cooled first heat transfer medium WT1 is fed back to the second heat transfer medium X2 for renewed heat absorption from the heat pump WP, thereby also closing the first heat transfer medium circuit Kl. According to the invention, the heat transferred to the dryer D is used to dry moist spent grain T.

[0154] Overall, according to the invention, heat is extracted from one or more heat sources, fed to a heat pump via a circulating heat transfer medium, the temperature level of the heat transfer medium is raised by the work of the heat pump, and then the heat at the higher temperature level is fed to a dryer for drying spent grain from the brewery or distillery via another heat transfer medium circuit. According to the invention, this improves the usability of moist spent grain from a brewery or distillery, in particular for subsequent thermal utilization of the spent grain for heat recovery. At the same time, a cooling capacity is provided for cooling at least one heat source, such as hot wort (wort cooling in the brewhouse) or fermenting wort (cooling of the fermentation tank) in a brewery. To achieve the drying capacity and the cooling capacity, the invention provides for the utilization of the "waste heat" from the heat sources.To operate the device according to the invention or to carry out the method according to the invention, the only external energy required is the electrical energy required to operate the heat pump and the pump energy required to transport the heat exchangers.

[0155] In a specific embodiment of the invention (example E1), which is based on the embodiment described above for Fig. 1 and has all its features, the first heat transfer medium WT1 is water and the second heat transfer medium WT2 is glycol. In the first, closed heat transfer medium circuit K1, the first heat transfer medium WT1 is water and is fed at a temperature of approximately 50 °C to the second heat exchanger X2, which represents the interface to the heat pump. In the second heat exchanger X2, the water absorbs heat from the heat pump WP until it has a temperature of between 90 and 100 °C. After leaving the second heat exchanger X2, the heated water is fed via a line to the first heat exchanger XI, where it transfers heat to the dryer D and thus indirectly to the spent grain T, whereby the spent grain T present in the dryer D is dried.The water cools down to a temperature of approximately 50 °C, leaves the first heat exchanger XI and is fed back to the second heat exchanger X2 via a pipe, thereby closing the first heat transfer circuit Kl.

[0156] In the second heat transfer medium circuit K2 of example E1, glycol is circulated as the second heat transfer medium WT2. Upon entering the third heat exchanger X3, the glycol has a temperature of approximately 8°C. In the third heat exchanger X3, the glycol transfers heat to the heat pump WP and is cooled to a temperature of approximately -4°C by the action of the heat pump WP. After leaving the third heat exchanger X3, the cooled glycol is fed via a line to the fourth heat exchanger X4, where the glycol absorbs heat from the heat source WQ, which in this embodiment is beer, thereby cooling the beer. During this time, the beer is completely or partially in a fermentation or storage tank. The glycol heats up in the fourth heat exchanger X4 to a temperature of approximately 8°C.The glycol heated to this temperature is fed back to the third heat exchanger X3 via a pipe to cool the glycol by means of the heat pump WP, thus closing the second heat transfer circuit K2.

[0157] The second embodiment of the invention, as shown in Fig. 2, is essentially based on the same structure as the first embodiment described above. Therefore, only the differences from the first embodiment will be described below. The second embodiment of the invention additionally has a circulating gas stream GS which is formed by a gas G. The gas G, which in the simplest case is air, is heated in a heat exchanger WG to heat the gas G and is fed to a contact point KS. At the contact point KS, the gas G comes into direct contact with the moist spent grain T, so that the heated gas G can absorb moisture from the spent grain T, which in turn releases at least some of its moisture to the gas G.The spent grain T pre-dried in this way is then fed to the dryer D and dried to the final moisture content according to the method described above as in the first embodiment.

[0158] The cooled and moisture-laden gas G is fed to a condenser K, where the gas G is cooled using a heat exchanger, thereby condensing out the moisture. The resulting condensate is removed from the condenser K, cleaned or treated depending on the degree of contamination and intended use, and then recycled in a manufacturing process. Thus, after treatment, the resulting condensate can be reused, for example, as brewing or process water in a brewery or other facility.

[0159] The cooled and dried gas G is then fed back to the heat exchanger WG for heating the gas G, where it is heated again, after which it is fed back to the contact point KS to absorb moisture from the spent grain T. This closes the cycle of the gas flow GS.

[0160] This embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the moist spent grain T is pre-dried by the gas stream GS, and the moisture absorbed by the gas G can be reused thanks to the separation in the condenser K. In the second drying step, the spent grain T is then dried to the final moisture content using the dryer D of the device V according to the invention. It should be noted that the present invention also encompasses embodiments that, for example, have a condenser K but no heat exchanger WG for heating the gas G, or a heat exchanger WG for heating the gas G but no condenser K.

[0161] A further specific embodiment of the invention (Example E2) corresponds to the embodiment schematically shown in Fig. 2 and described above. Example E2 is based on Example E1 described above and has all its features. In addition, this embodiment has a gas stream GS designed as a closed circuit. The gas G is air that is circulated. In this circuit, the air flows through the condenser K, in which the air is (pre-)dried, for example by means of condensation by cooling the air and separating the condensate. The air pre-dried in this way flows on in a line to the heat exchanger WG, in which the air is heated using a heat source (not shown), for example wastewater or exhaust gas.After heating, the air is fed via a pipe to the contact point KS, where the heated air comes into direct contact with the spent grain T to be dried and transfers heat to the spent grain T. In the process, the spent grain T heats up and releases moisture into the air, which absorbs the moisture and cools itself. The cooled and moisture-laden air is then fed via a pipe to the condenser K, thus completing the cycle of the gas stream GS.

[0162] The third embodiment of the invention, as shown in Fig. 3, is based essentially on the same structure as the first embodiment described above. Therefore, only the differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

[0163] In this embodiment, the spent grain is dried in the dryer D using the device according to the invention and then burned in a burner B. The heat released is transferred in a fifth heat exchanger X5 from the burner B to a third heat carrier WT3 (e.g. water), which can assume a temperature of 118 °C, for example. The third heat carrier WT3 is then transported to one or more heat consumers WV, where it releases heat to this or these by means of a sixth heat exchanger X6. The third heat carrier WT3, which has cooled to 97 °C, for example, during the heat transfer to a heat consumer WV, is fed back to the fifth heat exchanger X5, where it can once again absorb heat released by the burner B. This closes the third heat carrier circuit K3 of the third heat carrier WT3.

[0164] In this way, in a company with heat consumers, such as a brewery, distillery or other production facility, the heat content contained in the spent grain T can be efficiently used through thermal utilization.

[0165] Optionally, one or more heat transfer storage units (not shown) can be integrated into the third heat transfer circuit K3, which are preferably designed as stratified storage units or stratified loading storage units. By providing at least one storage unit, the heat transfer medium in the circuit is advantageously buffered both hydraulically and thermally.

[0166] Fundamentally, it is part of the present invention to also provide such storage devices in the other heat transfer circuits. One or more storage devices can be provided in each circuit.

[0167] A further specific embodiment of the invention (Example E3) corresponds to the embodiment schematically shown in Fig. 3 and described above. Example E3 is based on Example E1 described above and has all its features. In this embodiment E3, water is additionally conducted as a third heat transfer medium WT3 in a third, closed heat transfer medium circuit K3. The water, which has a temperature of approximately 98°C, is fed to the fifth heat exchanger X5 connected to the burner B. In the fifth heat exchanger X5, the water is heated to a temperature of approximately 125°C by the heat emitted by the burner B and fed via a line to the sixth heat exchanger X6, which is connected to one or more heat consumers WV. The heat consumer WV can be, for example, a brew kettle, a lauter wort heater, a mashing device or another device in a brewery.The hot water transfers heat via the sixth heat exchanger X6 to the heat consumer WV or consumers WV, where it cools down again to a temperature of approximately 98 °C. After leaving the sixth heat exchanger X6, the water, at 98 °C, is fed back to the fifth heat exchanger X5 via a pipe for heating, thus closing the third heat transfer circuit K3. In the burner B, the spent grain T, dried in the dryer D, is combusted to release thermal energy.

[0168] The fourth embodiment of the invention, as shown in Fig. 4, is based essentially on the same structure as the third embodiment described above. Therefore, only the differences from the third embodiment will be described below.

[0169] According to the fourth embodiment, the device according to the invention also provides a mill M, which is preferably arranged between the dryer D and the burner B. Accordingly, the method according to the invention can also provide for the spent grain T pre-dried according to the invention using the dryer D to be milled or otherwise comminuted before being fed to combustion in the burner B. By comminuting the spent grain T, its surface area is increased, and combustion is accelerated and more complete. Overall, this increases the thermal yield of the burner B. In an alternative embodiment, the spent grain could also be comminuted using a mill M before drying in the dryer D.However, due to the moisture still present in the spent grain, it is to be expected that a certain degree of clumping of the spent grain particles is to be expected again after comminution, which is why this embodiment is less preferred than the one in which grinding is carried out after drying, as shown in Fig. 4.

[0170] The present invention can also provide a mill M or grinding of the spent grain before combustion in any other described and / or illustrated embodiment. The fifth embodiment of the invention, as shown in Fig. 5, is essentially based on the same structure as the third embodiment described above. More precisely, the fifth embodiment represents a combination of the third embodiment described above with the second embodiment described above. Thus, the fifth embodiment combines the heat pump-assisted drying of the spent grain T, followed by combustion of the dried spent grain in the burner B, with the pre-drying of the spent grain T using the gas stream GS, as described above in the second embodiment.

[0171] Another specific embodiment of the invention (Example E4) corresponds to the embodiment schematically illustrated in Fig. 5 and described above. Example E4 is based on the above-described examples E1, E2, and E3 and has all their features combined. Accordingly, all of the above properties and features of examples E1, E2, and E3, as described above, apply to example E4, which are jointly implemented in this one embodiment E4.

[0172] The sixth embodiment of the invention, as shown in Fig. 6, is based essentially on the same structure as the third embodiment described above. Therefore, only the differences from the third embodiment will be described below.

[0173] In the sixth embodiment, the burner B is connected via the third heat transfer medium circuit K3 not only generally to a heat consumer WV, but also to an absorption chiller A as a heat consumer. The third heat transfer medium WT3 (e.g. water), as described above, absorbs heat from the burner B via the fifth heat exchanger X5, heats up to 118°C, for example, and transports this heat to the absorption chiller A, to which it is transferred. The third heat transfer medium WT3 cools down to 97°C, for example. More precisely, the heat of the third heat transfer medium WT3 is transferred to the coolant KMA of the absorption chiller A by means of the sixth heat exchanger X6. The transferred heat is used by the absorption chiller A to provide cooling capacity in accordance with the conventional functioning of an absorption chiller. A fourth heat transfer medium WT4 (e.g.glycol) is fed to a seventh heat exchanger X7, in which the fourth heat carrier WT4 releases heat to the coolant KMA of the absorption chiller A and is cooled down, for example to -4 °C. The cooled fourth heat carrier WT4 is fed to a heat source WQ, i.e. a cooling consumer, and absorbs heat from the heat source WQ in an eighth heat exchanger X8. This cools the heat source WQ, so that ultimately the cooling capacity provided by the absorption chiller A is used to cool the heat source WQ. The fourth heat carrier WT4, heated to 10 °C, for example, is in turn fed to the seventh heat exchanger X7 to release heat to the absorption chiller A and by cooling to -4 °C, for example. This closes the fourth heat carrier circuit K4 with the fourth heat carrier WT4.

[0174] In the manner described above, for example, within the scope of the sixth embodiment described, a heat surplus generated by the burner B can be used to generate additional cooling capacity with the aid of the absorption refrigeration system A in addition to the heat pump WP according to the invention in order to further increase the overall cooling capacity of the device V according to the invention. Overall, apart from the energy required to operate the absorption refrigeration system A, the heat pump WP and the heat transfer pumps (not shown), no further input of primary energy is required since the invention, on the one hand, incorporates waste heat originating from the heat sources of the operation and, on the other hand, uses the excess heat obtained from the combustion of the dried spent grain, provided it cannot be meaningfully utilized by other heat consumers in the operation, by means of the absorption refrigeration system A to increase the overall cooling capacity of the device according to the invention.

[0175] In the inventive combination of the two cooling sources, the heat pump WP typically provides 50 to 70% of the cooling demand (required cooling capacity), while the absorption chiller A typically provides 30 to 50% of the cooling demand. The seventh embodiment of the invention, as shown in Fig. 7, is essentially based on the same structure as the sixth embodiment described above. More specifically, the seventh embodiment represents a combination of the sixth embodiment described above with the second embodiment described above.Thus, the seventh embodiment combines the heat pump-assisted drying of the spent grain T, including subsequent combustion of the dried spent grain in the burner B and utilization of the heat released in a heat consumer WV and in an absorption refrigeration system K, with the pre-drying of the spent grain T using the gas stream GS, as described above in the second embodiment.

[0176] The eighth embodiment of the invention, as shown in Fig. 8, is essentially based on the same structure as the sixth embodiment described above. In this embodiment, the heat from one or more heat sources WQ is supplied to the absorption chiller A and the heat pump WP not via two separate heat transfer circuits K2, K4, but only via a single heat transfer circuit K2 with one heat transfer medium (second heat transfer medium WT2). By jointly supplying the absorption chiller A and the heat pump WP with heat via a single heat transfer circuit K2, the design of the device according to the invention and the equipment required for its implementation are simplified.Thus, according to the inventors' experience, a single heat transfer circuit K2, which uses, for example, glycol as the second heat transfer medium WT2, is sufficient to ensure heat transfer between the heat source(s) WQ and the heat-absorbing elements of the device according to the invention, namely the absorption chiller A and the heat pump WP. A storage unit (not shown) for the intermediate storage and thermal or hydraulic buffering of the second heat transfer medium WT2 can optionally be integrated into the heat transfer circuit K2.

[0177] The ninth embodiment of the invention, as shown in Fig. 9, is essentially based on the same structure as the eighth embodiment described above. More precisely, the ninth embodiment represents a combination of the seventh embodiment described above with the second embodiment described above. Thus, the ninth embodiment combines the heat pump-assisted drying of the spent grain T with subsequent combustion of the dried spent grain in the burner B and utilization of the heat released in a heat consumer WV and in an absorption refrigeration system K with the pre-drying of the spent grain T using the gas stream GS, as described above in the second embodiment. The two cooling sources, namely the absorption refrigeration system A and the heat pump WP, use a common heat transfer medium circuit K2 to absorb heat from one or more heat sources WQ using the second heat transfer medium WT2.

Claims

Claims 1. Device (V) for treating spent grain (T) from a brewery or distillery, preferably for carrying out the method according to one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the device (V) comprises: a dryer (D) for drying the spent grain (T); a heat pump (WP); a first heat transfer circuit (K1); and a second heat transfer circuit (K2); wherein the dryer (D) is preferably one of the following: rotary bundle dryer, drum dryer, tube bundle dryer, Flash tube dryers and belt dryers, with the rotary bundle dryer being particularly preferred; wherein heat from at least one heat source (WQ) can be transferred to the dryer (D) by means of the heat pump (WP); wherein a first heat carrier (WT1) can be circulated or guided in the first heat carrier circuit (K1), wherein the first heat carrier circuit (K1) is designed such that the first heat carrier (WT1) can absorb heat from the heat pump (WP) and transfer it to the dryer (D); and wherein a second heat carrier (WT2) can be circulated or guided in the second heat carrier circuit (K2), wherein the second heat carrier circuit (K2) is designed such that the second heat carrier (WT2) can absorb heat from the heat source (WQ) or one of the heat sources (WQ) and transfer it to the heat pump (WP).

2. Device (V) according to claim 1, wherein the device (V) further comprises: a gas stream (GS) consisting of a gas (G), wherein the gas stream (GS) is or can be guided such that the gas (G) can be brought into contact with the spent grain (T) at a contact point (KS); wherein the contact point (KS) is preferably arranged in the dryer (D).

3. Device (V) according to claim 2, wherein the device (V) further comprises: a condenser (K) for transferring heat from the gas (G) to a cooling medium (KM) and for discharging condensate; wherein the gas flow (GS) is or can be guided in such a way that the gas (G) can be brought into contact with the condenser (K) and the gas (G) can release heat to the cooling medium (KM); and wherein the condenser (K) is arranged downstream of the contact point (KS) with respect to the gas flow (GS).

4. Device (V) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the device (V) further comprises: a heat exchanger (WG) for heating the gas (G); wherein heat can be transferred from the heat source (WQ) or one of the heat sources (WQ) to the gas (G) by means of the heat pump (WP) and the heat exchanger (WG) for heating the gas (G); wherein the gas flow (GS) can be guided or is guided in such a way that the gas (G) can be brought into contact with the heat exchanger (WG) for heating the gas (G) and the gas (G) can absorb heat from the heat source (WQ) or one of the heat sources (WQ) via the heat pump (WP) and the heat exchanger (WG) for heating the gas (G); and wherein the heat exchanger (WG) for heating the gas (G) is arranged upstream of the contact point (KS) with respect to the gas flow (GS).

5. Device (V) according to claim 4, wherein the first heat carrier (WT1) can transfer heat by means of the heat exchanger (WG) for heating the gas (G) from the heat pump (WP) to the gas (G).

6. Device (V) according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the gas (G) is or can be circulated in a circuit, or the gas stream (GS) is a circuit.

7. Brewery or distillery comprising a device (V) according to one of claims 1 to 6; wherein the heat source (WQ) is preferably a beverage, preferably a wort, a beer or a spirit.

8. Brewery or distillery according to claim 7, wherein the brewery or distillery does not have a refrigeration machine; or wherein the brewery or distillery has one or more refrigeration machines that do not exceed a total cooling capacity of 6 kWh / hl of beverage.

9. A method for treating spent grain (T) from a brewery or distillery, the method comprising at least the following step and being carried out using the device (V) according to one of claims 1 to 6: (a) drying the spent grain (T) to a water content of at most 52% by mass %, preferably 5 to 40 mass%, in particular 12 to 22 mass%; wherein heat is used to dry the spent grain (T), which heat is transferred from at least one heat source (WQ) to the spent grain (T) by means of a heat pump (WP).

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the drying of the spent grain (T) is carried out or assisted by bringing the spent grain (T) into contact with a gas (G) which is conducted in a gas stream (GS); wherein the gas (G) is heated by means of heat which originates from the heat source (WQ) or one of the heat sources (WQ) and is transferred by means of the heat pump (WP); and wherein the gas (G) is preferably circulated or can be circulated, or the gas stream (GS) is preferably a cycle.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the water extracted from the spent grain (T) during drying is used in a process for producing a product, preferably a beverage; wherein the water is preferably extracted from the gas (G) by condensation.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein a first heat transfer medium (WT1) is guided in a first heat transfer medium circuit (K1) and absorbs heat from the heat pump (WP) and thereby assumes a temperature of 60 to 150 °C, preferably 90 to 110 °C, and transfers heat to the dryer (D) and thereby assumes a temperature of 20 to 60 °C, preferably 38 to 50 °C, wherein the transferred heat is used to dry the spent grain (T); and a second heat transfer medium (WT2) is guided in a second heat transfer medium circuit (K2) and absorbs heat from the heat source (WQ) or one of the heat sources (WQ) and thereby assumes a temperature of 4 to 20 °C, preferably 6 to 10 °C, and transfers heat to the heat pump (WP) and thereby assumes a temperature of -6 to 0 °C, preferably -4 to -2 °C.

13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein a first heat transfer medium (WT1) is guided in a first heat transfer medium circuit (Kl) and absorbs heat from the heat pump (WP) and thereby assumes a temperature of 60 to 150 °C, preferably 90 to 110 °C, and transfers heat to the heat exchanger (WG) for heating the gas (G) and thereby assumes a temperature of 20 to 60 °C, preferably 38 to 50 °C, wherein the transferred heat is used to heat the gas (G); and a second heat carrier (WT2) is guided in a second heat carrier circuit (K2) and absorbs heat from the heat source (WQ) or one of the heat sources (WQ) and thereby assumes a temperature of 4 to 20 °C, preferably 6 to 10 °C, and transfers heat to the heat pump (WP) and thereby assumes a temperature of -6 to 0 °C, preferably -4 to -2 °C.

14. Use of heat which originates from at least one heat source (WQ) and is provided by means of a heat pump (WP) for drying a spent grain (T) from a brewery or distillery, preferably before its combustion.

5. Use according to claim 14, wherein the use comprises drying the spent grain (T) by transferring the heat to the spent grain (T) and / or by transferring the heat to a gas (G) and bringing the spent grain (T) into contact with the gas (G).

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