Additive Insertion Tank for Continuous Beer Hopping

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Solution Overview

Problem

The traditional method of adding hops to beer during brewing is labor-intensive, requiring operators to manually carry heavy hop pellets to high locations, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential oxidation of the beer due to oxygen exposure.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a tank with an additive receiving compartment, a ventable chamber, and a pipe connection for inserting additives into a flowing liquid foodstuff, allowing for continuous addition of additives without stopping the process, while preventing oxygen entry through inert gas venting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If hops are added manually by an operator carrying heavy pellets to high locations, then the additive can be added to the beer, but the operation becomes labor-intensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of adding hopsVSAvoidspeed of adding hops

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary chamber between the hop storage location and the beer tank. This chamber receives hop pellets from the top and delivers them to the beer flow at the bottom, eliminating the need for operators to manually carry heavy pellets to high locations while enabling continuous addition without stopping the brewing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a pneumatic system where air pressure is used to transport hop pellets from the intermediary chamber through a tube into the beer flow. This mechanical assistance replaces manual carrying and enables automated, continuous hop addition at high speed without labor-intensive manual operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Ease of operation

If hops are added by opening at the top of the fermentation tank, then the additive can be added, but oxygen exposure occurs causing unwanted reactions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of adding hopsVSAvoidoxygen exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates an inert environment by using an intermediary chamber that is sealed and filled with inert gas (nitrogen or carbon dioxide). This inert atmosphere prevents oxygen exposure when hops are added, eliminating unwanted oxidation reactions while maintaining ease of operation through automated delivery systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

3Ease of operation

If a smaller tank is used to arrange hops and transport by air pressure, then hops can be added without manual carrying, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of adding hopsVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the intermediary chamber to serve multiple functions: it acts as a hop storage container, a pneumatic delivery system, an oxygen-exclusion chamber, and a flow controller. By consolidating these functions into a single device, the patent reduces overall system complexity while maintaining ease of operation through automated hop addition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient and continuous addition of additives, such as hop pellets, to large volumes of beer, reducing the time required for flavor and aroma transfer and preventing unwanted reactions by maintaining an oxygen-free environment.

Implementation Method 1

preventing oxygen entry through inert gas venting

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInert gas displacement:

Implementation Method 2

insert the additives in the flowing liquid foodstuff via the pipe connection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid mixing:

Data Source

PatentEP3850075B1System for inserting additives in a flowing liquid foodstuff

Publication Date: 2023.06.07 AGIDENS PROCESS AUTOMATION NV

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AI summary

System for inserting additives in a flowing liquid foodstuff, in particular for inserting hop pellets in flowing beer or wort, comprising a tank comprising: an additive receiving compartment adapted to receive additives; a first chamber adapted to be vented by a venting system; a pipe connection adapted to be connected to a pipe where the flowing liquid foodstuff is in, and to insert the additives in the flowing liquid foodstuff; a first valve arranged between the additive receiving compartment and the first chamber, wherein the first valve has an open position wherein additives can be transferred from the additive receiving compartment to the first chamber, and has a closed position wherein additives can be received in the additive receiving compartment while the first chamber can be vented and / or additives can be inserted in the flowing liquid foodstuff via the pipe connection.