Automated Beer Brewing System with Recirculating Vessel
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing beer brewing processes lack precision and efficiency in sugar extraction from malted grains, leading to variability in beer quality due to temperature and time inconsistencies during the mashing process.
Innovation Solution
A beer brewing system utilizing a detachable vessel for mashing, boiling, and fermentation with a recirculating liquid path and programmable controller to manage temperature profiles and ingredient addition, allowing for precise control and automation of the brewing process through multiple reservoirs and flow paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional beer brewing processes are used, then the process is simpler, but temperature and time inconsistencies lead to variability in beer quality
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing system is divided into separate functional modules: a control unit for temperature and timing control, a brewing vessel for mashing and boiling, a fermentation vessel, and a recirculation system with pumps and valves. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit pre-programmes temperature profiles and timing sequences for different brewing stages (mashing, boiling, fermentation) before the actual brewing process begins. This preliminary configuration ensures consistent temperature and time parameters are maintained throughout the process, eliminating variability without requiring complex real-time adjustments.
2Measurement precision
If manual ingredient addition is used, then the system is easier to operate, but human intervention increases and precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically manages ingredient addition through programmable sequences. The control unit triggers pumps and valves to add grains, hops, and other ingredients at precisely timed intervals based on pre-set recipes, eliminating the need for manual intervention while ensuring consistent precision in ingredient dosing.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors monitor temperature, flow rates, and ingredient addition in real-time, providing feedback to the control unit. This closed-loop control ensures that ingredient addition precision is maintained by automatically adjusting delivery rates and timing based on actual process conditions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If recirculation through multiple reservoirs is implemented, then ingredient distribution is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculation system uses a single multi-functional brewing vessel that serves multiple purposes: mashing, boiling, and initial wort cooling. The same vessel and recirculation pump are used for different process stages by simply changing the flow path configuration through programmable valve sequences, rather than requiring separate dedicated vessels for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow paths and recirculation rates are dynamically adjusted during different brewing stages through programmable control of valves and pumps. The system transitions smoothly between mashing recirculation, boiling circulation, and fermentation aeration modes, maintaining composition consistency through adaptive flow management rather than fixed static configurations.
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
This system ensures consistent beer quality by accurately controlling temperature and ingredient addition, reducing human intervention and system complexity while maintaining sterility and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
A programmable controller may cause liquid to recirculate through a heater
Implementation Method 2
The recirculating flow path may include a pump
Implementation Method 3
The removable reservoirs may include a check valve which may shut off flow when the reservoir may be removed or dislodged
Data Source
AI summary
A beer making system may use a detachable vessel to contain liquid during the mashing and boiling steps, and may also be used during the fermentation steps of beer making. The beer making system may recirculate liquid through the vessel, then select between several flow paths during the beer making process. A removable reservoir system having a grain reservoir and several hops or adjunct reservoirs may be selected as a flow path, as well as a bypass flow path. A programmable controller may cause liquid to recirculate through a heater and one of the various flow paths, the sequence, timing, and temperature profile of which are defined in a recipe for a particular beer.