Programmable Air Injection Nozzles for Vinification Cap Disgregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air injection methods in the wine industry for vinification tanks are inefficient, requiring manual operation, leading to long application times, flavor and alcohol loss, and inadequate cap wetting, especially in tall and narrow tanks, due to the inability to automate the process and ensure thorough cap disgregation without violent turbulence.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for controlled air injection using programmable nozzles with independent modulation of air jet duration and frequency, coordinated through a microprocessor to create optimized shock waves for cap disgregation and wetting, with nozzles installed at a third of the tank height and actuated in alternating or overlapping sequences to minimize air consumption and prevent flavor and alcohol stripping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual air injection is used to break the cap, then cap disgregation is achieved, but application time is long and requires skilled personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic cap disgregation through programmed air injection sequences without requiring manual intervention. The microprocessor controls multiple nozzles to execute pre-programmed sequences, enabling the system to serve itself and eliminating dependency on skilled operators.
Solution Approach 2:
The air injection system uses dynamic control of multiple nozzles with variable timing sequences. The microprocessor adjusts the activation timing of each nozzle based on pre-programmed sequences, creating dynamic air injection patterns that adapt to different cap conditions and tank configurations.
2Ease of operation
If frequent air injection is used to wet the cap, then cap wetting is improved, but air consumption increases causing flavor and alcohol loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic air injection through multiple nozzles activated in sequential patterns. By distributing injection events across multiple nozzles with staggered timing, the system achieves thorough cap wetting over time while reducing the frequency and intensity of individual injection events, thereby minimizing flavor and alcohol stripping.
Solution Approach 2:
The air injection function is segmented across multiple nozzles positioned at different locations and heights. Each nozzle contributes to the overall cap wetting process at different stages, allowing the system to distribute the total air volume over an extended period while maintaining effective cap contact.
3Productivity
If strong air jets are used to break the cap quickly, then disgregation speed is improved, but violent turbulence causes flavor stripping
Solution Approach 1:
The cap disgregation function is divided among multiple nozzles positioned at different locations and heights within the tank. Each nozzle delivers a moderate-strength air jet that contributes to overall cap breakdown without creating violent localized turbulence. The segmented approach distributes the mechanical energy across multiple gentler action points.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic air injection with controlled intervals between pulses. By delivering air in measured periodic bursts rather than continuous strong jets, the system maintains productive cap disgregation while allowing liquid to dissipate turbulence between pulses, preventing excessive flavor stripping.
4Area of stationary object
If multiple nozzles are actuated simultaneously, then cap coverage is improved, but air consumption and turbulence increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple nozzles are activated in periodic sequences rather than simultaneously. The microprocessor controls each nozzle with programmed time delays, creating a wave-like progression of air injection across the cap surface. This temporal distribution maintains comprehensive cap coverage while reducing peak air consumption and cumulative turbulence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically sequences nozzle activation based on pre-programmed timing patterns. Different nozzle groups are activated in alternating sequences or overlapping patterns that optimize cap coverage at each stage of the injection cycle, adapting the spatial and temporal distribution of air injection to maintain efficiency.
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
The method achieves efficient cap disgregation and wetting with reduced air consumption, minimizing flavor and alcohol loss, and allows for automation, enabling shorter treatment times and improved extraction efficiency without violent action.
Implementation Method 1
create optimized shock waves for cap disgregation
Implementation Method 2
creates a strong local turbulence which rises to the surface
Implementation Method 3
bubbles that rise to the surface, mix the liquid content and partially wet the cap
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a device for air injection into a vinification tank (1) use air injection nozzles (2) installed therein. A rule is applied for automatic variation of injections with time, by a coordinated and combined action of the nozzles, so that for each of the installed nozzles the delivered air jets may be modulated in duration and frequency and combined with the jets delivered by the other nozzles according to a programmable sequence.