Pumped Closed-Circuit Fermented Liquid Maturation and Washing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing maturation processes for alcoholic beverages, particularly wine, are lengthy, costly, and prone to quality loss due to oxidation during transfer, with known plants being complex to clean and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A plant and process utilizing a closed circuit system with a maturation tank and washing tank, allowing continuous recirculation of fermented liquid and washing fluid, facilitated by valves and pumping means, to efficiently introduce and remove aromatizing products like wood chips or slats, ensuring quick maturation and easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If wood barrels are used for maturation, then aromatic complexity is improved, but maturation time and storage cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the maturation process into two distinct stages: a fermentation stage in a first tank and a maturation stage in a second tank. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently, achieving aromatic complexity through controlled wood contact during maturation while reducing overall time by separating the processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces dynamic control through pumping means that can circulate the liquid between the first and second tanks. This dynamic circulation allows the liquid to be returned to the first tank for additional fermentation or storage, and then transferred to the second tank for maturation, optimizing the timing and duration of each stage to reduce total maturation time while maintaining aromatic quality.
2Area of stationary object
If steel containers with wood chips are used, then storage space is reduced, but maturation time remains long and quality loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous useful action through the circulating pump that continuously moves liquid between the tanks. This continuous circulation prevents stagnation and oxidation during transfer, maintaining product quality while enabling faster maturation. The liquid is constantly in motion, either fermenting in the first tank or maturing in the second tank, eliminating idle time.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump acts as an intermediary mechanism that facilitates controlled transfer of liquid between tanks. This intermediary device enables precise control over when liquid moves from fermentation to maturation, optimizing the timing to minimize quality loss and reduce total process time while maintaining the space efficiency of using separate tank containers.
3Adaptability or versatility
If transfer operations are performed frequently, then flexibility is improved, but oxidation risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses hydraulic principles through the pump-driven circulation system to control liquid movement. By using pressurized pump flow rather than gravity-based transfer, the system can move liquid quickly and controllably between tanks, minimizing exposure time to air and reducing oxidation risk while maintaining the flexibility to adjust process timing.
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 system reduces maturation time to less than 7 days, enhances product quality by minimizing oxidation, and simplifies cleaning and maintenance, while using both wood chips and slats for aromatic complexity.
Implementation Method 1
pumping means (7), arranged to force the circulation of the fermented liquid (L) along the circulation circuit (5)
Implementation Method 2
a washing tank (4), arranged to contain a washed liquid, the plant (1) being provided with a connection circuit (5) hydraulically connecting the maturation tank (3) and the washing tank (4)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Plant (1) for maturing a fermented liquid (L), which comprises a support structure (2) on which a maturation tank (3) intended to contain aromatizing products (11) and a washing tank (4) intended to contain a washing fluid are mounted. The plant (1) also comprises a connection circuit (5), which hydraulically connects the maturation tank (3) and the washing tank (4), and comprises a delivery line (51), connected to a containment tank (10) containing the fermented liquid (L) and to the maturation tank (3), a return line (52), connected to the maturation tank (3) and to the containment tank (10), an introduction line (53), connected to the washing tank (4) and to the delivery line (51) at a first branch point (510) and a re-entry line (54), connected to the washing tank (4) and to the return line (52) at a second branch point (520). The plant (1) also comprises a first and a second valve group (6, 60), placed to intercept the connection circuit (5) respectively at the first and second branch point (510, 520) and actuatable for adjusting respectively the flow from the or returning to the maturation tank (3) of the fermented liquid (L) or of the washing fluid. The plant (1) also comprises pumping means (7), placed to intercept the connection circuit (5), downstream of the first or upstream of the second branch point (510, 520), and arranged for forcing the circulation of the fermented liquid (L) and/or of the washing fluid along the connection circuit (5).