SO2 Barrel Dosing Lance for Homogeneous Wine Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for adding sulfur dioxide (SO2) to wine barrels are time-consuming, imprecise, and can lead to cross-contamination, water addition, and uneven distribution, posing risks to personnel and affecting wine quality.
Innovation Solution
A dosing apparatus with an application lance and support that generates high-flow pulses and uses a nozzle for better wine agitation, along with a sanitization receptacle and traceability features to ensure precise and efficient SO2 distribution, eliminating the need for manual dosing and reducing operator fatigue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual addition of concentrated SO2 solution is used, then dosing can be performed, but the process is time-consuming and generates foul smell
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state of sulfur dioxide from liquid solution to gas phase. The apparatus uses a gasification chamber to convert liquid SO2 into gas, which is then delivered directly to the barrel through a lance. This parameter change eliminates the need for handling concentrated liquid solutions, thereby preventing foul smells during preparation and application while maintaining dosing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the manual mechanical process of preparing and applying liquid SO2 solution with an automated gas delivery system. The system uses a pump to transfer liquid SO2, a gasification chamber to convert it to gas, and a controlled delivery mechanism to apply it. This substitution eliminates manual handling steps that cause delays and foul odors.
2Productivity
If concentrated SO2 solution is prepared in advance, then dosing can be performed, but water is added to the wine
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the delivery form from liquid solution (containing water) to gaseous SO2. By gasifying the sulfur dioxide and delivering it directly as gas bubbles through the wine, the system achieves dosing efficiency without introducing additional water into the wine, thus preserving the wine's original composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts only the sulfur dioxide component from the water-based solution and delivers it in pure gaseous form. The gasification chamber separates SO2 from water, allowing only the active ingredient (SO2) to be transferred to the wine, eliminating the unwanted water addition while maintaining dosing effectiveness.
3Manufacturing precision
If effervescent tablets are used, then SO2 distribution is achieved, but sodium or potassium is added to the wine
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the source material from solid effervescent tablets containing metal salts to pure gaseous sulfur dioxide. By delivering SO2 directly in gas form, the system achieves uniform distribution through bubble formation without introducing sodium or potassium ions that would alter the wine's composition and taste.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and delivers only the active sulfur dioxide component, eliminating all other substances present in effervescent tablets. The gas delivery system ensures that only SO2 molecules are introduced into the wine, excluding any metal salts or other additives that would contaminate the product.
4Ease of operation
If operator manually doses and applies SO2, then dosing can be performed, but dosing errors may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements self-service through automated control systems that manage the dosing process. The system includes sensors, controllers, and programmed sequences that automatically calculate required doses, control gas flow rates, and monitor application parameters. This automation eliminates reliance on operator skill and attention, ensuring consistent precision while maintaining ease of operation through user-friendly interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention incorporates feedback mechanisms including sensors that monitor SO2 delivery, wine parameters, and system operation. The control system continuously receives this feedback and adjusts dosing parameters in real-time to maintain precision. This closed-loop control ensures accurate dosing regardless of operational variations, while the automated nature keeps the system easy to operate.
5Manufacturing precision
If nitrogen is bubbled for agitation, then SO2 mixing is achieved, but cross-contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the agitation function from the nitrogen bubbling process and integrates it directly into the SO2 delivery system. The gas lance delivers SO2 in a manner that creates sufficient agitation through the injection process itself, eliminating the need for separate nitrogen bubbling steps that could cause cross-contamination between barrels.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the dosing and agitation functions into a single integrated process. The SO2 gas delivery lance simultaneously performs dosing and creates agitation through its injection mechanism, combining two previously separate operations into one step. This integration eliminates the intermediate nitrogen bubbling step that poses cross-contamination risks while maintaining effective mixing.
6Ease of operation
If application lance is held manually, then positioning can be adjusted, but operator fatigue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements self-positioning through a support system that automatically maintains the lance in the correct position during application. The system includes mechanical supports or positioning mechanisms that hold the lance steady, eliminating the need for continuous manual holding. This reduces operator fatigue while maintaining positioning accuracy through automated stabilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary positioning by pre-setting the lance position before application begins. The support system is configured in advance to hold the lance at the optimal position, and the application process proceeds without requiring continuous manual adjustment. This preliminary setup eliminates repetitive positioning actions that cause operator fatigue while maintaining flexibility through initial configurability.
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 apparatus achieves faster, more homogeneous SO2 distribution, prevents cross-contamination, and improves safety by reducing manual handling, while ensuring accurate dosing and traceability, thus enhancing wine quality and process efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a nozzle for generating pulses of a gas flow that allows for greater agitation of the wine and thus better distribution of the gas within the barrel
Implementation Method 2
The application of gaseous SO2 in high weight for the sanitization of the barrel
Data Source
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AI summary
A device and method for dosing sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas into wine contained in wooden barrels, comprising an application lance comprising a nozzle having larger holes that allow both the entry of wine into the nozzle and the exit of SO2 gas from the nozzle, generating a gas flow sufficient for a homogeneous distribution of the gas within the barrel; and a support comprising a base and legs that support the application lance on the upper wall of the barrel near the area of the bung, wherein the support of the application lance comprises a base that in the position of use is horizontal to the wall of the barrel, raised only a few centimeters from the wall of the barrel.