Cooling Jackets in Beer Fermentation Equipment

What is a jacketed fermenter?

A jacketed fermenter is constructed with double-layer stainless steel plates sandwiched between a thick honeycomb core. This structure, also known as a honeycomb sandwich, is lightweight, soundproof, and resilient.

How a Fermenter Cooling Jacket Works

A fermenter/tank cooling jacket is a temperature regulation technology that cools beer from the outside. A standard tank cooling jacket is made of a flexible material with channels inside for the flow of a coolant (typically a mixture of glycol and water). When wrapped around a fermenter in a brewery or brewery, the glycol jacket absorbs heat from within the tank.

Cooling Jacket Advantages

• Adjustable temperature levels: Enables more uniform cooling and fermentation.

• Prevents accidental contamination: Does not compromise the integrity of the tank.

• Easy to install and maintain.

• A vital component of a complete brewery cooling system: Industrial coolers help recool heated coolant returning from tank cooling jackets, preparing it for recirculation.

The Importance of Temperature Control

Each yeast strain has a preferred operating temperature range to produce the highest quality yield. For example, the most common yeast strain (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) prefers a temperature between 30°C (86°F) and 45°C (113°F). Temperatures that are too high or too low can inhibit production efficiency. Therefore, managing fermentation temperature is crucial to maintaining optimal production time and yield.

Comparison of Fermenter Cooling Methods

Internal Cooling Methods

Cooling rods or coils: Directly immersed in the brew

Disadvantages:

• Increased exposure to microorganisms and rapid oxidation of the beer

• Lowered cooling efficiency

• Can cause hot and cold spots in the fermenter, resulting in uneven fermentation

External Cooling Method

Cooling Jacket: Wrapped around the outside of the fermenter

Advantages:

• Provides uniform cooling

• Prevents microbial contamination and unwanted oxidation of the liquid inside the vessel

Ice Bath Method

Use a large bathtub filled with ice or a frozen water bottle.

Simple but limited in effectiveness, suitable for small-scale fermentations.

Ideal Coolant Choice

In most cases, a mixture of ethylene glycol and water (30% ethylene glycol solution) is the optimal coolant for wine tank cooling jackets. Its advantages include:

• Retaining heat longer than water, improving efficiency

• Providing greater lubrication for the cooler pump

• Having antifreeze properties, it can cool to sub-zero temperatures without freezing and clogging the cooling pipes

Innovative Design

DEGONG utilizes a dual-stage cooling system with a dimple jacket design, covering both the conical bottom and straight wall sections. Punching distances and arcs are designed based on the tank's pressure requirements and drawings. The consistent honeycomb shape of the Miller plate allows the tank to withstand stress when maintaining pressure, resulting in a long service life and high pressure-bearing capacity.