Beer brewing is an ancient and complex process, covering multiple links from raw material selection to fermentation, filtration, packaging, etc. To ensure the quality and stability of beer, the control of various parameters in the production process is crucial. Among them, flow meters, as a common and important measuring instrument, play an irreplaceable role in beer brewing.
Table of Contents
What is a flow meter?
A flow meter is an instrument used to measure the flow of liquids. It can accurately record the speed, volume, or mass of liquids passing through a pipeline. Its working principle usually depends on the physical properties of the liquid. The flow meter obtains the flow data of the liquid by sensing and calculating these physical parameters. It is widely used in various industrial production.
Types of flow meters
Electromagnetic flow meter
- Principle: Calculate flow rate by measuring the voltage generated when a conductive liquid passes through an electromagnetic field.
- Application: Electromagnetic flowmeter is suitable for measuring liquids with good fluidity in breweries, especially for flow control of liquids such as water, syrup, and fermentation liquid.
- Advantages: It can provide very accurate flow measurement, no mechanical wear, reduced maintenance requirements, and is suitable for a variety of liquids.
- Notes: Electromagnetic flowmeter is only suitable for conductive liquids, not suitable for measuring gas or non-conductive liquids such as oil.
Turbine flow meter
- Principle: Calculate flow rate by rotating the turbine driven by liquid, suitable for flow measurement of liquids and gases.
- Application: A turbine flowmeter is often used for liquid flow monitoring in breweries, especially in the precise flow control of raw liquids, beer, and water.
- Advantages: Provide very accurate measurement, especially for medium and high flow measurement of liquids. The turbine flowmeter is sensitive and suitable for occasions with large flow fluctuations. Due to its simple structure, the maintenance and replacement costs are low.
- Notes: It is not suitable for liquids containing impurities and particles, so it is necessary to ensure the cleanliness of the liquid. When the flow rate is too low, the measurement accuracy of the turbine flowmeter may be affected.
Mass flow meter (Coriolis flow meter)
- Principle: Calculate the flow rate by measuring the mass change generated when the liquid passes through a vibrating pipe.
- Application: Mass flowmeters are mainly used in beer additives, seasonings, precise measurement of alcohol concentration, and other occasions with extremely high requirements.
- Advantages: Provide very accurate mass flow data, suitable for beer production processes that require precise control. Not affected by the properties of the liquid, it can measure gas, liquid, and mixtures, suitable for complex production environments.
- Notes: Mass flowmeters are more expensive than other flow When installing, the space of the pipeline needs to be considered to ensure that the flow meter can be effectively measured.
Ultrasonic flow meter
- Principle: Calculate the liquid flow by measuring the change in the propagation velocity of ultrasonic waves, suitable for non-contact flow measurement of large pipelines and liquids.
- Application: It is mainly used to measure the flow rate of liquid in the pipeline of the brewing system, suitable for non-contact measurement needs. It can be used for any type of liquid, such as water, finished beer, etc.
- Advantages: Suitable for beer production environments with high hygiene requirements. Low installation and maintenance costs, easy to achieve remote monitoring. It can measure flow rate and flow rate and is not affected by changes in the physical properties of the liquid.
- Note: The installation conditions are high, and the pipe wall thickness, material, and flow characteristics of the liquid will affect the measurement results. When the flow rate is low or there are bubbles or impurities in the pipe, the measurement accuracy may decrease.
The role of flow meters in beer brewing
Flow control during malt mash
The malt mash process is one of the basic steps in beer brewing. In this process, malt is mixed with water and heated, and enzymes convert starch into sugar. The flow meter ensures the optimal ratio of water and wort, which affects the efficiency of mash and the final quality of brewing. If the ratio of water to wort is inaccurate, it may lead to incomplete or excessive mash, affecting the effect of the subsequent fermentation process.
Liquid flow monitoring during boiling
The main purpose of boiling is to dissolve the bitter and aromatic substances in hops into the wort at a high temperature while evaporating unwanted impurities. The flow meter is used in this link to monitor the flow of work to ensure that the amount of each boil is consistent. Through the precise measurement of the flow meter, manufacturers can better control the boiling time and temperature and optimize the bitterness and taste of the beer.
Gas and liquid flow monitoring during fermentation
During the fermentation stage, yeast converts sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide. Too much carbon dioxide may lead to incomplete fermentation or explosive fermentation, and the flow meter can help producers accurately control gas emissions and ensure the stability of the fermentation process. In addition, the flow meter can also monitor the flow of liquid in the fermentation tank to ensure that there is no leakage or unnecessary flow.
Flow measurement during bottling and packaging
In the bottling and packaging of beer, the flow meter is used to ensure that the amount of liquid in each bottle of beer is consistent. The flow meter avoids over- or under-filling by accurately measuring the amount of liquid filled, reducing production losses and improving packaging efficiency. Especially for large-scale breweries, the application of flow meters in this link is indispensable.
Maintenance and calibration of flow meters
- Cleaning and inspection: The sensor and piping system of the flow meter will accumulate impurities or dirt over time, resulting in deviations in the measurement results. Regularly check the external and internal cleanliness of the flow meter to ensure that the pipeline is unobstructed.
- Check the seals and connections: Regularly check the sealing parts of the flow meter to ensure that there are no leaks at the connections, especially for flow meters used in high-pressure or high-temperature environments. Failure of the seal may cause inaccurate measurements or equipment damage.
- Regular calibration: The flow meter should be calibrated regularly, especially in important production links. Errors in the flow meter may cause production quality problems or waste of resources.
- Record and analysis: After each calibration, the calibration process, the readings of the standard equipment, the calibration results, and the error range must be recorded in detail. These records will not only help with future troubleshooting but also provide a reference for the subsequent maintenance and management of the flow meter.
FAQ
How does a flow meter affect the quality of beer?
Precise flow control helps ensure the exact proportion of raw materials in the brewing process, such as the ratio of water to wort. This directly affects the flavor, taste, and alcohol content of the beer. Flow meters can also ensure accurate control of brewing time to prevent over-fermentation or incomplete fermentation.
How to determine whether a flow meter needs to be replaced?
If the measurement accuracy of the flow meter has seriously decreased and cannot be restored to normal through calibration, or if there is damage or leakage on the outside of the flow meter, it may need to be replaced.
How to deal with flow meter failure or abnormal readings?
- Check whether the pipeline is blocked or leaking.
- Confirm whether the flow meter is affected by temperature and pressure changes.
- Clean the flow meter to ensure that no scale or sediment affects the measurement.
- Recalibrate to ensure the accuracy of the flow meter.
How to choose a flow meter suitable for beer brewing?
When choosing a flow meter, the following points should be considered:
- Liquid type: Different flow meters are suitable for different types of liquids. For example, wort flow meters usually need to have high-temperature resistance and corrosion resistance.
- Flow range: Select the appropriate flow range according to the flow demand of the brewing equipment.
- Accuracy: Make sure the accuracy of the flow meter meets the requirements of the brewing process, especially when controlling the wort flow.
- Maintenance cost: Consider the cleaning and maintenance cycle and cost of the flow meter.
What factors should be paid attention to when using a flow meter?
- Changes in temperature and pressure: The temperature and pressure of the liquid will affect the reading of the flow meter and need to be adjusted.
- Liquid properties: Sugar, yeast, and other ingredients in beer may affect the accuracy of certain types of flow meters. It is recommended to choose a flow meter suitable for beer brewing.
- Cleaning and maintenance: The flow meter may accumulate sediment due to long-term use, so it needs to be cleaned and calibrated regularly.