Craft Line Skid for Home Breweries

Centec offer a selection of cost-effective process systems specifically designed for craft breweries. These skids are typically used for capacities up to 100 hl/h. They are characterized by a lower level of automation and optional high precision sensor technology. The Centec Craft Line is easy to implement and to configure.  

For treatment in the column deaeration system, water is dispersed at the top of the column. The column contains densely packed, thin stainless steel sheets arranged in such way that the water takes multiple paths as it flows down through the column. This maximizes the transfer surface and the contact time between the water and the strip gas (CO₂ or N₂). The strip gas is fed into the bottom of the column and flows upwards inside it in counter current to the water. The large partial pressure difference of O₂ forces the oxygen out of the water into the gas phase. This fundamental scientific principle is described by Henry’s Law. At the top of the column the removed oxygen leaves the system as a gas, together with the undissolved CO₂ or N₂. To further enhance the performance and to avoid carbonation or nitrogenation of the water, the system can optionally be operated under vacuum and completely without strip gas. This reduces capital and operating costs. Also as an option, the O₂ content of the deaerated water can be permanently monitored. Therefore, the system is equipped with a high precision optical OXYTRANS sensor made by Centec.

The Craft Wort Aerator is designed for manual operation. Based on optional high precision oxygen and flow measurement, the amount of O₂ injected can be accurately adjusted to match the measured wort flow. For O₂ injection the Wort Aerator has a specifically designed Vortex-Venturi injector that feeds oxygen in a very large number of very fine bubbles directly into the product stream. Due to pressure and turbulent flow, the oxygen dissolves completely and absolutely homogeneously in a very short time. At the end of the optional dissolving path a control valve can be installed to keep the pressure in the system constant and above the saturation pressure. The Wort Aerator can be equipped with a sterile filter system to sterilize the incoming gas.

The Craft Blender is used for blending high gravity beer with deaerated water or for blending beer with syrup. If this is done directly in front of the filler, brewery flexibility is increased significantly. Different beers or beer-based mixed drinks can be produced from the same mother beer. In that way, the brewery can quickly react to changing market demands. Optionally, the flows and the content of original gravity and alcohol can be permanently monitored and adjusted by ratio control. Therefore, the system is equipped with high precision flow meters and in-line sensors made by Centec. Also as an option, the Craft Blender can be equipped with a Vortex-Venturi injector for combined supply of CO₂ into the product.

For CO₂ supply the Craft Carbonator has a specifically designed Vortex-Venturi injector that feeds carbon dioxide in a very large number of very fine bubbles directly into the product stream. Due to high pressure and turbulent flow, the CO₂ dissolves completely and absolutely homogeneously in a very short time. At the end of the optional dissolving path a control valve is installed. This valve keeps the pressure in the system constant and above the saturation pressure. The flows and the CO₂ content are permanently monitored and automatically adjusted in the process (option). Therefore, the system can be equipped with high precision flow meters and a CARBOTEC sensor made by Centec.