Diseño y construcción de un fermentador tipo Batch, como parte de una línea de procesos para la obtención de cerveza artesanal

Abstract

The design and construction of a Batch-type fermenter was carried out as part of a process line to obtain craft beer for the Laboratory of Industrial Processes of the Faculty of Sciences of the ESPOCH. The process began by making the beer to scale laboratory, where the design variables were obtained for their dimensioning such as initial pH (5.6), Brix degrees (11.9), temperature and selection of strains to produce fermentation. Once the variables were obtained and through the application of regulations, the calculations were made based on the experimental trials and the ASME code. Subsequently, for the equipment construction, the material type was selected, stainless steel being the appropriate one, due to its safety characteristics for the human ingestion products. The product must be of quality based on the INEN 2263: 2013 standard, under this context the physicochemical and microbiological characterization of the Ale-type beer obtained was carried out, which is based on malt and hops. The fermenter has a total production capacity of 60 liters individually, while when on the production line it can produce 42 liters. The built equipment complies with all the established design parameters; this was determined by validating the fermenter, verifying its operation and obtaining results such as alcohol content (5.2), final pH (4.41), anaerobic microorganisms, 8 colony-forming units per cm3 and nine in Molds and yeasts; complying with permissible values of the INEN 2263: 2013 norm. It is concluded that the process design is adequate to obtain a quality product. Finally, it is recommended to use Good manufacturing practices to avoid contamination of the final product, in addition to periodically performing preventive maintenance.