Recycling thermal energy during the brewing process

When it comes to the subject of energy, recycling is a key issue for modern brewhouses. With EquiTherm Brew, Steinecker offers a recycling system that supplies the mashing process with energy recovered from the wort cooling process. The demand for primary resources is reduced as a result – an advantage that not only benefits your production costs, but is also better for the environment.

At a glance:

• Fossil fuel savings thanks to reduced thermal energy demand
• Reduction of energy peaks in the boiler plant
• Lower demand for ice water for wort cooling, with a resulting reduction in the surplus of hot water
• Lower heating medium temperatures during the mashing process for stable foam, lighter beer colours and improved flavour stability

High energy savings

• Savings potential: Up to 55 percent in terms of thermal energy and 40 percent in terms of electrical energy in the brewhouse
• Load peaks reduced by up to 50 percent in the brewhouse: Smaller boiler plants are possible
• Improved energy balance: Avoidance of surplus hot water and reduction of the demand for ice water in the wort cooler
• Upgrade to low-temperature brewing or to Brewnomic possible
• Basis for CO₂-neutral and sustainable beer production

Economical management of hot water demands

• The amount of hot water generated in the wort cooler is normally far greater in a standard brewhouse than is required for production and cleaning. With EquiTherm, part of the energy from the hot wort is already dissipated to the energy storage tank at the first stage of wort cooling.
• The amount of hot water in the second stage is reduced, which allows water and energy losses to be avoided.

Improved product quality

• Improved flavour stability for the beer thanks to the reduced thermal load on the mash
• Reduced heating surface temperature: protects enzymes and reduces fouling
• Consistent wort quality thanks to non-varying heating rates during the entire production week

High technological benefits

• Reduced fouling for lower demand for cleaning agents, rinsing water and time
• Flexibility in the choice of total evaporation in comparison to conventional energy recovery (between 3 and 6.5 percent of the energy can be fully recovered)
• Can be retrofitted in existing plants without any problems