Guenther, C.1 and Verkoelen, F.1, (1)Pentair Haffmans, Venlo, NETHERLANDS
Poster
Accurate alcohol measurement is a critical part of the brewing process. Conventional in-line methods to determine the alcohol and extract concentration in beer are based on measuring and calculating two independent parameters like density, ultrasonic sound speed or refractive index. As a consequence extra handling steps are required such as product-specific calibration and compensation for carbon dioxide. The patented new optical in-line measuring principle overcomes these and makes the measurement easier than the current benchmark. To reduce these extra handling steps and enable a more accurate measurement of alcohol for beer an optical in-line sensor has been developed. The alcohol sensor consists mainly of a light source and a spectrometer. During the measurement light is transmitted through the beer pipe. The NIR-light beam is received in the spectrometer. By means of the spectrometer the light intensity in the wavelength band for alcohol is measured, and the water spectrum is subtracted. Within this wavelength band the surface area is determined by the electronics. This surface area is a direct measure for the alcohol concentration. By applying this direct alcohol measurement technology the continuous monitoring of the beer quality is simplified and becomes more reliable. This novel technology is applicable for filtered and low-turbidity beers up to 20% alcohol; higher turbidity beers are currently under investigation. Alcohol-free beer, beer-mix drinks and products with higher alcohol concentration can be measured with less operator intervention. Measurement can take place continuously in-line at critical locations in the production line—typically after filtration, carbonation and blending/mixing and in front of the filler. Using the optical In-line sensor technology an improved ethanol measurement is obtained: without the necessity of taking the extract content into account; without the necessity for product-specific calibration due to constituents other than ethanol in the product to be measured; and without the necessity of compensating for the carbon dioxide content.
Frank Verkoelen studied mechanical engineering at HTS Venlo and finished in 1982. Since 1984 Frank has worked for Pentair Haffmans, starting as a project engineer for CO2 recovery. In 1987 he changed to R&D project management and then became the R&D Manager. In 2001 Frank changed to product manager (PM) QC and became senior PM responsible for sales of QC equipment and in-line equipment. Since 2012 he has been the manager of strategic projects QC equipment and in-line equipment.
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