Method and device for controlling the wort flow from a lauter tun

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a device for controlling the wort flow from a lauter tun. To shorten the lautering time, according to the present invention a second increased outflow value which is to be reached within a given time interval is pretermined in the course of the total sequence of a brewing process (first wort, second worts) in at least one phase (trending phase), based on a predetermined outflow value of the wort outflow, the increase in flow rate/per time unit (increase value) as is required for attaining the second outflow value is determined on the basis of these values, and the determined increase value is used as a set value for controlling an outflow regulator.

1 . A method for controlling the wort outflow from a lauter tun, in particular during brewing, wherein the wort outflow quantity is measured and compared with at least one predeterminable outflow value and an increase or decrease in the outflow quantity is regulated in accordance with the difference between set value and actual value, characterized in that in the course of a complete lautering process (first wort, second worts) a second increased outflow value which is to be reached within a specific time interval is predetermined in at least one phase (trending phase), based on the predetermined outflow value of the wort outflow, that the increase in flow rate per time unit (increase value) as required for achieving the second outflow value is determined on the basis of these values, and that said determined increase value is used as a set value for controlling an outflow regulator.  
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the effective flow opening of a regulating value is varied for regulating the outflow quantity.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the opening angle of a lauter flap is varied for regulating the outflow quantity.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a raking machine provided in said lauter tun is included in the control loop for controlling the outflow quantity.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the set value is varied in the course of the trending phase.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , characterized in that the set value is reduced if an increased flow rate of the wort is not reached in the course of the trending phase.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 5 , characterized in that the set value is negative.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , characterized in that, after the set value has been reduced, the original set value is again set if the flow rate of the wort is constant over a predetermined period.  
     
     
         9 . A device for performing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a lauter tun ( 1 ), a raking device ( 5 ) arranged in said lauter tun, a discharge pipe ( 12 ,  14 ) for said wort and a flow meter ( 15 ) arranged therein, as well as an outflow regulator ( 16 ) and a control means ( 17 ), characterized in that said control means ( 17 ) is connected to said outflow regulator ( 16 ) in such a manner that control signals for controlling the outflow quantity are given in response to outflow values measured with the aid of said flow rate meter.  
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 9 , characterized in that said outflow regulator ( 16 ) is a lauter flap.  
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 9 , characterized in that said outflow regulator is a regulating valve.