With the market growing and competition expanding, breweries have to invest in processing equipment that will bring a return on investment.
In the last decade, the number of microbreweries filling Americans’ pint glasses has skyrocketed. According to the U.S. Brewers Association, 24% ($22.2 billion) of the beer market belongs to microbreweries.
With the market growing and competition expanding, breweries have to invest in processing equipment that will bring a return on investment. One of the most common pieces of equipment is a shell and tube heat exchanger.
When using a heat exchanger where two liquids are involved, the heat exchanger uses heat from one fluid in the shell of the exchanger to warm or cool the other liquid in the tubes of the exchanger.
The main purpose of this in brewing is to kill the bacteria in yeast, one of the main ingredients in beer. The bacteria in most yeasts in the beer need to be boiled first and cooled afterward. Also, the bacteria is known as thermophilic, meaning it can withstand higher temperatures.
Having a custom shell and tube heat exchanger allows breweries to reach proper temperatures to kill off the bacteria without damaging the state of the product. According to Serious Eats, there is such a thing as “friendly yeast,” which can be introduced to add numerous flavors while breaking down the sugar.
Heating these products can kill off the appropriate yeast needed to craft beer. According to Brew Like a Pro, cleaning and sanitation is essential for the “cool side” of the beer-making process because the thermophilic bacteria can multiply and double every 20 minutes.
The brewing process can be greatly affected by the rolling action of the boil. The heating process needs to be relatively precise, which calls for custom heat exchanger solutions.