Krones builds new water efficient cellar concept

09-Feb-2010 - Last updated on 09-Feb-2010 at 08:49 GMT

Krones has launched a new cellar concept that the company claims connects pipes and tanks in a way that cuts down on water consumption, saves on energy use, and reduces cleaning times.

To be used by breweries to store and ferment beer, the new Steinecker TwinPro is a cellar concept that comes in sizes starting from 100,000 hl per year to up to 10,000,000 hl a year.

The Twin Pro concept is based on double seat valves, grouped together in filling and draining racks. Several tanks can be connected to the filling and draining valve racks in what are called tank loops. The exact number of tanks per loop can be chosen by customers to meet their needs.

The cellar is normally fully automated although Krones said a partially automated system is also available.

According to Krones, the most innovative feature of the TwinPro concept is that the filling and draining racks are connected via pipe bypasses.

Water consumption

Krones technology head Peter Gattermeyer told BeverageDaily.com: “The idea of the bypass is to save water. Normally you need a drain in the end of one rack for the push out of water.

“With our concept we connected the rack for filling and the rack for emptying in a collecting tank. This water can be easily reused in the brewhouse for production. Also, it enables you to clean just the part of the pipe which was really touched by product.”

Material savings

Krones claims the Twin Pro concept also offers significant material savings. There is 25 to 30 per cent less pipework than in linear systems. This cuts investment cost but also has an impact on operational costs. Gattermeyer said: “In total the pipes are shorter and due to this we create less pipe resistance and therefore we are able to design the pumps smaller, which leads to a lower power consumption.”

There also 20 to 25 per cent fewer double seat valves compared to linear systems.

Double seat valves may offer added flexibility and improved hygiene and safety but they are relatively expensive so Krones said reducing their number creates a significant investment saving.

Overall, Krones said the priority in the development of the Twin Pro was to reduce operating costs while maintaining a high standard of hygiene and product quality.