How Does a Fermentation Control System Work?
Fermentation Control Systems are a bit like a domestic central heating system with a heater or chiller providing hot or cold liquid to a ring main. Each tank will draw off warm or cool liquid, according to need; a jacket on each tank acts like a domestic radiator to warm or cool each tank. The temperature in each tank can be set via a control unit, which monitors the tank temperature and draws off warm or cold liquid accordingly. The control unit manages a motorised ball valve which regulates the flow of warm or cool liquid to each jacket.
The Four Options
Option 1 – Cold only:
With this system, there is only the option to chill, so the system contains a chiller unit and one coolant circuit. This type of system is ideal if minimum temperatures can be guaranteed and maximum temperatures are the issue. It is also ideal for cold stabilisation purposes.
Option 2 – Warm only:
This type of system is ideal to start fermentation and to prevent the process from stalling. It is also ideal during the malolactic fermentation process.
Option 3 – Dual control - single pipe system:
A dual control system provides the flexibility of both a hot and cold system, as it enables the fermentation to be maintained within low and high temperature parameters. An integrated chiller with heat pump or separate chiller and heater, provide their respective flows to all tank jackets with the control units drawing from the circuit as needed. Only cool or warm liquid can flow through the circuit at any one time and so fermentation across all tanks needs to be carefully timed so as to ensure that all wine in fermentation will require the same temperature control at the same time.
Option 4 – dual control – dual pipe:
A dual control dual pipe system provides the ultimate level of control, enabling each tank to be either chilled or warmed according to its individual needs. The control unit determines the requirements of the tank and then requests either chilled or warmed liquid from the appropriate circuit. Motorised ball valves ensure that the appropriate liquid is requested from and returned to its respective circuit. The key benefit of this type of system is that the fermentation in each tank can be controlled individually and according to its individual needs. Therefore the fermentation in one tank can be started and maintained independent of what is happening in other tanks.
Control Interfaces
At the heart of a Fermentation Control System is the control unit, which monitors the temperature in the tank and controls the motorised ball valves which regulate the flow of warm or cool liquid. There are different types of control unit which vary in price and sophistication:
Individual tank unit:
This is the cheapest and most common type of control unit which typically comprises a control box with a temperature probe and a digital display screen. The temperature probe is inserted into a tank mounted temperature sleeve which reads the internal temperature of the tank. The temperature in the tank can be set via the digital display on the integrated screen and this temperature is then maintained by one of the aforementioned four temperature control options. A visual or audible warning can also be set if temperatures fall below or above pre-set parameters. A control cable runs from the control unit to the motorised ball valve to power it when required.
Remote tank unit:
The remote system works in a very similar manner to the individual tank system however, the control units are housed in a central control box so that all control units can be viewed at the same time. Tank temperature information is routed to the box from individual tank sensors. For larger wineries, this has the benefit of allowing the winemaker to view what is happening in all of the tanks at one glance and saves having to walk through the winery to assess what is happening and alter temperature parameters on each tank.
Software controlled system:
Instead of having individual physical tank controllers, control is provided by a software package running on a computer or even a smart phone. Flexible and even portable, the software system also features powerful analysis of current and historical data, stock control, additive and yeast usage, and much more.
Other Points to Consider
For a Fermentation Control System to work, each tank needs to have a cooling jacket attached, either to the outside surface of the tank or as a internal pillow plate. A seemingly obvious point but one that is often overlooked.
As with most things, it’s important to get every detail right when installing a fermentation control system and we would always recommend seeking the advice and support of a professional installation company when implementing a system of this nature.
Fermentation Control Systems
What you need to know.
What is a Fermentation Control System?
A Fermentation Control System enables winemakers to moderate the temperature of their wine during fermentation, ensuring optimal temperatures are maintained and that extremes are avoided. If temperatures drop too low, the yeast will be under strain and may not provide the flavour notes required. In addition, fermentation may not even start or may stall part way through. If the temperature is too high, the yeast denatures and may not be able to complete the fermentation. Each yeast has an optimal working temperature which can be maintained and controlled with a Fermentation Control System. Far more controlled and predictable results can be achieved year after year, enabling the wine maker to make consistently better wine.
Featured in the March 2017 edition of The Grape Press