Automation in Beverage Processing

Use Automation to Reduce Costs, Improve Efficiency, and Increase Safety in Beverage Processing

Distilling, craft brewing, and beverage production have been revolutionized by automated technology. Deutsche Beverage + Process has embraced this movement, offering tailored automation solutions that cut costs, boost efficiency, and ensure safety. Read on to learn how automation can benefit your business.

Streamlined Operations for Cost Efficiency and Enhanced Productivity

1. Time Management and Labor Reduction: Automation enables processes to initiate based on pre-set recipe parameters. This maximizes equipment utilization, ensuring high production rates within the same time frame. Even a small delay due to human error can accumulate over time, resulting in significant production losses. For instance, a 10-minute daily delay over 250 working days equates to 41 hours of lost production time. This lost potential product can have a substantial impact on the bottom line. Automation also allows for remote monitoring of processes, enabling management to make informed real-time decisions about production and maintenance requirements. This level of oversight ensures optimal resource utilization and prevents costly delays.
2. Training and Cleaning Efficiency: Automation minimizes the need for operator training, as processes are carried out according to predefined parameters. Additionally, the time-consuming task of chemical cleanings is streamlined, saving around 30 to 40 minutes Per fermenter cleaning.
3. Remote Monitoring and Decision-making: Automation allows for remote monitoring of processes, enabling management to make informed real-time decisions about production and maintenance requirements. This level of oversight ensures optimal resource utilization and prevents costly delays.
4. Ingredient Utilization Precision: Automated grain handling guarantees consistent recipes and product quality. With a remarkable +/- 5% recipe accuracy in large batches (1800 lbs+), variations in product quality due to human error are virtually eliminated. Moreover, a single operator can automate the handling of 2000 lbs of grain while simultaneously cleaning the system.
5. Temperature Control: Temperature control is paramount in distillery processes, as it directly impacts the yield of ethanol produced by yeast. Manual temperature management can result in inconsistencies that affect production yield. Automation ensures precise temperature control (+/- 1F), maximizing ethanol yield and minimizing waste.
6. Utility Usage Reduction: Automation also extends to resource management, such as the recovery of water and using steam to sanitize versus chemicals. For instance, cooling stillage from the still with incoming water for mashing can generate hot water that, in turn, reduces heating time in the mash, minimizing the required steam and utility costs.

Elevating Safety Standards

1. Hazardous Environment Protection: The integration of hazardous environment sensors, like the Buckeye system, ensures immediate detection and response to hazardous substances like ethanol and carbon dioxide. This proactive approach safeguards both personnel and the production environment.
2. Pressure Relief and Venting: All equipment is equipped with built-in pressure reliefs and venting systems, mitigating the risk of potentially dangerous pressure build-up.
3. High-Quality Instrumentation and Controls: Deutsche collaborates with reputable suppliers like E+H and Siemens for instrumentation and controls. This ensures the reliability and accuracy of monitoring and control systems.

Expanding Benefits Beyond Distilleries

Automated processing technology serves a diverse array of industries. Distilling, craft brewing, seltzer/RTD production, coffee, kombucha, infused beverages, cannabis production, chemical, and pharma/nutraceuticals all stand to gain from the streamlined processes, enhanced consistency, and improved safety that automation brings.

Extensive experience in delivering successful automation solutions across various industries is a testament to Deutsche’s adaptability and commitment to innovation. Furthermore, the company’s affiliation with its parent company, Middleby, and sister companies within the organization underscores the central role of automation in driving progress across different sectors. The right equipment, coupled with effective automation, can drive facilities towards optimal safety, consistency, and efficiency. Deutsche’s dedication goes beyond merely being an equipment provider; it’s a true partner in business growth.