Abstract:
A process and apparatus has been provided for accelerated fermentation of fermentable liquids, such as beer wort. Accordingly, an enzyme carrier dispersion such as yeast is deposited either before or concurrently with the fermented liquid in a layer on a porous body which has pores sized to pass the liquid but not the enzyme carrier. As a result of the capability to support considerable amount of the enzyme carrier on the porous support, fast fermentation rates are achieved. Moreover, the enzyme carrier may be deposited on an inert material and then deposited on the porous support which allows easy metering of the necessary amount of enzyme for facile control of the fermentation reaction. An apparatus has also been provided which comprises at least one chamber having an inlet conduit for introducing an enzyme carrier dispersion and the liquid, the chamber being provided with communicating conduits with a next, adjacent chamber. Further, closing means are provided for the apparatus communicating with each chamber for alternatively closing said inlet conduits, as well as a porous member within the chamber upon which the enzyme carrier is deposited. The porous member has pores of a diameter less than the diameter of particle sizes in said enzyme dispersion. Still further, the apparatus is provided with a conduit for collecting the fermented liquid communicating with the last chamber, the porous body having communicating conduits with each chamber wherein the porous body forms the outlet opening of the preceding chamber and the inlet opening for the adjacent chamber.
Abstract:
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE PRODUCED BY A CONTINUOUS AND ACCELERATED FERMENTATION PROCESS. THE PROCESS INVOLVES PASSING A FERMENTABLE LIQUID BY MEANS OF A HYDRAULIC PRESSURE OF 2 TO 10 ATMOSPHERES GAUGE THROUGH A LAYER OF A MICROORGANISM DEPOSITED ON A POROUS ZONE WHEREBY THE LIQUID IS FERMENTED BY THE MICROORGANISM. THE FERMENTED LIQUID THEN PASSES THROUGH THE POROUS ZONE, WHICH RETAINS THE MICROORGANISM, AND IS RECOVERED TO PROVIDE AN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE.