The most common use cases at a glance
Currently, well over 300 customers in the brewery industry use JUMAG steam generators. Why is that? Steam applications are diverse! They cover the key areas of the brewing process while meeting standards of sustainability and efficiency.
Sterilize
Since steam generators are among the safest sterilizing agents, they are used to sterilize brewing systems and equipment as well as for process and rinse water sterilization.
Cleaning
Cleaning is also quick and chemical-free with our steam generators. The ecological and energy-efficient solution provided by JUMAG steam generators has impressed customers like Brauhaus Starnberger. Breweries also benefit from our steam generators when cleaning KEGs (beer kegs) and bottles. The absence of chemicals makes cleaning particularly gentle. The same applies to system cleaning, such as CIP cleaning and cleaning of brewing equipment.
Heat
The central application of our steam generators in the brewing process is heating – making steam a very important part of the brewing process. Heating the mash determines the quality of the final product – and that’s where steam comes in. Our steam generators first heat the mash, and then, in the subsequent brewing process, steam is used to heat the brew kettle. This is where things get really hot, as this ensures the product is sterile and preserved. The efficiency with which our steam generators accomplish this speaks for itself. Customers like the Les Funambules microbrewery, known for their sustainable production methods, have long been convinced by the resource-saving results of our JUMAG steam generators. The private brewery Friedrich Haaß KG was also able to save 20% on its energy costs with the JUMAG DG 560 steam generator. Brauhaus Faust, which now uses our steam generator at three locations, reports similar results. Here they replace the performance of a large-capacity water boiler efficiently and reliably in a small space.
The best of steam!
When using our steam generators, not all steam is created equal. Depending on the application, the steam must be of particularly high quality and meet certain requirements. Since steam is, as we know, composed of water, its quality depends on the water quality. Especially for sensitive processes such as sterilization, the water quality must be correspondingly high. If the steam is used for heat exchangers, at least partial degassing of the feed water and conditioning are required.
Our recommendation to breweries
To achieve the best possible water quality for the steam, we recommend using either demineralized water or an osmosis system.
Steam generation with demineralized water
For the brewing process, we recommend using osmosis systems or demineralized water (deionized water). The reason for this is essentially simple: the higher the salt content, the more foam is produced. This makes the steam moist, and water is entrained. To counteract this, the blowdown intervals must be reduced. However, frequent blowdown results in water loss, and new water must be added and reheated – unnecessary energy loss and cost. Using demineralized water helps delay this effect and thus saves energy.
Steam generation with the osmosis system
An osmosis system creates the same effect. It forces the water through a membrane at 40 bar pressure. Only about 3.6% of the salts remain. The water needs to be changed and heated less frequently. This saves energy and thus operating costs. At JUMAG, we recommend combining the osmosis system with a pressure degassing system.
Pressure degassing removes almost all gases from the system. This is necessary because the carbon dioxide and oxygen contained in the water do not mix well with the metals in the steam boiler and lead to premature rust formation and corrosion. To protect the piping systems and system components, the gases must be removed. Without pressure degassing, this is achieved through the use of dosing chemicals. However, these in turn transport new salts into the water, reducing the blowdown intervals. Pressure degassing minimizes the need for dosing chemicals. This maintains water quality, and the positive effect is twofold:
- The system is protected from corrosion and rust in an environmentally friendly and cost-effective way.
- The longer blowdown intervals reduce operating costs, and the high water quality allows the initial condensate to be reused.
Any questions about steam for breweries?
We’re happy to provide you with a non-binding consultation. We look forward to hearing from you!
