Technical Description – DeGaS Cold Column
Dissolved oxygen has adverse impact on flavour stability and shelf life. The deaeration system DeGaS-Cold removes O2 from water that is used for the production of beer and beer-based mixed drinks. Deaeration is performed at ambient temperature.
A Closer Look
For treatment in the column deaeration system, water is dispersed at the top of the column. The column contains densely packed, thin stainless steel sheets arranged in such way that the water takes multiple paths as it flows down through the column. This maximizes the transfer surface and the contact time between the water and the strip gas (CO2 or N2). The strip gas is fed into the bottom of the column and flows upwards inside it in counter current to the water. The large partial pressure difference of O2 forces the oxygen out of the water into the gas phase. This fundamental scientific principle is described by Henry’s Law. At the top of the column the removed oxygen leaves the system as a gas, together with the undissolved CO2 or N2. To further enhance the performance and to avoid carbonation or nitrogenation of the water, the system can optionally be operated under vacuum and completely without strip gas. This reduces capital and operating costs. The O2 content of the deaerated water is permanently monitored. Therefore, the system is equipped with a high precision optical OXYTRANS sensor made by Centec. Centec have decades of experience in the development and manufacturing of own precision instruments for O2 control. The virtually oxygen free water is collected at the bottom of the column. For further processing, it can optionally be cooled, disinfected with UV light or additionally carbonated.
- High precision OXYTRANS sensor for process control
- Operation under vacuum and without strip gas possible
- Customized modular design with a standard PLC
- Skid mounted for easy installation and start-up
- Hygienic execution and full CIP capability
The Specs at a Glance
|Capacity||10 – 2.000 hl/h|
|Residual Oxygen||100 ppb – < 10 ppb (lower on request)|
|Material||according to requirements (plastics, 1.4301/AISI 304, 1.4404/AISI 316L, …)|
|Options||double column design for lower height; different automation levels; remote maintenance access; in-line O2/CO2 measurement; carbonation; disinfection; cooling|