Homebrew-Inspired Fluid Transport Proof of Concept

Lead Author Major

Mechanical Engineering

Lead Author Status

Senior

Second Author Major

Mechanical Engineering

Second Author Status

Senior

Third Author Major

Mechanical Engineering

Third Author Status

Senior

Fourth Author Major

Mechanical Engineering

Fourth Author Status

Senior

Format

SOECS Senior Project Demonstration

Faculty Mentor Name

Kyle Watson

Faculty Mentor Department

Mechanical Engineering

Abstract/Artist Statement

There has been a surge in interest for consumer home brewing due to the rise in popularity of craft brews over the past decade. Therefore we intend to design and fabricate a user-friendly, cost effective automated system that is inspired by the Heat Exchange Recirculating Mash System (HERMS). This is a proof of concept and will be using water as the contained fluid throughout all stages and processes. This proof of concept will model all actions required for the HERMS brewing methods which includes regulating liquid temperature, transferring liquid between containers, cooling liquid to below 80℉ from a boil, and easy disassembly for cleaning and sanitizing. The system includes a user-friendly HMI capable of running pre-programmed cycles and allows the user to upload their own cycle programs to control various parameters. Through automation the risk of user error will be reduced allowing for an increase in repeatability in the process. To accomplish the heating and reheating two propane burners are used with spark ignition electrodes and solenoid valves controlled through relays. The water temperature is monitored using K-type thermocouples and the temperature is displayed on the LCD screens located on the front panel of the control box. The cooling is accomplished by circulating water at 32℉ through a copper cooling coil immersed in the hops tank until the water temperature reaches below 80℉, at which point the water would then be fed into a sealed tank for storage.

Location

School of Engineering & Computer Science

Start Date

5-5-2018 3:30 PM

End Date

5-5-2018 4:30 PM

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS
 
May 5th, 3:30 PM May 5th, 4:30 PM

Homebrew-Inspired Fluid Transport Proof of Concept

School of Engineering & Computer Science

There has been a surge in interest for consumer home brewing due to the rise in popularity of craft brews over the past decade. Therefore we intend to design and fabricate a user-friendly, cost effective automated system that is inspired by the Heat Exchange Recirculating Mash System (HERMS). This is a proof of concept and will be using water as the contained fluid throughout all stages and processes. This proof of concept will model all actions required for the HERMS brewing methods which includes regulating liquid temperature, transferring liquid between containers, cooling liquid to below 80℉ from a boil, and easy disassembly for cleaning and sanitizing. The system includes a user-friendly HMI capable of running pre-programmed cycles and allows the user to upload their own cycle programs to control various parameters. Through automation the risk of user error will be reduced allowing for an increase in repeatability in the process. To accomplish the heating and reheating two propane burners are used with spark ignition electrodes and solenoid valves controlled through relays. The water temperature is monitored using K-type thermocouples and the temperature is displayed on the LCD screens located on the front panel of the control box. The cooling is accomplished by circulating water at 32℉ through a copper cooling coil immersed in the hops tank until the water temperature reaches below 80℉, at which point the water would then be fed into a sealed tank for storage.