Worts and all: Veltins undergoes energy turnaround

Founded in 1824, Brauerei C. & A. Veltins is undergoing a thoroughly modern-day energy turnaround. Investing in three parallel Steinecker brewing lines featuring an EquiTherm energy storage system has paid dividends for the company, saving 35% thermal energy in the brewhouse and a further 20% electricity.

Previously, energy-intensive live steam was used; in future, the tuns will be heated using warm water from the energy storage system, improving overall efficiency as existing waste heat can be used.

The investment has enabled Veltins to install sophisticated brewing technology while achieving substantial progress in terms of energy efficiency.

EquiTherm comprises a wort cooler, energy storage tank with a stratified charging pipe and a ShakesBeer EcoPlus mash tun. The wort cooler removes heat from the hot wort in the first stage and places it in the energy storage tank.

In the second stage, the wort is cooled down to pitching temperature and produces warm mash liquor as usual. The energy storage tank can be used jointly for heating both the mash and the lautered wort.

Recycling thermal energy from the brewing process for mashing produces numerous advantages in actual operation. Superfluous vapour energy with total evaporation rates of more than 4% can be fed into the energy storage circuit and thus be used effectively.

Any excess of warm water can be completely eliminated, which also significantly reduces the amount of wastewater involved. The EquiTherm system can be retrofitted quite easily into existing installations and helps achieves significant savings in both infusion and decoction.

“We have made a once-in-a-decade investment decision, so it’s indubitably sensible to incorporate the entire spectrum of what’s technologically possible,” said Peter Peschmann, Head of Production and Plant Engineering at the Veltins brewery.

“The ingenious thing about EquiTherm is the double energy recirculation system. You have to wonder in hindsight why no one had ever thought of this before.”