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  • 1.  Spent Grain Tank

    Posted 09-10-2025 10:57

    Have been asked to install a used spent grain tank (7 ft x 36 ft) purchased on audit.  Does the tank need cleaning/CIP capabilities or rinsing for the tank? Also, is there a concern of not being insulated in the Midwest?

    Thanks
    Dwight



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    Dwight Garrels
    Director of Process Engineering
    Haskell
    St. Louis MO
    (217) 341-5121
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  • 2.  RE: Spent Grain Tank

    Posted 09-11-2025 13:44
    Spent grain tanks are not typically equipped with rinsing provisions, but should be protected from freezing, especially around the outlet. Insulation and heating jackets are not uncommon features of fancier spent grain silos. Some are even equipped with large and relatively pricey isolation valves to permit pump/conveyor maintenance in the event of an equipment failure. Thinking about a mechanical failure in a 7' x 36' silo full of spent grain will give a person nightmares! 

    Cheers,

    Ashton

     

    A blue text on a white background  Description automatically generated

     

    ASHTON LEWIS

    Technical Product Manager

     

    Email: alewis@rahrbsg.com

    Phone: 417-830-2337

    RahrBSG.com

    800 1st Ave W, Shakopee, MN 55379






  • 3.  RE: Spent Grain Tank

    Posted 09-11-2025 13:45
    Dwight:
    Each time the BH would go down for an extended maint, strive to get them MT, then had a hot water line in top to run the birds and rinse the tanks. Never Cip'd. Is important to be able to get rinsed out if you have work to do on it.





    Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S22 5G, an AT&T 5G smartphone






  • 4.  RE: Spent Grain Tank

    Posted 09-11-2025 13:45
    Dwight:
    Not insulating in Midwest might lead to frozen spent grain if left in tank for a extended period.




    Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S22 5G, an AT&T 5G smartphone






  • 5.  RE: Spent Grain Tank

    Posted 09-11-2025 22:14

    I'll second on the heating.  No fun when they freeze up.  Having a port right above the outlet is really nice to pump hot water in if the shoot/valve area freezes.  We have freezing happen right above the outlet shoot even with the walls jacketed and heated.  I like having a CIP set up on ours and we will occasionally rinse it out when it's empty but have never truly cleaned it.   We will have freezing happen over night if it's really cold…so pretty much impossible for us to make it a winter without having to pump hot water into it.  We are playing with some new heating on the shoot area this winter so hopefully I have good news to share if needed.



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    Jason Brenden
    Head Brewer/Director of Operations
    Bridger Brewing
    Bozeman MT
    (218) 256-1132
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  • 6.  RE: Spent Grain Tank

    Posted 09-11-2025 22:21

    Hello Dwight, 

    If there is a possibility that a byproduct can re-enter the (human) food supply, then Yes for full CIP.

    For spent grains loadout to other uses, Hot Water to internal spray nozzles is appropriate for periodic rinsing & sterilization procedures, per the site-specific FSHC & HACCP program.  
    Hard-piped rinse water supply is beneficial when preparing for maintenance work on the tank outlet gate, instruments, manway seal, etc.

    In St. Louis we learned the hard way,  
    the Spent Grains tank must be insulated, and the pipelines to it must be heat traced and insulated.    

    It's not if the tank will get overfilled (or transfer line clogged, or hauler's truck fails to arrive, etc.), only when....and most likely that is during -10F January conditions.

    For seldom-used water piping to tank sprays, the need for insulation is less than the requirement for it to be fully drained between uses.

    Environmental aspects also merit attention during design:  When the tank is rinsed, or an unplanned loadout spill occurs, have a plan for solids containment, and prevent entry into storm drains.


    Have a successful project - 


    David Ammons, PE 







  • 7.  RE: Spent Grain Tank

    Posted 09-12-2025 14:17

    You should, however, be aware;

    The E.U., for example, already makes breweries clean spent grain tanks.

    • Animal Feed Regulations: Spent grain can be used as animal feed, but it must comply with safety standards to ensure it is free from contaminants.



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    Keith Armstrong
    Retired
    Spruce Grove AB
    (780) 504-4245
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  • 8.  RE: Spent Grain Tank

    Posted 09-19-2025 12:53

    It's smart to have rinsing capability in case of a clog.  We try to rinse every 6 months as part of our MSS.  Depending on how long the grain will sit in the tank, insulation could be critical in a Midwest winter. 



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    Matthew Poselwait
    Head Brewer
    Sapporo-Stone
    Richmond, VA
    (804) 938-9515
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