Ask The Brewmasters

Hello Hive Mind,

We recently commissioned some horizontal tanks and have had intermittent challenges accomplishing a steady, laminar flow while transferring from the cylindro-conical tank to the horizontal lager tank. Ultimately, it seems like a balance issue between the two tanks, though I am not completely sure. If the problem is related to a balance issue between the two tanks, we have been struggling mightily to find that balance. I am wondering if anyone has seen similar challenges when transferring finished beer from a CCT to a horizontal tank? 

We initially adopted the same approach as when transferring to a traditional brite tank, in terms of the pressure difference between the sending and receiving tanks. Typically, we have success with the receiving tank having ~3 psi greater head pressure than the sending tank at the start of the transfer. After bypassing the first bit of beer through a block and bleed assembly, this ~3 PSI pressure delta usually allows us to achieve a smooth transition into the brite tank. From there, we simply manage CO2 head pressures at the two tanks to maintain smooth, laminar flow throughout the duration of the transfer. However, when using the same approach where the receiving tank is a horizontal lagering tank, we have not had the same luck. The transfers can become excessively turbulent, as was the case today when we were transferring into the bottom lager tank from an adjacent CCT that is situated on the same production floor (i.e. same horizontal plane, as opposed to a higher or lower surface).

Please note that we typically transfer beers close to ~0ºC (32F), though today we transferred a beer that was around 9.5ºC (49F) and carbonated to ~2.2 vols CO2. I initially wondered whether there was CO2 breakout occurring, and while this might be the case, this entire system consisting of the two tanks and a transfer hose are all under 13-16 PSI during the transfer (Beer ABV: 4.8%; Altitude: 250 ft; so the applied pressures are pretty close to the equilibrium point at ~9.5ºC/49F). 

I appreciate any perspective anyone might have, particularly if you're a seasoned veteran with such transfers!

When we transfer, we use a "jumper" hose between tanks, hooked to the gas ports. That way, you don't need to use any additional CO2, and the pressures remain constant. The first part of the transfer can be done with the pump turned off. Then, as the levels in the tank equalize, you can turn on the pump to finish.

Hello Hive Mind,

We recently commissioned some horizontal tanks and have had intermittent challenges accomplishing a steady, laminar flow while transferring from the cylindro-conical tank to the horizontal lager tank. Ultimately, it seems like a balance issue between the two tanks, though I am not completely sure. If the problem is related to a balance issue between the two tanks, we have been struggling mightily to find that balance. I am wondering if anyone has seen similar challenges when transferring finished beer from a CCT to a horizontal tank? 

We initially adopted the same approach as when transferring to a traditional brite tank, in terms of the pressure difference between the sending and receiving tanks. Typically, we have success with the receiving tank having ~3 psi greater head pressure than the sending tank at the start of the transfer. After bypassing the first bit of beer through a block and bleed assembly, this ~3 PSI pressure delta usually allows us to achieve a smooth transition into the brite tank. From there, we simply manage CO2 head pressures at the two tanks to maintain smooth, laminar flow throughout the duration of the transfer. However, when using the same approach where the receiving tank is a horizontal lagering tank, we have not had the same luck. The transfers can become excessively turbulent, as was the case today when we were transferring into the bottom lager tank from an adjacent CCT that is situated on the same production floor (i.e. same horizontal plane, as opposed to a higher or lower surface).

Please note that we typically transfer beers close to ~0ºC (32F), though today we transferred a beer that was around 9.5ºC (49F) and carbonated to ~2.2 vols CO2. I initially wondered whether there was CO2 breakout occurring, and while this might be the case, this entire system consisting of the two tanks and a transfer hose are all under 13-16 PSI during the transfer (Beer ABV: 4.8%; Altitude: 250 ft; so the applied pressures are pretty close to the equilibrium point at ~9.5ºC/49F). 

I appreciate any perspective anyone might have, particularly if you're a seasoned veteran with such transfers!

Hello Hive Mind,

We recently commissioned some horizontal tanks and have had intermittent challenges accomplishing a steady, laminar flow while transferring from the cylindro-conical tank to the horizontal lager tank. Ultimately, it seems like a balance issue between the two tanks, though I am not completely sure. If the problem is related to a balance issue between the two tanks, we have been struggling mightily to find that balance. I am wondering if anyone has seen similar challenges when transferring finished beer from a CCT to a horizontal tank? 

We initially adopted the same approach as when transferring to a traditional brite tank, in terms of the pressure difference between the sending and receiving tanks. Typically, we have success with the receiving tank having ~3 psi greater head pressure than the sending tank at the start of the transfer. After bypassing the first bit of beer through a block and bleed assembly, this ~3 PSI pressure delta usually allows us to achieve a smooth transition into the brite tank. From there, we simply manage CO2 head pressures at the two tanks to maintain smooth, laminar flow throughout the duration of the transfer. However, when using the same approach where the receiving tank is a horizontal lagering tank, we have not had the same luck. The transfers can become excessively turbulent, as was the case today when we were transferring into the bottom lager tank from an adjacent CCT that is situated on the same production floor (i.e. same horizontal plane, as opposed to a higher or lower surface).

Please note that we typically transfer beers close to ~0ºC (32F), though today we transferred a beer that was around 9.5ºC (49F) and carbonated to ~2.2 vols CO2. I initially wondered whether there was CO2 breakout occurring, and while this might be the case, this entire system consisting of the two tanks and a transfer hose are all under 13-16 PSI during the transfer (Beer ABV: 4.8%; Altitude: 250 ft; so the applied pressures are pretty close to the equilibrium point at ~9.5ºC/49F). 

I appreciate any perspective anyone might have, particularly if you're a seasoned veteran with such transfers!