Modeling Cylindroconical Fermenter Cooling Using Finite Element Analysis

PEER REVIEWED SUBMISSION

By Brad Bernas, R. Servais, and H. Brandon Assistant Brewmaster, Latrobe Brewing Company, Latrobe, PA, USA. Professor of Chemical Engineering, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, USA. Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA.

Abstract
An iterative mathematical technique utilizing finite element modeling was used to simulate and study beer cooling in a vertical cylindroconical fermenter. The model system assumed a geometry that typified most brewery tank designs. A theoretical single-point measurement position for the tank mean temperature is presented and is consistent with existing field data.
Keywords: fluid mechanics, finite element analysis, simulation, fermentation, cooling, cylindroconical  

Sintesis
Una t�cnica matem�tica interactiva que utiliza el modelado de ele-mentos finitos fue usada para estimular y estudiar el enfriamiento de la cerveza en un fermentador cilindroc�nico vertical. El sistema del modelo asumi� una geometr�a que caracteriza a la mayor�a de los dis-e�os de tanques de las cervecer�as. Se presenta una medida te�rica de un solo punto de la temperatura promedio del tanque la cual esta de acuerdo con la informaci�n de campo existente.