What's causing your fermenter to deform

A fermentation tank deformation means down time for your business. It is important to learn these critical mistakes and how to avoid them to save you time and money for brewery.

Improper CIP Timing and Condensation

If cold media enters your fermenter immediately after hot media, the fermentation tank may implode if it is not allotted proper time to cool down and if there is not the proper ventilation needed to control condensation. The ventilation allows air to enter your fermentaiton tank which compensates for the changing volume that occurs during steam condensation.

Overflow Entering the Ventilation System

Your ventilation system should not be used to store overflow or to determine when your tank is full. When your beer tank is shut off with overflow in the system, the product needs to be ‘‘sucked’’ out of the ventilation. Air from inside your beer fermentation tank may be removed as well during this process causing the sides of your tank to curve in. If too much air is removed, your tank will implode.

Inadequate Venting

The size of your vent and filter must allow an air flow rate that is equal to your tank fill rate. If a vent is clogged or closed, it is considered insufficient because it does not provide adequate venting due to the limited amount of air flowing into a fermentation tank. When the two rates are unequal, implosions aren’t the only threat, a loss of sterility can also occur.

Equipment Failure

Your equipment can fail when it is not properly operated and maintained. This can lead to all three of the causes listed above or cause a chain reaction of malfunctions if the original issue is not noticed and remedied in a timely manner.

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