Fermentation : Why is it needed and How to process it?

What is the Fermentation Process??

To define the term ‘fermentation’, it is sometimes referred uniquely to the chemical conversion of sugar into ethanol. This is to produce alcoholic beverages- for example, beer, wine, etc. A similar process can happen in the leavening of bread when CO2 is produced by yeast activity, and also in the sour foods preservations with lactic acid productions for food like yogurts.?

In food processing lines, fermentation refers to the conversion of carbohydrates to organic acids or alcohol by using microorganisms such as bacteria or yeasts and is carried out under anaerobic (void of oxygen) conditions. In these cases, fermentation usually means that the microorganisms’ action is desired.?

Fermentation Tanks?

In food and beverage processing, fermentation or enzymatic hydrolysis tanks are used to carry out the fermentation process under the required conditions. These tanks are fully enclosed, vertical structure sanitary enzymatic hydrolysis reaction equipment and are largely used in the hydrolysis process of beverage, food, and biological engineering. Enzymes are used in the fermentation process as catalysts and full enzymatic hydrolysis reactions are processed with the support of agitator operations under appropriate temperature and pH conditions.?

How are Fermentation Tanks made??

These hydrolysis fermentation tanks are usually equipped with sight glass, a sanitary manhole that can be opened quickly, a thermometer, a CIP cleaning ball, an agitator, a material inlet and outlet, a PH meter port, an SIP sterilization port, indicators, and other necessary equipment (1).??

Inside the tank body, the surface area is mirror-polished. The openings of pipes for inlet and outlet areas, manholes, sight glasses, and the welding spots of the tank’s inner body are all used in the arc transition, with no dead corners and made to be smooth and easy to clean so that the production process is stable and hygienic.?

The outer area of the tanks’ surface is also mirror-polished with stainless steel plate, and the majority of the tanks’ outside area’s color is either frosted or matt to keep the design clean and beautiful. There usually is an insulation layer installed between the jacket and the outer cylinder, while the inside is made out of heat-resistant materials to preserve the heat. This is not only to heat up the insulation layer but also to prevent the operators from incidents.? ?

Usage of Fermentation Tanks?

One of the businesses that widely use fermentation tanks is the breweries. Even in the smallest home-based brewery, the fermentation tank is essential although it might not be the commercial fermentation tank. During the fermentation process of beer breweries, one thing to note is the level of oxygen present. If there were much oxygen, yeast would be multiplied. If there is no oxygen, yeast will turn the sugar into alcohol and hence, the fermentation process needs to be carried out under anaerobic conditions. Fermentation tanks are used for the fermentation process as they act as closed spaces to ensure the anaerobic conditions are met.?

Hydrolysis tanks are also used for fruit and vegetable juice processing lines and feed substances for animals and plants. During the decomposition process, enzymes would be used as catalysts. The materials inside the tank would decompose different organic polymers under the required temperature and pH standards by the agitator.?

MUNINMAX’s Product Line?

As a proud business partner of numerous food and beverage businesses, MUNINMAX can?provide the necessary tanks that are needed to complete various fermentation process lines. Contact our sales engineers at [email protected] or visit our website www.muninmax.co.th for more details!