Indumatic: PNR solution efficiently, easily and quickly cleans spent grain containers without interrupting the production process

Automated cleaning of spent grain containers is a major challenge in the brewing industry, particularly when their design includes hard-to-reach surfaces and internal mechanical components. “The Italian company PNR Italia has developed a solution for the food and beverage industry featuring retractable tank cleaning nozzles from its UKD series (free-spinning tank cleaning nozzles). This solution enables the automatic cleaning of the internal surfaces of a spent grain container without disrupting the production process or requiring operators to physically access the inside of the vessel,” representatives of the established engineering and trading company Indumatic, a PNR Italia partner, told BalkanEngineer.com.

During the beer production process, the wort filter separates the liquid from the grain solids, known as spent grain. These are collected in a dedicated container, from where they are conveyed towards the discharge outlet by a horizontal screw conveyor.

“At the end of each production cycle, dense and sticky organic residues accumulate on the container's internal walls. Their removal must comply with the strict hygiene requirements of the food and beverage industry and prevent cross-contamination between individual production cycles,” Indumatic explained.

When a vessel is large, has an irregular shape and contains internal mechanical components, manual cleaning becomes extremely difficult. This means the operation takes more time and is difficult to perform consistently during every cycle. A suitable solution for such applications is the implementation of a CIP (Clean-in-Place) system, which enables automated cleaning of internal surfaces without requiring operators to physically access the inside of the container.

Image source: Indumatic, PNR, ©Engineer BG via Canva.com