Vessel probes for temperature control of barley and malt storage

During the storage of barley and malt, monitoring temperature is extremely important for maintaining their quality. Proper temperature levels prevent the development of unwanted microorganisms and maintain the optimal condition of raw materials, which are crucial for the quality of beer.

In the brewing industry, various temperature monitoring technologies are used to ensure ideal storage conditions. One example is vessel probes. Our JUMO probes are equipped with several Pt100 or Pt1000 sensors, spaced at equal distances. This allows temperature measurements at multiple points within the vessel using a single probe. The collected data is transmitted to a monitoring system via a temperature converter, which has explosion-proof protection, ensuring safety and reliability of information transmission. Thanks to these measuring devices, it is possible not only to continuously track storage conditions but also to appropriately respond to any changes, which is key to maintaining the quality of the stored raw materials.

In our experience, for this process, we also recommend the use of an automation system such as mTRON T. It allows the recording of temperatures using multi-channel input modules. With the ability to display all measured values in real time and quickly identify problems in specific silos using dedicated software, this controller significantly increases the efficiency of monitoring and responding to possible anomalies.

PLC Controllers and Resistive Temperature Sensors for Barley Steeping and Germination Processes

Barley Steeping

At this stage, the barley is soaked and cyclically aerated to stimulate germination. The added oxygen accelerates respiration, leading to the production of more carbon dioxide and heat, which must be continuously removed. For this purpose, the temperature of the soaked barley is monitored, and the results can be displayed directly on-site. An automation system, such as the mTRON T, provides effective control over the flow of air and water, as well as enabling the recording, controlling, and displaying of data regarding the entire malting process, adapting to its scale and specific requirements.

Barley Germination

After steeping, the germination process begins. During this stage, temperature measurement becomes even more critical. The barley must be maintained in conditions that favor growth and enzyme activation, while simultaneously preventing the development of microorganisms and excessive growth of the barley. The temperature must be continuously monitored and regulated to ensure even germination and optimal enzyme development.

Thanks to the mTRON T automation system, temperature monitoring during barley germination is reliable, which is crucial for the production of enzymes necessary in beer brewing. It is very important that the supplied air has the right humidity to prevent the barley from drying out and to maintain an even moisture level. The PLC controller allows for easy tracking of both temperature and air humidity, and the results can be easily read on a multifunctional panel or in a visualization program.

Optimal temperature control in the malt dryer

Malt drying is another critical step in beer production, where controlled temperature plays a key role in ensuring the quality of the final product. During drying, the main goal is to remove excess moisture from the barley, transforming it into malt ready for further use in the brewing process. It is crucial to keep the temperature low enough to prevent damage or destruction of key enzymes. However, the temperature must be high enough to effectively dry the grains. Precise temperature measurement in this process is therefore essential to ensure even drying and to preserve the necessary properties of the malt. For this purpose, we recommend plug-in resistive temperature sensors and temperature and humidity transmitters.

Temperature Control and Regulation in Brewery Processes

The brewery is the heart of the beer production process, where various brewing stages are closely linked to temperature control. Precise temperature regulation at each of these stages is crucial for ensuring the quality of the final product.

Different Brewing Stages and Their Dependence on Temperature

1. Mashing: In this process, ground malt is mixed with water in the mash tun, creating the mash. The temperature of mashing influences the types and activity of enzymes that break down starch into fermentable sugars. Different temperatures lead to the production of different sugar profiles, which affect the taste and body of the beer.
2. Boiling the Wort: After mashing, the wort is boiled, which requires precise temperature control. Boiling not only sterilizes the wort but also extracts important aromatic compounds from the hops. Too high a temperature can lead to undesirable flavors and aromas.
3. Cooling the Wort: After boiling, the wort must be quickly cooled to the appropriate fermentation temperature. Precise control of this process is crucial to prevent contamination and prepare the wort for yeast addition.
4. Filtration: Filtration is the process of separating the solid parts of the mash from the liquid wort. Temperature also plays a significant role here, as it affects the viscosity of the wort and the efficiency of filtration. Too low a temperature can lead to clogging of the filter, while too high a temperature can cause excessive dissolution of bitter substances and other unwanted compounds from the malt.

Wort cooling control

Full control of the wort cooling process using the JUMO dTRON controller involves adjusting the beer flow according to its temperature: warmer beer flows through the cooler more slowly. Accurate monitoring of beer temperature and differential pressure is crucial, and the ideal tool for this is resistance temperature sensors and thermostats such as the eTRON M, combined with the LOGOSCREEN electronic recorder. This device, with its advanced features, is capable of generating alarms in case of anomalies or cooling system failures, ensuring the efficiency and reliability of the entire plant.

Fermentation and storage - temperature monitoring of cooling zones

Fermentation and subsequent storage of beer are stages in which maintaining a certain temperature is essential for producing quality beer. During this process, yeast converts sugars into alcohol and CO2, and temperature has a direct impact on the speed and nature of this process. Too high a temperature can result in excessive fermentation and undesirable flavor compounds, while too low a temperature can slow down or even stop yeast activity.

During the storage phase, maintaining a stable, low temperature is key to preserving the freshness and quality of the beer. In this context, monitoring cooling zones and keeping them within specific temperature parameters is essential. Advanced cooling and monitoring systems, such as industrial automation systems, provide continuous tracking and control of temperatures in fermentation tanks and storage areas. The use of high-precision temperature sensors and control systems, such as JUMO's resistive temperature sensors for the food industry and the diraTRON compact controller, allows automatic adjustment of cooling conditions, guaranteeing an optimal environment for each batch of beer.

Temperature monitoring in a bottle washing plant

The bottle washing process is an essential step in beer production that is crucial to ensuring the hygiene and quality of the final product. It involves removing all impurities and residues from previous fills, which is essential to ensure that the beer does not have contaminated aromas or flavors. However, it is equally important to protect the bottles from breakage caused by rapid temperature changes.

Various temperature control technologies are being used to effectively manage the bottle washing process. For example, systems such as resistive temperature sensors together with the JUMO diraTRON controller are ideal for monitoring and regulating the temperature in this process. These compact controllers can precisely monitor the temperature of water and washing solutions, ensuring efficient and safe washing.

Increasing efficiency and improving beer quality with precise temperature control - summary

In summary, precise temperature control at every stage of beer production plays a fundamental role in ensuring the quality and consistency of the final product. From raw material preparation to fermentation and cooling processes to bottle washing, each step requires close monitoring and temperature control to achieve the desired beer characteristics.

Technologies such as the measurement and automation systems offered by JUMO are key to achieving this precision, ensuring not only high production quality but also operational efficiency. The flexibility and adaptability of these solutions allow them to be tailored to the individual needs and specifications of each brewery. Regardless of the scale of production or the specifics of the brewhouse, the adaptability of temperature control technology is essential to achieve optimal production conditions.

With the use of modern solutions in temperature control, brewing becomes a more controlled, efficient process and, above all, one capable of creating consistent, high-quality products. Nowadays, when the beer market is full of a variety of flavors and styles, precision in production is the key to success, and technologies such as those offered by JUMO play an invaluable role in this.

Do you need temperature sensors or controllers, pressure transmitters, pH, conductivity and level sensors, and automation systems to control the beer production process? Get in touch with us!

About the author

My name is Ewelina Szmit and I have been working in the field of content marketing for several years, combining my professional skills with my passion for writing. I believe that even the most technical topics can be presented in an interesting and accessible way for everyone. Outside of work, I develop my creativity by creating newspaper collages. I like to spend my free time most actively, walking my dog or running.

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