The AFLOSJET: Mash heating by steam diffusion development and industrial results

Abstract

The mashing process is an important step in the wort production. The traditional mash conversion vessels are equipped with double heating jackets and an agitator. During mashing, sufficient agitation is crucial to assure the homogeneity of the mash in the conversion vessel and to increase the heat transfer. However this technology has several disadvantages which are well known to the brewer: the strong agitation, required to ensure a good heat transfer, causes particle attrition and mash oxidation, leading to gel formation with mash filtration difficulties as a result. The fouling of the double jackets progressively reduces the heat transfer. A regular CIP of the mash conversion vessel is required. The productivity of the brewhouse is therefore strongly affected. To overcome these problems, Meura has developed and patented a system of mash heating by direct steam diffusion. The system is called “AFLOSJET”, an Anti-Fouling LOw Shearforces mash heating system.