Brewery

Nitrogen applications for breweries

Nitrogen gas can be used for various applications within breweries. Traditionally, nitrogen was only available through bulk supply or cylinders. Today, there is a more flexible, efficient and cost-saving option. NITROSource is a modular range of nitrogen generators that produce nitrogen from compressed air. NITROSource can produce food-grade nitrogen independently. The nitrogen is certified according to EU and FDA specifications and can meet nitrogen requirements for a wide range of brewery applications.

Tank blanketing

Nitrogen is used to prevent ingredients from coming into contact with air, reducing the risk of oxygen uptake. During bulk storage, the use of closed tanks allows positive nitrogen pressure to be applied, preventing air ingress caused by volume changes due to temperature fluctuations. Nitrogen blanketing of atmospheric tanks is also possible.
A small continuous flow ensures that air cannot diffuse into the headspace through vent openings and also compensates for volume changes. During emptying, the nitrogen flow can be increased to fill the headspace. In sealed systems, it can be used to support tank-to-tank transfer. 

Clean in Place, (CIP), pipework and vessel venting

In breweries, caustic solutions containing sodium hydroxide are generally used to clean and sterilise pipes and vessels. To reduce costs and minimise waste, it can be beneficial to reuse the cleaning solution.

If CO2 is used in the cleaning solution, a reaction with sodium hydroxide can occur, forming sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate. This can reduce the cleaning and sterilising properties of the solution. As a result, the solution can no longer be reused. Nitrogen does not react with sodium hydroxide, which helps preserve the cleaning properties and makes the solution more suitable for reuse.

Reduced oxidation

Beer oxidises quickly when exposed to air. To guarantee product quality, in this case beer, it must be continuously protected from air. The headspace of tanks can be filled with a protective layer of nitrogen gas to prevent air ingress.

Purging and filling

Equipment and pipelines are susceptible to oxygen uptake. Nitrogen is an effective purging gas that enables brewers to reduce water consumption. Filling with nitrogen increases process speed, protects beer against oxidation and results in significantly reduced beer waste.

Bottling

Purging bottles, cans and kegs with nitrogen gas helps reduce oxidation and extends the shelf life of the product. Nitrogen can also be used to dry bottles after rinsing.

Why NITROSource?

With more than 30 years of experience in the brewing industry and beverage applications, and more than 50,000 gas generators installed worldwide, Parker is the expert in innovative and reliable gas generation technology. The gas generators in the NITROSource range can be equipped with our innovative energy-saving technology, which reduces the amount of compressed air required to supply nitrogen to your applications.

Benefits of NITROSource

NITROSource offers many advantages compared with traditional nitrogen supplies, including:

• Independently certified food-grade nitrogen gas according to EU status as food additive E941
• Full control over gas supply and costs, with savings often exceeding 70%
• No unexpected price increases
• No more costs for monitoring gas levels, managing stock, running out of gas or waiting for deliveries
• No gas waste caused by boil-off or partially full cylinders being returned to the supplier
• Maximum uptime through constant flow and pressure, 24/7

Nitrogen applications for breweries by Avilo

Avilo is a certified Parker distributor & Parker Repair Center for gas generators from both Parker domnick hunter & Parker Balston. We therefore have considerable experience in installing, commissioning and maintaining NITROSource PSA generators at companies in the food & beverage industry and many other sectors.

Contact us for more information about generating nitrogen on-site for brewery applications.