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October 18, 2024
In the world of brewing, CO2 plays an important role in the production of beer, from carbonation to packaging. However, as breweries increasingly focus on sustainability and reducing their environmental impact, CO2 recovery plants have become a vital solution. A CO2 recovery plant is designed to capture and recycle the carbon dioxide generated during the fermentation process, enabling breweries to reuse this gas instead of relying on external CO2 sources.
As breweries continue to grow, both in size and environmental responsibility, the demand for sustainable solutions like CO2 recovery systems has skyrocketed. For craft breweries, CO2 recovery plants offer a way to reduce their carbon footprint, save on operational costs, and contribute to a more sustainable future. But what exactly is a CO2 recovery plant, and how does it work?
DALUM Craft CO2 Recovery Plant at Sebage Brewing Co.
A CO2 recovery plant is a system that captures CO2 emissions from the brewing process – particularly from the fermentation tanks, purifies, compresses and liquefies for reuse. This technology is designed to optimize efficiency and minimize waste, ensuring that CO2, which would otherwise be released into the atmosphere, is recycled for reuse within the brewery as alternative to source and transport industrial manufactured CO2 to the brewery.
CO2 is crucial in brewing. It’s responsible for the carbonation of beer, which gives it that signature fizz that beer lovers appreciate. It also protects the beer from oxidation during packaging, ensuring a longer shelf life. Craft brewers often rely on external sources for their CO2, which can become both costly and environmentally detrimental as transportation and production of CO2 contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
By investing in a CO2 recovery plant, craft breweries can capture CO2 produced during fermentation, eliminating the need for external suppliers. This not only cuts costs but also promotes a more self-sufficient, sustainable brewing operation. A DALUM CO2 Recovery Plant usually have a return of investment of two to three years; however, we have seen clients located in areas with high CO2 prices have a ROI of under one year.
One of the major advantages of a CO2 recovery plant is its ability to significantly reduce the brewery’s carbon footprint. Brewing beer naturally releases CO2, especially during fermentation. Without a recovery system, this gas is typically vented into the atmosphere, contributing to global CO2 emissions. By capturing and reusing this gas, breweries can decrease their overall environmental impact.
Moreover, utilizing recovered CO2 reduces the need for producing CO2 in industrial facilities, which often rely on energy-intensive processes. This dual benefit helps craft breweries that are ambitious and prioritize sustainable practices.
Recovering CO2 from the breweries fermentation process requires no transportation and very little energy due to the high purity of the CO2 source from fermentation.
CO2 Recovery Plant for craft brewing CO2 emissions reduction
The CO2 recovery process begins with the collection of gas emitted from the fermentation tanks. This raw CO2 contains impurities, so the next step involves purification through a series of filters to remove any contaminants such as water vapor, ethanol, dimethyl sulfide, acetaldehyde, ethyl acetate, mercaptans, oxygen and other unwanted compounds.
Once purified, the CO2 is compressed by the patented DALUM Compressor and stored in specialized tanks until it’s needed for processes such as carbonation and packaging.
Storing recovered CO2 safely is essential for breweries, as it ensures a consistent supply for future brewing operations. The stored gas can be used in multiple stages of the brewing process, including transferring, carbonating and packaging beer and cleaning equipment. By reusing CO2, breweries can reduce their dependence on external gas suppliers and take control of their own CO2 supply chain. DALUM also offers tailored CO2 storage solutions in addition to the CO2 recovery system.
For craft breweries, implementing a CO2 recovery plant offers unique advantages. Unlike large-scale industrial breweries, which may have more extensive budgets and infrastructure, craft breweries operate on a smaller scale. However, with craft-scale CO2 recovery solutions, even smaller operations can install a system that fits their specific needs and production levels.
For a long time, CO2 recovery was something exclusive to large-scale industrial breweries, however after requests from local craft breweries DALUM Beverage Equipment made it possible for craft breweries to get around the financial barrier. DALUM CO2 Recovery Plants features proven technology scaled down, designed and priced for craft breweries.
The benefits of installing a CO2 recovery plant are numerous. Firstly, there are significant cost savings associated with reducing reliance on external CO2 suppliers. By generating their own CO2, breweries can avoid fluctuating market prices and ensure a steady supply.
Secondly, CO2 recovery systems promote sustainability. Breweries that invest in these plants are making a clear commitment to reducing their environmental impact, which can enhance their reputation and appeal to eco-conscious consumers. DALUM CO2 Recovery Plants comes in four different sizes from a theoretical compressor displacement size of 5kg/hr to 30kg/hr. One single 15kg/hr plant saves the environment for 60 tonnes CO2 a year (estimate). Lastly, CO2 recovery plants improve the overall efficiency of the brewing process, creating a closed-loop system where little to no CO2 is wasted.
A CO2 recovery plant consists of several key components designed to ensure the efficient capture, filtration, and reuse of CO2. These include:
– Fermentation gas collection systems: Captures CO2 from the fermentation tanks.
– Purification systems: Filters out impurities like water vapor and ethanol, Dimethyl Sulfide, Acetaldehyde, Ethyl Acetate, Mercaptans, Oxygen and other unwanted compounds.
– Compression units: Compresses the CO2 for liquefaction.
– Liquefaction units: Cools and Liquefies the purified CO2.
– CO2 rectifying units: Removes incondensable gases as Oxygen, Nitrogen etc.
– Storage tanks: Safely stores purified CO2 for later use.
Each component plays a vital role in maintaining the quality and usability of the recycled gas, ensuring that it can be used without compromising the brewing process.
Traditionally, breweries have relied on purchasing CO2 from external suppliers. However, this model has several drawbacks, including fluctuating prices and the environmental costs associated with CO2 production and transportation. CO2 recovery plants offer a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative by allowing breweries to produce their own CO2 in-house.
Moreover, by reusing the CO2 produced during fermentation, breweries can ensure a more reliable and eco-friendly source of gas, free from external market influences.
CO2 recovery plants represent an innovative and essential solution for modern breweries aiming to reduce their environmental impact while improving operational efficiency. By capturing, purifying, liquefying and reusing CO2, breweries can improve resilience by cutting costs, become CO2 independent, lower their carbon footprint, and align with sustainability goals, making CO2 recovery a vital investment for the future of craft brewing.
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