They selected a system based on the Rockwell Automation Logix Control Platform, consisting of Allen Bradley ControlLogix® programmable automation controllers (PAC) and 1756 I/O. They communicate with the existing DCS on Modbus™. Asia Pacific Breweries decided to migrate the brewhouse control system in phases. First, the company would replace the I/O modules and migrate them to a newer system. It needed a new I/O system that was open and modular and could be scaled for future growth. Second, the brewer had an aggressive goal to migrate each remote I/O panel during one eight-hour period of scheduled downtime — a process that can normally take several days. To help ensure that the upgrade was completed in the scheduled eight-hour period, Rockwell Automation and Asia Pacific Breweries approached this project with a pilot and ran a “dress rehearsal” of the planned upgrade.

Observing the growth habitsof Bacillus Species in non-alcoholic beverages

Reports from the beverage industry of contaminations with spore-forming, rod-shaped bacteria strains belonging to the genus Bacillus are becoming more and more prevalent. These bacteria primarily require oxygen in order to reproduce and sporulate. Therefore, it is plausible that the uptake of oxygen during storage creates the perfect conditions for growth. Suitable growth conditions could potentially encourage any spores present in the packaged product to germinate into vegetative cells, which in turn could cause spoilage of the contents. As the majority of non-alcoholic beverages are usually low in pH, acid-tolerant Bacillus strains would have an advantage over other microorganisms. Within the scope of a research thesis, the growth characteristics of four acidophilic Bacillus species in various beverages were investigated.

Why cohumulone is better than its reputation

The repercussions of a bad reputation are quite evident in the case of the cohumulone found in hops. This article offers a closer examination of the prejudices and false assumptions, which have been associated with cohumulone over a long period of time.

Efficiency increases in ammonia refrigeration plants

The results of a comparison of energy usage in various plants show that specific power consumption for providing refrigeration in German breweries runs between 2.8 and 6.5 kWh/hl. Energy consumption of a refrigeration plant is made up of actual refrigeration requirements on the one hand and plant efficiency or coefficient of performance on the other hand. This article focuses primarily on plant efficiency of compressor refrigeration units, even though refrigeration requirements themselves can, in many instances, also be pushed down by e.g. changing process parameters, reducing losses etc.

Starting from May 4th, Mettler-Toledo adds the RAMS Systems to its family of products. The RAMS product monitoring systems have been successfully established in breweries, beverage and food applications and have proven their use over years. The InPro8600 RAMS is an optically working system for monitoring liquid products and continuous measurement of color and turbidity in different wavelengths Typical applications for RAMS systems are product/water phase separation processes, or product identification in process lines.

In fiscal 2008, the Buhler Technology Group increased its sales (turnover) by about seven percent to CHF 1893 million (ca. EUR 1246.2 million), and with an EBIT margin of 8.4 percent achieved an excellent operating result. Due to the negative financial result, the Group’s overall result declined by 22 percent from a year ago, to CHF 101 million (ca. EUR 66.49 million). Order bookings increased by approximately three percent to CHF 1891 million (ca. EUR 1244.84 million). The backlog of orders as of the end of 2008, which rose by nine percent to CHF 948 million (ca. EUR 624.07 million), and the existing portfolio together form a strong foundation for fiscal 2009. However, in individual business units, volumes are expected to be lower than a year before.

Forget the razzmatazz of this season’s couture shows. Away from the catwalks, the couture industry has lost its swagger amid a global slump in demand for luxury goods. Several fashion labels have been forced to lay off staff, including Burberry and Chanel, it was reported. French luxury goods giant LVMH reported a slump in demand for watches and jewellery. So much for the myth that luxury goods are recession-proof.

50 years of brewery machinery engineering

Eberhard Gerlach, Managing Director of Künzel Maschinenbau GmbH, Mainleus, gave a review of 50 years of machinery and equipment engineering in the brewing industry at this year’s VLB Spring Symposium in Kulmbach on March 11th, 2008, against the backdrop of rapid developments in the brewing industry, both nationally and internationally.

Immunoactive naturally cloudy beer

In order to avoid any misunderstandings to start with, it should be emphasised that, in the case of food, general and fundamental statements in the context of health prophylaxis may be made only for alcohol-free products. This has to be so, otherwise one could jump to a wrong conclusion: “The more, the better”. This in particular applies to people who are ill and, in addition, would not be in conformity with general and ethical guidelines for food. As in all other cases, health-related benchmark values for alcoholic beverages apply to healthy individuals.

Tailor-made solution for logistics or overestimated technology?

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems are what everybody is talking about. But what is meant by this buzzword? Which technical functionalities are offered by current systems and where would it make sense to use them in the brewing and beverage industry?

Wood chip heating systems save money and protect the environment

The generation of heat is an essential part of the brewing process and represents an important cost factor for breweries. Soaring prices for natural gas and heating oil are the driving force behind efforts on the part of brewers to seek alternative energy sources. The renowned Weißbierbrauerei Georg Schneider (wheat beer brewery) located in Kelheim found one such alternative energy source and has implemented it.