ENVIRONMENT SUSTAINABILITY THE BENEFITS OF REDUCING CO2 PURGE TIMES

RECENT SHORTAGES IN CO2 AVAILABILITY, COUPLED WITH INCREASED COSTS, HAVE POSED NEW CHALLENGES FOR CRAFT BREWERS. DISRUPTIONS IN SUPPLY CHAINS AND INCREASED DEMAND FROM MULTIPLE INDUSTRIES, HAVE LED TO A SCARCITY OF CO2 IN THE MARKET. THESE CHALLENGES HAVE PUT ADDITIONAL PRESSURE ON CRAFT BREWERIES TO FIND WAYS TO REDUCE THEIR CO2 CONSUMPTION WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE QUALITY OF THEIR PRODUCTS. CRAFT BREWERIES, LIKE ANY OTHER INDUSTRY, ALSO HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO REDUCE THEIR CARBON FOOTPRINT, AND ONE SIGNIFICANT WAY THEY CAN DO THIS IS BY REDUCING CO2 CONSUMPTION DURING THE BREWING PROCESS.

The process of purging CO2 from tanks is essential to maintaining product quality, but it can also be incredibly wasteful, and difficult to measure. Traditional methods to monitor the purge process are expensive, time consuming, and potentially dangerous for workers. Here we will explore the benefits of reducing CO2 purge times and highlight how we are working with craft breweries to reduce their CO2 consumption while securing a more consistent product quality.

The Importance Of Co2 Purging In Brewing

CO2 purging is a critical part of the brewing process, as it helps maintain the quality of the beer by removing oxygen from holding tanks. Oxygen has a detrimental efect on the favor and shelf life of beer, so it is essential to minimize its presence during the brewing process. Traditionally, breweries purge CO2 from their tanks for an excessive amount of time to ensure that oxygen levels are kept low. However, this process consumes a signifcant amount of CO2, and has become increasingly expensive in light of shortages. Furthermore, the methods brewers use to purge tanks tend to be a rule of thumb approach and are not always consistent, reliable, or efcient.

THE BREWOPS APPROACH: RUGGED SENSORS PROVIDE ACTIONABLE DATA

The challenge of reducing CO2 purge times while maintaining product quality might seem daunting or even risky. But that’s where BrewOps has a unique solution. This innovative company is partnering with craft breweries to provide the missing link in the craft brewing industry: actionable data. BrewOps has developed easy-to-install, rugged sensors specifically designed for brewing, allowing breweries to optimize their CO2 purging process and more.

By monitoring the oxygen levels in the tanks, BrewOps’ sensors provide real-time data that enables breweries to determine the optimal CO2 purge time for each tank. This ensures that oxygen levels remain low enough to maintain beer quality while reducing CO2 consumption. Breweries now have the transparency to adjust purge times accordingly, minimizing their environmental impact and lowering costs.

REDUCED PURGE TIMES: ABOUT MORE THAN JUST CO2 SAVINGS

Reducing purge times impacts much more than just CO2 consumption, and enables a signifcant return on investment (ROI) in several ways:

Energy savings from reduced compressor runtime, as compressors are typically the largest energy consumers in an industrial facility. By reducing purge times and load on the compressors, breweries can reduce the energy use, directly contributing to lower monthly electricity costs.

Labor productivity gains are achieved by minimizing the need for manual checks during the purging process, allowing brewers and cellar hands to focus on other important tasks in parallel. By increasing the consistency and reliability of purges, staf can be immediately notifed visually or through a mobile app of purge completion.

Decreased bulk CO2 costs result from reducing overall consumption. Reducing material costs by increasing efciency, directly impacts a brewery’s bottom line, while preserving scarce materials for future brews.

Lastly, increased consistency and traceability leads to better quality control and process optimization. Process controls are only efective when followed, purge monitoring enables operational oversight, ultimately delivering high quality consistent packaged products.

THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE, DATA DRIVEN BREWING

The partnership between BrewOps and craft breweries is a shining example of how technology and collaboration can lead to more sustainable business practices. By providing actionable data and easy-to-install, rugged sensors, BrewOps is helping breweries optimize their CO2 purging processes, leading to reduced CO2 consumption and lower costs.

As more craft breweries adopt these innovative solutions, the industry as a whole will move towards more sustainable practices. This shift will not only beneft the environment but also ensure the long-term success and growth of the craft brewing industry. BrewOps is at the forefront of this movement, demonstrating that continuous improvement, environmental responsibility and cost-saving measures can go hand in hand.

Conclusion

Reducing CO2 consumption in the craft brewing industry is an essential step towards a more sustainable future. By focusing on optimizing CO2 purge times, craft breweries can make a signifcant impact on their carbon footprint and decrease their costs. BrewOps is leading the charge in this area, providing innovative, data-driven solutions that allow breweries to maintain product quality while reducing their environmental impact. By embracing these innovations and working together, craft breweries can ensure a greener future for themselves and the planet.