Back to results
US 4,711,163 AGranted
Acetic acid fermentation process and apparatus
OwnerGiuseppe Capuanoinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and process for the aerobic oxidative fermentation of an unpreserved wine where the growth of the resident bacteria in the wine is promoted to produce a fermenting wine mixture to which subsequently lesser quantities of unpreserved wine can be succeedingly added and withdrawn.
Claims16
An acetic acid fermentation apparatus comprising:
- a substantially enclosed receptacle which can be partially filled with wine.
- port means through which said wine charged to and/or discharged from said receptacle;
- temperature regulating means interiorly positioned said receptacle for maintaining said wine below a desired temperature during the fermentation of said wine;
- aerating means for impregnating and dispersing an oxygen-bearing gas into said wine at a predefined gas flow rate and in a multidirectional circulation flow sufficient enough to substantially saturate said wine with said gas;
- and
- condensing means for returning to said wine in said receptacle substantially all of any vaporized and/or entrained ethanol and acetic acid carried by any exhaust gas coming off of said wine.
3 more elements
An acetic acid fermentation apparatus comprising:
- a substantially elongated and enclosed hollow tubular receptacle which can be at least partially filled with wine;
- port means through which said wine is charged to and/or discharged from said receptacle;
- temperature regulating means interiorly positioned said receptacle for maintaining said wine below a desired temperature during the fermentation of said wine;
- gas delivery means interiorly positioned said receptacle at a location to ensure submersion below substantially all of said wine in said receptacle for impregnating said wine with an oxygen-bearing gas at a flow rate of 4 meter.sup.3 per 1000 liters of wine per hour and in a substantially outwardly rotating manner to establish in said wine a substantially upwardly spiralling circulating flow;
- dispersal means interiorly positioned said receptacle formed to provide at least a first surface vertically oriented in relation to the direction of said wine spiralling circulation for impeding and diverting said spiralling circulating flow of said wine substantially radially inward said receptacle to establish in said wine a multidirectional circulation flow, and for directing said spiralling wine to said temperature regulating means;
- and
- condensing means for returning to said wine in said receptacle substantially all of any vaporized and/or entrained ethanol and/or acetic acid carried by any exhaust gas coming off of said wine.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.