SOL ALPHA
Brewing · Fermentation tank

Design a cooled fermentation and storage tank

Design fermentation heat removal, cooling jackets, cooldown, CO₂ pressure, shell and support together.

5 solution steps6 suggested modulesStatus: solution concept

The engineering task

Fermentation generates time-dependent heat that must be removed to maintain the required temperature profile. After processing, the tank must be cooled to storage temperature within a specified time.

Cooling jackets operate only over wetted area and capacity changes with level. CO₂ generation, spunding pressure, cleaning and a blocked gas path define pressure cases; the slender tank also requires adequate support.

Required design data

  • Tank volume, level and batch profile
  • Wort/beer properties and fermentation heat
  • Coolant temperatures and available flow
  • CO₂ rate, operating pressure and CIP cases

Technical solution approach

Balance fermentation and cooling

Model time-dependent fermentation heat, losses and sensible cooldown separately.

Determine active cooling area

Calculate wetted jacket area at all relevant levels.

Size cooling jackets

Match heat transfer, coolant flow and pressure drop to peak duty and cooldown time.

Define pressure cases

Assess spunding, maximum CO₂ generation, CIP, blocked outlet and vacuum during emptying.

Complete mechanical tank design

Verify shell, cone/head, nozzles, skirt and relief for governing cases.

Expected deliverables

Temperature and fermentation-heat profile
Cooling area and coolant flow
Cooldown time and jacket pressure drop
Pressure-part, support and relief verification

Suitable SOL ALPHA modules

The modules form a technically plausible toolchain. Their final selection and sequence will be confirmed during the later calculation against the applicable code and project conditions.