FR3070763A1 - APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MONITORING VINIFICATION - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus (1) for monitoring winemaking comprising at least one device for measuring the density of a liquid taken from a winemaking tank and a processing unit (6) of the signal produced by the (s) measuring device (s), said density measuring device comprising a measuring column (3) provided with a first pressure sensor (4) placed at the bottom of the column, a means for determining the density and a means for determining the height of the liquid in the measuring column (3), remarkable in that it comprises a reservoir (5) arranged and connected to the upper end of the column (3), the column assembly (3) measuring - reservoir (5) receiving the liquid taken, and a device for ambient temperature of said sampled liquid before entering said set column (3) measuring tank (5).

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to the general field of the vine and relates more particularly to an apparatus for monitoring the vinification as well as the method implementing said apparatus.

Technical previous The winemaking that is to say the transformation through fermentation of a must of grapes in wine, and in particular the

transformation of the sugars contained in the must into alcohol, is a complex process and sensitive to many factors (temperature, humidity, etc.).

In order to monitor the progress of this process, the winegrowers determine the sugar and alcohol content of the fermentation mixture at regular time intervals, which allows the speed of the fermentation reaction to be deduced in particular. Several methods are applied for this purpose.

A first method consists in using a hydrometer (also called hydrometer or mustimeter), instrument allowing to measure the density of a liquid (here, the must) using the principle of Archimedes. It consists of a hollow cylinder, weighted and graduated, which sinks more or less into the liquid to be measured according to its density. By using correspondence tables, the sugar and alcohol content of the must during vinification is deduced therefrom. This measurement device, which is inexpensive and very easy to implement in the environment of a winery, is however very sensitive to the presence of gas in the liquid and does not make it possible to obtain a measurement representative of the the entire tank and automate the measurement.

Another known method for monitoring winemaking is to measure the level of C02, which increases during fermentation. Electronic systems

SYS001-FR-10_TEXTE DEPOSE_RG / AG performing this measurement are offered on the market. However, they have a rather high cost and have the constraint of requiring careful sealing of the fermentation tanks, in order to avoid any contamination which could distort the measurement.

To overcome certain drawbacks mentioned above, methods are also known for monitoring winemaking using an apparatus comprising at least one measuring device, a unit for processing the signal produced by the measuring device (s) and a chassis supporting said units. This known device comprises a device for measuring the density of a liquid comprising a measurement column provided with a first pressure sensor placed at the foot of the column and with means for determining the height of the liquid in the measurement column and the top of the column is provided with an anti-contamination valve containing an aqueous SO 2 solution making it possible to neutralize, during the operation of emptying said column, the oxygen contained in the outside air sucked up in order to avoid contaminating the must reinjected into the medium from which it was taken.

Admittedly, this device can be automated by connecting it to a vinification tank, but it has

The disadvantage of not guaranteeing a homogeneity of the product sampled in the tank and of the density of the latter in the measurement column.

In addition, the differences in temperature and pressure between the inside and the outside of the tank can cause deviations in the accuracy of the measurements and therefore distort the monitoring of the winemaking.

Statement of the invention

The present invention therefore aims to obviate a certain number of drawbacks of the known devices and methods and to propose an apparatus making it possible to follow the vinification in a tank in a precise, reliable and automatic manner, by

SYS001-FR-10-TEXTE DEPOSE_RG / AG being particularly robust in an agro-industrial environment, and the cost price of which is accessible, while guaranteeing the precision and reliability of the measurements without risk of contaminating the must, and making it possible to export said measures for computerized processing.

In this regard, the subject of the present invention is a wine-making monitoring apparatus comprising at least one device for measuring the density of a liquid taken from a wine-making tank and a unit for processing the signal produced by the wine (s). measuring device (s), said density measuring device comprising a measuring column provided with a first pressure sensor placed at the foot of the column, with means for determining the density of the liquid in the measuring column and a means for determining the height of the liquid in the measurement column, remarkable in that it comprises a reservoir disposed and connected to the upper end of the column, the measurement column-reservoir assembly receiving the withdrawn liquid , and a device for bringing said liquid sampled to ambient temperature before it enters said measuring column - reservoir assembly.

The reservoir is advantageously sealed in the upper part by a cover, the latter being provided at least with a vent valve, a liquid level detection member and a detection member. overflow.

The means for determining the density of the liquid in the measurement column is preferably a second pressure sensor disposed along said measurement column, towards its top.

Advantageously, said tank is connected to an air treatment device containing an aqueous SO 2 solution making it possible to neutralize, during the operation of draining said measuring column, the oxygen contained.

SYS001-FR-10_TEXTE DEPOSE_RG / AG in the outside air sucked in order to avoid contaminating the liquid reinjected into the wine-making tank from which it was taken.

According to a preferred embodiment, the air treatment device comprises a single-colored balloon provided with a tight plug at the upper end of its neck, a communication tube and a suction tube inserted in said plug, said communication tube being connected to the cover of said tank, said flask being filled with an aqueous SO 2 solution so that the lower end of the communication tube emerges while the lower end of the suction tube be submerged.

Said apparatus advantageously comprises a water tank and in that the device for bringing said sampled liquid to ambient temperature comprises a coil disposed inside said water tank and in which the liquid sampled circulates in said vinification tank, before to enter the measurement column.

The device is advantageously connected to a multi-tank sampling device comprising a communication hub and a plurality of switches and making it possible to communicate

The entire tank measurement column, as required, with at least either the city water network, the cleaning solution or the various vinification tanks, the communication hub comprising a plurality of inputs connected respectively at least to the city network and to a cleaning solution, and a plurality of inputs / outputs connected respectively to the tank measurement column assembly and to one of the inputs / outputs of each switch, the other inputs / outputs being connected to the different vinification tanks associated with the switch under consideration, each switch further comprising an outlet connected to the sewers.

SYS001-FR-10_TEXTE DEPOSE_RG / AG

According to a preferred embodiment, one of the inputs of the communication hub is connected to pressurized nitrogen to empty the entire measurement column - reservoir of its content.

The invention also relates to a process for monitoring the vinification using the apparatus according to the invention, remarkable in that it comprises at least the following steps:

- sampling of liquid in a vinification tank towards the measuring column - tank assembly,

- measure of the density of liquid withdrawn using of first sensor pressure, of means determination of the height some cash in the column and of 1'unité of treatment,

- measurement of the temperature of the liquid contained in the vinification tank,

- comparison of the density measured with the optimal density Do and of the temperature measured with the optimal temperature To,

- triggering of an event when the measured density and / or the measured temperature is lower or higher respectively at the optimal density Do and at the optimal temperature To.

The stage of triggering an event is preferably followed by a stage of automatic regulation of the temperature in the vinification tank.

Brief description of the figures

Other advantages and characteristics will emerge more clearly from the description which follows, of a particular embodiment, given by way of nonlimiting illustration, of a wine-making monitoring device according to the invention, with reference to attached figures on

SYS001-FR-10_TEXTE DEPOSE_RG / AG which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wine-making monitoring device according to the invention installed in a cabinet;

- Figure 2 is a front view of the winemaking apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail view of

The winemaking device of FIG. 2;

- the figure 4 is a view schematic of device of treatment air of the device tracking the winemaking conform to 1'invention. - the figure 5 is a view schematic of device of sample multicompartment of 1 ¹ 'apparatus; followed by the

vinification according to the invention

Best way to realize the technical invention

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 and in accordance with the invention, there is shown an apparatus 1 for monitoring the vinification advantageously placed in a cabinet 2 and intended for monitoring the vinification of the grape must contained in a vinification tank, not shown in the figs.

The apparatus 1 comprises at least one density measurement device, or densimeter, comprising a measurement column 3 provided with a first pressure sensor 4 placed at the foot of the column, with a means for determining the height of the liquid, here grape must, in column 3 of measurement and a means of determining the density of the liquid in said column 3 of measurement.

According to the preferred variant shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, this means of determining the density of the liquid in the measurement column 3 is a second pressure sensor 4 ′, disposed along said column 3, towards its top. . This choice is indeed very reliable and precise and easy to implement.

SYS001-FR-10_TEXTE DEPOSE_RG / AG

The density of the liquid is determined by the pressure difference measured between said first and second pressure sensors 4, 4 '.

Said first and second pressure sensors 4, 4 ′ are advantageously of the piezoelectric pressure sensor type with membranes.

The first and second pressure sensors 4, 4 ′ are arranged so as to be in direct contact with the liquid, the density of which must be determined. Thus, a cutout is provided in column 3 so that the membrane of the first and second pressure sensors 4, 4 ′ is flush with the internal wall of said measurement column 3.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the first and second pressure sensors 4, 4 ′ are spaced apart along the column 3 by at least 20 cm, preferably between 40 and 100 cm, terminals included. This ensures increased reliability of the measurement accuracy.

According to a preferred characteristic, the first and second pressure sensors 4, 4 ′ are paired. Their calibrations and then respectively their measurements are therefore correlated. This advantageously makes it possible to have only one reference of a pressure sensor, the temperature drift of which will be identical.

In the context of the present invention, other means for determining the height of the liquid in column 3 can be used. Thus, without departing from the scope of the present invention, it is possible to use, for example, an optical sensor with a reflected light signal or else a float coupled to a switch.

Furthermore, to guarantee the homogeneity of the liquid withdrawn from the tank and of the density of the latter in the measurement column 3, the density measurement device of the apparatus 1 comprises a reservoir 5 arranged and connected at the end top of column 3 measurement so

SYS001-FR-10_TEXTE DEPOSE_RG / AG

- 8 increase the volume of liquid sampled and therefore make it more homogeneous. Said reservoir 5 is sealed in the upper part by a cover 5 '. To allow correct filling and emptying of the measurement column 3 - tank 5 assembly, the cover 5 ′ is advantageously provided with at least the following elements not shown in the figures, namely: a vent valve , a liquid level detection member and an overflow detection member. Those skilled in the art will have no difficulty in determining these various elements.

Said liquid level detection member constitutes the means for determining the height of the liquid in the measurement column 3. Thanks to this liquid level detection member, it is easy to understand that the filling of the measurement column 3 - reservoir 5 assembly stops as soon as liquid is detected by said detection member and that it is then certain that 'always have the same amount of liquid in the measurement column 3 - tank 5 assembly. This characteristic is important because it guarantees repeatability of the measurements without risk of drift due to the variation in the amount of liquid.

The apparatus 1 further comprises a processing unit 6 for the signal produced by the measuring device (s). This processing unit 6 is advantageously constituted by an electronic card. The processing unit 6 receives all the signals produced by the first and second pressure sensors 4, 4 ′ of the device 1. It also includes a user interface of the screen and keyboard type, which can be integrated into the device 1 or external to it, and can be connected to external IT means, via ports or communication protocols usually used in this field (for example, USB, Bluetooth, WIFI, etc.). Processing unit 6 automatically applies corrections to the measured data

SYS001-FR-10_TEXTE DEPOSE_RQ / AQ according to predefined tables (charts) and / or the calibration of the device, in particular.

The apparatus 1 further comprises means for pumping and discharging into said column 3 of the liquid whose density is measured. The pump 7 of this pumping means is preferably of the peristaltic type. The first pressure sensor 4 is preferably placed at the connection between the pumping device and the measurement column 3.

Furthermore, the apparatus 1 comprises a water tank 8 associated with a cleaning device, not shown, to allow cleaning by rinsing of the column 3 measurement - tank 5 assembly between two measurements. The water contained in said water tank 8 is at room temperature of the room in which the vinification tank is installed.

Said cleaning device makes it possible to preferably carry out a bubbling, that is to say the injection of gas bubbles in the rinsing liquid: it is thus possible to effectively remove the particles of the must which would adhere to the internal wall of the column. 3 measurement.

Preferably, the rinsing liquid is compatible with food use and will preferably be water, with or without the addition of cleaning agents compatible with food use.

To avoid any drift in the measurements of the first and second pressure sensors 4, 4 ′ due to the temperature difference between the inside and the outside of the vinification tank, the apparatus 1 includes a device for bringing the ambient temperature of the liquid sampled, advantageously in the form of a coil, not shown, placed inside the water tank 8 and in which the liquid sampled circulates in said vinification tank, before entering the measurement column 3 under the action of the pump 7.

SYS001-FR-10-TEXT DEPOSE_RQ / AQ

Ambient temperature is understood here to mean the temperature of the room, conventionally a vat room, in which is installed

The device 1.

This configuration makes it possible for said withdrawn liquid to be in the tank measurement column 3 assembly at ambient temperature, in order to avoid any mechanical stress at the level of said first and second pressure sensors 4, 4 ′ which could distort the measurements. pressure.

This configuration also makes it possible not to have to correct the measured density values, as a function of the temperature in the vinification tank.

Advantageously, with reference to FIG. 4,

The apparatus is provided with an air treatment device 9 preferably comprising a single-necked balloon 9a provided with a tight stopper 9b at the upper end of its neck.

In this plug 9b a communication tube

9c and a suction tube 9d are inserted, said communication tube 9c being connected to the cover 'of said reservoir 5. The tank 9a contains an aqueous solution of SO 2 and is filled so that the lower end of the communication tube 9c is emerged while the lower end of the suction tube 9d is submerged.

Thus, during filling of the measurement column 3 - tank 5 assembly, the air which it contains is expelled through the vent valve of the cover 5 ′ of said tank 5. During the operation the outside air is sucked in through the suction tube 9d of the balloon 9a of the air treatment device 9, passes through the aqueous solution of SO2 (sulfur dioxide) and joins the column 3 of measurement - tank assembly 5 by the communication tube 9c. This configuration makes it possible to neutralize the oxygen contained in the aspirated air and thus avoids contaminating the evacuated must. The measurement can thus be carried out

SYS001-FR-10_TEXTE DEPOSE_RQ / AQ in a closed circuit, the sampled liquid being reinjected into the medium from which it was sampled after the measurement.

With the use of the aforementioned cleaning device, the device can thus be connected to a multi-tank sampling device, for several tanks making it possible to carry out the measurements successively without moving the device 1 in accordance with

1'invention.

To do this, the device’s multi-tank sampling device advantageously includes a communication hub and a plurality of switches, three in number, 12, in the embodiment described.

Said multi-tank sampling device allows communication

The entire measurement column 3 - tank 5, as required, with at least either the city water network, the cleaning solution or the various vinification tanks. For this, with reference to the figure

5, the communication hub 10 comprises a plurality of inputs, four in number:

E1, E2, E3, E4 in the embodiment described, and a plurality of inputs / outputs, four in number:

ES1, ES2, ES3, ES4 in the example embodiment described.

Thus, we could, for example, connect the input El to the city water network,

The inlet E2 to a cleaning solution, the inlet E3 of nitrogen under pressure,

1 input / output ES1

The set of measurement column 3 - tank 5 via pump 7, the inputs / outputs

ES2 to ES4 to the different wine-making tanks via the switches there respectively.

Each of the switches 11 to comprises at least a plurality of inputs / outputs AES1,

AES2, AES3, connected respectively to one of the inputs / outputs

ES2 to ES4 of the crossroads of communication and the different vinification tanks associated with the switch under consideration, and a

SYS001-FR-10-TEXTE depose_rg / ag outlet AS1 connected to the sewers to evacuate in particular the used water and the cleaning solution.

In addition, it is clear that the communication hub 10 comprises a network, not shown, of solenoid valves connected to the various inputs El, E2, E3, E4 and inputs / outputs ES1,

ES2, ES3,

ES4 so that you can either send liquid from a vinification tank via one of the switches 11, 12, 13 associated with

The column 3 measuring tank 5 assembly or vice versa, send tap water to the column measuring tank 3 column assembly via the water tank

Drain, send cleaning solution to

The whole column 3 measuring tank or to the sewer send from

Nitrogen under pressure in the pipes to empty

1'all column 3 measuring tank 5 of its water content, liquid sampled or cleaning solution.

The use of

Nitrogen under pressure to empty the tank measuring column 5 assembly of its contents saves time between two measurements and therefore prevents fouling of the measuring column 3 which can disturb the measurements, because the interior of said column 3 no longer have time to dry between two measurements.

Similarly, it is clear that each of the switches 11 to 13 comprises a network, not shown, of solenoid valves connected to the various inputs / outputs AES1, AES2, AES3 and output

AS1 so that it can either send liquid from an associated vinification tank to communication hub 10 or vice versa,

SYS001-FR-10-TEXT DEPOSE_RQ / AQ

- send city water from communication hub 10 to the sewer,

- send cleaning solution from communication hub 10 to the sewer.

City water is used in the measurement column 3 - tank 5 assembly to calibrate the device 1 before each measurement campaign. To calibrate the device 1, a vacuum pressure measurement is carried out beforehand, that is to say without liquid in the measurement column 3, in order to detect any drift between the first and second pressure sensors 4, 4 ′. Then, the measurement column 3 - reservoir 5 assembly is filled with water whose density is perfectly known, in order to calibrate the first and second pressure sensors 4, 4 ′ with respect to this known density.

In addition, the device 1 can advantageously include additional measuring devices or be connected to other measuring devices, making it possible to monitor other parameters of the must during vinification. Thus, provision will be made for temperature sensors intended to measure the temperature of the liquid in the vinification tank. Gas sensors, in particular C02 and nitrogen can also be provided at the head of the measurement column 3.

In addition, the device 1 will advantageously be associated in its implementation with a sampling device comprising a cane plunging into the heart of the wine-making tank: the resulting measurement is then more homogeneous and representative of the whole of the tank than that obtained by sampling with a tap placed on the front of the tank.

Finally and advantageously, the device 1 includes a device for automating the measurement. This measurement taking automation device will preferably control the sampling device and the export of the measurement data determined by the processing unit 5 and

SYS001-FR-10_TEXTE DEPOSE_RG / AG will make it possible to implement a winemaking monitoring process also, object of the present invention, making it possible to follow the evolution of the fermentation of the must in a tank, based on the density values readings, parameters possibly combined with the measurement of others characterizing the fermentation, such as the temperature of the must in the tank or that the fermentation monitored the C02 content.

Thus, minus the said vinification monitoring process comprises the following steps:

sampling of liquid in a vinification tank towards the column 3 assembly of tank measurement 5, measurement of the first sensor the height of treatment 6, measurement of the density of the liquid sampled using pressure 4, liquid in the of the determination means column 3 and the unit of the temperature of the wine tank liquid compare the measured density of the content in the with the optimal density Do and the measured temperature with the optimal To, triggering of a measured event and / or the temperature measured when temperature the density is lower or higher respectively than the optimal density Do optimal temperature to.

Indeed, when the temperature measured in and the winemaking, that is to say the temperature of the liquid of lower work in the tank (must contained in said tank at the temperature which will give a would have allowed, when the vinification is around 35-37

SYS001-FR-10_TEXTE DEPOSE_RG / AG of winemaking, is

To then the yeasts stop producing less alcoholic wine than the grape temperature measured in the upper tank ° C during temperature To, during the alcoholic fermentation phase, the yeasts are killed by heat and the fermentation stops.

However, the temperature To can vary according to the needs. Thus, once the alcoholic fermentation phase is finished, that is to say once the yeasts have transformed all the sugar contained in the grape must into alcohol, the liquid contained in the vinification tank should be kept at a temperature To of 20 ° C during the possible phase of malolactic fermentation.

It is also well understood that a variation in the temperature in the vinification tank generates a variation in the activity of the yeasts which results in a variation in the rate of transformation of the sugar into alcohol and therefore a variation in the density of the liquid. contained in the vinification tank. During the vinification phase, it is essential to follow the evolution of the density to ensure the smooth progress of the fermentation, because the density of a must is proportional to the amount of sugar it contains. The transformation of sugar into alcohol induces a decrease in density both by disappearance of the sugars and by generation of ethanol whose density is close to 0.8 (the density of water being 1). It is therefore important, during alcoholic fermentation, to control the density which must drop regularly to arrive at the end of said alcoholic fermentation at a Do value of the order of 0.995.

It is therefore understandable that the step of triggering an event is advantageously followed by a step of regulating the temperature in the wine-making tank, this regulation being able to be manual but preferably being carried out automatically by means of automatic machines and suitable software.

Finally, the vinification monitoring process according to the invention may also include a measurement step

SYS001-FR-10_TEXTE DEPOSE_RQ / AQ of the CO 2 (oxygen dioxide) level inside the vinification tank.

Possibility of industrial application

It will be understood that the apparatus 1 and the winemaking monitoring process in accordance with the invention are particularly intended for use in wine-making operations in order to determine the alcohol and sugar contents of the grape must during the winemaking. However, it is obvious that this device 1 can be adapted and used for other types of operations.

Finally, it goes without saying that the examples of the device 1 in accordance with the invention which have just been described are only specific illustrations, in no way limiting on the invention.

Claims (6)

CLAIMS at least one device for measuring the density of a liquid taken from a wine-making tank and one unit of product by the measuring device (s), said density measuring device comprising a column (3) measuring device provided with a first sensor placed at the bottom of the column, a means for determining the density of the liquid in the measuring column and a means for determining the height of the liquid in the measuring, characterized in that that it comprises a reservoir (5) arranged and connected The upper end of the The sampled assembly, and for measuring - reservoir the liquid, a device for bringing said sampled liquid to ambient temperature before it enters said assembly 2 - Apparatus (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that the reservoir (5) is sealed in the upper part by a cover (5 '), the latter being provided with at least one shut-off valve free air, a liquid level detection device and an overflow detection device. 3 - Apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2 characterized in that the means for determining the density of the liquid in the measurement column (3) is a second pressure sensor (4 ') arranged along from said measurement column (3), towards its top. 4 - Device (1) according to 1 'any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said tank (5) is connected to a treatment device SYS001-FR-10_TEXTE DEPOSE_RG / AG of air (9) containing an aqueous solution of SO2 making it possible to neutralize, during the operation of emptying said measurement column (3), the oxygen contained in the outside air drawn in in order to avoid contaminating the liquid reinjected into the vinification tank from which it was taken. Apparatus (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the air treatment device (9) comprises a single-necked balloon (9a) provided with a sealed cap (9b) at the upper end of its neck, a communication tube (9c) and a suction tube (9d) inserted in said plug (9b), said communication tube (9c) being connected to the cover (5 ') of said tank (5), said flask ( 9a) being filled with an aqueous SO2 solution so that the lower end of the communication tube (9c) is emerged while the lower end of the suction tube (9d) is immersed. 6 - Apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that it comprises a water tank (8) and in that the device for bringing said withdrawn liquid to ambient temperature comprises a coil arranged at inside said water tank (8) and in which the liquid withdrawn in said vinification tank circulates, before entering the measurement column (3). 7 - Apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that it is connected to a multi-tank sampling device comprising a communication hub (10) and a plurality of switches (11, 12, 13 ) and allowing communication between the measuring column (3) - tank (5), as required, with at least either the city water network, the cleaning solution or the various tanks SYS001-FR-10_TEXTE DEPOSE_RG / AG winemaking, the communication hub (10) comprising a plurality respectively connected at least to the city water network and to a cleaning solution, and a plurality of inputs / outputs (ES1, connected respectively All and one (AES1) of the inputs / outputs (AES1, AES2, AES3, of each switch (11, the other inputs / outputs being associated vinification connected to the different tanks of the switch in question, each further comprising an output (AS1) connected to the sewers. 8 - Apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 characterized in that one (E3) of the inputs (El, E2, E3, E4) of the communication hub (10) is connected to the nitrogen under pressure to empty the measuring column (3) - reservoir (5) assembly of its content. 9 - Method for monitoring the vinification using the apparatus (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps: - sample of liquid in a vinification tank to the measurement column (3) - tank (5) assembly, - measurement of the density of the liquid withdrawn using the first pressure sensor (4), the means for determining the height of the liquid in the column (3) and the treatment unit (6), - measurement of the temperature of the liquid contained in the vinification tank, SYS001-FR-10_TEXTE DEPOSE_RQ / AQ - comparison of the density measured with the optimal density Do and of the temperature measured with the optimal temperature To, - triggering of an event when the density 5 measured and / or the measured temperature is lower or higher respectively the optimal density Do and the optimal temperature To. 10 - Process according to claim 9, characterized in 10 that the step of triggering an event is followed by a step of automatic regulation of the temperature in the vinification tank.