Lesson 5 - Wort Cooling and Oxygenation Technology and Process Control SAQ
Completion requirements
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Go through the activity to the end
This lesson provides the opportunity for you to test yourself on the material covered in Lesson 4 (Wort Cooling and Oxygenation Technology and Process Control) and determine the level to which you have attained the expected outcomes.
Suggested Response - Q1
**Compare and contrast the use of a shell and tube versus a plate heat exchanger for cooling wort.
Response:
Let us tackle this question by comparing the similarities and differences between shell and tube and plate heat exchangers (PHE).
Similarities:
- Can use counter current flow to maximise heat transfer.
- Can use more than one cooling medium per heat exchanger. In fact, shell and tube can use up to three (air, water and a coolant).
- Fully cleanable (CIP) with reverse current flow.
Differences:
- PHE use very thin, embossed plates of highly conductive steel.
- PHE are very compact and have a greater degree of flexibility.
- PHE are quicker and easier to maintain, with plates and gaskets.
- PHE are easier to inspect.
Additional benefits with a single stage PHE include:
- Simple construction, operation and control.
- Low capital cost.
- High recovered heat efficiencies and lower peak cooling loads.
We would thus choose a plate heat exchanger for more efficient and effective cooling of our lager wort. This will achieve lower temperatures in shorter cycle times.