Does anyone have any experience with a commercial grade centrifuge used to clear and help halt fermentation of wine/mead? Also, does anyone know where I can purchase one?
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Centrifuge
- Thread starter Paladin906
- Start date
A centrifuge big enough to do X number of gallons ?
Surely that'd cost a fortune ?
Even small laboratory ones on eBay aren't cheap........
Surely that'd cost a fortune ?
Even small laboratory ones on eBay aren't cheap........
Yeah. I imagine it would be expensive. I did a Google search and found a used one for around $2400 but there wasn't much information on it. My first 2 gallon batch is turning out great thanks to the members of this forum. I will eventually graduate to 5 gallon batches. It would be nice to find a centrifuge that could do at least a gallon at a time.
You may be right. I'm gonna keep at it though. I may have found one. I'll keep you posted. Thanks for the replies.
Before you purchase a centrifuge consider the following:
1. Where are you going to use this? Home or business location?
2. What is the size and weight of the device?
3. 1-phase or 3-phase? Voltage?
4. What is the size of the motor and does it have some type of soft start or drive?
5. Do you know an electrician that can help you install a power circuit if one is needed?
6. What country are you in?
There are a few more things that need answered, but these are the easy ones. If you figure that stuff out, post the answers, and we can advise you on the feasibility.
One last thought: if the above questions discourage you, then don't feel too bad because that is my intention. The purchase, installation, and operating costs could be a lot higher than you anticipate. IMO, not worth it for the home mazer. A person could buy a LOT of SuperKleer and still have some change left over.
1. Where are you going to use this? Home or business location?
2. What is the size and weight of the device?
3. 1-phase or 3-phase? Voltage?
4. What is the size of the motor and does it have some type of soft start or drive?
5. Do you know an electrician that can help you install a power circuit if one is needed?
6. What country are you in?
There are a few more things that need answered, but these are the easy ones. If you figure that stuff out, post the answers, and we can advise you on the feasibility.
One last thought: if the above questions discourage you, then don't feel too bad because that is my intention. The purchase, installation, and operating costs could be a lot higher than you anticipate. IMO, not worth it for the home mazer. A person could buy a LOT of SuperKleer and still have some change left over.
I've recently been building a small, continuous flow centrifuge.
I'm not allowed to discuss design, but it will do infinitely large samples because fluid is fed in through a pipe whilst it's running, and drawn off the same way.
What I would ask is: WHY?
In brewing, what could you want with one?
I'm not allowed to discuss design, but it will do infinitely large samples because fluid is fed in through a pipe whilst it's running, and drawn off the same way.
What I would ask is: WHY?
In brewing, what could you want with one?
You could separate some solids and yeast from the must. Probably still would want to filter after. Might be nice if you want to speed up the settling process and not use chemicals.
BTW, I am unable to resist the impulse to ask a question regarding your continuous flow centrifuge despite your warning. Are you able to disclose the motor size and if it is single or three-phase? Just curious.
BTW, I am unable to resist the impulse to ask a question regarding your continuous flow centrifuge despite your warning. Are you able to disclose the motor size and if it is single or three-phase? Just curious.
Lol. No problem.
1. Where are you going to use this? Home or business location?
At first home but realized that this is unrealistic . if I continue to enjoy the hobby and become good at making mead, I will seriously look into investing in a small, commercial meadery.
2. What is the size and weight of the device?
(LXWXH) = 2' X 1' X 4'. Now, the weight was the spec most shocking. I figured the seller got it wrong/maybe typo. 500 lbs?
3. 1-phase or 3-phase? Voltage?
I haven't gotten a definitive answer but I think it is 3-phase. 380v
4. What is the size of the motor and does it have some type of soft start or drive?
1.5 kw. I can't answer the second part of your question.
5. Do you know an electrician that can help you install a power circuit if one is needed?
I have one of two that have done some work for me in the past.
6. What country are you in?
U.S.
The price quoted new, if interested, would be $3800 USD.
It looks like, for now, I will experiment with a good filter and revisit the centrifuge if/when I get to the commercial phase.
1. Where are you going to use this? Home or business location?
At first home but realized that this is unrealistic . if I continue to enjoy the hobby and become good at making mead, I will seriously look into investing in a small, commercial meadery.
2. What is the size and weight of the device?
(LXWXH) = 2' X 1' X 4'. Now, the weight was the spec most shocking. I figured the seller got it wrong/maybe typo. 500 lbs?
3. 1-phase or 3-phase? Voltage?
I haven't gotten a definitive answer but I think it is 3-phase. 380v
4. What is the size of the motor and does it have some type of soft start or drive?
1.5 kw. I can't answer the second part of your question.
5. Do you know an electrician that can help you install a power circuit if one is needed?
I have one of two that have done some work for me in the past.
6. What country are you in?
U.S.
The price quoted new, if interested, would be $3800 USD.
It looks like, for now, I will experiment with a good filter and revisit the centrifuge if/when I get to the commercial phase.
It's small. It uses a servo drive. It's medical application.
The bit you're interested in could be achieved with a small single phase motor or a big 3 ph.
The difference would be flow rate.
That's about all.
Paladin,
380V 50Hz systems are, with a few exceptions, used everywhere except the Americas. Most of the Americas use either 208V or 480V 3-phase power systems at 60Hz. The centrifuge motor should be fine hooked up to 60Hz, it would just spin a little faster. The centrifuge controller might not work, though. Regardless, utilities won't provide 3-phase power to individual residential units anyway.
500 pounds is probably accurate once you add in a skid, controller, vibration absorbers, etc.
380V 50Hz systems are, with a few exceptions, used everywhere except the Americas. Most of the Americas use either 208V or 480V 3-phase power systems at 60Hz. The centrifuge motor should be fine hooked up to 60Hz, it would just spin a little faster. The centrifuge controller might not work, though. Regardless, utilities won't provide 3-phase power to individual residential units anyway.
500 pounds is probably accurate once you add in a skid, controller, vibration absorbers, etc.
Thanks Guys,
I've been looking into a centrifuge since I started this hobby. I wonder: 1) how many RPM's would be required to separate a mead? 2) how many home mazers/vintners/brewers would be interested in a centrifuge if one were practical in size/use/cost? 3) can a practical home centrifuge be manufactured? I'm not an engineer so I don't have the answers but if I were an engineer and the market could sustain a device like this, I'd get on it.
I've been looking into a centrifuge since I started this hobby. I wonder: 1) how many RPM's would be required to separate a mead? 2) how many home mazers/vintners/brewers would be interested in a centrifuge if one were practical in size/use/cost? 3) can a practical home centrifuge be manufactured? I'm not an engineer so I don't have the answers but if I were an engineer and the market could sustain a device like this, I'd get on it.
You probably could produce something like this.
Though the issue is the same, that it costs what people would consider reasonable. It would have to be in the home plus sort of price, otherwise it wouldn't sell in sufficient numbers.
Lots make 1-5 gallon batches, but once they have a go at a larger size batch, think twice.
It's what gives commercial level simplification it's benefit. Either cheaper ingredients, cheaper process kit or vast increase in production speed to be able to reach a wider market.
Is it possible for such a piece of kit to have additional uses, so that it's more than just a shiny bit.of luxury kit that's "nice to have" ?
Though the issue is the same, that it costs what people would consider reasonable. It would have to be in the home plus sort of price, otherwise it wouldn't sell in sufficient numbers.
Lots make 1-5 gallon batches, but once they have a go at a larger size batch, think twice.
It's what gives commercial level simplification it's benefit. Either cheaper ingredients, cheaper process kit or vast increase in production speed to be able to reach a wider market.
Is it possible for such a piece of kit to have additional uses, so that it's more than just a shiny bit.of luxury kit that's "nice to have" ?
I've been using tapatalk to post and respond in this thread. A lot of my replies did not go through and I missed a lot of replies by others. First, thank all for replying.
"Is it possible for such a piece of kit to have additional uses, so that it's more than just a shiny bit.of luxury kit that's "nice to have" ?"
When I originally created this thread, I was actually seeking the answer to this question. I worded my questions poorly. I had already done some research into the cost and impracticality of a centrifuge. Can a centrifuge actually halt a fermentation? Will it clear a fermentation? If it can effectively do both, be affordable and practical, this can have major value to even the home mazer. Spinning a mead can potentially separate it from any remaining yeast, halting fermentation at the same time effectively clearing it. This allows me to be more precise in that I can stop fermentation at a predetermined sg while avoiding chemicals and other substances that can effect the mead. The turn around time on my meads I assume will be quicker by eliminating some of the time used to cease fermentation and clear. The quicker turnaround time will allow for more time to develop or improve recipes.
"I've recently been building a small, continuous flow centrifuge.
I'm not allowed to discuss design, but it will do infinitely large samples because fluid is fed in through a pipe whilst it's running, and drawn off the same way. "
What will your centrifuge be used for?
"Is it possible for such a piece of kit to have additional uses, so that it's more than just a shiny bit.of luxury kit that's "nice to have" ?"
When I originally created this thread, I was actually seeking the answer to this question. I worded my questions poorly. I had already done some research into the cost and impracticality of a centrifuge. Can a centrifuge actually halt a fermentation? Will it clear a fermentation? If it can effectively do both, be affordable and practical, this can have major value to even the home mazer. Spinning a mead can potentially separate it from any remaining yeast, halting fermentation at the same time effectively clearing it. This allows me to be more precise in that I can stop fermentation at a predetermined sg while avoiding chemicals and other substances that can effect the mead. The turn around time on my meads I assume will be quicker by eliminating some of the time used to cease fermentation and clear. The quicker turnaround time will allow for more time to develop or improve recipes.
"I've recently been building a small, continuous flow centrifuge.
I'm not allowed to discuss design, but it will do infinitely large samples because fluid is fed in through a pipe whilst it's running, and drawn off the same way. "
What will your centrifuge be used for?
I know that you are unable to discuss the details of the design, but can it be used for mead/wine? Will it be practical in it's design?
