Waste beer recovery

US11518969B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• University of South Africa · ZA

Inventors

• Steven Craig Groeneveld · Roodepoort, ZA
• John Dewar · Edinburgh, GB

Key dates

• Filing date: May 16, 2016
• Grant date: Dec 6, 2022
• Expiry date: Mar 10, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12H1/061
• WIPO field: Food chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

This invention relates to a method for recovering beer during a beer brewing process. In the method, yeast entrained in beer 36 is recovered from a fermentation step 32. The yeast is separated from the beer to provide recovered beer 42. The recovered beer 42 is passed through an ultraviolet (UV) photo-sterilization unit 46, to provide sterilized recovered beer 48 which is recycled to the fermentation step 32. The invention uses ultraviolet light to achieve a microbially safe beer recovered from surplus yeast, and the recovered beer is recycled back to the brewing process, thereby saving financially as well as water loss.