Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/138003
The Vinfoil Mixer at Simi Winery cold stabilizes chardonnay in less than three days. Photo: Ted Rieger Tank Mixers Improve Efficiency, Reduce Costs BY TED RIEGER, SENIOR FEATURE EDITOR U.S. wineries turn to agitators to mix tank contents at various winemaking stages shearing that affects wine quality; higher energy use and higher costs for pumping, and more labor required to set up, remove and clean pump equipment and hoses. Mixers that can be moved from tank to tank may offer better results with lower energy costs, but a single mixer may not be sized for efficient operation in tanks of different capacities and designs within the winery. HIGH EFFICIENCY AT LOW POWER Vinfoil Mixers, designed and manufactured by Chemical Plant & Engineering Pty. Ltd. of Australia, have been installed in more than 3,300 wine tanks in Australia and New Zealand since 1999. They come in more than 20 models with motors that range from 0.5 horsepower to 10 horsepower, for tank capacities ranging from 3,000 gallons to 650,000 gallons. PolarClad Tank Insulation, based in Santa Rosa, Calif., is the U.S. representative for Vinfoil Mixers and has sup- AT A GLANCE + Efficient tank mixers offer ine tank mixers, also called agitators, are available from several manufacturers and are used by wineries to mix tank contents at different stages in the winemaking process: when adding yeast or nutrients for fermentation; when adding chemicals for preservation and clarification; to reduce tank temperature stratification and expedite cold stabilization; to mix blends prior to bottling, and to improve homogenization of tank 46 V I N E YARD & WINERY MANAGEMENT | July - Aug 2013 contents with uniform solids suspension for more efficient filtration or centrifuging. Because most wineries use pumps to move product between tanks and containers, they also commonly employ them to mix contents in tanks. However, pumps are designed to transfer product rather than mix it, and their use has potential drawbacks: excess oxygenation and undesirable agitation or quality, cost and timesaving advantages for mixing wine in tanks. + Tank mixers are used in many stages of the winemaking process. + Fixed, individual tank mixers can be custom-sized to specific tanks. + Portable tank mixers can be moved and used in multiple tanks as needed. w w w. v w m m e d i a . c o m