Unit 2 -Bring Spirit Production, Storage and Handling

Question 1

What are the three principles of filtration?

Answer 1

• Sieving where particles are held back because they are larger than the filter pores.
  -Depth filtration where the particles are trapped in complex pathways.
• Absorption where particles adhere to the pores of filter powder granules. (Rarely used)

Question 2

Why is a trim chiller often used prior to the filtration operation?

Answer 2

To ensure that haze compounds remain suspended and do not redissolve in the spirit. The aim being that these are removed by the filter.

Question 3

How is filtering vodka commonly done?

Answer 3

Through activated carbon (or charcol) filters. These filters rely on the principle of adsorption to remove the organic impurities form the vodka.

The charcol filter does not affect the ABV of the Vodka.

Question 4

How does filtration work for flavoured vodkas?

Answer 4

The vodka may still be filtered through charcoal prior to the flavouring being added (if added before the charcoal filter there is risk of the flavouring being removed or reduced. Once flavouring is added and the liquid is analysed, it will then be polish filtered prior to packaging.

Question 5

Why are charcoal filters not used when filtering gin?

Answer 5

They would remove or reduce the levels of botanicals contained in the product. The Primary method of filtration is trap filter prior to the product being bottled.

Question 6

What is the tank called in which the spirit is held?

Answer 6

Bright Spirit Tank or the Packaging Tank

Question 7

What is the main concern with the transfer and storage process?

Answer 7

Safety. Due to the flammable natures the bulk storage of spirits is a potentially dangerous operation and may often take place in a “zoned” area, to minimise any possible sources of ignition.

Question 8

What are the factors that determines how long spirit stays in the Bright Spirit Tank?

Answer 8

• The packaging programme may be critical to supplying customers and a plentiful supply of spirit ready for packaging is therefore important.
  -After filling, the Bright Spirit Tank’s contents need to stabilise before a sample is taken for a quality check.
• Quality checks on the spirit will take some time and the spirit must be stored until it is confirmed that is meets the required specifications.

Question 9

What would pH being out of specification might indicate?

Answer 9

It might indicate a problem with the plants cleaning regime, or contamination with detergents and rework of the batch may require a different approach.

Question 10

What is the primary method of filtration for Gin?

Answer 10

Trap filter prior to being bottled.

Question 11

Describe the filtration journey for brown spirits.

Answer 11

• Bulk liquid to be trap filtered (basket filter)
  -Then subsequent sheet filtration (plate/ frame filter)

Question 12

Talk about the process of brown spirits prior to filtration.

Answer 12

-ABV reduction (water) & colouring (caramels)
- parameters affected (ABV & colour) will be known from Bulk spirit vessel.
- It is then filtered.

-Trim filter is often used (similar to beer) to ensure haze compounds remain suspended and do not dissolve in the spirit
-Spirit is presented directly to the filter, beer would quickly block the filter.
-Filter is a plate & frame unit with “nappy” liners (paper)
They work on the depth filtration principle.

Question 13

Why do we use a trim filter?

Answer 13

it’s used prior to the filtration operation to ensure haze compounds remain suspended.