Quality storage of wine using a Munters dehumidifier
The South African wine industry has been rejoicing since the ban on wine sales was lifted as the country moved to lockdown level 2.
Many wineries have had an over supply of wines due to the lockdown and are having to store excess wine stock over a longer than expected period of time.
Storage of wine bottles and extra stock can be a tricky situation to manage as storing fluids in cellars can lead to condensation on the outside of the tanks and bottles. Constantly wet surfaces compromises labelled wine bottles and packaging and forms the perfect environment for bacterial growth that compromises Health and Safety regulations.
Protos Wines – a case study
Protos is one of the most important and well-known Spanish wineries with a current production of around three million bottles of wine per year. Their wineries are equipped with the most advanced technology. Protos boasts several wineries in different geographic areas that are different but with the same aim: The search of quality above all.
Protos has two wineries in Peñafiel (Valladolid) and Anguix (Burgos) where the famous Crianza and aged wines are produced. Storing fluids like beer and wine in cellars can lead to condensation on the outside of the tanks and bottles. Constantly wet surfaces form the perfect environment for bacterial growth and compromise HACCP regulations.
By dehumidifying the tank room or cellar with a Munters desiccant dehumdifier, the dewpoint of the air decreased so that condensation no longer occurred. Their building structures benefited from the drier climate as the need for maintenance work was reduced and labels remain intact on bottle surfaces. In addition, the climate for employees improved and became more comfortable and healthy due to a non-humid environment.
How does a dehumidifier remove moisture from the air?
The basic idea of the Munters desiccant rotor is very simple: Air is blown through the rotor (drying wheel) structure and the humidity in the air is absorbed by the hygroscopic desiccant silica gel. The air leaves the rotor as dry air and is pumped into the cellar. In a separate sector, reactivation air is blown through the rotor to remove the accumulated moisture. The resulting wet air (which contains the removed moisture) is blown away outside. The system works without freon, without compressors and is environmentally friendly.
Maintaining a dry storage area:
One of the main concerns to the owners of warehouses and storage facilities, especially facilities containing sensitive or delicate goods, is excessive moisture.
Excessive moisture can cause problems with mould and mildew, rust, corrosion, rot and insect infestations, resulting in costly and disruptive damage to many commonly stored goods such as wines, whiskey, metals, powder, food, electronics and metals, not to mention the equipment in the storage facility itself.
The main sources for this excessive moisture are unnecessary ventilation, gaps in the structure of the building, as well as evaporation from moisture-laden products. While improving the insulation of the building will ease the problem, a long-term solution is required to ensure the perfect climate is maintained. The installation of dehumidification devices moves moisture-laden air outside or condenses the moisture into liquid water, ensuring stored goods are kept in optimum condition.
Humidity challenges in wineries
Winemaking is a multi-stage process based on fermentation, and can take place on virtually any scale from small-scale specialists all the way up to large-volume industrialised production.
Key processes take place at a range of temperatures, and temperature differences in relation to the warmer surrounding air introduce risks of airborne moisture condensing on the many kinds of processing equipment – and on cold pipework and building surfaces, too. Such condensation then easily gives rise to corrosion and other forms of damage in equipment as well as structures, in addition to affecting your overall control over key conditions in the winery.
Any condensation also means you’re more likely to encounter bacterial growths and mold, which can affect both surfaces and structure within buildings, as well as affecting labels, packaging, etc.
Prevention is better than cure
Munters industrial and commercial dehumidification systems enables your winery to maintain control over moisture conditions anywhere and everywhere – both during all the relevant stages of production and while the wine is being stored, in whichever containers your operation uses.
The desiccant dehumidifier solutions enables you to control the dew point of the air so that condensation cannot arise irrespective of the changing seasons and weather.
Benefits of using a dehumidifier for storage of wine:
Benefits of using a dehumidifier for storage of wine:-
- Maintain better end-to-end control of air conditions in your winery
- Do away with problems caused by condensation and corrosion
- Provide better, more consistent conditions for wine storage
- Prevent damage to labels and packaging
- Ensure safer and healthier working conditions for staff
- Ensure better hygiene throughout the winery
A professional climate controlled environment will help combat humidity related issues. Using a properly calculated and engineered Munters dehumidification system as specified by our Munters trained specialists based on the size of the storage area, the temperature and humidity requirements, will bring moisture under control providing an environment free from dampness, mold and bacteria.
Contact a Munters Specialist for pricing & info:
SMAC ENTERPRISES: info@airtreatment.co.za – we are sole distributors for Munters AirTech assisting clients throughout South Africa: Gauteng, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, East London, Bloemfontein etc as well as the entire Southern Africa region.
