Development of a multi-tier malt-growing apparatus for the needs of a craft brewery

Abstract

The article presents a multi-tier conveyor malt-growing apparatus, which is designed for growing malt in small enterprises, makes the process continuous and efficient by moving the germinating layer of grain without damaging the sprouts. It allows the automatic adjustment of technological modes depending on the type and quality of grain by controlling the supply of condensed air in specified temperature ranges, ensures environmental friendliness of production due to water recycling, energy saving due to the sloping arrangement of tiers and reducing energy consumption for grain agitation. It allows the producing of special malt varieties from various agricultural plants. A comparative analysis of conveyor systems has been carried out and their significant disadvantages have been identified that do not allow the systems to be used for malt production. Significant advantages of using the developed multi-tier malt plant are shown. Exposure to an electromagnetic field at the soaking stage contributed to an increase in the germination of barley. It was found that short-term UV irradiation of barley in the first hours of swelling led to an increase in seed germination. The expediency of using the new conveyor malt-growing apparatus to produce special malts for craft brewing is shown.