Mash Tun Design and Operation

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of the mash tun?

Answer 1

Dual-purpose vessel for mashing and wort separation

The mash tun serves both to facilitate the mashing process and to separate the wort from the grain.

Question 2

How does the cycle time of the mash tun compare to the lauter tun?

Answer 2

288 minutes for mash tun vs 144 minutes for lauter tun

The mash tun takes significantly longer due to additional mashing and saccharification times.

Question 3

What is the tun diameter of the mash tun?

Answer 3

5 meters

The smaller diameter contributes to its slower flow rate compared to the lauter tun.

Question 4

What is the grain bed loading for the mash tun?

Answer 4

500 kg/m²

This is 2.5 times higher than that of the lauter tun, affecting wort flow.

Question 5

What is the maximum pressure limit for the mash tun?

Answer 5

0.1 bar

This limit is the same as that for the lauter tun.

Question 6

What is the wort flow rate for the mash tun?

Answer 6

378 hL/h

This is significantly lower than the lauter tun’s flow rate.

Question 7

What factors contribute to the slower wort flow in the mash tun?

Answer 7

Lower surface area, higher grain bed depth, higher wort viscosity

These factors combined lead to a reduced efficiency in wort separation.

Question 8

What is the grain bed depth in the mash tun?

Answer 8

1.0 meter

This depth is 2.5 times greater than that of the lauter tun.

Question 9

What is the relationship between the mash tun’s water:grist ratio and wort viscosity?

Answer 9

Higher water:grist ratio increases wort viscosity

A thicker mash leads to higher viscosity, which is unfavorable for flow.

Question 10

Fill in the blank: The mash tun uses a _____ mash with a water:grist ratio of 2.5 L/kg.

Answer 10

thick

Question 11

What is the purpose of the sparge in the mash tun operation?

Answer 11

To evenly apply water over the grain bed for extraction efficiency

Proper sparging helps to prevent the grain bed from settling and ensures effective wort collection.

Question 12

True or False: The mash tun has a rig and associated rakes similar to the lauter tun.

Answer 12

False

The mash tun does not include these features, which affects its operation.

Question 13

What happens to the wort viscosity as the sparging process continues?

Answer 13

Wort viscosity decreases

This allows for an increase in the wort collection flow rate.

Question 14

What is the typical total cycle time for the mash tun to achieve five brews per day?

Answer 14

288 minutes

This includes all operations from mash in to spent grain removal.

Question 15

What is the spent grain removal process in the mash tun?

Answer 15

Stationary arm discharges spent grain after wort collection

The spent grain arm rotates to push grain out to the discharge chute.

Question 16

How does the false floor of the mash tun differ from that of the lauter tun?

Answer 16

Wider slots (1 mm) but fewer in number

This design allows for a sufficient run-off rate despite slower flow.

Question 17

What is the effect of a high wort collection flow rate in the mash tun?

Answer 17

It can compact the grain bed and restrict flow

This is known as a ‘set mash’ and poses a significant operational challenge.

Question 18

What is the average time for strong worts collection in the mash tun?

Answer 18

65 minutes

This is part of the overall cycle time for the mash tun.