Improve your plants production efficiency

Alfa Laval automated tank cleaning systems for the ethanol industry

New operating concept

Alfa Laval tank cleaning technology enables ethanol
producers to make radical changes to their cleaning
procedures. The rapid, automated cleaning procedures now
available mean that the time needed for cleaning between
batches is shorter. This leads to increased production
efficiency and lower costs.
Installing Alfa Laval rotary jet heads in tanks and other
equipment also makes it possible to ensure a highly efficient,
continuous production flow. This both reduces costs and
maintains a high level of production at all times.
Rapid, automated cleaning of your fermenters
All the process systems and tanks used in the ethanol
production industry need regular cleaning to prevent
contamination during the fermentation process. In particular,
cleaning of the fermenters after each batch with or without
the use of biocide is part of the normal cleaning procedure.
For this application, the spray ball technology currently
available has proven ineffective because the spray ball
does not provide any impact effect on the surface of the
fermenters. This means that effective cleaning then takes
much longer.
Main benefits for ethanol producers
By installing Alfa Laval rotary jet heads inside the fermenters,
it is now possible to carry out such tank cleaning both rapidly
and automatically. This specialist equipment provides 360
indexed impact cleaning that is defined over a preset time
period.
Such a rapid, fully automated cleaning method virtually
eliminates downtime and other production disruptions due to
tank cleaning. These new cleaning procedures also reduce
the quantities of water and biocide used.
Finally, efficient cleaning of the fermenters increases
fermentation performance and saves money on antibiotics.

Rapid cleaning, resulting in less downtime

Reduced biocide consumption
Reduced water consumption
Less use of antibiotics, avoiding savage yeast
Reduced manpower requirements
Reduced environmental impact
Moderate investment/rapid return

Optimizing installation

TRAX and installation example

Installation specifications
To ensure correct installation, Alfa Laval technicians provide
drawings with optimized positioning of the machine, with
details of location, piping and pressure/flow requirements,
based on the customers specific tank dimensions.
Process design
The unique Alfa Laval design includes process parameters
and computerized TRAX simulation. This advanced
software provides an analysis of cleaning shadows and
generates customized patterns for the vessel concerned.

Wetting
intensity
[l/m]

2.5
3.0
3.7
4.4
5.4
6.5
7.9
9.6
12
14
17
21
25

Operational procedures
Our extensive experience in this field means that Alfa Laval is
able to suggest the best possible operating procedures for
this kind of tank cleaning equipment.
Free on-site trial
Before installing your new tank cleaning system, let Alfa Laval
provide you with a trial model that you can try out for yourself
entirely free of charge.

Ethanol tank ID = 6000 mm (19.6 ft), H = 9000 mm (29.5 ft)

Time = 14.7 min Water used = 5152 l (1361 US gal.)

Alfa Laval tank cleaning machines in operation.

PPI00148EN 0705
How to contact Alfa Laval
Up-to-date contact details for all
countries are available on our
website at www.alfalaval.com.

Alfa Laval reserves the right to change specifications without prior notification.