Process technology
LoopulEX®
External dry hopping system
With the LoopulEX® system, beer losses can be reduced by up to 96%, while simultaneously maintaining a consistently high level of quality and a reproducible hop aroma in the finished beer – with the capacity to effortlessly handle up to 5000 kg of hop pellets per batch. The desired flavor match can be achieved with lower quantities of hops.
The concept is based upon three process steps performed in a bypass during fermentation or lagering:
- dispersal of the hop pellets in the beer
- extraction of the aroma substances from the hops
- separation of the solid hop material from the beer
The banke LoopulEX® system sets new standards for dry hopping!
Key facts
- comprehensive flavor match
- optimal extraction of aroma substances
- O2 uptake < 30 ppb
- up to a 96 % reduction in beer losses
- ROI < 2 years or < 75,000 hl
- a short processing time of 4–8 h
- simple integration into existing fermentation/lager cellars
- all hop material remains inside the equipment
- load reduction on centrifuges and filters
- simplified yeast handling
- fully automated process
- shorter tank occupancy times
- hygienic design
- reduced wastewater loads
- capacities of up to 5000 kg per batch
External dry hopping
The LoopulEX® process offers enormous technological and economic advantages compared to conventional dry hopping techniques:
Dry hopping takes place entirely in a bypass process. With the banke Loopulator, the aroma booster and a separation unit are connected in series. In the first step, the hop pellets are dispersed in beer where the initial extraction takes place. An ideal extraction is achieved in the aroma booster before the solid hop material is separated from the beer in a decanter. Due to optimal process conditions, aroma extraction is performed over a very short period, within 4 to 8 hours.
The LoopulEX® external dry hopping process also offers logistical advantages in the fermentation and lager cellar. You can freely select the point at which dosing occurs; it is flexible and will not interrupt ongoing operations. The process module can easily be integrated into the infrastructures of both cellars.
Separation of up to 99% of the solid hop material
After aroma extraction in the LoopulEX® process, the separation of the solid hop material provides additional benefits:
Beer losses related to dry hopping are reduced by up to 96 %. This results in significantly higher volumes of finished beer.
The loads on all subsequent process steps are reduced through the separation and removal of up to 99 % of the hop solids. Commonly encountered problems due to the presence of hop material, such as the blockage of centrifuges, double-seated valves and pipes, short filtration runs and filtration problems as well as high wastewater loads are a thing of the past.
Retention and removal of hop solids also simplifies yeast management.
ROI < 2 years / < 75,000 hl
A return on investment can be achieved starting at a processing volume of around 75,000 hl of dry-hopped beer. This value results from the significant reduction in beer losses, the highly efficient aroma extraction process and the savings associated with the amount of hops required for production.
We would be happy to calculate a personalized ROI for you – just contact us!
96 % reduction in beer losses
The system can separate up to 99 % of the solid hop material introduced as a result of dry hopping. High beer losses, which often accompany dry hopping, can be lowered by as much as 96 %.
Ideal extraction
The external extraction procedure enables a fast, comprehensive and flexible transfer of aroma substances under ideal process conditions. This reduces the necessary contact time between hops and beer to a minimum.
Flavour match
Flexible process options guarantee a seamless transition from the time-honored, traditional dry hopping technique to the LoopulEX® process without any changes in the aroma profile of the beer. In addition, this flavor match is often achieved with significantly smaller amounts of hops.
