Whole mash is pumped into a hopper at one end of the auger tube. As the mash is augered along the tube, the liquids fall through the perforations, are collected in a basin, and directed to a two-inch hose outlet. The solids continue along the tube, are pressed in a short, augerless section at the end of the tube and then discharge and fall by gravity into a truck. Each fermenter consists of a 1300 gallon plastic tank, the type typically used for above-ground water storage. Each fermenter is equipped with a thermometer.
Flow is regulated by a globe valve and monitored by a flow meter.
The beer proceeds to the inlet of Heat Exchanger 2 as shown on Plate 2. From the outlet of Heat Exchanger 2, the beer proceeds to the inlet of Heat Exchanger 1. From the outlet of Heat Exchanger 1, the beer is fed directly to the inlet of Column 1. Column 1 is illustrated on Plate 2. Its shell is an eight-inch diameter mild steel pipe and the internals are all mild steel.