Slowing and opt. halting gas generation from fermentation - by increasing gas pressure e.g. in digester or cider bottle

摘要

The fermentation takes place inside a pressure vessel in which the fermenting material is subjected to pressure by a gas. The pressuring gas is composed at least in part of gas of the type produced by the fermentation. The rate of fermentation varies inversely as the pressure of gas within the vessel, i.e. an increased gas pressure results in a reduced rate of fermentation and vice verse. Gas generated by the fermentation process is pref. employed as the pressurising gas. Control of gas pressure can then be effected by regulating the rate at which gas is drawn off from the vessel. The pressure vessel is pref. constructed to withstand an internal pressure high enough to halt the fermentation process. The method can be used by filling cider into very strong bottles so that in-bottle fermentation will be arrested when gas pressure rises to a critical level. The rate of biogas generation in a digester can be controlled by regulating gas take-off. The ferments are reactivated when pressure is reduced by opening the bottle.