Carbonation In Tank, Fermentation Tank or Brite Tank?

Carbonation In Tank, Fermentation Tank or Brite Tank?

Carbonation is the process of dissolving carbon dioxide (CO2) into beer by carbonation device.

After fermentation is complete, beer will naturally contain some amount of dissolved CO2. 

If this amount of CO2 is not sufficient to achieve the beer appropriate level of carbonation, 

carbonation in tank is often used to increase the CO2 content of the beer to the desired level. 

This is often done in bright tank, but it is also can be done in fermentation tank.

So many breweries will do carbonation in fermenter tank if they have limit budget for bright tank.

For in-tank carbonation (or adjustments), the brite tank will be fitted with a carbonation stone, 

a device through which carbon dioxide is forced, dispersing fine bubbles into the liquid for fast dissolution. 

Carbonation stones are usually made from either porous stone or sintered stainless steel. 

After carbonation, the beer is ready to be bottled or kegged (or both) directly from the bright tank. 

As the brite tank is the last stop before the package, careful attention is paid to quality assurance at this stage. 

Carbonation is closely checked and the brewery’s laboratory will run a series of tests.

Carbonation stone with butterfly valve

Carbonation stone with inflat head

Carbonation stone inside tank