Beverages are highly sensitive products. Filters are used in their production. Modern automation ensures safety for the product and the rational production processes. The example of the world’s leading provider of microfiltration systems shows that the Simatic S7 also does a good job in this field.

The sun is the most important producer when the grapes in the famous Swiss Wallis region are maturing. Whether the wine is good depends on the care of the vines, careful picking and the high art of the cellar master. This means a lot of work.

Technical installations help to operate a vineyard or cooperative economically. This may alsoinclude a wine filtration system such as the one which was recently installed by the St. Gallen specialists for microfiltration systems, Filtrox, at the Swiss wine producer Provins in Sion. The “Cerinox Cross-flow Filtration Plant” is controlled by the Siemens Simatic S7-1200.

The swiveling panel can be used to switch from automatic to manual mode

All about automation

Schmid Automation AG with its headquarters in St. Gallen and a branch in Augsburg, Germany, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of FILTROX. The electrical company which has been active in the process automation business for 35 years offers the whole automation range from planning and software engineering, switch cabinet design to commissioning and service. Traffic technology, the equipping of sewage plants and the automation of mixing plants are all in their line of business. A key area is the beverages industry, the automation of beer, wine and fruit juice filters and wine presses from FILTROX. The tasks here range from manual switching and PLC to complex fermentation house control.

Securing the filter process

The controlling of the filter system mentioned above is one of the easier jobs, Technical Manager Erich Masiero assures us. Although: it must ensure that none of the valuable drinks are lost in the case of a fault. The startup and final phases of the filter are also crucial. Controlled filling of the tanks and the pipe system is organized by the controller before the continuous filter circuit begins. The finest particles are removed gently from the drink. The adjustable speed of the circulating pump ensures an even flow through the tubular ceramic diaphragms. Filtered beverage is passed on, unfiltered beverage remains in the circuit, the loss is topped up by the buffer store. This also prevents the filtration process from being disturbed when the flow is interrupted, for example, when changing the tank. The circuit can be closed and operated further for safety when the buffer store is almost empty. Controlled emptying of the system takes place at the end of the process by adding water, for example, in the case of beer brew. Water cannot be added in wine production; in this case compressed air is used.

Tubular ceramic diaphragms

Just connect the laptop

As an experienced provider in almost all areas, Schmid Automation AG naturally knows many solutions and products for simple and complex controls. “We have always used Simatic for FILTROX,” Erich Masiero, who is also responsible for the programming, explains. That began with the S5 and later the S7 which the manufacturer uses in his filtration systems in the versions 300 and 400. The Simatic S7-1200 is now replacing the Simatic S7-200 used at Schmid Automation for smaller control jobs. “That’s because we want to offer our customers state of the art technology,” he explains the reason for the change. Although he is a professional for programming with Instruction List, the easier engineering with Function Plan in the new Simatic Step 7 is a benefit. He also sees advantages in the networking by Ethernet TCP/IP: “CPUs and panels can now be processed as one unit which was not really possible previously, and thanks to Internet interface you can just plug in your laptop for servicing.”

Pumps, valves, sensors

A CPU 1214C carries out its control duties in the wine filter switch cabinet. Auxiliary modules with digital and analog inputs provide the values of level probes and temperature sensors. Outputs control the large feed pump for the filtration circuit, the supply pump from the buffer store and valves.

A KTP600 touch panel was fitted to the installed swivel arm for operation. The system can be switched from automatic to manual mode with the clear visualization menu. All the functions can then be operated and set manually by buttons.

Small controller with a big performance – the S7-1200 is used since recently

Economical benefits

When the Provins Valais winery fills fine wines such as Pinot Gris, Muscat, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and other types from the tank or barrel into bottles, the FILTROX system also comes into action. Losses can be reduced by cleaning the trub. The following figures underline the economical benefits of the filtration plant: the more than 4,000 cooperative members with about 3,900 acres of vineyards produce approximately 10 million liters of wine per year.

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