PentaSTAB plants are industrial ion exchange resin systems designed for winemaking. The process treats a defined fraction of wine and reduces ions responsible for tartrate instability, mainly potassium (K+) and, depending on the matrix, also calcium (Ca2+). Automated service and regeneration cycles deliver repeatable performance across campaigns.
Technical data of stabilization systems
Technical data of stabilization systems
What it means
Tartrate stabilization includes treatments aimed at preventing tartrate crystal precipitation in tank or in bottle. Precipitation is largely driven by potassium and calcium in equilibrium with tartaric acid. Controlled reduction of these ions increases wine stability.
How it works
Wine flows through food grade certified columns filled with ion exchange resin. During service, the resin retains positive ions, mainly K+ and Ca2+, and releases H+, providing fast, controlled stabilization aligned to oenological targets.
Automatic cycle
When the resin approaches the configured capacity limit, the plant runs automatic rinsing and chemical regeneration steps followed by final rinses. Cycle recipes, including volumes, times and stop criteria, are defined according to the oenological targets and the specific matrix.
Process concept and operating strategy
Tartrate stabilization includes treatments aimed at preventing tartrate crystal precipitation in tank or in bottle. The PentaSTAB approach combines controlled ion reduction, treated fraction management and automatic cycles to deliver repeatable stability results across campaigns.
Wine flows through food grade certified columns filled with ion exchange resin. During service, the resin retains positive ions, mainly potassium and calcium, and releases hydrogen ions. This enables fast, controlled stabilization aligned to winemaking targets and supports repeatability when cycles are correctly managed.
Operation can be set on a treated fraction. The treated wine can then be blended with untreated wine to meet the stability target and the desired pH and acidity profile, while maintaining sensory consistency across batches. This strategy provides flexibility during campaigns and supports a stable final product profile.
When the resin approaches the configured capacity limit, the plant runs automatic rinsing and chemical regeneration steps followed by final rinses. Recipes are defined through volumes, times and stop criteria, and are tuned according to the matrix behavior and the oenological target to keep cycles stable and efficient.
- Reliable tartrate stability through controlled potassium reduction.
- Automated and repeatable operation supporting campaign standardization.
- Potential pH and acidity balancing through setup and blending strategy.
- Inline integration plus optimized regenerant consumption.
Sizing requires product and process data. Typical inputs include potassium, calcium, pH, acidity, conductivity and temperature, plus required flow rates and campaign volumes. The stability target and winery process constraints are used to define the treated fraction strategy, cycle settings and utilities requirements.
Useful references
Ion Exchange Technology
Cation exchange
Tartrate stability
Suggested sizing inputs:
K+, Ca2+, pH, acidity, conductivity, temperature, flow rate, daily treated volume, target stability and constraints.
Technical data for stabilization systems
| Model | Instant flow rate (hL/h) | Treated volume (hL/day) | Sulfuric acid 50% consumption (L/cycle) | Hydrochloric acid 30% consumption (L/cycle) | Water consumption (L/cycle) | Dimensions L×W×H (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| System STAB 150 | 15 | 270 | 18 | 42 | 1.350 | 1.000 x 1.000 x 2.150 |
| System STAB 275 | 27 | 486 | 33 | 77 | 2.475 | 1.200 x 1.000 x 2.150 |
| System STAB 375 | 37 | 666 | 45 | 105 | 3.375 | 1.200 x 1.200 x 2.300 |
| System STAB 550 | 55 | 990 | 66 | 154 | 4.950 | 1.400 x 1.200 x 2.300 |
| System STAB 800 | 80 | 1.440 | 96 | 224 | 5.760 | 1.500 x 1.200 x 2.300 |
| System STAB 1.000 | 100 | 1.800 | 120 | 280 | 9.000 | 1.600 x 1.500 x 2.400 |
| System STAB 1.500 | 150 | 2.700 | 180 | 420 | 13.500 | 1.800 x 1.600 x 2.500 |
| System STAB 2.100 | 210 | 3.780 | 252 | 588 | 18.900 | 1.800 x 1.800 x 3.000 |
| System STAB 2.800 | 280 | 5.040 | 336 | 784 | 25.200 | 2.000 x 1.900 x 3.500 |
| System STAB 3.500 | 350 | 6.300 | 420 | 980 | 31.500 | 2.000 x 2.000 x 3.800 |
Why choose Pentafood
Pentafood designs wine stabilization systems around measurable targets and repeatable automatic cycles. Treated fraction management and blending strategy support stability targets while keeping the desired pH and acidity profile and preserving sensory consistency across batches.
FAQ
The main target is potassium, which is strongly linked to tartrate precipitation risk. Depending on the matrix and the stability target, calcium can also be reduced to further improve stability.
Operation can be set on a treated fraction that is blended with untreated wine. This approach provides flexibility to reach the stability target while maintaining the desired pH and acidity profile and supporting sensory consistency across batches.
Typical inputs include potassium, calcium, pH, acidity, conductivity and temperature, plus required flow rates and campaign volumes. The stability target and the winery constraints are then used to define treated fraction strategy, cycle settings and utility requirements.